Over two nights in Marcus Loane Hall, students from Moore College performed The Mark Drama, a 90-minute retelling of the Gospel of Mark presented in a theatre-in-the-round format. 

No professionals. No props. Just Gospel.

The impact

There was a great turnout on both nights, with the team even setting out extra chairs to fit everyone in. The majority of visitors were not Christians, creating a wonderful opportunity for the Gospel to be heard and discussed.

One student shared that their non-Christian friends came unexpectedly, loved the performance, and each took home a copy of Luke’s Gospel. Another described a deep and honest conversation with their non-believing sister after the Friday performance, reflecting on the goodness of Jesus and the truth of the Gospel.

A grandmother who attended said, “I’ve always kind of skipped over Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, but seeing Him cry out to God to take the cup away hit me so deeply. I was so moved.”

Others spoke about continued conversations in the days that followed, friends who wanted to learn more about Jesus, and family members who were open to hearing the story for themselves.

These moments remind us that The Mark Drama was never just a performance. It was an opportunity to share the Gospel clearly and personally, sparking genuine conversations about who Jesus is and what it means to know Him.

A Word of Thanks

We are deeply grateful for the students who brought The Mark Drama to life for their preparation, humility, and faithfulness and for everyone who supported and attended.

It was a reminder that the Gospel doesn’t need anything added to it. It stands alone: powerful, living, and true.

Read more . . .

Presented by Pamela Summers, Huguenot Society of Australia – Wednesday 8 October

Last Wednesday evening, the Moore College came alive with stories of courage, faith and endurance as Pamela Summers from the Huguenot Society of Australia delivered a fascinating and captivating talk on The Huguenots and the French Reformation. The turnout exceeded expectations, prompting the event to move to Marcus Loane Hall to accommodate the larger audience, a clear sign of the interest in this remarkable chapter of church and world history. The presentation was particularly helpful for those to whom the French Reformation was unexplored. 

Beginning with the mysterious origins of the word “Huguenot” a name given to French followers of Calvin, Pamela traced the unfolding of the Reformation in France, highlighting key figures such as Jacques Lefèvre d’Étaples (1455–1536). Her engaging style brought history to life, revealing how conviction and conscience shaped a movement that would change the world.

Persecution and Perseverance

The evening took a sobering turn as Pamela described the horrific persecution faced by the Huguenots. On the night of 23 August 1572, the eve of St Bartholomew’s Day, violence erupted across France. Within weeks, between 5,000 and 30,000 Protestants were killed in a wave of massacres that shocked Europe.

Yet out of this darkness came moments of resilience. The Edict of Nantes, signed by King Henri IV in 1598, offered French Protestants a fragile measure of religious freedom, until it was revoked by Louis XIV in 1685. This led to one of history’s earliest and largest refugee movements, as tens of thousands of Huguenots fled to safer lands across England, the Netherlands, North America, and even as far as the Cape Colony in South Africa. It was during this time that the English word “refugee” first entered common use.

From Europe to Australia

Pamela also explored the little-known story of the Huguenot diaspora in Australia. Many arrived indirectly, some transported as convicts, others emigrating from Britain and Ireland. Their influence continues to ripple through Australian history, with figures such as Governor Charles La Trobe proudly tracing their ancestry to these French Protestants who refused to abandon their faith.

The Huguenot Society of Australia continues to keep this heritage alive, encouraging historical and genealogical research through its archives, held in the Donald Robinson Library. Attendees were delighted to view a special display of rare books, manuscripts, and artefacts from the Society’s collection, which remains on show on the library’s lower ground floor and you are encouraged to go take a look!

The evening left attendees deeply moved and inspired. One guest shared:

“That was such an enjoyable presentation. I came with some background knowledge from my own family research, but I learnt so much from Pamela. I have a fuller understanding now of the length of the persecution and the impact that Huguenot refugees have had around the world. I’m keen to explore further by joining the Huguenot Society.”

Pamela’s talk reminded all present that the story of the Huguenots is not only about suffering, it is also a story of resilience, faith, and hope that continues to resonate across centuries and continents.

Read more . . .

Staff & Faculty Thanksgiving Service in John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel 

This September, staff and Faculty gathered in the John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel for a Service of Thanksgiving, the first such staff service to be held there in many years. For some, it was the first time they had joined in worship within the Chapel, which made the occasion particularly significant. 

The service was led by Property Manager, Jon Telfer and opened with a call to worship from 1 Chronicles 16, declaring God’s glory among the nations and affirming together, “The Lord reigns.” Jon reminded us that while Cash Chapel is a beautiful space with its sandstone, timberwork, and stained glass, the true Church is not bricks and mortar, but the people of God gathered under Christ’s authority. 

Scripture was central throughout. Daniel Higgins from the IT team read Psalm 104, after which Malcolm Richards, Director of the Center for Global Mission, preached from the passage. Malcolm drew attention to God as the creator, sustainer, and provider of all things from the land and animals to humankind itself. Reflecting on how the psalmist revisits the Genesis creation story, Malcolm noted that every good gift in life points us back to God’s ongoing provision. He reminded us that even the forces of chaos, represented by the waters in Genesis, are firmly under God’s control for our good. Just as the psalmist praises God for his sustaining care, so we, too, are called to live lives of thanksgiving, acknowledging his daily provision in both ordinary and extraordinary ways. Malcolm also highlighted how Psalm 104 points forward to Christ, through whom and for whom all things were created and in whom all things are sustained (Colossians 1:16-17). The call to praise the Lord “as long as we have breath” becomes, in Christ, a call that stretches into eternity. 

The service also included prayers of thanksgiving and intercession, led by Librarian Jacqui Wiya, who encouraged us to consider what it means to depend on God together as a community. 

The congregation joined in three hymns: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus, and To God Be the Glory. These were accompanied by student Riley Irwin on the organ and led in song by Karen Beilharz, a member of the Communications Team. The Chapel’s distinctive layout, where worshippers face one another, gave a powerful visual reminder of Colossians 3:16: “teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs”.  

The service concluded with a benediction from Hebrews 13: “May the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing his will, working in you what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ.” Staff and Faculty then enjoyed afternoon tea in the Principal’s Garden, continuing the celebration with good conversation and fellowship. 

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the John Francis Cash Memorial Chapel. Built as a memorial to John Francis Cash, who was killed in WWII, the chapel is a place rich in symbolism. Its stained-glass windows, donated by John’s sisters, depict the Sermon on the Mount and the angel at the empty tomb; images that point us to Christ’s teaching and the hope of the resurrection. To celebrate this milestone, staff were provided with a special 75th anniversary edition of the Order of Service, designed by our new Communications team member, Sarah Bingham and featuring photographs of the Chapel. You can view the digital version here. 

Acknowledgements 

We are grateful to Jon Telfer for leading the service, to Daniel Higgins for reading Scripture, to Malcolm Richards for preaching, to Karen Beilharz for leading us in song, to Riley Irwin for accompanying on the organ, and to Jacqui Wiya for leading us in prayer. Special thanks also to Gaurav and the kitchen team for their hospitality in preparing afternoon tea, to Mark and Kathryn Thompson for opening their home for the afternoon tea and to all staff and Faculty who attended, making the service a memorable and meaningful time of thanksgiving together. 

Read more . . .

A Look Back at Moore’s Open Events

On Friday 26 and Saturday 27 September, Moore College opened its doors to welcome prospective students and friends of the College. Across both days, visitors were invited to experience campus life firsthand, sharing meals with students, joining chapel, sitting in on lectures, and having their questions answered about what it looks like to study at Moore.

Experiencing College Life

Friday’s program began with coffee and conversation in the Level 1 Foyer, before heading into chapel in Marcus Loane Hall. Guests then enjoyed morning tea in the Courtyard before stepping into a second-year Doctrine class in the Knox Lecture Theatre. The day closed with lunch in the sun, where visitors continued to chat with students and Faculty about their own journeys of studying God’s word and what led them to consider pursuing study at Moore.

This year’s Open Event also included a Doctrine 2 lecture where our previous principal Peter Jensen welcomed Bishop Alfred Olwa to share on the topic of animism which is prevalent in the African context – a unique opportunity for guests to see how theological study connects deeply with the lives of people in this fallen world.

Info Day

The Open Event program continued on Saturday 27 September with Info Day, where prospective students had a chance to explore Moore in greater depth. The day featured:

• A presentation on the curriculum and subjects
• A Q&A session with Faculty
• A guided campus tour

Principal Mark Thompson preached from Matthew 3:13-4:11, reminding us that when Jesus faced temptation, he turned to God’s word and we too are called to return to Scripture as we consider life’s decisions, including the consideration to study at College. Conversations throughout the day gave visitors space to reflect not only on the details of study, but also on what has led them to consider Moore as part of their future.

A Warm Thank You

A massive thank you to everyone who came along the students, the staff, the Faculty all loved getting to meet you and chat about how studying at Moore might be something for you next year, or further down the track.”  Student Ambassador Fiona Thomson

“Thank you for coming to the Moore Open Event. I hope you had your questions answered, and we look forward to hearing from you in the future.” Principal Mark Thompson 

Looking Ahead

For those who missed out this time, we’ll be running our next Open Events in May 2026. Whether you are prayerfully considering study or simply curious about the life of the College, we’d love to welcome you then.

Find out more at open.moore.edu.au.

Read more . . .