I hope that as you combed through the Moore Matters Autumn 2022 publication, you have begun to see the ways in which Moore College continues to influence the world through theological education. From the rich melting pot of ethnicities right here in Sydney, to the various overseas ministries that our graduates are involved in, your generosity in supporting the training and equipping of men and women is both strategic and significant. Every one of you, through your financial generosity, fervent and consistent prayers, and advocacy for the work of the College, are valuable partners in this ministry that aims to see God glorified through providing excellent evangelical theological education.
In recent times, I have been reflecting on 2 Thessalonians, and the urgency of the spread of the gospel, given our current context. Unlike the folk religion of the day, which is focused on secondary things, Scripture is very clear about what is of first importance. We are sitting between the work of Jesus on the cross and in his resurrection, and his imminent Second Coming. when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels (cf. 2 Thess 1:7) to judge the living and the dead. Considering the truth of the times in which we live, the gospel is paramount because what truly matters is our relationship with Jesus! The world is in darkness, and so we ought to be focused on preaching the gospel of salvation, and praying for the very same, for there is an end date and the Lord Jesus will return at any moment. This sentiment of urgency is helpfully articulated by Charles Spurgeon,
If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.[1]
Our contemporary society is arguably as far from knowing or acknowledging God as it has been in a long time. Only recently, public 2021 Australian Community Survey[2] results show that in Australia alone, a large proportion of people don’t even know someone who goes to church, let alone believe that Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical person. This is precisely the reason we prayerfully plan to continue expanding our student body, bringing people from all over the world to engage in evangelical theological education and formation to be sent out to the far reaches of the globe.
Take our brother Trace Akankunda, for example, who was born in a Christian family in Uganda. He was introduced to Jesus by passionate peers, who invited him to Bible study groups and patiently walked alongside him, helping him to understand the significance of Jesus. After moving to Adelaide to pursue postgraduate research in science, he was further nurtured by Trinity Church, where he was also challenged to appreciate the need for gospel workers and to consider pursuing vocational ministry.
Of his experience of his first year on campus studying the Bachelor of Divinity, he says:
“I have been challenged to grow in character, conviction, and competence for ministry. I have enjoyed learning God’s word in community and building godly relationships that I will hopefully carry into ministry beyond college. I have also had the opportunity to get involved in church ministry and see how good biblical teaching translates into practical ministry.”
Under God, Trace hopes to return home and partner with gospel workers in Uganda, to proclaim the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Or consider Ruvini Katugaha, one of our online Diploma of Biblical Theology students from Kandy, Sri Lanka. She was born to a family with a Christian mother but did not really come into a personal relationship with Christ until she was in her mid-20s, studying law in Hong Kong. When she finally found an English-speaking church where she felt connected, one of the pastors there was a Moore College alumnus. It was only natural, then, to consider Moore College as the place to equip herself for the ministries God had placed in her path.
Ruvini is passionate about serving the Lord in the space of evangelism. Now back in Sri Lanka, she has started two Bible studies, one of which is distinctly aimed at non-believers who are interested in answering questions from the Bible. She is hoping to keep evangelising as many people in Sri Lanka as will listen, and wants to publish books in Christian Apologetics in her mother tongue, Sinhala.
We are also excited about our new cohort of undergraduate students who are starting with us on campus in 2022. One of these students is David Wong, who grew up in a Christian family in Hong Kong, always being taught the Bible and encouraged in his relationship with God. Once David came to Australia, he was heartened in his Christian conviction and maturity through FOCUS Campus Bible Study (CBS) ministries at the University of NSW. After his traineeship with CBS, he was convinced of the need to serve God in a full-time ministry capacity, and is excited to study at College after having been told by his trainers that it is the obvious next step in his training and development. David wants to serve Cantonese speaking people, whether that be in Sydney or back in Hong Kong.
These are just three examples of students who are from other countries and are investing in theological training for the sake of preaching the gospel wherever our Lord may lead them. Please continue to pray for all our students, that they will be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (cf. Col 1:9). Especially pray for the cohort of students this year, that they will develop good patterns of study and integrate well into this wonderful community of Christian brothers and sisters.
Will you please also prayerfully consider giving to the Scholarship Fund, the International Student Fund and the Overseas DBT Scholarship? These funds will help us to invest in our students, ensuring that financial limitations do not inhibit them from being thoroughly equipped to serve Jesus in whatever context they find themselves ministering. We want to ensure that every student who is enrolled in College can financially afford studying with us. This is especially the case for our international brothers and sisters who do not have the generous benefit of government assistance.
[1] ‘The Wailing of Risca’, preached in the Exeter Hall, 9 December 1960.
[2] This is research conducted by the National Church Life Survey research group. More information at NCLS Research – Home (2021ncls.org.au).
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