At the end of this semester, Dr Colin Bale will retire from the Moore College faculty. Dr Bale was appointed to the faculty in 1999 and has served as head of the Church History department, Academic Dean, and Vice Principal. During some of that time he worked on his PhD at Sydney University in the area of Australian history, and more particularly the lessons to be learned from the gravestone inscriptions of those who fell in the First World War.
Dr Bale has made a remarkable contribution to the life and health of Moore College. In recognition of this, the Governing Board of the College has unanimously agreed to appoint him as an Emeritus Faculty member upon his retirement. With this appointment, he will join the likes of Dr Paul Barnett, Dr Peter Jensen, Dr Peter O’Brien, Dr David Peterson, and Dr Barry Webb. His continued connection with the College is eagerly anticipated by students and faculty alike.
Principal Dr Mark Thompson remarked,
“Colin has been a supportive colleague, a wonderful friend, a brilliant Vice Principal, but through it all a magnificent example of grace, humility and the steady confidence of one who knows and walks closely with the Lord Jesus. I have always valued his advice and will miss greatly his daily presence among us. I am thrilled he will continued to be connected to the College as an Emeritus Faculty member.”
At his official farewell with students at chapel today, so many people had so much to say about the impact that Dr Bale has had on their lives, and his impact on the College community more generally.
Jane Tooher, who was a student with Dr Bale and has worked alongside him as a colleague for 12 years on faculty, commented: “When I asked 2 men from our college year their thoughts about Colin and anything they thought I should include in this speech, this is what one said: ‘The three words that come to me are steady, warm and wise.'”
She made mention of Dr Bale’s love, respect and fondness for his wife Gillian (pictured below), his love for his children and delighting in spending time with them, humility, excellent sense of humour, his gentleness and grace in dealing with others, and so much more.
Jesse Morrison, senior student at College, asked students for a word to describe Dr Bale. They came up with “Father figure, grandfather, story-time, moustache, cheeky and sassy.” Jesse himself also remarked that “[Dr Bale] is unmistakably on fire for the gospel.”
College alumnus and friend of Dr Bale, Caitlin Orr, also had nothing but positive things to say about him. She remarked, “[Dr Bale is] not only a teacher, but a pastor at heart… [he] cares deeply for the people God has placed under [him].”
Dr Bale commented that “he [has] had a hoot being at College.” He also echoed the sentiments he heard at the 30-year alumni reunion, saying that it was a great joy to be part of College, where he too learned to think theologically in every situation, and make everything all about Jesus.
Please join us in thanking God for, and praying for Dr Bale.
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