It has been a real privilege to spend the last three years serving at Moore Theological College with the External Engagement team.
I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to such a vital work in the spread of the gospel around the world. However, this will be my last Appeal before I join the staff team in a full-time ministry role with Auburn & Newington Anglican Churches in Sydney, Australia. I have prayerfully come to this decision because my heart continues to be set on serving Jesus as best I can, given my circumstances and training.
As I leave the staff team at College, may I ask that you continue to commit the College to prayer, financially support its gospel-shaped initiatives, and aid us by continuing to advocate for the College amongst those who are looking to develop, be equipped, and expand in the theological education space?
I say this primarily because of the significant gospel-shaped influence of the College. Our core business is quality theological education to equip faithful pastor-teachers. Time and again I receive phone calls and emails from those who support us generously because they have been positively impacted by alumni in churches, on mission, in schools, in healthcare facilities, in workplaces, and through various publications. Although this list is by no means exhaustive, the College is doing so much more than what can be seen through the fruit of our graduates’ labour.
Under God, we are also achieving significant things in the space of theological resource development, training and equipping of ministry practitioners, and the establishing of partnerships in the spirit of the world-wide training of gospel workers. Perhaps the best way to see this work is through the four Centres of the College.
Centre for Christian Living (CCL)
Under the leadership of the Rev Dr Chase Kuhn, CCL produces faithful and biblically informed resources to help all Christians bring biblical ethics to everyday issues. In our current climate, where there’s a growing anti-Christian sentiment amongst a lot of mainstream media, Christians are looking for ways to respond that honour God, particularly on moral issues. CCL produces content in the form of events, podcasts, videos, and essays to help Christians wrestle with difficult subjects, through engaging with what Scripture says on issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, and euthanasia. In 2022, our live events will focus on Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 5 considering what anger, lust, deception, and vengeance tell us about the human heart.
Centre for Global Mission (CGM)
It is undeniable that the gospel is spreading through so many countries around the world like wild fire. The Spirit is turning people from darkness to light, and droves of people are deep in bold evangelism, fervent prayer, and planting churches to shepherd those called by the Lord. In this context, Bishop Malcolm Richards and his team at CGM are using the Bible-based theological training resource of the Moore PTC material to support indigenous Christian organisations, often in their heart languages, in countries that have great needs for training but are often resource poor. In 2022 translation projects in Hindi, Russian, Malagasy, and Farsi are poised to make a huge impact under God.
Centre for Ministry Development (CMD)
Under the direction of the Rev Archie Poulos, the CMD team of coaches and experienced mentors provide training and workshops for individuals and clusters that help clergy and lay ministers function even better. This work supplements the theological formation at College, and helps bring together the wisdom and experience of best-practice in management, team building, and delegation of authority (to name a few) in a theologically considered way. Not only have clergy within and without the Sydney Anglican Diocese spoken highly of CMD’s offerings, but there is statistical evidence to show that development in these areas allows gospel workers to home in on biblical priorities and work as effectively as possible for the glory of our Lord Jesus.
Priscilla & Aquila Centre (P&A)
Led by Ms. Jane Tooher, P&A was established for the encouragement of the ministries of women in partnership with men. This is a significant ministry of the College. Through its annual conference, evening seminars, and collaboration of resources on the website, P&A recognises God’s good creation, corrects the fallacy that complementarianism is just a women’s issue, and champions the theological importance of men and women working in partnership for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ to build the church and to save the lost. In 2022, P&A will explore various topics including the ‘one another’ commands, 1 Timothy 5, church discipline, and Proverbs 31, and will encourage writing among women through a new writing award.
The hard work of the Centres in their contribution to the College’s raison d’être is, under God, having a positive impact on the growth of Christians and the spread of the gospel. However, this work comes at a significant personal and financial cost. The careful work of the Centre Director’s and their teams requires time and energy not spent on other things. The personnel required to run events and workshops, carry the administrative burden of providing quality resources in a constantly developing industry, and effectively execute translation projects all require financial support. And undergirding all of this is the knowledge that unless the Lord will it, this will all be done in vain (cf. Ps 127:1).
So, would you prayerfully consider financially supporting the work of the Centres to continue to positively influence gospel work? And would you please continue to pray for the College and its Centres, that together we would keep focused on seeing God glorified as the goal of our work? Please do also send through your prayer points to foundation@moore.edu.au. We would be very glad to partner with you through prayer as well.
Finally, I want to thank all of you for the immense joy and privilege of interacting with you over these last few years. Your persistent prayers and your generosity in giving, despite difficult circumstances and life’s brokenness, have caused me to give thanks to God again for his provision in all circumstances. I will be praying for you all, that 2022 will be a great time of growing in the Lord and taking up opportunities to serve him.
Read more . . .
