I am humbled by the way our most glorious Father continues to work through the hearts and minds of his people across the globe, including those men and women who make their way to Moore College. He calls those from every tribe, tongue, and nation to bring them into alignment with his purposes in living for and proclaiming our Lord Jesus Christ, and he brings some of them to Moore. Not only is this part of our Father’s plan for the gospel to go out to the ends of the earth but is of direct benefit to the cohorts of students at Moore each year.
Moving to another country to study theology, with new people and in new surrounds, mimics the cross-cultural challenges that mission brings in any setting, whether within Sydney, around Australia or overseas. As a College community, we benefit greatly from our brothers and sisters that come into this community, as we widen our perspectives to the ways and means that our Father has been working and continues to work. It is the testimony of many a Moore College alumnus, that their spheres were opened to considering other places they could serve the Lord. While many of our graduates go back to their home countries to serve as Indigenous missionaries or move to other countries to take up the call to serve in cross cultural ministry, many others discover new ways to serve the Lord they did not know existed before coming to College.
I recently spoke with Jordan Cunningham in second year, who came here with his wife Amy from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Coming from a non-Christian family, with parents who were apathetic to the gospel, he was converted after an invite to an Alpha Youth course as a sixteen-year-old. After attending a charismatic Presbyterian church who were very relational and loved him deeply, he discovered reformed theology from watching YouTube videos, which exponentially grew his hunger and excitement to devour Scripture. He has loved his time at Moore thus far, and in fact always knew he would. When I asked him about adjusting to life in Sydney, he remarked that “wherever you go in the world, when you are with God’s people, you are with family.” Jordan and Amy are planning to go back to Northern Ireland and into pastoral ministry that focuses on gospel teaching and discipleship.
You may have also read about first year student Sarah Chew in the Autumn edition of Moore Matters. Sarah grew up in Malaysia, believing that she didn’t need Christianity and that it didn’t matter whether God was real. After coming to Australia for her studies, she was invited to a Christian talk at the University of NSW, where she heard that a relationship with Jesus was important. She became a Christian, and her convictions grew as she started working and had to live out her faith in specific and practical ways. Although Sarah was encouraged and stretched while serving in a university church setting, she is excited to grow and learn, commenting that she “really appreciates the variety of ministry and personalities at Moore.” Sarah is open to where God might use her in future, and in the meantime, is wanting to always keep evangelism on the agenda while she works out where she will serve Jesus and his Kingdom.
Chatting with Jordan, Sarah and many other students has reinforced for me the privilege that we have as a College, to welcome brothers and sisters from around the world into our community. They challenge us, shape us, and encourage us as we look to single-mindedly serve our Lord Jesus. But for this to continue, we are reliant on the continued prayers and financial generosity of supporters like you. We covet your prayers, and are so thankful for your generosity, which helps us to alleviate some of the financial burden for students as they make the commitment to study with us.
We would like to ask you to prayerfully consider financially supporting our International Student Fund. This fund offers both undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships for the growing number of prospective church leaders who seek in-depth, reformed evangelical theological education to serve in their home countries, as well as other places around the world in a plethora of global ministries.
Thank you for your prayers and continued support of our students at Moore Theological College. Please contact me with any prayer requests or if you have any questions. You can email me at Foundation@moore.edu.au or phone my direct line at +61 2 9577 9860.
