Asking a Northern Irish man to be brief with words is a challenge, but here it goes.
Prior to college I was working as a Medical Doctor in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Before I started studying Medicine there had always been an intention to complement my medical studies with theological training. The idea of serving God with both ministerial and medical skills in the 3rd World sounded pretty cool to a naïve eighteen year old. As time went on, however, a strong conviction grew within me of the spiritual need, not of the physical 3rd world, but of the spiritual 3rd World, i.e. the secular west. I knew even then that the commitment to this would result in me giving up medicine altogether and coming to college. Many people, including some from my own family, couldn’t believe that I would consider giving up medicine to pursue full time gospel ministry, but the decision for me couldn’t have been more transparent. Having been exposed to so much life and death in my medical work, I found that I was reaching people too late with the gospel. The world needed to hear the truth of Jesus; maybe God could use me.
Having been raised in Ireland, I have a real heart for the place. I love the people and the culture, and the ‘craic’ (as many talk about). But sadly, like many western countries, it is becoming more liberal and secularized by the day and the church has been directly affected by this. As such, knowing the reputation of Moore College internationally as an academically strong orthodox theological college with a strong emphasis on biblical theology made it a very attractive prospect for a young man seeking to encourage greater biblical orthodoxy in his own land with the promotion of Christ and His Word. My intention in coming to Moore was (and still is) to avail myself of the great theological education it has to offer, to be ordained into the Anglican Church and to serve both the gospel and the Church in Ireland.
So far college life has been a real challenge, but in equal measure, a great blessing. I have been ‘pushed and pulled from pillar to post’ regarding my own attitude towards the study of God’s word and have already established great friendships which I know I’ll have for a lifetime. I have particularly enjoyed studying the ancient languages of Koiné Greek and Ancient Hebrew, which although they demand a lot of my time, do help unlock a lot of the treasure of God’s word at a deeper level. The community life of college does add to the college experience. Knowing that I have brothers and sisters praying and caring for me helps, especially during the difficult times at college.
As I’ve said above, when I finish, I hope to go back to Ireland to serve there. What this will look like is anyone’s guess. It may be serving in a local church, it may have a more academic feel or even a combination of both, but I know that having the strong foundation of a great theological education will prepare me for whatever our good God has in store, and for that I’m thankful.
“Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” – Ephesians 6:18-19
