Chris Palmer’s PhD Viva took place on Thursday 7th November at the University of Wales College, Lampeter. The university examiners were Professor William Kay (Wales) and Dr. Andrew Davies (Birmingham). Chris’ thesis title was:
‘A historical and theological evaluation of the early development of the Assemblies of God denomination in South East Wales with special reference to Crosskeys and Newbridge.’
Chris passed, with only some minor corrections required. Congratulations!
I grew up in an industrial city among a slight majority of African-American children. I remember wanting to grow up and get married at 18, get a job at Caterpillar Tractor Co., buy a house and have two children! At age 15, my girlfriend won me to Christ.
When we were 19 and thinking seriously about our future, Linda read me articles from a devotional. One was about a missionary coming home and not being met by anyone at the boat dock. God reminded him, ‘You are not “home” yet’. The other was about how someone said to a Christian worker, ‘I would give the world to be a faithful servant of Christ’. The reply was, ‘That is what it will cost’. I, on the other hand, was planning to be wealthy and to never be ill. A year later when I came to visit Linda from college I informed her, ‘I have decided to become a missionary’. After many tears, I learned she was told she would never be allowed to marry a missionary. She didn’t.
After theological training, Charlene and I were married and I took a Masters in Hebrew. We then spent 12 years translating the entire Bible into the Quechua language of Ecuador. Our four children grew up in the Andes, just 15 miles from Mt. Chimborazo, a 20,561 feet high colossus. Our home was at 12,000 feet in a valley. Later I spent 15 years teaching public school while Charlene was a home health nurse.
We spent 2005-2009 in Nigeria, teaching Christian Studies in a state University. At the end of that assignment our fellow Christians at the college asked, ‘Can you help teach our children and grandchildren? You will need a PhD for that’. Thus we prayed much and found our way to WEST.
Andrew Wigham was inducted to Yateley Baptist Church, Hampshire on 14 September 2013.
Mark Fisher is to be inducted as pastor of Hanney Chapel, Oxfordshire on 15 February 2014. Over the last five years, latterly as Assistant Pastor, he has been engaged in evangelistic work for Heath Evangelical Church, Cardiff: open air preaching, schools’ work and working with international students.
Morning worship takes place at WEST every day, but once a week we hold a longer service, often with guest preachers. These services are held at midday on Thursdays during semester time and are now open to the public.
We would love to see you regularly among the congregation and, if you wish, you are more than welcome to stay on to hear our guests deliver a seminar on a subject of their choice from 2.10-3pm. Lunch is available for £3.50. Here are our speakers for Semester 2:
January 30th
Trevor Archer - Training Director, FIEC
February 6th
Paul Mallard - Director of Training and Development, Midlands Gospel Partnership
February 13th
John Tindall - Preacher and Teacher, Birmingham
February 20th
Rupert Bentley-Taylor - Preacher and Teacher, Bath
February 27th
Meirion Thomas - Pastor, Malpas Road Evangelical Church, Newport
March 6th
Glen Scrivener - Evangelist, All Souls, Eastbourne
March 13th
Andy Paterson - Mission Director, FIEC
March 20th
Richard Turnbull – Director of the Centre for Enterprise, Markets and Ethics; former Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
March 27th
David Norbury – General Secretary of the Evangelical Movement of Wales
April 3rd
Sammy Davies – Assistant Pastor, Ammonford Evangelical Church; Church Planting in the Gwendraeth Valley
April 10th
Jonathan Stephen – Principal of WEST
Within a detailed, complex, historical context, this pioneering research explores the adoption and use of Distance Learning (DL) in Higher Education (HE) undergraduate vocational training within a sample of Independent Theological Colleges in England and Wales. Questions relating to the establishment, rationale and mission of ITCs are pursued and, in a case-study involving the results of a questionnaire completed by DL students, there is also critical reflection on the researcher’s work in developing DL courses here at WEST. The challenging task of spiritual formation in ITCs is also discussed in depth. New insights emerge from this research pointing to a more effective use of DL in ITCs.
Judy commences her full time work in February 2014, preparing DL Bible courses for pastors and church leaders in Africa and the Middle East . We wish her well in this important and urgent task.
Brochures are now ready for our 15th annual Revival Conference, which takes place 21-28 June 2014.
As the brochure explains, ‘revival is dealt with from a God-centred point of view, both biblically and historically and with inspirational application to the great needs of today’.
To book, please download and complete the Booking Form and send it to Kevin Green at WEST with your deposit of £30.
Hector Morrison, Principal of Highland Theological College, returns as our main speaker by popular demand. He will preach each evening from 1 and 2 Samuel and give two lectures on revivals in Lewis.
Emyr James trained at WEST, and is Associate Pastor of the Welsh Evangelical Church in Cardiff. He will preach each morning from Leviticus.
The other speakers are Stephen Clark, Pastor of Free School Court Evangelical Church, Bridgend, Phil Hill of WEST, Dr Gwyn Davies, Aberystwyth, and Maureen Wise, a UFM missionary in Moldova.
Tom Holland and Kerry Orchard fly to Washington DC and Boston MA on 22 February, returning on 7 March. Their hosts in Washington DC will be ex-WEST PhD student, Dr Won Sang Lee and current PhD student, Mike Christ. There, Dr Holland will preach in three churches and lecture five times at ministers’ fraternals. They will also be able to publicise WEST, particularly its MTh and PhD programmes, at the Reformed Theological Seminary campus in the City. A visit will also be paid to Capitol Hill Baptist Church, where Mark Dever ministers. Welshman Kevin Adams is the host in Boston. Dr Holland will preach in his church, lecture at his ministers’ fraternal, and both men will speak about WEST and its MTh and PhD programmes to the students at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Please pray for safety in travel and the Lord’s blessing on their labours.
Photo: Meeting of local Korean American Church Leaders at Korean Central Presbyterian Church, Centreville, Virginia on Monday, 24 February 2014
Front row (L to R): Rev William Jin (Senior Pastor, Bethel Korean PC), Rev Lloyd Shim (President, Trinity Institute of Washington), Dr Won Sang Lee (President, SEED International), Dr Tom Holland and Mr Kerry Orchard (WEST: Invited Speakers).
Tom Holland and Kerry Orchard have returned safely from a fruitful visit to the Washington DC and Boston MA areas. The reception was extremely warm, even if the weather was not! Tom preached three times and gave 6 lectures on Pauline theology, while Kerry gave 6 presentations on WEST’s MTh and PhD programmes. There were numerous conversations with individuals, several of whom were interested in studying at WEST. Highlights included the kindness of hosts Dr Won Sang Lee and Pastors Mike Christ and Kevin Adams, the enthusiastic questioning of second generation Korean American youth leaders, speaking at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, meeting Drs David Wells and Os Guiness, speaking at a meeting of Baptist pastors and visiting New England sites associated with the great 18th century evangelist George Whitefield.
Former WEST student Dr Richard Birch (1996-2000) was recently inducted as the Pastor at Harold Hill Evangelical Church (FIEC) near Romford. Here is the link to the church website: http://www.hhevan.com/leadership/. Pray that the Lord will bless both pastor and congregation.
Since graduating from WEST, Fiona has worked for 8 years in a leadership role with UFM Worldwide amongst students in Bordeaux. She is taking a well deserved and – needed 6 months sabbatical until September. Her last act will be to launch the new year’s evangelistic effort and make sure new staff are well established in the work in September. She will then join Heath Evangelical Church, Cardiff full-time as Women’s Worker in October 2014. She will spearhead women’s spiritual discipleship and evangelism, and schools work locally. Church members are strongly supportive, Fiona is well known to many having had a placement at the church while studying at WEST and then working with international students for a year in Cardiff employed by the church. Her asociate membership dates from that time and she was then supported in prayer and financially while she was in France.
Saturday 17 May was a beautifully sunny day. The Sarang Thomas Centre was nearly full. The service was led by the Principal, Jonathan Stephen. Pastoral and Church Theologian, Phil Hill, read Acts 20: 13-38 and led in prayer. WEST has the freehold now and occupies the whole of the Bryntirion site. EMW are in excellent facilities elsewhere in Bridgend. A major new initiative has been the development of “learning communities” which bridge between the academy and the local church. The first is with the in North-West Gospel Partnership through former student, Andrew Evans, of Christ Church, Liverpool. From September 2014 ministerial trainees there will access the WEST Graduate Diploma by distance learning, studying part time locally together over two years with accredited mentors. They will have the option of progressing to a master’s degree. Agricola College, Finland will be involved in something similar. PhD student, Sean Rossi, who leads the OM (Europe) team is the coordinator of this initiative. “Union” is launched on 22 June at All Souls, Langham Place. A short video gave an insight into this “academy into missional church” venture. The programme is to start in September 2015.
A number of leaving students were interviewed, all of whom were enthusiastic about their WEST experience. Doug Clark is waiting on a members’ meeting next month to see whether he would be appointed Assistant Pastor at Worthing Tabernacle. Paul Crolla is being considered for a church post in a deprived area of Wales. Gwydion Emlyn is looking forward to marriage in August and the prospect of being Assistant Pastor at St Mellons Baptist Church (dependent on a church vote in July). Gethin Jones asked for prayer regarding his future ministry. Lloyd Pritchard is being actively considered by a South Wales city church. Raj Sangha is seeking ordination in the Anglican Church. Andy Taylor is waiting for a Magdalen Road Baptist Church, Oxford vote on whether he takes up the post of Assistant Pastor from September. Mike Vickery is completing his Binary Course studies and being considered by a church in Guernsey as their pastor.
Jonathan Thomas of Ammanford Evangelical Church preached most helpfully from Acts 20 on Paul’s “retirement speech”. He challenged the students as to whether they would be able to say something similar when their ministry ends. Were the staff members preparing their students in line with this? What were supporters looking for in terms of ministers of the future? Paul’s ministry was:
The Principal of the Highland Theological College, Hector Morrison, brought his special brand of biblically theological preaching that “cuts across the fields to the cross”, though preaching from 1 and 2 Samuel and Psalm 126. He also lectured on the revivals of his native island, Lewis.
Emyr James, Associate Pastor of the Welsh Evangelical Church, Cardiff, made light of preaching each morning from Leviticus and took us from the shadows to the glorious reality of Christ.
Stephen Clark, Pastor of Free School Evangelical Church, Bridgend, was penetrating and provocative in his analysis of opposition to revival today, particularly from younger ministers, and most helpful in pointing up biblical revival with particular emphasis on Thessalonica.
Gwyn Davies of Aberystwyth showed why Thomas Charles was his ideal desert island companion! He also led the trip in the footsteps of the Calvinist Methodists who met at Watford, Caerphilly under Whitefield’s chairmanship.
WEST’s Phil Hill gave masterly lectures on a move of God in South Wales in the 1960s and 70s, illustrated from his personal experience in Govilon (near Abergavenny).
Maureen Wise, UFM missionary, gave us vivid word pictures of God’s remarkable work in Moldova today.
Before becoming WEST’s Pastoral Theologian last year, Phil Hill spent five years lecturing and pastoring in Israel. He now returns to lead a party of students on a weeklong tour discovering the Essential Israel.
The subsidised cost of this once in a lifetime expedition is incredibly only £550 – including flights and all internal travel, as well as shared accommodation, breakfast and evening meals. (Travel insurance is not included; single room supplements available.)
The itinerary includes all the major attractions sought out by Bible-believing Christians, but also many fascinating sites that are comparatively neglected. Unique insights will be gained into numerous biblical accounts, as both Old and New Testament Scriptures suddenly come alive!
Provisional programme
Day 1: Flight to Israel to arrive by early evening. Our own coach will take us to Jerusalem to view the city from the Mount of Olives. Evening meal and settle into hostel/hotel (shared rooms are normal but a single room supplement can be arranged).
Day 2: The City of David – Bethlehem and Rachel’s Tomb, the Citadel of Zion and the Temple site
Day 3: In the steps of Jesus – the sites of his ministry, arrest and crucifixion, the empty tomb, the Mount of Olives
Day 4: By coach to Jericho and The Dead Sea, then up the Jordan Valley visiting Bethshan, site of Saul’s final defeat, and arriving early evening at Nazareth or Sea of Galilee, where we will settle into our second hostel/hotel.
Day 5: We travel to the Sea of Galilee to visit the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, then the ruins of Capernaum, which include its synagogue and the recently discovered remains of the House of Peter, then the shoreline of the Sea. In the afternoon we visit ‘Nazareth Village’ where aspects of domestic and religious life from the Bible have been reconstructed and are explained; and finally the Basilica and Roman remains in Nazareth.
Day 6: We will visit Megiddo and the biblical ‘Armageddon’ valley, the Mount of Transfiguration, and the site of Elijah’s ministry in the mountain range of Carmel.
Day 7: We will travel to the north of Israel past the ruins of the ancient city of Dan to the Hermon mountain range which many consider to be the Mount of Transfiguration; from there we will visit Ceasarea Philippi, where Peter confessed Christ; and then back via the Jordan River to the Baptism Site used today by local Christians on the river.
Day 8: In the morning we will visit the Roman remains of Ceasarea Maritime, the Roman city and port where Paul was placed on trial before being sent to Rome in chains. From there we will travel to the airport for our return flight to the UK.
The really good news is that we are reserving 10 places on the trip for former WEST students!
If you are interested to join the expedition, contact Phil Hill (philhill@west.org.uk / 01656 645411).
The new building was packed with some 200 students, staff and supporters on Saturday, 14 September for the WEST Dedication Service, marking the start of a new academic year. The tone of the meeting was one of thankfulness and praise to God. Most gratifying was the significant increase in the number of new undergraduate students (27), many of whom were introduced to the congregation. It was striking that no fewer than three of them were from the same congregation, Quedgley Baptist Church in Gloucester, and another two were on full FIEC scholarships. In addition, there were several students on the six- month International Foundation Course from South Korea and Hungary.
Two of the three new academic staff members were introduced. Dr Cornelis (Cor) Bennema, from the Netherlands, had been engaged in mission and theological teaching in India over the last 11 years. He is a Biblical Theologian and Johannine specialist. Rev Phil Hill, born in Bridgend, is an experienced pastor. Most recently he has been teaching Palestinians at a seminary in Nazareth, Israel. He teaches Pastoral Theology and as Church Theologian provides a resource to local churches. Dr Benema read the Scriptures and Rev Hill led in prayer. The third new staff member, Dr Michael Reeves, was speaking at a prior engagement. He was formerly UCCF’s Theological Adviser. As “Theologian – at – large” he teaches Systematic Theology and, in time, will supervise research at the College, and preach and teach at conferences at home and abroad.
Through the kindness of a South Wales – based Christian charity, WEST had been enabled to buy the freehold on the Bryntirion site, and the Evangelical Movement of Wales had been able to obtain new offices in Bridgend. It was a “win – win” for both organisations. WEST could now accommodate recent growth and plan for further expansion. A new partnership had been agreed with Tyndale House, Cambridge which would give WEST staff and students access to world class research facilities. Prayer was requested for the urgent reroofing of Bryntirion House, the visit of the Principal and Chief Operating Officer to Chicago and Phoenix and the October board meeting in Seoul.
WEST board member, Rev Graham John, of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Swansea preached pointedly to the new students from 2 Corinthians 3. He posed two questions:
What is the purpose of the Christian ministry?
Where does the power come from?
In answer, he first spoke of leaders’ need of the Lord’s people: their testimony, prayers, fellow-feeling, mentoring and encouragement. He then looked at the source of Paul’s confidence. It was not his intellect, learning or abilities. Rather it was his hold on Christ. Like Paul, the need for godliness is primary. Effective ministry is dependent on the quality of pastors’ lives. Competence in ministry comes from God himself. Lastly, it was vital to remember the privilege and glory of this work. It is worth investing one’s best time. Sustained theological study was an unrepeatable privilege.
Next WEST Open Day!
Are you seriously looking to equip yourself for a lifetime of Word-centred ministry? Or maybe you just want to investigate the possibility? Then why not attend our next Open Day at WEST? Hosted by our own Dr Mike Reeves, the day is designed to help you clarify your options for the future – and to show you how WEST is uniquely placed to help.
The Open Day will run from 11am-4pm on Saturday, 18th October, 2014. Mike will be preaching, and you will hear from other eminent, international scholars on the WEST faculty, as well as current members of the student body.
Come and interact with the WEST family, explore the library and other facilities, stroll through the grounds – and ask whatever you like during the Q&A session at the end of the day.
Sadly, there are very few viable options in this country for those who are looking to be comprehensively prepared for contemporary, missional ministry in a reformed, evangelical environment. Here at WEST, we are privileged to attract, year on year, a growing number of those the Lord is calling into future church leadership.
Could be one of them? Please don’t miss out! This great opportunity occurs only twice during the year, and comes to you completely free of charge. (An excellent lunch is available for the modest charge of £3.)
For more information simply contact bookings@west.org.uk, or to book your place please fill out the form below.
Come and get a taste of what WEST has to offer!
Saturday 13 September perfectly illustrated Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 16: 9 where he speaks of a ‘wide door for effective work’ alongside ‘many adversaries’. The Dedication Service included interviews with the biggest intake of undergraduate and masters students for several year. A further group of distance learning students are studying together for the Graduate Diploma in Liverpool.That night Satan’s backlash was crude in the form of a burglary and damage to Bryntirion House. Please pray for the work and in particular for two young shocked female students who disturbed the burglars.
Dr Mike Reeves spoke persuasively about the initiative ‘Union’ – see www.uniontheology.org. The ‘learning community’ in the north-west of England is just the forerunner of what is hoped to be a network of similar hubs in the UK, Europe and beyond that would truly bring ‘the academy to the church’. He urged supporters to pray for wisdom so that the initiative would redound to God’s glory.
Principal Jonathan Stephen stressed Christian character formation and the development of practical skills alongside academic study. He then interviewed a dozen of the new students and prayed for them. Nearly all the new degree students are from Britain, however Hannes from Austria and Heinrich from Denmark both testified in impeccable English! Calvin from South Korea and Lisa from Finland spoke on behalf of the new students on the International Foundation Course.
The preacher was the Rev Mark Johnston, late of Grove Chapel, London and the USA, and Pastor Designate of Bethel Presbyterian Church, Cardiff. His installation is on 11 October. The Bible reading was 2 Timothy 3: 1-17 and his text v15: ‘and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus’. He urged the students to profit from their time in seminary and then to stay the course in ministry. The latter would only be possible with God’s help. Paul exhorts Timothy to press on by recalling the impact, promise and source of this Word. Remember those who went before you and influenced you for good. The promise of the Word is backed up by the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Word is God-breathed, it comes from God. The Author is God himself. He is the one we can ultimately trust.
WEST is excited to announce an Alumni Day Conference on Saturday, 29th November, designed to benefit former students in their ongoing ministry.
Marcus Honeysett, MA lecturer and director of Living Leadership, will be the speaker, and the topic will be ‘Refreshing’, with a focus on refreshing leadership in the morning, and refreshing leaders in the afternoon.
Anyone who has taken Marcus’ module on the MA will testify to how inspiring it is, and we are very grateful to him for coming to share his passion for leadership and leaders with us.
There will also be opportunity for discussion and feedback on how WEST can better serve former students, and especially on how the next of these events can benefit all who come.
Held at WEST in the STC, there is no cost to attendees. Please bring your own lunch!
Former BA and current MA student Alan Cartwright is organising the event. Please contact him at alumni@west.org.uk if you are interested in coming, or if you have any questions or suggestions.
The following leaving students have been called into full-time appointments:
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has confirmed the award of the degree of Ph.D to Rev Fred Adorborjbidji. The research was an extensive historical, theological and pastoral exploration of quantitative and qualitative church growth, especially within Presbyterian churches, in Accra, Ghana between 1960-2000, with special reference to the improved pastoral care of church members.
It is hoped that this pioneer work, under WEST supervisor Dr Eryl Davies, will stimulate further research into pastoral care in Ghana, leading to more dynamic, commited and spiritually inspired local churches.
Fred has been invited to teach and train pastors in a University Seminary in Ghana.