A word from the Principal

Welcome to the WEST email newsletter, your new way of keeping up with all the latest happenings at WEST. We greatly value all our friends and supporters, not least because we know you pray for the vital work we seek to do – preparing men and women to take the gospel all over the world. What could be a greater task than that? I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God every time I think of the privilege I have of serving him in this way – and every one of you is an essential member of the team.
Do let us know if you are aware of others who would like to receive this newsletter. You may also like to place copies on the book-table in your church. We are all facing very challenging times and true partnership in prayer does not only operate in one direction. We are delighted when past and present students ask us to pray for them. May I invite you to join them – and let us know how we may also pray for you? And as we pray for each other, let’s remember the assurance of the Apostle Paul: ‘And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:19).

Jonathan Stephen. Principal

A day with Dick Gaffin

We are delighted to announce that Professor Richard B Gaffin, Jr, the distinguished Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology Emeritus at Westminster Theological Seminary will be delivering a day of lectures for us at WEST on Friday 6 November 2009. Dr Gaffin will conduct three sessions on the following topics:

1. What is biblical theology, and how does it relate to systematic theology?

2. Biblical theology and hermeneutics – interpreting the Old Testament in the light of the New.

3. Treating a biblical-theological theme – the resurrection in Paul.

There will be ample time for questions and discussion. The day is free to all WEST-registered students. Church leaders and all serious Christians are very welcome to attend. Cost: £30. Advance booking and payment essential. Contact info@west.org.uk .

PhD success at WEST

Roger Powell has just been awarded his PhD by the University of Wales for a dissertation on the influence and teaching of the East African Revival in Uganda and Rwanda as conveyed and interpreted in England by Roy Hession and his associates as they spread the East African model of personal revival. This movement within British Evangelicalism from the 1940s and1950s is described helpfully in terms of its emergence, growth and decline. Employing hitherto unused primary sources, this teaching and movement of personal revival is assessed in terms of its weaknesses and strengths as well as its contribution to British Evangelical spirituality. This is a major new contribution to our understanding of the subject from the perspective of this English movement. We congratulate Roger on his success. His external examiner was Professor David Bebbington of Stirling University. Dr Eryl Davies, WEST, functioned as his main supervisor.

Called to the pastorate

Jim Day, currently in his second of three years of study, has been called to be pastor of Ingleton Evangelical Church in North Yorkshire from the summer of 2010. The current pastor, Rev John Mollitt, is due to retire in October 2009. Pray for Jim as he combines his studies with duties as Chairman of students and as he and the congregation at Ingleton prepare for this future chapter in the life of the church and the community.

WEST on the road

God willing, WEST in 2009 will be exhibiting at New Word Alive at Pwllheli (28 March - 9 April), Mission-Net at Oldenburg, Germany (7 - 11 April) and the Evangelical Movement of Wales’ English Conference at Aberystwyth (10 - 14 August).

The Principal, Jonathan Stephen, continues to crisscross the country on Affinity business and preaching and conference engagements. Pray for the opportunities he has to explain the ministry of WEST.

The Development Manager, Kerry Orchard, is always keen to speak about the College at church meetings. At the moment he is booked to visit Dowlais on 13 May and Cardiff on 21 October. If you would like him to come to your church, contact him on kerryorchard@west.org.uk  or 01656 641983
 

MA (Contemporary Church Leadership) New Lecturers

Ted Turnau – Christian Apologetics and Popular Culture

Having trained as an apologist, and received his PhD from Westminster Theological Seminary, Ted Turnau currently teaches at Anglo-American College (a small secular liberal arts college in Prague) and at The Centre for Media Studies at Charles University. He has been based in the Czech Republic, as part of the International Institute for Christian Studies team, since 1999. Areas of special interest include the sociology and anthropology of religion, modern intellectual history, the Pauline epistles, comparative theologies, and popular culture and media theory. Dr Turnau has published several peer reviewed articles for scholarly journals, and is currently writing a book on popular culture and Christian apologetics. He is an increasingly sought-after speaker at Christian conferences around the world.

David Smith – Urban Theology and Mission

A graduate of Aberdeen University, Dr Smith undertook postgraduate research in the area of secularisation. Having pastored in Eden Baptist Chapel, Cambridge and, cross-culturally, in Nigeria, there followed appointments as Principal of Northumbria Bible College and Co-director of the Whitefield Institute. David currently lectures in Urban Mission and World Christianity at the International Christian College, Glasgow. He is the author of Mission after Christendom and Against the Stream.

Marcus Honeysett – Leadership

Following postgraduate studies in Postmodern Culture and Contemporary Theory, Marcus spent ten years heading up UCCF’s student ministry in London before moving into pastoral work and training. He is now Director of Living Leadership, an organisation that aims to equip and sustain biblical leaders for a lifetime of healthy ministry in local churches. Marcus is the author of Meltdown – Making Sense of a Culture in Crisis (which was nominated for Christian book of the year in 2003) and Finding Joy – A Radical Rediscovery of Grace.
 

Giving

We thank God for our loyal supporters without whom the work simply could not continue. Our fees meet only 60% of our costs. The financial crisis has inevitably affected giving. In 2008, we were given a substantial gift and loan which was a significant answer to prayer. It enabled us to plan in faith for expanding our campus to accommodate the anticipated growth in student numbers, largely through the launch of the Binary Course in September 2008. That new building will cost a minimum of £450,000. We recently made it easier to donate to WEST through an on-line facility from the home page of the web site. Already, we have received several donations via this means, some which took up the option of boosting their giving through Gift Aid.

UK Border Agency Sponsor’s Licence

We are delighted to announce that WEST has received the coveted A-rating by the UK Border Agency following accreditation by the British Accreditation Council. This means that we have been granted a licence as a sponsor of overseas students for the maximum period of 4 years. This is particularly good news for non-European Union applicants who wish to study with us. An acceptance letter from us should pave the way to a trouble-free application for a student visa.