The constant reminders I receive of how WEST has played its part in the preparation of so many of the Lord’s servants is a source of great inspiration and encouragement. I am thinking of all the emailed newsletters we receive on a daily basis from past students ministering in every part of the world. They tell of the triumphs and sorrows of their lives, and we truly learn to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

I hope you are equally inspired and encouraged by the news we pass on to you in these short bulletins. In all the ups and downs of School life, we have again tasted and seen so much of God’s grace. And now the academic year is well over. As I write, even the special Summer Season of lectures is in its final week – and we are busy preparing for a fresh intake of students in September. Please pray that the churches will continue to send us those whose emails we shall love to read in years to come.

Jonathan Stephen
Principal
 

Thanksgiving Service report

WEST’s Thanksgiving Service marks the end of the School year for WEST. It was held on Saturday 22 May on a beautiful sunny day in the pleasant Bryntirion grounds. The marquee (with all its sides open!) was full with some 200 students, staff and supporters. WEST’s Chairman, Peter Milsom, led the service, David Ollerton, Director of Waleswide, preached, Principal, Jonathan Stephen, reported on an eventful year and interviewed several leaving students and Bernard Lewis, member of staff and Pastor of Emmanuel Evangelical Church, Newport read and prayed. Many stayed to enjoy a range of refreshments and fellowship together.

The Principal paid tribute to outgoing trustee Bill Capper who had made an outstanding contribution to WEST. Another, Professor Nick Fiddian, had recently gone to be with the Lord. His wise counsel and godliness would be sorely missed.

A new partnership with SaRang Community Church, Seoul was imminent and they had showed their good intent by making a generous donation to the School.

Structural changes in higher education in UK has meant degree validation would in future be with the University of Chester (for undergraduates) and University of Wales (UW), Trinity St David (for postgraduates) – formerly UW Lampeter. The student body had been swelled by a record intake of undergraduates but, so far, applications for this September are short of that bumper crop. Finances are looking healthier than for a few years but in these recessionary times churches are cutting back and WEST has had to make savings. The future is exciting though challenging.

Jonathan then interviewed several leaving students about their next move. (See details under 'Called to South America' and 'Called to the Ministry'.)

David Ollerton preached challengingly and encouragingly on “my Gospel” in Romans 16: 25 (and 2 Timothy 2: 8). He asked why the Gospel of God was referred to in such a surprising way. He gave three reasons:
• Because it was by this Gospel that I was saved
• Because it strengthens me in my Christian life … so I must preach it to myself daily
• Because it is my responsibility to share it with others
He commented that in the UK there was a loss of confidence in the Gospel. He exhorted us to revel in the Gospel.
 

PhD Successes

We warmly congratulate Paul Coxon, from Crewe, on his successful defence of his PhD thesis in March. The title of his research was "Paschal New Exodus Motif in John 5 - 10".

A few months ago Rev Kyung-U Ra was awarded a PhD for his similar work on chapters 1 - 4 of the same book. There are other WEST researchers working on the remaining chapters of the Gospel, and all under the supervision of WEST's New Testament specialist, Dr Tom Holland.

So what is the significance of this substantial project in John’s Gospel? It shows clearly its Old Testament roots. The Exodus was the great salvation event of the Old Testament and the Passover was its climax. The New Exodus was God's deliverance from Babylonian exile. In the New Testament, including John's Gospel, we see the unfolding drama of Christ's incarnation, sacrificial death, resurrection, ascension and reign, described by its Jewish writers in New Exodus language. Jesus is the long awaited Davidic king, God's first born who at the very time of Passover delivered his people by his sacrificial death on the cross from the tyranny of Satan and God's wrath towards sin, bringing them into his kingdom and constructing his temple - people from every nation, language and ethnic group on earth. This research series is ground-breaking. It establishes the unity of the Bible, the great theme of God's salvation and the centrality of Christ.

We also congratulate Sung Ho Choi on the award of a PhD degree on 21 June 2010. The title of his thesis is “A Study of Christology and Redemptive History in Matthew’s Gospel with Special Reference to the ‘Royal-Enthronement’ Psalms.” Again, he was supervised by Dr Tom Holland.

Professor Nick Fiddian

WEST Council Member, Professor Nick Fiddian went to be with the Lord on 24 April and his funeral service was on 5 May 2010. He died of cancer at home and was a testimony to all who visited him. 600 people attended his funeral at Heath Evangelical Church, Cardiff, including many from Cardiff University where he had worked. The service included a remarkable hymn written by Nick in his last days and addressed to unbelieving family and friends. The sermon was given by Dr Eryl Davies, a close personal friend of Nick’s and former Principal of WEST. We will miss Nick’s prayerful wisdom and gentle humour. We sympathise with Pat, his wife, and adult children, Hannah, Ben and Sarah.

Wedding Bells

We congratulate Anwen Lewis, Registrar responsible for post-graduate students on her marriage to Alun Davies on Saturday 17 April in Pontyclun near where they now live.  The wedding was a joyous occasion on a beautiful sunny day! Louise-Joy Souillot, Registrar responsible for undergraduate students, is to marry Jim Day, who has completed his BA degree at WEST this year. The wedding is planned for 30 October in Cardiff. Louise-Joy will then join Jim in Ingleton, North Yorkshire where he is to pastor from September. Tibbie Kendall (John’s wife) will be her replacement. We pray the Lord's rich blessing on both couples.

Why WEST?

Giles Coghlan, a Binary Course student says, "It was in 1999 when I became a Christian. I was in my first summer holidays studying law at Birmingham University. Coming from an Irish Catholic family meant my whole life changed dramatically. Over those first few years my friends changed, my life desires changed. Why? God had changed me.
Prior to coming to WEST I was with Birmingham City Mission. I worked and lived for 5 years just outside the city centre visiting door to door and, by God’s grace, establishing children and youth clubs. My desire to come to WEST was to know God’s word in greater depth for myself so I can explain it better to others. I hope to start a church for the everyday man in the street one day. Having attended a regional ministry training scheme in Birmingham I saw the God-given value, for the first time, of biblical handling skills. The Binary Course at WEST was designed for someone in my situation who had a previous degree and some ministry experience. WEST’s stated aims are to promote biblical thinking, personal godliness and God-honouring church related ministries worldwide. Having been here I can say this is the case."

Diary Dates

Tuesday 14 September 2010: Start of the new academic year (Welcome Week)

Saturday 25 September 2010: Dedication Service to be held at WEST at 2.30pm. Preacher: Geoff Thomas (Aberystwyth)

Saturday 21 May 2011: Thanksgiving Service. Preacher: Peter Lewis (Nottingham)

Saturday 24 September 2011: Dedication Service. Preacher: Brian Edwards (Surbiton)