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Professor Douglas Kelly

Published on 3rd September 2010

We are delighted to announce the visit of Professor Douglas Kelly who teaches Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina.  On Thursday, 28 October at 1pm he will speak at the WEST Research Seminar on “What about the Covenant of Works?” On Friday morning, 29 October from 9.05am he will address WEST staff and students in two lectures entitled “Clean and unclean animals” and “The New Covenant”.

Induction Service

Published on 1st September 2010

Nathan Clarke has been called to be Associate Pastor of Ashbourne Baptist Church.  Nathan will be part-time until he completes his WEST distance learning studies and then will be full-time.  Nathan and Rachel invite WEST students, staff and supporters to the Induction Service on Saturday, 18 September.  There will be food at 4pm and the service at 5.15pm when Dr Gareth Crossley will preach. The venue is the Empire Ballroom, King Edward Street, Ashbourne, DE6 1BW. If you would like to go please let them know at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

2009-10 Undergraduate and Taught Master Awards

Published on 4th August 2010

We warmly congratulate our students on this tangible evidence of their hard work and desire to be well prepared for ministry. Special mention goes to Anthony Boateng-Agyenim and Peter Conteh, pastors in Sierra Leone we have never seen, who have studied by distance learning in Freetown.

Dip HE
Paula Harris
Peter Conteh

BA (Hons)
Christopher Parry (2:2)
Simon Patterson (2:1)
Richard Penn (1st)
Tan Chian Hong (2:2)
Edward Zarate Caceres (2:2)
Anthony Boateng-Agyenim (2:2)
Jeremiah Davis (2:1)
Alan Gilmore (2:1)
Simeon Turner (2:2)

Licence in Theology
Allan Clare (Merit)
Giles Coghlan (Merit)
Andrew Court (in September 2009)
Peter Cranch (Merit)
Sammy Davies
Emyr James (Merit)
Steffan Jones (Merit)
Martin Noutch (Merit)
Peter Roberts (Merit)
Richard Roberts (Merit)
Richard Wardman (Merit)

MA Theology (Pastoral Studies)
John White - Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction

MA Theology (Contemporary Church Leadership)
Paul Daniel - Postgraduate Diploma

MTh in Scripture and Theology for Practice
Andrew Ollerton - MTh with Distinction
Colin Hamer - MTh with Merit
Jason Hunt - MTh with Distinction
Cheonryong Jang - MTh with Merit
Greg Obong-Oshotse - MTh with Merit
Wesley Pastor - MTh
Martin Waite - Postgraduate Diploma

2010-11 Research Seminars

Published on 21st July 2010
WEST’s programme of research seminars for the academic year 2010-11 can be seen here.

Dedication Service

Published on 25th June 2010

The WEST Dedication Service marking the start of a new academic year is planned for Saturday 25 September 2010 at 2.30pm in the College grounds.  New students will be introduced and the preacher is Geoff Thomas of Aberystwyth.  He has not only been the minister of the one church for many years but is known internationally for his preaching and writing.  Our preacher is aso a visiting lecturer at WEST. We warmly invite friends and supporters to join students, staff and family members to this service of worship.

Research work commended

Published on 22nd June 2010

We 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.”

The research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Tom Holland of WEST, and with Professor D. P. Davies of the University of Wales, Lampeter as a second supervisor. The Gospel of Matthew is fertile ground for biblical studies in typology, the New Testament use of the Old, the fulfilment theme and messianic expectation in the redemptive history of Israel. More specifically, the Royal Psalms, which were composed to celebrate Davidic kingship, were used in Matthew’s key Christological passages such as Jesus’ baptism, transfiguration and trial, and the great commission.

Sung Ho conducted extensive research on the major Christological titles such as Son of David, Son of God and Son of Man. During the course of the research he discovered that Matthew was portraying Jesus as more than just the Davidic Messiah through the use of the Royal Psalms. Throughout the Gospel the evangelist was drawing themes from the Enthronement Psalms which were originally written to celebrate the divine kingship of Yahweh. The themes of heavenly exaltation and Yahweh’s authority as judge which are characteristic of these Psalms were applied to the Son of Man sayings. The researcher came to the conclusion that Matthew constructed a “divine-royal” Christology. In other words, Jesus is the Messiah through whom the divine redemptive purpose unfolds in the history of Israel which is revealed in the way Matthew utilizes the “Royal-Enthronement” Psalms.

Sung Ho Choi was awarded the PhD degree by Dr. R. T. France who was the external examiner. Dr France said the work made a useful contribution to New Testament scholarship and recommended that the thesis be modified for publication as a book. 

Student baby boom!

Published on 18th June 2010

2010 has seen the happy arrival (so far) of 12 babies to the families of WEST students.  We congratulate each couple:
Laszlo and Bea Balint: a girl - Victoria Jazmine
Andrew and Helen Court: a girl - Hannah Grace
Peter and Debbie Cranch: a girl - Anna Catrin
Hugh and Helen Davis: a girl - Rhiannon Charis
Trystan and Katherine Hallam: a boy - Elis Teifi
Jukka and Claudia Heimonen: a girl - Maisa
Andrew and Ruth McKenna: a boy - Reuben Jack
Simon and Kirsty Patterson: a girl - Orla Grace
Jonathan and Lorraine Smith: a girl - Deborah Phoebe
Tan Chian Hong and Esyin Chew: a girl - Yu Yue Tan
Alister and Sarah Torrens: a girl - Saphira
Eduardo and Esme Zarate: a boy - Luis Ezekiel

Thanksgiving Service report

Published on 28th May 2010

WEST’s Thanksgiving Service marks the end of the School year.  It was held on Saturday 22 May on a beautiful sunny day in the pleasant Bryntirion grounds.  The marquee (with all its sides up!) 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 had meant degree validation would in future be with the University of Chester (undergraduates) and University of Wales (UW), Trinity St David (postgraduates) – formerly UW Lampeter.  The student body had been swelled by a record intake of undergraduates but so far applications were short of that bumper crop. Finances were looking healthier than for a few years but in these recessionary times churches were cutting back and WEST had had to make savings.  The future was exciting though challenging.

Paula Harris would be working part-time for St Mellons Baptist Church for a year while undertaking deputation work and raising funding to serve with UFM Worldwide in Brazil.  Jim Day had been appointed Pastor of Ingleton Baptist Church in north Yorkshire.  He is marrying Louise-Joy Souillot, WEST’s Academic Registrar (undergraduates) in the Autumn.  Tibbie Kendall (John’s wife) will be her replacement.  Paul Donovan spoke warmly of the missions training he had received.  For two years he is to work as Assistant Pastor at Hurstpierpoint Evangelical Church but with a view in the longer term of service in Papua New Guinea with UFM.  Eduardo Zarate Caceres from Peru is one of several students whose wives have given birth in recent months.  He, Esme and their little son plan to go to Peru in 2011 again with UFM.  Chris Parry has been recently appointed Assistant Pastor at Baglan Community Church, Port Talbot.  Simon Patterson (plus Kirsty and their new born baby) would be church planting in Ogmore Vale.  Andy McKenna had been appointed Assistant Pastor at Minster Church Centre, Cardiff.  Paul Daniel would be working for a year as Evangelist at Bethel Evangelical Church, Clydach.  Richard Penn and Kofi Boafa were still seeking the Lord about the next move.

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.

Called to South America

Published on 5th May 2010

Eduardo Zarate Caceres is a native of the Andean area of Peru.  He is completing his third and final year of studies at WEST.  Eduardo is the outgoing Student Chairman.  He and his English wife, Esme, and baby son, Luis, will be going to Peru to work as missionaries with UFM Worldwide in 2011.  Pray for them as they prepare and raise support.

Paula Harris, about to complete her studies, has also been accepted by UFM Worldwide for service in South America.  In her case, Brazil is the destination -to work amongst the large numbers of needy street children. Paula will be based next year at her home church, St Mellons Baptist Church, doing deputation work and raising prayer and financial support for 2011.

Matthew Jones who left WEST in 2009, is actively engaged in deputation work from his Gloucester church. His calling is to Bolivia with SIM. Please pray for him.

Called to the ministry

Published on 17th March 2010

Jonathan (Jonny) Raine, who studied at WEST between 2006 and 2009 has been called to Christchurch, Harpenden as Assistant Minister from Autumn 2010.

Thomas Brand, who studied at WEST between 2005 and 2008 has been called to Binfield Heath Church, Oxfordshire as Pastor from 1 September 2010.  Tom is married to Nathalie who is a WEST PhD student.

Paul Daniel, a second year Binary student will serve as a part-time Evangelist at Bethel Evangelical Church, Clydach for one year.

Jim Day, a final year BA (Hons) student has been called to be the pastor of Ingleton Evangelical Church in north Yorkshire from the summer of 2010.

Paul Donovan, a final year BA (Hons) student has been called to Hurstpierpoint Evangelical Church, West Sussex to serve as Assistant Pastor for two years from September 2010.  He will be working with Pastor Chris Bulled.

Andy McKenna, a second year Binary student, mid-way through the MA in Contemporary Church Leadership, has been called by Minster Christian Centre, Cardiff to be their Assistant Pastor, working alongside the Pastor, Alex Collins, a former WEST student. 

Chris Parry has completed the BA (Hons) course and has been called to be Assistant Pastor at Baglan Community Church, Port Talbot.

Mike Partridge is completing an MA in Contemporary Church Leadership and has been called to a pastoral position at Rock Baptist Church, Cambridge.

Simon Patterson has also completed BA (Hons) studies and is church planting in Ogmore Vale.

Nathan Clarke is a distance learning student.  He has been called to be Associate Pastor of Ashbourne Baptist Church.

May the Lord bless their future ministries.

Illuminating John’s gospel

Published on 4th March 2010

We warmly congratulate Paul Coxon , a WEST research student from Crewe, Cheshire.  On Wednesday 3 March he successfully defended his PhD thesis at a viva held at the University of Wales, Lampeter and was awarded his doctorate.  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 sigificance of this substantial project in John’s Gospel?  It shows clearly the Old Testament roots of John’s gospel.  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 delivers 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, particularly since Pentecost.  This research series is path-breaking.  It establishes the unity of the Bible, the great theme of God’s salvation and the centrality of Christ. 

PhD success

Published on 24th September 2009

Rev Won Sang Lee, Washington DC, has just been awarded the degree of PhD by the University of Wales in the field of pastoral theology for his research . His chosen subject was:
A critical exploration and conversation across the centuries of pastoral leadership principles in John Chrysostom’s Antioch and Constantinople and Won Sang Lee’s Washington’s Korean Central Presbyterian Church.
This research interacts with a number of leading pastoral theologians and Patristic scholars. In the dissertation, Rev Lee aims initially to describe and then reflect on his own church ministry in the Korean Central Presbyterian Church( KCPC) in Vienna, Virginia near Washington DC over a period of 27 years.  His case study aims to identify and discuss four critical key principles of pastoral leadership which he developed during this ministry.
The case study is then followed up with reference to other possible models, especially the model adopted by the Emerging Churches. The latter attempts to remove any trace of a hierarchical approach to pastoral leadership and encourages maximum expressions of democracy and participation in church government. Even here, Rev Lee suggested that his four pastoral leadership principles have relevance to such churches.
He then enters into critical conversation with John Chrysostom (347-407A.D) who excercised significant and powerful ministries in both Antioch and Constantinople. Acknowledging the ‘gaps’ between his own and Chrysostom’s pastoral situations, he argues for genuine similarities which make the comparison and conversation meaningful. After providing an outline of Chrysostom’s life and work, Rev Lee majored on his early document “On the Priesthood” and also a sample of his New testament homilies in order to identify and discuss his pastoral leadership principles. He submits that there is substantial agreement between their pastoral leadership principles.
The dissertation closes with an extended critical comparison of these principles and ways in which these are relevant for Church leaders today.
The supervisor was Dr Eryl Davies (WEST), the internal examiner Andreas Andreopouos (University of Wales, Lampeter) and the external examiner was Dr David Bernard McLoughlin of Newman University College, Birmingham.

UKBA Sponsor’s Licence

Published on 24th February 2009

We are delighted to announce that WEST has received the coveted A-rating by the UK Border Agency.  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.  We are now officially entitled to state the following:
“WEST has been licensed by the UK Border Agency to enrol international students under Tier 4 of the Points Based System”

Giving

Published on 1st February 2008

We thank God for our loyal supporters without whom the work simply could not continue.  Student fees meet only 60% of our costs.  The financial crisis has inevitably adversely affected giving (the only other element in the absence of government or denominational funding).  We recently made it easier to donate to WEST through an on-line facility from the home page of the web site.  We have received several donations via this means, some which took up the option of boosting their giving through Gift Aid. Your gifts could help:
1. Needy students: they include applicants from abroad but increasingly are from UK - most British students at WEST have a first degree, and if they are typical, a hefty debt too from paying off loans.
2. Fund new staff appointments: we plan to develop our complement of full-time academic staff by one a year over the next 3 years. All will be godly conservative evangelicals with a wide range of pastoral or missions experience.
3. Develop the campus: we need more classrooms, a library twice the size of the existing and a large meeting room to cater for 200 or so.  A scheme already has planning permission.  We need the funds to proceed.
4. On-going running costs: this includes staff salaries, maintenance of the site, heat and light, etc.  This may sound mundane but it is nonetheless vital.

WEST on the road

Published on 17th January 2008

The Principal, Jonathan Stephen, other members of the academic staff and Development Manager, Kerry Orchard, are always keen to share about the work at WEST at church meetings.  If you would like someone to come to your church, contact Kerry on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 01656 641983.  Current church meeting engagements are Cwmbran and Cardiff in October.

Jonathan and Sheila Stephen will be manning the WEST stand at the Keswick Convention (10-16 July) where Jonathan is one of the preachers, Kerry will be at the Evangelical Movement of Wales’ Aberystwyth Conference missionary exhibition (12-15 August) and two students, Huw Willis and James Tydeman, will take on the somewhat nocturnal task at UCCF’s Christian Union leadership event (Forum) at Quinta (6 - 10 September).

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