I am completing my fourth academic year of what will be six years of part-time study towards my BA Hons degree in Kingdom Theology with Westminster Theological Centre (WTC). In a previous year I received funding from LWPT towards course fees and this year they have contributed towards my study costs.

This grant has been an essential element of funding my studies, and I am so grateful for the support of LWPT – I wouldn’t be able to fund my studies without financial assistance.

Studying Kingdom Theology has been life-changing for me personally, informing my faith and practice but it is also benefiting my local church. Since beginning my studies I have been able to move into small group leadership and have joined the pastoral team. Two years ago I was invited to join the preaching team, which fitted with what I had felt God calling me to do.

As my studies are current and ongoing I am able to contribute the latest theological thought to our team, meaning that I bring additional depth and breadth both to team discussion and to the preaching itself. I now preach regularly and anticipate doing so more frequently once my studies are completed. Although relatively new to preaching, my confidence is increasing and my preaching is growing and developing.

My studies inform my preaching enormously and it is a great joy to be able to share the amazing things I am learning about God and his word with my church family.

Study-wise, this last academic year has been the best so far – I have loved every minute! I have studied Theological Anthropology, considering what it means to see the image of God and the role of suffering in conformity to Christ. I have also undertaken modules on Living Prophetically, where I submitted a Christian response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and Peace, Reconciliation and the Politics of Jesus, where I considered the ways in which we can bring the Kingdom of God to our local communities.

My current assignments are on the Women of the Old Testament, where I am considering the significance of Hannah’s role in our understanding of 1 Samuel chapter 1.

 

Extracted from Ichthus newsletter Spring 2026