I am currently approaching the end of my first year of a BA in Theology with Ministerial formation at Spurgeon’s College, London. It has been a truly unexpected journey for me. I had such a firm set idea of how my Bachelors in Theology with Ministerial  Formation might pan out. But God had other ideas! And it has been such a marvellous experience thus far of course!

My tutors and friends are a real gift spiritually. The campus is peaceful and a refreshing break from London life. As a single parent with disabilities, and carer to my daughter – I have had an extremely difficult path over the past 19 years. In amongst immense suffering God has been the rock in all: blessing, providing, loving, sustaining and delivering each of His promises.

I am on a long placement at a Catalyst church in Bermondsey, previously New Frontiers. It was originally planted in 1865 by none other than Charles Spurgeon! I work mainly in Mission there for Café church, in leadership of Foodbank team and for our CAP outreach. I am on their prayer team and Communion team. Who knows what is next!

We have looked at Exegesis of both Testaments, we are currently completing Introduction to the Bible units and are learning Biblical Hebrew and Greek! My favourite essay title so far is: “Discuss how the historical and cultural background of the story of Jesus in the Gospels can help us in understanding the texts.” This is a slant that is often waylaid in Sunday Sermons, so interesting to research. We have our ongoing practical training unit of the church placement, with our field placement tutor visiting twice a year, and I must now write a theological reflection on this.

I have now also experienced ministering in a funeral setting and how my church takes people through the process of baptism. I’ve also helped host our Alpha course and squeezed in preaching as well!

I went forward completely in faith with highly limited funding and Holy Spirit guided me to your grant. I was involved throughout the pandemic with LWPT seminars as I discerned my call. As I am already a BA holder, I didn’t qualify for SFE funding.

So, without this grant I would not have been able to attend this training. Heartfelt thanks to your team. Bring on my second year (after a breather this summer).

 

Extracted from Ichthus newsletter Summer 2025