By God's Grace - Trinity Theological College
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Winter 2020 – Issue 91
By God’s Grace
Trinity’s Mt Barker Mission Team
L ike you I have pleaded with God
to be compassionate on the many
who, in the midst of COVID-19,
centred and people-focussed: “For what
we preach is not ourselves but Jesus
Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your
Thank you for your prayers for the College
in these last months—and for your financial
support and encouragement. Pray that we
are like sheep without a shepherd. servants for Jesus’s sake” (4:5). will spur one another on towards love and
Many are searching for answers and By God’s grace, our students continue to
good deeds as another generation of men
help. Part of God’s answer to this be equipped throughout this semester.
and women is readied to serve the Lord
prayer are the many churches and One unit that I thought would struggle
Jesus and the gospel, which is so needed in
ministries known to me that have in an online mode of learning was our
our world.
made significant—even massive— preaching unit which I am co-teaching With every blessing in Christ,
adjustments to how they “do” their this semester. As classes resumed after
ministry. In this, more than a few have Don West
restrictions were introduced, we realised
testified to God’s grace which has that we already knew each other; the Principal
both sustained them and taken their strangeness diminished and we started
ministries in gospel directions they enjoying learning together. As students
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord
would not have otherwise considered. now preach their sermons and are
Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the
God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our
Yet, we have realized again the receiving feedback, I am so encouraged.
troubles, so that we can comfort those in any
preciousness of face-to-face time with We have a wonderful batch of gospel trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive
people: that the forgiveness and life proclaimers ready to be launched into the from God. For just as we share abundantly in
promised in the gospel are known and churches and ministry contexts of Perth, the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort
experienced in relationship with God and WA, and beyond. Praise God! abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
other people. Word ministry is Christ-
In this edition: 2. Adapting to Change
3. A Milestone
4-5. Mission Week
6. Info Night
7. Stories from the Field
8. Staying the Course
Preparing People for Effective Christian Service
Laying foundations for a ministry that upholds, proclaims, and is shaped by the gospel. 1
ttc.wa.edu.au
Online Learning
Adapting to Change
A lot certainly changed
in a very short space of
time. Due to the spread of
Covid-19 and government
restrictions, Trinity went
from delivering teaching on
campus to online.
There have certainly been
challenges. For instance,
students have had to quickly
adapt to many hours of Zoom
a week (around 15 hours for
the average full-time student
at Trinity). Some students have
had study time impacted due
lecture timetable and teach online. David and his class hard at work
to grandparents being unable to mind
This means that the same people
children. One student even had to
who would have gathered for class that he has granted to us a way to still
purchase a desk! One thing I think we
still gather for class at the same time. train people for effective Christian
are all missing is mixing on the Level
With some adaptations to the changed service. Though our context has
3 space, where being able to ‘chew
medium, the same content is taught changed, his word and gospel have not
the fat’ (or just catch up) with people
and discussed. Students have greatly changed, and people’s greatest need
was so easy – and I for one took for
valued the routine of this, as well as the of hearing and responding to that
granted.
fact that it is still personalised teaching gospel has not changed. We look to
But even with the challenges, we have where they know one another and their God to continue to raise up and equip
been able to maintain our conviction lecturer. Students can still ‘interrupt’ workers for his harvest.
that training for gospel ministry is and ask questions.
David Kummerow
best done in community. Whilst we
Of course, we eagerly await resuming
can’t be in the same physical room,
college in a physical way. But in the
we have been able to maintain our
meantime we can be thankful to God
SEmester 2
enrolments
now open
Contact us to learn how you can be equipped for effective Word
ministry and explore the unique training experience at Trinity
Email: registrar@ttc.wa.edu.au
Trinity Theological College is an affiliated college of the
Australian College of Theology: ACT CRICOS Provider Code 02650E
2
Alumni News
A Milestone
D avid Mitchell (MTh, 2018) is the
first Trinity graduate to have their
dissertation published.
The book is called “The Son of Man in Mark’s
Gospel: Exploring its Possible Connections
with the Book of Ezekiel”
Here’s the blurb:
Many scholars
disagree about what
was meant by Jesus’s
intriguing self-
designation ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ
ἀνθρώπου (the Son of
ANNUAL
Man). This book
attempts to find some
clarity by working
through every
example of the phrase
in the Gospel of Mark
to determine how the
LECTURE
phrase functions and what it means in that
narrative. While every use of the phrase is
with
Dr Peter Orr
self-referential and describes Jesus and his
ministry, the analysis yields three main
distinctions in use of the phrase as well as
three significant Lecturer in New Testament at
unifying features. The
book then moves to Moore College
explore whether,
despite the skepticism
of some scholars,
there is some
background for the
phrase in the Book of
Ezekiel’s use of
(son of man) in
relation to basic form
and function and to
thematic import.
David wrote this book while serving as
senior minister at Dongara Anglican Church
Monday 24th August
in Western Australia and its content was the
thesis for a Master’s of Theology completed
through Trinity. He now works with the
Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students
heading up a team at Curtin University.
7:30 - 9:30pm
Congratulations to David!
ttc.wa.edu.au
3
Mission Week
Mount Barker Baptist Church
O ur team had the opportunity
to partner with Mt Barker
Baptist Church during mission
We all definitely saw the change on
his face. He was willing to pray and
confirmed his faith in Jesus on that day.
You can jump into a tractor with a
person while he is working and have a
long chat about anything. The Sunday
week. We prepared ourselves Pastor Jono led the prayer, I translated sermon could actually be a topic of
as best we could and left Perth it and LiWen repeated and later on his conversation in the following week
on Saturday morning. We were wife also commented that LiWen has with your neighbours! It takes a longer
involved in activities such as really grown in his faith after that day. time to build a relationship but it will
Children’s ministry, Sunday service, Praise the Lord! be a long lasting one. During our visit,
men’s and women’s Bible study and the coronavirus outbreak happened
young adults’ gatherings. It was Cranbrook Young Adults and Church services were cancelled. In
a pretty full schedule with a few Trinity student Kim Chin led a bible the country, some houses do not have
extra opportunities to visit families study with the Cranbrook Young Adult stable internet connection which could
as well. gathering, looking at 1 Cor 12:12-31 make it hard for them to join a service
and exploring what makes a good online.
church. We looked at the problems
within the church in Corinth and Why it’s Important to go
discussed whether we see the same on Mission
issues now and what the Bible has to I think that through this exposure,
say about that. Afterwards, we spent our student team learned that it is
time in prayer and fellowship over important to be part of other people’s
snacks and chats. lives. Studying in college can be
They were a close-knit bunch who comfortable, and concentrating on
welcomed us warmly to be part of their assignments can increase our head
evening meeting. I was encouraged to knowledge, but we cannot forget that
LiWen and Howard our real target is to serve people. We
hear the young people engage with
the discussion openly and thoughtfully. need to build a relationship in order to
Home visit They considered what the Bible says have real impact and earn our privilege
By God’s grace, we met the only about church being the body of Christ to share the gospel with them. Mission
Chinese family in town. The mother made up of different parts and how week forced us to get out of our
and son are regulars of the church that would change the way they are a comfort zone and apply the knowledge
and have been involved in church part of and serve their church. we have learned, whether it is theology,
services, however the father, named pastoral care or evangelism. Also, being
LiWen, doesn’t understand English What We Learned out of our comfort zone means we rely
well and hasn’t been going to church on God more and realise that we can
We learned that country ministry is
for a few months. However on the day do all the preparation, but it is God who
quite different from being the church in
of our visit, he did, and we had team leads and works and calls people back
the city. Members of the church all live
members who can speak his language! to himself.
far apart from each other; it could take
God opened the door and Pastor Jono up to 40 minutes to visit one family, Howard Liu
was able to bring us to LiWen’s home. but their neighbours or extended Student (MDiv)
It became evident that LiWen is not family might come and join them. The
sure of the gospel and was thinking town is geographically big but with a
Youth group at Hayden Patterson’s (BTh
that he needs to do more good to small population, and everyone seems
2019) house
earn God’s favour and eternal life. We to know
shared the gospel with him, how Jesus everyone. It
is the only way for our salvation and challenges all
that we can never be good enough for Christians in
God by our own work. the church to
walk the talk
LiWen was able to understand; he
and be good
asked questions and Pastor Jono
witnesses.
answered them from the scripture.
4
TN91
Mission Week
St Lawrence’s Yes, I want to donate
Anglican Church I want to give:
$100
$250
$500
Our pastoral care group went to of the members of the church. $1,000
St Lawrence’s Anglican Church in Some of us managed to attend a
Dalkeith for mission week. While the state-wide prayer meeting with
Regularly: Weekly
COVID-19 situation rapidly influenced other Anglican churches and
Fortnightly
our schedule, the group managed to one of us got to attend the one
Monthly
spend about 2.5 days with Peter Smith, Bible study group that had not Annually
Mark Grobicki (MDiv 2012), and their cancelled their plans.
team at Dalkeith. Please use my donation for the:
On Tuesday Hannah and
We started out on Sunday morning at Thom attended a Bible study General Fund: BSB 086 006 Acc No. 730 449 707
their 9am service, consisting mainly of group at the church while the Library fund: BSB 086 006 Acc No. 560 085 401
older parishioners and some families. rest of us continued working Building fund: BSB 086 006 Acc No. 560 097 779
While Javis and Sam were helping through 2 Corinthians with
My Address
out in creche and kids church, the Pete and the team. We couldn’t
rest of us stayed in the service. To go doorknocking as planned Title Today’s Date
our surprise, we found that Thom so we put leaflets out into First Name
Bull is actually Reverend Thom Bull neighbouring letterboxes. As Surname
as he shared his testimony to the we joined another meeting with
Company (if applicable)
congregation that morning. We were the church staff after lunch, we
then warmly welcomed into various were told by Thom that Mission Address
houses of church members for morning Week was officially being called
tea and lunch. It was a great time for off. We all had to say our socially Postcode
us to get to know members of the distanced goodbyes, sanitise our
Email
church, and tell them our stories. Later hands and head home.
we reconvened back at the church Phone
Whilst our time on Mission
for their evening service which had a
was cut short, our group is Payment Authority
younger vibe to it. Kieran shared his
so thankful to the team and
testimony and we all enjoyed hearing I am paying by: Cheque* Visa Master Card
members of St Lawrence’s
how God had worked in his life to * Make cheques payable to “Trinity Theological College”
Anglican. They were so
bring him to himself.
hospitable towards us and Card No.
Monday morning started with time gracious in allowing us to be a
spent with the church team as we part of their ministry. As Jeremy
read through 2 Corinthians together, put it, our time with them was Expiry: /
focusing on the topic of ministry. Some incredibly sweet. Although Name on Card
of us were fortunate to visit Methodist plans changed regularly, we felt
Ladies College to share our testimonies privileged to have been able to Signature
and answer questions in their Year 11 participate in the kingdom work
worldview and Year 12 ethics classes. that St Lawrence’s Anglican is All donations of
After lunch, we found out that many doing for the sake of Jesus. $2 or more are
Bible study groups, who had invited
Debbie Yong tax deductible
us to be a part of their meetings, were
being cancelled. Joe had an impromptu Student (MDiv)
time of reading the Bible with one Lasting Support to Future Ministry Workers
One way of a making a lasting investment in raising
Students and leaders at St Lawrence’s studying the Bible before the day begins future ministry workers for generations to come, is
by including Trinity in your will (bequest).
Yes, please send me information about bequests
Thank you for your active support
Visit our website to Donate Online
www.ttc.wa.edu.au
or, please return this form with payment to:
PO Box 115 LEEDERVILLE WA 6902
Potential Students
Student Profile Info Night
Our Purpose: Preparing people for effective
Christian service
It is only with your partnership in financial
support and prayer that we can prepare men and
women like these for Word ministry
My name is Lilian. I was born and grew up in
southern China. I came to Perth in 2001 for
university, and later became a follower of Jesus in
2004. I married Jason Wong in 2009 and we now
have two boys Zachariah
and Nathaniel. We go to
Perth Alliance Church in
Belmont.
Jason started his Master
of Divinity in 2016 and I
saw first-hand how Trinity
has helped him to grow, Info Night via Zoom
not just his knowledge,
but also in his love for
Jesus. That really helped
me to choose Trinity and so I started my Graduate
W e are living in a time in
which there is no shortage
of speculation concerning what
This reality came home to us in such
an encouraging way at our semester
1 Info Night, which was held via
Diploma of Divinity this year. Jason and I both feel the future might hold, and we’re Zoom on Wednesday the 13th of
blessed to have this opportunity to study in the all experiencing a fair level of May. Fifteen prospective students,
same college.
uncertainty as a result. from twelve different churches,
The teaching at Trinity is biblical and solid, not joined us to find out more about
But in the midst of speculation
only helping me to have a better understanding Trinity – to learn about our courses,
of God’s word, but also giving me a better about the possibilities, we who
to hear from current and past
perspective for ministry. Trinity is a gospel-centred belong to the crucified, risen, and
students about their experiences of
college equipping men and women for ministry. enthroned Lord Jesus know what
study and of the college community,
If God has given you the financial capacity and the future certainly holds. Christ’s
and to explore how Trinity might
resources to do more for his kingdom’s sake, gospel will be preached to every
serve in equipping them for the
supporting Trinity is a great choice! nation. His kingdom will increase
work of the gospel in their own
My husband is planning to go into full time and be established over all. He
ministry contexts.
ministry, so when I graduate I would love to will gather his elect, and build and
support and partner with him to serve in our preserve his Church. We might be In a situation in which so much in
church. Please pray that I will stay faithful in my put into isolation, but the gospel our world has changed, here was
studies, not just to gain better knowledge, but also can never be locked up in isolation! a reminder that the Lord of the
to love Jesus more and more. God will accomplish his purposes Harvest does not change, and nor
for the future – and, he will provide do his purposes. He continues to
Lilian Huang workers for the cause. lay the ministry of the gospel upon
Student (GradDipDiv) people’s hearts, and to raise up
workers for his church and his world
where the fields are white and
ready for harvest.
Please donate now Thom Bull
and support us in training Lecturer in Theology
students for Word ministry
See website to Donate Online
ttc.wa.edu.au Trinity Grad Mark Grobicki (MDiv
2012) joined us for Info Night
Or return the form overleaf with payment to:
PO Box 115 LEEDERVILLE WA 6902
info@ttc.wa.edu.au • Fax: 08 9228 3862
COVID-19 and Ministry
Stories from the Field
W hen the COVID-19 epidemic hit, churches were forced to come up with new and creative ways to solve
the problems with which they were presented. We reached out to our Alumni in ministry and received an
encouraging number of replies. Here are just some of them:
“I have been quite encouraged by “Like many churches, Subi Church “Army Reserve Chaplaincy saw me
the creativity and commitment of has moved our services online, and in Canberra for a course as COVID
Christians to keep proclaiming the we ask our congregation to watch started, flown home just in time to miss
gospel despite not meeting personally, it together at the same time as they the curfew, then busy supporting the
and to be creative in the process. I usually attend the service. Praise God troops mobilising to help at the check-
have also been encouraged that the numbers points etc. It’s been great being able to
by how collaborative we have are quite similar to support and encourage people.
been able to be, particularly in our usual weekly
At the same time I’m part-time
my role in children’s ministry, attendance. However,
interim solo pastor at Yangebup
where going online is not as one of the greatest
Baptist. It’s been busy since I arrived
easy as delivering a sermon, encouragements
back, encouraging people to connect
but it has been great to is that many of the
with one another and keep God’s
share ideas and resources missionaries that we
perspective. Like most pastors, I’ve
with churches around Perth. are supporting are
gone through a steep learning curve
One lady in our church has able to come and join
with online services.
continued to join with us as in the service online
we gather online, despite together. So, we’ve We’ve tried a number of different
being in her 80s and computer had people joining formats over the past month, and are
technology being very foreign our services from now starting to become comfortable
- she was so committed to Chin presenting a video all over the world with Zoom. It’s been encouraging to
continue sitting under Gods sermon for Subi Church (I can’t name some see some people step forward in this
Word and gathering with her of the countries for context where they need to make more
local church. She has also been calling security purposes). These are former active choices to trust, serve and love.”
people to congregation members who have
Michael Lochore
check in, moved away, or some who are sent
without any out as missionaries. That has been Interim Pastor at Yangebup Baptist
Church and Trinity Alumni (MDiv, 2004)
prompting very encouraging for many of our
from staff, congregation members.
and I have
Another thing that we’ve
been blown
discovered is that there have
away by her
also been people who never
continued
attended church, who have
commitment
started “attending” our services
to love
and asking deep meaningful
and serve
questions. The barrier to “attend”
people, like
a service is extremely low and
Jess Hortin graduating in nothing has
as such there have been more
February this year changed, and
people engaging. While we
yet going
recognise that an online service is
online is a particularly big deal for her,
far from ideal, we praise God that
being older, living alone, and not being
he’s using these circumstances
familiar with technology. God’s Word,
to continue to draw people to
and God’s people are not chained by
himself.”
physical barriers!”
Chin Wee Ang
Jess Hortin Michael Lochore and the Yangebup
Pastor (Subi Equip, Small Groups & team on the church stream
Children’s Ministry Leader at St Matt’s International Students) at Subi Church
Unichurch and Trinity Alumni (MDiv, and Trinity Alumni (MDiv 2012)
2019)
7
Your Support Prayer & Praise
Give thanks for:
Staying the Course • Praise God for the way students and
faculty have transitioned to effective
R
online learning and teaching enabling
aising up Christian workers uncertainty brought about by
studies to continue.
is a team effort, where many COVID-19, your partnership is even
people play different roles, and more important – particularly if you • Praise God for the encouraging
requires perseverance. Our pledge an ongoing monthly amount. number who registered for the recent
faculty work long hours preparing Knowing that you are with us for the Information Night and Open Lecture.
lectures, working with students long haul makes all the difference. • Praise God for Australia’s good response
both academically and pastorally, to the COVID-19 situation and wise
Thank you for your continued prayers
and ensuring that the College’s leadership at the state and federal
and support, and we truly value your
standards are upheld. Our staff help.
government level
work hard behind the scenes to
ensure the students’ needs are Pray for:
met and that nothing stands in the Nathaniel Brown • Pray for students and faculty preparing
way of their ministry preparation. Development & Communications for exams and completing/marking
Our Principal Don West, Business Coordinator assignments. Pray for many men and
Manager Joe Triglone, Council and women to enrol for study in Semester 2.
08 9228 9067
Trustees lead us well and ensure • Pray for the government as they manage
development@ttc.wa.edu.au
the vitality and sustainability of our the roll-out of the easing of restrictions
ministry work. and for the College leaders as they
And then there’s you, our faithful
supporters. Whether it’s praying for
2020 DATES respond to this.
• Pray for the College’s finances and the
the College, having conversations 01 Aug Quarterly Prayer Mid-Year Appeal; for many to partner
with potential students and sharing Breakfast with Trinity as we raise up the next
what you know about us, or giving generation of ministry workers
24 Aug Annual Lecture with
financially, your support is essential to
Peter Orr
our great task. RAISING
15 Oct Information Night
If you haven’t already, please consider
prayerfully if you can contribute
to Trinity’s work of training future
20 Oct Open Lecture
7 Nov Quarterly Prayer
THE NEXT
UP
Breakfast GENERATION
Christian workers. With the economic
Preparing People for Effective Christian Service
RAISING
RAISING
UP
UP
The people of our world desperately need to know the
saving love of God found in his Son Jesus Christ.
They need to hear the Gospel. But how shall they hear? THE NEXT
Through those who are sent.
PRAY GENERATION
STUDY
Trinity Theological College exists to equip people for a ministry of the DONATE
Gospel that is shaped by the Gospel—people who will be grounded in
the Bible, devoted to Christ, and focussed on people. THE NEXT
We all have a role to play in raising up the next generation of ministry
workers.
GENERATION
Feel free to get in touch if you want to know more: Preparing People for Effective Christian Service
08 9228
08 9228 90679067 | info@ttc.wa.edu.au
| info@ttc.wa.edu.au | www.ttc.wa.edu.au
| www.ttc.wa.edu.au
TRINITY
Yes! I wantTHEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
to be part of raising the nextINC ABN 70 of
generation 006 203 227workers
ministry ACT CRICOS provider code: 02650E
PO I’d
Box 115
like to pray LEEDERVILLE WA 6902 • 632–634 Newcastle Street, Leederville, Perth, WA 6007
The people
I’d like to find outof
moreour
aboutworld
info@ttc.wa.edu.au desperately
• Phone:
your accredited 08
and/or 9228
short need to• Fax:
know
9067Preparing
courses the
08People
9228 for
3862 • ttc.wa.edu.au
Effective Christian Service
8 saving
I’d like to make a tax-deductible donation towards training more ministry workers
love of God
Trinity found
Theological in his
College is anSon Jesus
affiliated Christ.
college of the Australian College of Theology
Name: Surname: TN91
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