Xavier Giles (third from right) celebrates his graduation.
I was grateful to have the opportunity to celebrate with students, their mentors, and their church families at the Pathways Graduation in Tauranga on Friday night.
A particular highlight was seeing the growth in students like Xavier Giles (above) through the mentoring and ministry at Rutland Street Church, complemented by his studies at Pathways.
Xavier completed his NZ Diploma in Christian Studies (Theological Studies) Level 5, a course designed to help students learn more about the Bible, while gaining experience in ministry.
Students are based as interns in churches with mentors, and complete six week-long block courses on the Pathways campus in Tauranga:
“It was really cool, I absolutely loved the year and found it to be such a great experience getting more involved in ministry with Rutland Street, alongside flying up to block courses in Tauranga.”
Xavier says the year was a foundational one, and the study led to motivated him to grow and sustain crucial spiritual practices:
“This year has been one of spiritual formation… the way the Holy Spirit has been forming me to become more Christlike. For me, this has meant through my personal Bible reading and prayer walks… and through getting to know older Christians in my church who have walked with God for a long time, to learn from them.”
Murray Frost was one of the mentors (along with elder Eric Bird) from Rutland Street who walked alongside Xavier during the past year. He says he’s noticed how much Xavier has grown in confidence:
“I’ve been impressed by Xavier's desire to read the Scriptures and apply them to his everyday life, by the way he has pursued godly living and gaining experience across ministries of the church.”
Murray says mentoring young people through this kind of study is a great investment for churches:
“There is an opportunity to be part of forming foundational faith as a good base for both the student and the church.” He says he’s noticed the value of internships over the years, “it’s good to have a pool of people within the church who have taken the time to prepare theologically for the future—we have a number of students who have done the Pathways training and are now a model of encouragement as they grow in stages of life, with some now married with kids.”
Xavier says he’s not sure what the future will hold, but is prayerfully considering where God would have him serve. He is sure about recommending taking time to study God’s Word in theological education:
“100 per cent! This was a life-changing year.”
If your church would like to consider mentoring someone as they study, why not chat with your Regional Enabler? If you would like to discuss how interns can be supported through scholarships why not have a chat with CCCNZ Scholarships Enabler Liz Hodge?
By Mark Grace, CCCNZ Ambassador
