Scholarships Enabler Liz Hodge had the privilege of catching up with two groups of past and present theology students in Auckland this week.
Hazel and Jeremy Tattersall from Lincoln Road Bible Chapel hosted at their home on Wednesday evening, welcoming Abbey Grainger from Mt Wellington Community Church, Bivin Mathew from Manurewa Bible Church, Steph van Wijk from Tāmaki Community Church and Chris Northcott from Lincoln Road Bible Chapel.
As well as reflecting on studies through their various Bible colleges and seminaries we were able to have a great discussion about how each person’s learnings have been helpful in different church contexts. On Thursday morning LifeChurch in Manurewa welcomed the second group: current Pathways students Dolly Kirubakaran and Ane Ponifasio from LifeChurch; Waweru Kanene from Eden Church; and Brigitte Crowe and Kathrin Baroli from Howick Community Church.
Left to right: Kathrin Baroli, Brigitte Crowe, Ane Ponifasio, Dolly Kirubakaran, and Waweru Kanene.
Liz writes,
“It was exciting to hear about their plans for using what they’ve learned from their colleges being applied in concrete ways in 2025.
“Among both groups, there was a real sense that theological study is not always easy, and it often makes busy people feel even busier, but there was also a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunities, and for the ways in which studying theology helps us know and love our Saviour more deeply.”
Everyone asked Liz to pass on heartfelt thanks to the trustees of Lichfield Lands, who kindly provide the JH Baldwin scholarship, saying that it helps remove a barrier to this precious opportunity.
If you are serving in a CCCNZ Open Brethren heritage church and would like to talk more about undertaking theological study at any level take a look at the CCCNZ website and chat to Liz Hodge, CCCNZ Scholarships Enabler.
