Students, staff and supporters gathered on Saturday, 12 September for the WEST Dedication Service to mark the beginning of the new academic year.
Principal Jonathan Stephen explained the values underlying the work of WEST and Union. These are: delighting in God; growing in Christ; serving the church and blessing the world. Jonathan said: ‘We join God’s mission to fill the earth with the glory of Jesus as we are led by the Spirit.’
Thirty new undergraduates
Iwan Rhys Jones, Hebrew and Old Testament Lecturer, was given a special presentation for 25 years’ faithful service. Cor Bennema, who has just taken on the role of Academic Dean, interviewed five of the 30 new undergraduate students. Each one declared his commitment to prepare for ministry, whether in Wales, the rest of the UK, or as far afield as Thailand. Three representatives of the International Foundation Course were also introduced: two from South Korea and one from France.
Phil Hill, WEST’s Pastoral and Church Theologian, was the preacher. He spoke from Colossians 1 about the task of theological training, which today must be for crosscultural ministry, even in our own society. Paul here identifies a vision of servant leadership which harmonises service to Christ, the church and the gospel. The preacher identified three imperatives for Christian workers: We must know our place in the world – under the command of Jesus to preach the gospel; we must know our place in theology – as servants, not masters, of the truth; and we must know our place in the church – called to be shepherds, not sheepdogs.
