On 6 May, the European School of Biblical Studies, formally School of Biblical Studies, held its annual Open Day at Welwyn Evangelical Church.
About 200 people came to hear from this year’s students and from Dr Garry Williams, Director of the John Owen Centre. The theme Celebrating the Reformation not only reflected on this year being the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, but is also the subject on which Garry lectures at the School.
Dr Williams meets Dr Luther
The event began with reading Psalm 19 in the five languages represented by the 13 students currently studying at the school. This showcased the diversity of the school and explains part of the reason for the change within the school name. Luther made an appearance in the form of one of the students who dressed up for a ‘Luther or not’ quiz. Dr Williams gave the full story behind the Reformer and what ignited the Reformation movement. In the afternoon, Dr Williams dissected the controversy between Luther and Erasmus on the freedom of the will.
The future plans of this year’s students are varied. One of the couples, Phil and Lydia Evans, hope to become missionaries with Grace Baptist Mission and to work with an international church in Riga, Latvia. Three of the students will start as Scripture Readers with SASRA and our other couple, Matt and Bethan Ellish, are considering future ministry with displaced people. Others will be returning to their home countries to continue stud-ies/work and service within their churches.
