By Davy Ellison

College Update

College life kicks into a much higher gear each year come September. There is therefore lots to report to you. The College community remains deeply grateful for your continued interest in and support of the work. Please read the below prayerfully and continue to ask God for his merciful help in the task of training up another generation of Christian leaders.

New Students

Even in the wake of the worst of the pandemic God still provided a satisfactory number of new students for College courses. We were delighted to welcome 10 new undergraduate students onto the Preparation for Ministry Course, six new students on the postgraduate programme and there are approximately 60 participating in our evening class programme. Thank God for the gift of these students and pray for all of the tutors (both full-time and visiting) that they might steward this gift well. 

Recognition Service

On Saturday 4^th September the College held the annual Recognition Service in Moira Baptist Church—to whom we are thankful. It is always a special day as the College community, along with family and friends, celebrate the achievement of the graduating students. This was all the more true given this graduating group spent a portion of their College life online. You can read a longer report about the Recognition Service on the College blog.  

Commencement Service

On Tuesday 21^st September the College marked the beginning of the academic year with the Commencement Service. Dundonald Baptist Church kindly hosted and Pastor Martin Parker delivered a challenging message. Continue to remember the first year students as they adjust to a new pattern of life in College. You can meet all of the new students on the Preparation for Ministry Course in this video and read a report of the Commencement Service here.

October Prayer Requests

There are always two pressing prayer requests in October. First, we would encourage you to pray for the second year students who all embark on placements this month. You can read about one here. Second year is therefore both busy and formative for the students. Pray that God would grant stamina and continue to clarify his calling on the students’ lives. Second, please pray for the evangelism teams which will hopefully take place from 17^th October–23^rd October. The teams are going to Brannockstown, North Belfast Christian Fellowship, Newcastle, Stonepark and Richill Park. They provide a great opportunity to put into practice that which is learned in the classroom, glean from a local pastor and congregation and ultimately to spread the gospel far and wide. Keep an eye out for reports on the College blog in November. 

Podcast

Finally, do not miss out on the Irish Baptist College Podcast—season two has just been launched. It should be available on all major podcast platforms, but you can also listen to it online by visiting: https://irishbaptistcollege.podbean.com/. Attention is also drawn to Gospel Guardians in the podcast, and if you do not yet financially support the College please do consider becoming a Gospel Guardian. More information is available here.