January 2020
From Bournemouth to Los Angeles; Torbay to Northern Ireland; to infinity and beyond! With our block placement scheme, discover ministry styles, go deeper, and meet other Christians in their community context.
Every year, our Christchurch campus-based students are given the opportunity to experience a five-week block placement in their second and third year of study. We allow space for our students to develop their skills, explore new opportunities, and apply their theology within a new, intensive and practical context.
Let’s introduce you to five of our students. We’ll catch up with them before and after their placements to see how they got on, and we’re so excited to see what God does through them.
Meet Ellie
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Location of block placement: Dundonald Elim Church, Belfast
Course at Moorlands College: BA (Hons) in Applied Theology
Year of study: Second year, Christchurch campus-based
“I’m really excited to spend some time with Dundonald Elim Church in Belfast. I’ll be doing some pastoral work with one of the pastors and this is something that I have become really interested in, especially since taking the Pastoral Care and Church Leadership modules at Moorlands College this year.
“I’ll be doing some pastoral work with one of the pastors and this is something that I’ve become really interested in.”
I’ll also be spending lots of time with the main leaders of the church, shadowing them and learning more of what full-time church ministry entails practically. I am hoping that God will use this time to, not only grow my knowledge and understanding, but that he will speak to me more about my calling in his Kingdom. I’m looking forward to being fully immersed in a new church community, meeting new people and throwing myself into every opportunity.
In my first year of study, I was scared for this part of the course and felt that I would never feel prepared for it. However, as I have learnt more, grown more and have been organising my placement, I’m so grateful for this period of time to serve God practically, more intentionally. I now feel more prepared and can honestly say that this is a big highlight to the course.”
Please pray that:
- I’ll soon develop strong relationships that will make me feel at home, I’ll see God’s provision of strength and wisdom, and God will remind me that I need not be overwhelmed or anxious but that He is upholding me through the whole of this new experience.
Meet Dan
Torbay, Devon
Location of block placement: LiNX, Torbay
Course at Moorlands College: BA (Hons) in Applied Theology
Year of study: Third year, Christchurch campus-based
“I’m heading down to Torbay to work with a youth and schools work charity called LiNX. Around 1997, LiNX Christian Youth Trust was launched by the local Church with the vision of resourcing Torbay schools by supporting young people in all aspects of their development. They work in local schools running lunch clubs, assemblies and giving Religious Studies lessons.
During my time with them, we’ll be using a life bus to look at the Easter story in a fun and engaging way as well as many other opportunities. I’m hoping to learn more about schools work to see if it is something I would be interested in as a full-time job.
“Block placements with Moorlands College are a really good way to enable students to see different elements of ministry; to experience different ways of doing things and to be pushing in our ministry abilities.”
I have a real passion for young people, the Bible and helping people to develop and cultivate a genuine and personal relationship with God. I have a range of opportunities to explore these passions at my weekly placement in Bournemouth such as running Bible studies, children’s church – during which I am normally being chased around the room by the kids in a big game of tag! – and I’ve also preached at our evening service. Through my block placement, I’m looking forward to building on these skills and developing all I’ve learnt so far.
Block placements with Moorlands College are a really good way to enable students to see different elements of ministry; to experience different ways of doing things and to be pushing in our ministry abilities. I absolutely loved my block placement last year and came back from it feel really confident in my ability as a youth worker.”
Please pray that:
- I’ll be able to manage my time well in this new environment and I’d follow God’s call while I’m on placement and would have the boldness to be myself and to step out of my comfort zone.
Meet Joy
Location of block placement: Kahaila, London
Year of study: Third year, Christchurch campus-based
“For my block placement, I’m heading to Kahaila. Kahaila is a fresh expression style cafe, church and charity in London. They have two locations – Brick Lane and Aldgate.
Kahaila do a lot of outreach within the community and run three social action projects for those struggling in society. These projects include Essence (who are based in a women’s prison), Ella’s (who support women exiting situations of trafficking and exploitation), and Kahaila Brew (an 8 week course designed to give skills to those who’ve experienced homelessness.) They also run events within the cafe as a way of reaching out to the community and I’m hoping to get involved in a lot of these areas.
“Kahaila do a lot of outreach within the community and run three social action projects for those struggling in society… I’m hoping to get involved in a lot of these areas.”
When looking at different Bible colleges around the country and Moorlands was one of them. The applied element of the degree really caught my eye. I learnt that I wasn’t just going to be studying throughout the week but I would also be serving practically in churches and Christian organisations. The opportunity to serve a church for five weeks as a block placement in my second and third year was a great bonus.
My second year block placement gave me the opportunity to explore different aspects of church ministry. I took part in a variety of things during my time at the church which enabled my to identify my strengths and weaknesses and try things that were out for my comfort zone. I’m now looking forward to serving Kahaila for five weeks and for the different things I’ll be part of!”
Please pray that:
- My relationship with God will grow through this placement and I will be able to serve whole heartedly.
Meet Jo
Location of block placement: Faithworks, Bournemouth
Year of study: Third year, Christchurch campus-based
“I’m going to serve at Faithworks in Bournemouth during my block placement in my final year of the degree. Faithworks works to inspire and equip people on their journey out of isolation and poverty, and into hope. Their ethos is based on the Christian belief in God as revealed in Jesus Christ and a commitment to his teaching and values.
Faithworks’ work is with those at key transition points in life: rough-sleepers, lone parents, those in material crisis (food, for example) and debt or financial confusion, and individuals struggling with addiction. My hope is that I’ll learn more about the charity and know God’s heart for the lost and broken. I’m looking forward to emerge myself in a context where I can learn from those to a different context to me, and to ministering to those who need to know the love of God.
“My hope is that I’ll learn more about the charity and know God’s heart for the lost and broken.”
I was aware that block placement was a part of the degree programme offered but I didn’t realise how quite beneficial it would be for my learning, experience and my faith! I absolutely love block placement and the opportunities available to students at Moorlands College.”
Please pray that:
- I would bring Gods heart, peace and love to those who need it most and make a really positive impact for Jesus.
Meet Tom
Location of block placement: Saddleback Church, Los Angeles, California
Year of study: Third year, Christchurch campus-based
The church that I am going to is a mega-church in America. This is something that I’ve never experienced before, so I hope to be able to see how a church, at that size, is able to run. Additionally, I’m going to be working with the connections team, more specifically, the small groups’ ministry. This will allow me to gain a wider understanding of the different ministries out there, as I’ll be working with a wide range of people, such as Men’s ministry, Students, Youth, and many more.
“I’m really looking forward to working with many different people on a pastoral level in the ministry…”
I’m really looking forward to working with many different people on a pastoral level in the ministry; I hope to gain more skills in this aspect. Lastly, because I am on the connections team, I will be in contact with individuals that don’t usually attend church, so I hope to be able to learn on that and be able to share the gospel with them.
I heard about the block placement scheme before I came to Moorlands, and it was a big aspect that drew me here. I loved the fact that we got the opportunity to be able to go out and spend a large amount of time with different churches or organisations. I particularly liked the fact that in your third year you get the opportunity to do your block placement anywhere in the world! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity serve in a different country and to see the wider church around the world.
Please pray:
- For safety as I travel, because I will be flying to LA by myself which will be a new experience for me.
- Also, pray that God provides while I’m there and blesses me as I settle in and get to know the individuals in Saddleback and the community.
We’ll be catching up with the five students when they’re back from block placement to hear how they got on. Stay tuned!
