“I look forward to growing deeper in my relationship with God, being stretched and moulded by Him…I’ve heard many good things about Moorlands so I am excited to see where God takes me in this new journey.”
Hannah Agus
First year BA student, Christchurch campus-based
Originally from the Philippines, my family and I moved to England in the lovely seaside town called Worthing. There we joined Jubilee Church, Worthing, and have been attending since 2006.
I’ve recently just finished ‘Impact’, a gap year serving the church, learning theology and growing in my relationship with God. Probably the most challenging and difficult year thus far, but one filled with amazing encounters of God, a richer and deeper understanding of the Word and my identity as a child of God. As a result, I’m a changed person with a different purpose and outlook in life!
At Jubilee Church, my primary role was in children’s, youth and students’ work: leading teams, organising events and teaching. In the coming years at Moorlands, I look forward to growing deeper in my relationship with God, being stretched and moulded by Him, having a more thorough understanding of the Bible and building relationships with new people! I’ve heard many good things about Moorlands so I am excited to see where God takes me in this new journey.
“My journey so far has been all about realising the relevance for my life and future as well as learning to love God myself… I’m looking forward to learning how theology relates to practical ministry.”
Beth Davies
First year BA student, Christchurch campus-based
I have lived in a few different places around the country, but now call Christchurch home. My family are Christians so I’ve always know about God and the truths of the Bible. My journey so far has been all about realising the relevance for my life and future as well as learning to love God myself. I’ve learnt different things about God’s character and plan for my life in every place I’ve lived and I’m excited to see what God is going to reveal in this new season.
I have done quite a bit of youth work in the last couple of years as well as being part of the church band. I love that I get to keep learning how to practically lead people and do church ministry while studying. For me, doing a degree is all about learning to teach and lead people better.
I’ve served in quite a few different areas of ministry but I’m looking forward to learning how theology relates to practical ministry. I am really looking forward to meeting all the people I’m going to be studying alongside for the next three years. It’s so exciting to think that some of these people could easily become life long friends of mine.
“I was a professional footballer, and then a salesman/security advisor earning lots of money and ‘having everything I had every wished for’… I was far from happy when my wife became a Christian”
Kristian Dimond
First year BA student, Midlands Regional Centre
I’m Kristian Dimond from Barry, near Cardiff. I grew up here until I was 15 when I left home for London. I was a professional footballer, and then a salesman/security advisor earning lots of money and “having everything I had every wished for”. Beautiful house, wife, children and holidays—but I was far from happy when my wife became a Christian in 2011. I seen such a change in her—I wanted what she had, so I went to church—but nothing happened. I actually found it boring and thought I could never be a Christian because of my past.
Then I had my first experience of the living God, as I felt convicted of sin and petrified at the thought of going to hell. I gave my life to Jesus in 2012 and gave up my big house, fancy car and extravagant lifestyle. Only a few weeks after being saved I felt a call to ministry. I denied and fought this for over a year. I eventually gave in and confessed to my pastor what was going on; the church elders prayed and before long I was being asked to preach in different places and give testimony.
I took an 80% pay cut to become the church apprentice 2015/16 and this summer I have been blessed to become the assistant pastor; I love my church and the churches I visit. I am most looking forward to meeting brothers and sisters from different backgrounds and bringing back to my church what I am equipped with from Moorlands.
“I grew up in France near a town called Perpignan with my family, as my parents are missionaries who were called out there when I was two years old to help serve in a French church.”
Callum Mckay
First year BA student, Christchurch campus-based
I will be starting this year as a ‘first year student’ at Moorlands College, campus-based. However, last year I completed the Foundation Year here at Moorlands so it really feels like my second year!
I grew up in France near a town called Perpignan with my family, as my parents are missionaries who were called out there when I was two years old to help serve in a French church. When I was 17 I dropped out of school and decided to move back to the UK to acquire an internship. Through that first year in Weston-Super-Mare I got involved in the local church and alongside really starting my spiritual journey, I also discovered that God wanted me to serve him in ministry, so the following year I became the intern at my sister’s church in Sutton, South London, heavily involved in all sorts of church activities.
Interestingly, previous to any of this I had always pushed away the thought of higher study, having deemed myself unable to do such work such as essay writing and everything else that comes with university work. However, as I came to the end of my internship, I realised God wanted me to further my understanding and knowledge of the bible and leadership, which meant… Bible college! With the difficulty of not having any ‘A’ levels, I found out that Moorlands College had a Foundation Year that was perfectly suited for my situation. I completed the Foundation Year whilst living in Sutton for another year.
During this last academic year, I was the youth leader at my church, also involved in leading the media team and looking after the different social media outlets of the church. But most of all just serving the church in any way I possibly could! Over this next season of my life at Moorlands, I will have a great opportunity to learn a variety of things from the staff and lecturers at Moorlands. There will also be lots of great times to be had with fellow students, times of fun, but also times of growth together.
However, I think that to get the most out of all these fun social experiences and to stay on top of all the work at the same time, will come a need for disciplinary growth; to know how to balance free time with study, social time and time with God. For me that is exciting, because to grow in discipline daily is to better oneself daily and ultimately to honour God!
“Last year I decided that I wanted to study and go deeper in my understanding of the Bible. I’m a people person so any learning had to be practical and applicable to daily living as a Christian… Moorlands fits the bill perfectly.”
Fiona Moore
First year BA student, Christchurch placement-based
I live in Frimley, Surrey, about an hour and a bit from Moorlands. I’m 45, been married to Steve for 27 years and we have two adult daughters. I have been a Christian for well over 30 years and have been actively involved in the local church ever since.
Last year I decided that I wanted to study and go deeper in my understanding of the Bible. I’m a people person so any learning had to be practical and applicable to daily living as a Christian. I believe the Applied Theology course at Moorlands fits the bill perfectly.
Over the years I’ve been involved with the worship, youthwork, administration and pastoral ministries at my church and I start my placement as a Volunteer Mentor this week, assisting the Guildford Diocesan Youth Officer, praying for and caring pastorally for the female youth workers in the surrounding area.
I’m looking forward to finally starting at college after many months of preparation (spiritually, mentally and emotionally—overcoming the fears of going back to school and being assessed!) and to meeting my fellow students. I’m also excited about learning weekly from the lecturers and making use of the learning support services (it’s been a while!!) which have been highly recommended to me by Moorlands alumni.
I read recently “Faith makes things possible—not easy”. I’m not expecting a straightforward three years by any means, but I am expecting to personally grow in character, for my beliefs to be challenged and for my faith (and ability to share and reason with others) to come out stronger in the end.
“I am originally from Ghana, a country in West Africa… I currently work as a volunteer in Teen Challenge UK.”
Francis Quaidoo
First year BA student, Christchurch campus-based
I am Francis and am originally from Ghana, a country in West Africa. I have lived in London all my adult life but recently moved to Willoughby-on-the-Wolds where I currently work as a volunteer in Teen Challenge UK. I work directly with residents on the Teen Challenge Rehabilitation program and am also involved in Teen Challenge Outreach. I have been a Christian for 12 years and am very excited about studying at Moorlands, and look forward to all the opportunities and challenges that it will entail and produce.
“[I] have been working part-time as Creative Editor for the Bible Trust—editing works of F.F. Bruce for republication. This is a mammoth task and, alongside studying for an MA, likely to keep me busy for some time!”
Jeremy Steeds
First year MA student
I grew up in Bristol in a strong Christian family who were involved in a local church. My father preached somewhere most weeks and we often went along to support him. On one such night, I became a Christian when I was 16 years old.
I’m married to Wendy and we have a wonderful son, Luke, who has just started school. We live in beautiful Bath where, for the last 11 years, I have served as Senior Pastor of a growing evangelical church.
I’ve currently stepped back from full time ministry, to reflect and recharge, and since September, have been working part-time as Creative Editor for the Bible Trust—editing works of F.F. Bruce for republication. This is a mammoth task and, alongside studying for an MA, likely to keep me busy for some time! As well as doing some occasional preaching, Wendy and I are currently helping to run the children’s work at church, including Messy Church.
I’m very excited about studying at Moorlands! One of my regrets has always been not formally studying theology before going into ministry. I’ve always had a niggle about going to Moorlands and am so glad that niggle has now turned into reality! I’m looking forward to receiving some fresh, stimulating input from experienced teachers and taking the opportunity to read and respond to the various modules over the next two years.
“I lead a mission church community called Zac’s Place, established God’s Squad CMC in Europe and more recently launched a social enterprise called Rough Edges.”
Sean Stillman
First year MA student
Having spent the last 28 years in front line pastoral ministry and challenging mission environments, I’m looking forward to the MA course at Moorlands immensely. Opportunity for reflection on my own practice, bouncing ideas around in a different environment, being stretched academically and having something coherent to pass on to emerging leaders are all serious motivators.
I’m originally from Reading, Berkshire, and been living in Swansea, South Wales for the past 20 years. I’m married with four children between the ages of nine and 21. I lead a mission church community called Zac’s Place, established God’s Squad CMC in Europe and more recently launched a social enterprise called Rough Edges.
Fitting in study will be a challenge, but a necessary one to satisfy a hunger to lead and serve well. Very much looking forward to meeting others on the course and deeply appreciative of the opportunity to those who have made it possible.
