At our Christchurch Campus Thanksgiving Service this month, we spent time celebrating our student’s efforts as the academic year drew to a close. Rev Dianne Tidball, President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, gave an inspirational message that focused on our role as Christians, how to see ourselves in light of Christ, and what this means in ministry. She shared: “Our role is to not get people into Heaven; but to depend on God, to be part of his plan, and to get Heaven into people so that we can shine with the light of Jesus Christ and build his Kingdom.”

The Charge

A leavers’ commission, known as The Charge, was spoken over our leaving students by Vice Principal, Dr Ian Kirby, encouraging them to apply what they’ve learnt during their studies into the working world or further study. The final paragraph of The Charge, presented as a scroll, reads: “We send you out with the words of the Commission from the Lord Jesus Christ, who said: ‘All authority has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you to the very end of the age.’”

Prize winners

Year group prizes were awarded by Principal Steve Brady. The Foundation Year prize went to Elaine Galliot (donated by Christchurch Baptist Church); the First Year prize to Jacob Tyers (donated by On Track Ministries); the Second Year prize to Ebow Essel (donated by Doug and Sue Barnett) and the Third Year prize to Fiona Cursiter (donated by Immanuel Church, Bournemouth).

Community prizes were also awarded to Enoch Adekoya for Preaching (donated by Christchurch Baptist Church); to Scott Rushby for Communication (donated by YMCA Bournemouth); to Daniel Alcock for Evangelism (donated by Blowing Your Cover); Alice Fenning for Contribution to College Life (donated by the College Principal); Israel Douglas and Dan Bennett won the joint prize for Contribution to Local Community (donated by Mike Yates).

Alice Fenning collects her prize

Above: Alice Fenning collects here Contribution to College Life prize from Dianne and Rev Dr Steve Brady, College Principal


Student testimonies

Several students shared heartfelt testimonies and spoke of the ways in which God had worked in their lives.

Elaine Galliot (Foundation Year): “The best thing I have learnt in my time so far has been discipline, discipline, discipline; in studies, in my home and personal life, in lectures, and in reading God’s word. I have found that to be the core of my year, meaning that I have a great foundation on which to build on.”

Joshua Clark (First Year): “Two weeks before I started this year at Moorlands, my family received news that my Dad’s cancer had developed into his brain and he had weeks to live. And so I came in the knowledge that this would be the most difficult time in my life. At one point I said to Dad I wasn’t coming; that I wanted to stay with him and look after him. Instead he told me, ‘If God has given you a calling, then God will give you an equipping. I would rather see you off to Moorlands where I know you will get that and where I know you will grow.’”

Enoch Adekoya (Second Year): “Apart from various matters outside college, I have the role of chair of Student Council here and delightfully, I got engaged to a wonderful lady. Amidst it all, the Lord Jesus has been so faithful. And he has reminded me so frequently that he is the Lord, He never changes and he is faithful till the end, even when my love for him fluctuates, he remains constant – ever faithful. In the Lord, I’ve found an unchanging, dependable Father, and in Christ a Saviour and friend who will never abandon His own.”

Jessica Walker (Third Year): “Moorlands has given me a new dream a dream to live in a poor and broken community working every day to see the beauty of Jesus work through the lives of the precious people on Thornaby estate, Middlesbrough. My understanding of a life well lived and a life worth living has been stretched. A life that is soaked in scripture, aided by in-depth study, a life in continual conversation with our Father in heaven, and a life that embraces the Holy Spirit.”

Enoch Adekoya

Above: Second Year student Enoch Adekoya shares his testimony


Our thanks go to the student band for leading us in times of sung worship; to the staff team and student stewards who all played a part in the success of the event, and to the kitchen team for serving vast amounts of cream teas for guests’ enjoyment.

We are now looking forwards to our Graduation service in November where we can formally commend our graduands for their achievements.

Leaving students

The Christchurch Class of 2017

Above: The Christchurch Class of 2017