Dear Friends,
Spring is so nearly here in Scotland and there are signs of new life all around. The days are getting longer, the snow drops and crocuses are out, and we’re hoping for sunnier, warmer days soon! There is also a lot of life and energy around the College at this time of year too. Our students are out on placements with churches, youth ministries, and charities, across Scotland and beyond. Each week we hear stories from our students who are preaching, leading worship, organising youth weekends, and more. It’s such an encouragement to hear our students witnessing to God’s Kingdom in so many different ways.
Over the next few weeks, there is also a lot of activity at the College. On March 9th we have our College AGM, where we hope to gather our members to share about the life of the College over the past year and look ahead to the developments of the year ahead. Soon after, we host a day of events around this year’s Whitley Lecture, which is given by our friend and former colleague, Rev Dr Paulus de Jong. Paulus will be sharing on Reconciliation in the Gospel Narratives. In the afternoon at 2:30pm on-campus at the College, we are holding a seminar where we will be in conversation with Paulus on the practical and ministerial implications of Reconciliation. In the evening at 5:30pm, he will deliver his lecture, and you can join us on-site at Paisley Baptist on online via YouTube. Please come along to one or both of these events – they are free, though we are asking that you register in advance.
Looking a little further ahead, we have another on-campus Open Day on Tuesday April 21st. The Open Day is a great opportunity for prospective students to visit the College and get a sense of what we do and what we can offer. If you know of anyone who might be interested in attending then please pass on the details and tell them to sign up here.
If you follow us on social media, you may well have seen that we’ve started to drip feed out information on our new Master of Theology (MTh) programme which we hope will launch in September 2026. The course will be taught part-time over 3 years through study weeks in January and June each year. It’s designed and developed with Christian ministry and mission in focus, especially for those already in ministry to reflect upon and develop their practice and for those transitioning into ministry from another career or academic discipline. While plans are advancing quickly, it’s still subject to validation so please keep us in mind over these next few months as we bring this programme to fruition. If you’re interested in joining the very first MTh cohort at SBC, then please get in contact with Alistair Cuthbert on alistair.cuthbert@uws.ac.uk
Finally, as we head into Spring and a busy spell at the College, we thank you for your continued support in prayer, finances, and encouragement.
Ian Birch and the SBC Team
Prayer Points:
Please continue to remember us in prayer.
+ Pray for the College AGM – may it be a time of encouragement for us and our members.
+ Give thanks for the start of the new term and all the learning that lies ahead.
+ Pray for the Whitley Lecture and for Paulus as he travels around the UK with this lecture.
+ Give thanks for the ongoing development of the College especially the upcoming MTh programme.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers as we continue to equip people to serve God’s Kingdom.
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