Friends of the College - January 2020

Monday, 13th January 2020
Image: friends-of-the-college-january-2020

2020 marks the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland (formerly Baptist Union of Ireland) in 1895.  In February 1895 there was a “call to pray” issued to the churches, encouraging them to plead with God to move among our churches.  Wishing to echo that sentiment the Executive Committee of the Association have issued a similar call: “unite to pray.”

Throughout 2020 the College will draw your attention to this call to “unite to pray” with a monthly “Friends of the College” blog post linked to the “unite to pray” prayer diary.  The January notes encourage us to pray that a culture of prayer would permeate all our churches, and that God would make us a people who delight in prayer.  This is evident in the life of our College, and so we asked a third year student, Chris Brown, to share one aspect of the prayer life in College: 

“One of the unique opportunities we have at College is that of joining together in prayer.  It is one of the foundations of College life.  Our hope is to be found in passionate and perpetual prayer.

This is part of our crucially important spiritual sustenance throughout the week, but we are certainly not shy of a bit of physical sustenance as well!  Many formidable eaters line the halls and fill the classrooms of the College, and so the natural and much appreciated combination of these elements are our regular prayer breakfasts.

Many of the students gathered at eight o’clock in the morning in one of the lecture rooms.  We share matters needing prayer: College life, staff, students, families, and friends.  Then we pray.  Of course, we know that the ability to pray is always a privilege, and we regard it as such; knowing that it is only by Christ that we can even praise and petition our Almighty God.  While much of the world is making their way into work or school we are able to sit together and approach God in prayer as a student body.  This is a tremendous privilege.

After that, as the smell of sausages and the sound of sizzling creep through the building, we make our way to the canteen.  There some thick floury baps await, ready to be filled with sausages and a condiment of your choice.  It is a great time to spend together outside of an academic context.  The College is not the church, but nonetheless we know one another as brothers and sisters.  The prayer breakfast offers time to pray, relax, and come together as a family in Christ.  We try to maintain a rich balance of academic, devotional and community pursuits in the College week, knowing that the Book we study is not simply an academic text but the life-giving word of the Living God.  We aspire to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us (1 Thess. 5:16-18).”

Please continue to pray for our (your) students, especially that they would continue to devote themselves to prayer in the midst of the pressures of College life.

    Blog Archive

Let’s Read Irish Baptist College Conference (Online) From Intern to Undergraduate (Emily Middleton) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Reason for Redemption Baptists and Revival in the Long 18th Century Second Year Placements From Intern to Undergraduate (Josh Brown) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The What and Why of Holiness Final Year During A Pandemic 2nd Year Placement Experience Friends of the College 2021 Update The Art of Reading More Books Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Real Possibility of Holiness A Basic Easter Fact The Servant King Podcast Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — You Are Holy Third Year Reflection Gospel Guardians: Protecting the Purity of the Gospel for Future Generations Graduation 2021 Book Review: Succeeding at Seminary Let's Read: The Hole in Our Holiness — A Work in Progress Why the Irish Baptist College is Vital to the Health of the Association A Good News Story: The Ministry Partnership Scheme Why Study the Biblical Languages? Profit in Toil: A Short Message on A Level Results Day Let's Read: Small Preaching Recognition Service Report 2021 Sin Forgiven: Nourishment for Life and Joy for Living Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Character of the Preacher Commencement Service Report Placement Friends of the College Update God Rejoices over His People: A Meditation on Zephaniah 3:17 Let’s Read: Small Preaching—Constructing the Sermon Evangelism Teams: Newcastle and Brannockstown Evangelism Teams: Stonepark and North Belfast Christian Fellowship First Year Reflections (Reuben and Andrew) Some New Books Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Craft of Preaching Let's Read: Small Preaching—What is God Saying? A Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘The coming of the light’ Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘Life, Light & Glory’
Time to read Genesis...again Friends of the College - January 2020 Friends of the College - January 2020 Finances Tribute to Marion Craig The Resilient Pastor: Surviving & Thriving in Ministry Just a Blow-in? What is new on the shelves at IBC? Friends of the College - February 2020 Four Reasons to Study Theology Academically From Spain to Moira Testimonial Financial Update Friends of the College – March 2020 Irish Baptist Historical Society: The Mayflower Thomas Patient: the Father of the Irish Baptist Church Testimonials The Pastors’ Conference: An Encouraging Privilege Testimonials (part-time studies) In the worst of times: COVID-19 and the Book of Ruth Friends of the College - April 2020 The Long Wait: Victory Delayed Testimonials - Preparation for Ministry and Evening Classes The Leadership Podcast Testimonials - Ladies Study Fellowship The Leadership Podcast (part 2) Friends of the College - May 2020 Reflections from the Student Chairman Why do we teach the Old Testament? Reflections on first year at IBC Friends of the College - June 2020 Why do we teach Romans? IBC Placement Is Church History a Thing of the Past? Friends of the College - July 2020 Friends of the College – August 2020 Friends of the College September 2020 Recognition and Graduation Service Introducing the Irish Baptist College’s New Logo Commencement Service Friends of the College - October 2020 Filled with the Spirit: Soundings in Luke’s Theology of the Holy Spirit The Famous Five: The Abiding Relevance of the Solas of the Reformation Friends of the College - November 2020 The Importance of Theological Training in Fulfilling the Great Commission First Year Reflections — Tim Houston Singing: The Place of Theology in Corporate Worship New Library Books Friends of the College – Unite to Pray – December Christmas Reflections
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