From Spain to Moira

Monday, 17th February 2020
Image: from-spain-to-moira

We asked a first year student, Pablo Campuzano, to tell us what it is like to leave home in order to study at the Irish Baptist College:

My name is Pablo Campuzano, I come from Algeciras in Spain and I am a second-year student at the Irish Baptist College. Before coming to Northern Ireland, I was studying Translation at a university in Madrid.

Although I never had a strong desire to go to Bible College God led me in this direction. It has been a blessing for me and those around me. My journey to Bible College began in 2016 when I came to Northern Ireland to help at Ballycastle Easter Youth Camp. I met a couple of friends who asked me about my future after I finished university. From twelve years of age I felt drawn to the mission field and that has not changed. They strongly recommended that before going into the mission field it would be good for me to go to Bible College so that I would be better equipped for ministry. I started to pray about it then and God started to open the doors that led me to where I am today.

One of the biggest challenges for me was all of the changes I had to face in first year. I had just finished my Translation degree in June 2018 and I had to say goodbye to all the friends I made during those four years. The next couple of months were very busy with camps and all of a sudden, come September, I was in Northern Ireland. I arrived on a Sunday and I started my classes the next day. Suddenly, I found myself not in sunny Spain but in the land of liquid sunshine. I was not speaking my native tongue but some kind of “English.” I was living in a small town instead of in a European capital. All of these changes felt a bit overwhelming at the beginning. But now that I see everything in perspective I can say that God is faithful. Now I can see His hand working and how He has worked in the past year. I can see, once again, how we have a family in Christ that crosses over borders and cultural barriers. God showed me again that, in Christ, we have a worldwide family that worship Him in many different ways, and that is good.

My college experience has been truly amazing, especially if compared to my previous experience. Not that it was bad, but you can certainly feel the difference in every sphere of university life when studying at the Irish Baptist College. When lecturers are passionate about what they teach that passion is contagious, especially when teaching the Bible. There is something special about studying here, the spiritual layer of learning is very special. All second year students are placed in different churches and ministries so they can learn from directly working in ministry and put into practice all that they have learnt in the classroom. Placement is a very good opportunity to share the knowledge that we have been given and to keep learning in a more practical way.

 

What does your future hold? If you would like to explore whether studying at the Irish Baptist College might be part of your future we want to point you in the direction of our open days: Tuesday 25th February (9:00am-12:00) or Thursday 23rd April (6:30-9:30pm).

    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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