B
illy Graham once said, “Every Christian should go to Bible college if they get the chance.” And there have never been more chances than there are today, especially with the provision of student finance for validated degree courses. Studying at a Christian leadership training college has never been more affordable!
Here at Mattersey Hall we aim to provide a life enriching experience which really is the best of both worlds. We offer a quality academic education validated and monitored by a respected British university, but we never lose sight of our focus and responsibility to teach the faith. Our goal, quite simply, is to form the next generation of Christian leaders. I vividly remember the day, a quarter of a century ago, when I myself was a student at Mattersey Hall. God clearly spoke to me and gave me a life’s calling. I can still remember the words – “to teach God’s Word to God’s people.” As both lecturer and now Principal, this continues to be my vision. Our main flagship programme continues to be the full-time degree course leading to a degree in Biblical Studies and Theology. Over three years, students study a wide range of classes ranging from the New Testament and the Gospel of John, to Old Testament theology and the book of Romans. Those wishing to do so can also learn Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament Greek in our wellestablished and well-respected biblical languages classes, among the best taught in the country.
proud of our Pentecostal heritage and this comes across both in our worship and ministry and in the classes we teach, with courses on offer on Pentecostal Distinctives and Pentecostal Church History. But we also understand that not everyone wanting to study God’s Word can relocate to Mattersey and dedicate three full years to it, so we offer some alternatives. It is possible to study for the degree part-time and spread the course over six years. This suits people who need to combine study with work. Another option is to study with Mattersey Hall without even leaving home, and take the same degree course by distance learning. For those wishing to come to college to study but who cannot commit to three full years, there is the option of taking just the first year classes and gaining a certificate in Christian Ministry, or similarly the first two years and graduating with a diploma in either Christian Leadership or Biblical Studies and Theology. Mattersey Hall also offers a special one year Graduate Diploma for those who already have an appropriate degree and are in a senior ministry role.
Something for everyone
The next generation
We recognise that every student has different interests and a different calling and so we offer a wide range of elective classes to choose from. This is also reflected in the fact that we offer two undergraduate degrees. Running alongside the course in Biblical Studies and Theology is the option of graduating with a specialist degree in Christian Leadership. There is considerable overlap between the two because, obviously, Christian leaders still need a thorough knowledge of the Bible and theology, but the leadership speciality allows these students to take classes in courses such as pastoral training, cross-cultural ministry or local church in mission. What is also good is that students do not need to finally decide which specialist subject to take until the second year of the course. Of course, as the training centre of Assemblies of God we are rightly
Mattersey Hall has never been simply about teaching ‘head knowledge’. Our focus has always been to train and to be a place where mature Christians can impart to the next generation, inspiring and challenging them. There is something very special about being able to devote three years to being a part of a community of godly men and women, united by the desire to serve the Kingdom and change the world. If all you want is an academic degree, Mattersey Hall is not the place for you. We take spiritual formation very seriously and devote considerable energy to it – all of which goes beyond simply providing an education. For example, Mattersey Hall has a decided missional ethos. Every year each student participates in a missions trip, normally overseas. This takes a variety of forms. Recent trips have included schools work in the Czech Republic
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and the Isle of Man, visiting the sick and orphans in South Africa, church planting in France, and building up the churches and encouraging believers in places as far flung as Spain, Thailand, Luxembourg and others. Mission trips are meticulously planned and feedback from the students consistently shows how much this impacts their spiritual life. We do not begin our days with classes. Nearly every day the students run their own assembly service in the college chapel, in which they take turns to preach. The highlight of the week is a special extended chapel service every Wednesday morning. This allows a much fuller time of worship, led by our fantastic student band, and a message from one of our teaching staff or a visiting speaker invited in specially. Our reputation enables us to attract the very best leaders and speakers to impart to the staff and students. Here at Mattersey Hall we place a very high value on commitment to a local church and we work closely with churches and pastors in the region. This is of immense value to the students’ spiritual formation, something which we constantly go back to. Mattersey Hall is not about simply gaining head knowledge.
Good times ahead These are exciting times here at Mattersey Hall. The college campus is now not only home to the college, but is also the headquarters of the National Ministry Centre. This will have a tremendous benefit to the