When BCA reinstituted its Theological Bursary in 2022, we were excited to identify and support students to be suitably trained gospel workers committed to serving in a country location.

This year it was with great joy we announced that Malachi Walker, one of last year’s theological bursary students, embarked on full-time ministry in the bush. Malachi completed his Master of Divinity at Trinity Theological College in Perth and returned to the church he first attended, was discipled in the faith, baptised, and served as a Youth Group and Bible Study leader – the Geraldton Anglican Cathedral.

“Transitioning from theological study to vocational ministry is both incredibly exciting and terrifying,” says Malachi. “So, what a wonderful thing it is that I get to do both with the support of BCA!”

BCA has always had a passion to support students who have a heart for ministering in rural, regional, and remote Australia. And this year we are supporting 10 theological students (both Indigenous and non-indigenous) with a bursary.

This year’s 10 students include four returning students: Terrence, Samuel, Riley & Callum and six brand new students: Grace, Sharon, Dale, Nich, Cam & Matt.

Grace is in her second year of a Bachelor of Theology at Brisbane School of Theology (BST). “This Bursary is life changing. To be able to use this bursary to pay off some of my student loans and relieve some current financial demands means more to me than I can express with words.”

Sharon, who is studying a Master of Divinity at BST, is passionate about evangelism. “At college, I run monthly seminars on ‘Bible Storytelling’ a strategy for evangelism and discipleship settings. I learned this strategy from Christine Dillon at SMBC and am now passing it on at BST.”

Dale, like Sharon is also doing a Master of Divinity at BST. Not only is he keen to return to serve in the bush, he and his wife have bought a property in Batchelor (NT). “We love it out there, we love the people, the climate, the plants, animals and country. We are committed to going wherever God leads us, but currently we believe that’s somewhere in the Top End.”

Matt is studying a Master of Divinity at Ridley College. “I’d like to think at the end of my life I could say that whether I was serving in a congregation of 10 people, or 1000 people – that the numbers didn’t affect my faithfulness and dedication to serve God and His people.”

Cam is a third-year student at Trinity Theological College in Perth and is married with three young daughters. “Apart from growing up in the country, spending most of my life in Albany, my wife and I are eager to serve God where He wants us, including the country.”

Nich is studying at Moore College having previously studied at YouthWorks and is completing a MTS apprenticeship. “I grew up in Dubbo and although I moved to Sydney to study, it was always my plan to move back to the country, resourcing less resourced areas.”