Messrs Jonny Fitzsimons and Kenny Stephenson have been re-enrolled at Reformed Theological College (RTC) for their final year of studies. This year’s Opening Night meeting was held on Tuesday 3 October in Knockbracken and was well attended, with just over 100 present. Rev. Raymond Blair, lecturer of Church History at RTC, chaired the meeting. Having met earlier in the day the College Faculty members had each, once again, signed their declaration to faithfully perform the duties of their office. It was agreed by the College Committee that this signing will take place in public in future years, during the Opening Night meeting.
Rev. David Fallows, Chairman of the College Committee of Superintendence, informed the meeting of two very favourable reports from the students’ summer placements (Jonny having served in Cullybackey, Kenny in Dromara). Mr Jonny Fitzsimons reflected on his time in Cullybackey and the great affection he now had for the congregation, who had warmly welcomed him, his wife Joanna and their children, Imogen, Jesse and Eilidh. Jonny had preached through the book of James during his placement and related some of the challenges of preparing to preach it, as well as the book’s wonderfully practical application. Jonny had also had the opportunity to take part in a nationally broadcasted service, with BBC Radio Ulster visiting Cullybackey on one of his placement weeks.
The wider Church is encouraged to continue praying for Jonny and Kenny; they finish their current term of study in mid-December, before commencing their final term in January. In a change from recent years, student assessment preaching will take place in February, rather than January, and is planned for Tuesday 13th February 2024 in Rathfriland.
The main address was delivered by Rev. Prof. Warren Peel, on the theme, “A Man to Stand in the Breach: The Call to Gospel Ministry”, with Ezekiel 22:30 his main text:
And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. (ESV)
Mr Peel highlighted the problem in Ezekiel’s day: Jerusalem’s walls had been broken down, a symbol of a disgraced nation that was far from God. The solution, provided by God, is perhaps surprising: no miracles, no legion of angels sent to his people, but rather the calling of men to preach. The motivation to accept such a calling is that God himself will provide called men with his authority and power to preach his message. Mr Peel applied his text powerfully and directly to our own denomination and the wider church in our day. Emphasising our own need of more men for gospel ministry, Mr Peel also made clear the demands and challenges of accepting a Call to this work – but also the great privileges and importance of it.
As a denomination, we continue to pray that God will call more men to gospel ministry, ahead of the next opportunity for men to begin studying at RTC in September 2024.
Philip Dunwoody, Theological College Committee
