Coastal Calling: Balancing Theology Studies and Community Outreach

What comes to mind when you think of Eden? Yes, it’s a biblical place but it’s also a coastal town on the Sapphire Coast. Just an hour’s drive from the Victorian border. It’s home for Adrian where he is investing in his local community whilst studying at Morling. Adrian has managed to take his study with him as he has moved from Sydney to Eden continuing his preparation for ministry across borders. Something he has always done!

Adrian is used to the impact changing place can have on your life. He originally met Jesus when he moved to the USA and was working as a fitness instructor in Nashville, Tennessee.

There he met a group of women who prayed for him and his wife, sowed seeds and, without being overbearing, shared their faith. In Adrian’s words it was a ‘radical conversion’ as he came to Christ and that brought huge changes to his life. In time his wife also became a committed Christian.

Together they served with Global Frontier missions whilst living in the States. It was an immersement ministry committed to serving the local community especially those who were refugees. His experience gave him practical training in ministry which he says involved “lots of hands and heart”. It was an experience of seeing how Christian community led to cohesion and like mindedness by being on mission together and reaching the nations.

A few years later Adrian found himself back in Sydney relying on his background in fitness to run a gym. It was then that he first enrolled at Morling. He was driven by the longing to be more discerning about the teaching he was listening to and the flexibility of Morling’s online learning enabled him to study whilst continuing to run his business. It also meant that a move with the family to Eden didn’t bring an end to study. He could continue with Morling Online.

Adrian is now studying a Bachelor of Theology full time with Morling whilst being involved in his church, Eden Aboriginal Evangelical Church, where he preaches regularly. He also runs a monthly BBQ to build community driven by the values of the Simple Church Movement. And he still finds time to teach some fitness classes. which he loves, because it is another way to connect to the local community. 

What does study look like? Studying online means disciplined time focussed on readings and accessing online lectures. In an average week Adrian says he will “Go heavy on Monday” as he can dedicate that whole day to study. Starting strong each week gives Adrian the motivation to keep going throughout the week. And where will you find him for some time out? On a skateboard of course! Again he’s on the move.