Training

Ministry Training

Part of our DNA

From the beginning, Campus Bible Study has been committed to ministry training – equipping the saints for the work of ministry and raising up the next generation of gospel workers. From the first Mid-Year Conference in 1976 (pictured), more than three quarters of the students have gone into full-time ministry. And since then, over 450 godly men and women have been trained for vocational ministry through a two year Ministry Traineeship, with thousands more equipped to live their entire lives as servants of their risen King.

Some significant ways we train include Core Training and Theology as well as the Ministry Traineeships, but you can’t tie it down to a particular structure. Instead, it’s part of our whole philosophy of ministry that we always seek to disciple, train and equip the next generation. 

We have a mission field to reach on campus; we want to serve the churches that students are part of; and we want to grow God’s kingdom for His glory as we send graduates out every term. We would love you to join us and partner with us in this ministry!

2 Timothy 2:2

What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

English Standard Version

Want to find out more?

Get In Touch

Frequently Asked Questions

When considering ministry training, there are lots of good questions! Rather than just hearing from us, we wanted to let some of our ‘alumni trainees’ share their answers below. If you have other questions, please do get in touch.

What is a Ministry Traineeship?

Rev. Paul Grimmond
Lecturer at Moore Theological College 

 

Who should do a Traineeship?

Rev. Al Stewart
Director FIEC

Are Traineeships for Women?

Tara Stenhouse
Dean of Women at Moore Theological College

 

I've done lots of ministry, how will a Traineeship help me?

Sarah Thorburn
AFES Staff Worker at Curtin University, Perth

Will a Traineeship prepare me for mission?

Mike & Katie Taylor
CMS Missionaries at Munguishi Bible College, Tanzania

Will a Traineeship only prepare me for University ministry?​

Andrew Heard
Senior Pastor at Ev Church

 

My parents aren't convinced, is a Traineeship just cheap labour?

Richard & Jeanette Chin
AFES National Director & Staff Worker at ANU, Canberra

What if I don't end up as a paid gospel worker?

William Liem
Businessman & Lay Ministry in Indonesia

How has a Traineeship benefitted you?

Vincent & Mei Chan
Pastor at St Barnabas Bossley Park

What are the benefits doing a Traineeship at University?

Archie Poulos
Lecturer at Moore Theological College

If I can support myself, do I still need financial partnership?

Dan & Jess Kong
AFES Staff Worker at Deakin University, Melbourne

Can I do a Traineeship part time?

Lisa Sawyer
Trainee & Speech Pathologist

Will a Traineeship equip me for cross-cultural ministry?

Gary Koo
Bishop of Western Sydney

Will a Traineeship help me share the gospel?

Caroline Spencer
Evangelist with City Bible Forum

Why not go straight to Theological College?

Richard Gibson
Principal, Brisbane School of Theology

 

Do I get to choose my trainer or where I serve?

Sam & Shan-Shan Chrisp
CMS Missionaries in Taiwan

When should I do a Traineeship?

Paddy Benn
AFES Staff Worker at Sydney University

Is it good for a husband and wife to do a Traineeship together?

Dan & Kate Morris
CMS Missionaries doing Student Ministry in France

Applying to be a Trainee

The first step is to get in touch and join one of our LIFT Communities (groups of people at a similar stage who are Looking Into Full-Time paid gospel work). But below is a rough outline of what to expect.

  1. Early June : Information Evening – bring your questions, meet the staff and hear from current trainees. Application forms will be available following this night.
  2. Late July : Applications due and Interviews – this process is designed to get to know you so we can make an informed decision about your ministry training.
  3. Mid August : Offers made and accepted – contracts are offered and we start planning for next year. 
  4. Early September : Partnership Training Night – it is time to start contacting people to partner with you in ministry training, and this evening will equip you for the task.
  5. November 1 : 40% Partnership Pledged – this is your first target to help you start the traineeship fully supported.
  6. December 1 : 85% Partnership Pledged – almost there!
  7. January 1 : Traineeship Begins!

Find out more

ABOUT Us
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What is a Ministry Traineeship?

Paul Grimmond

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Next: Who should do a Traineeship?
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Who should do a Traineeship?

Al Stewart

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Faucibus et molestie ac feugiat sed. Elementum pulvinar etiam non quam lacus suspendisse faucibus interdum. Consequat ac felis donec et odio pellentesque diam. At urna condimentum mattis pellentesque id nibh tortor id aliquet. Cursus metus aliquam eleifend mi in nulla posuere sollicitudin. Sed sed risus pretium quam vulputate dignissim suspendisse. Suscipit tellus mauris a diam maecenas sed enim. Nisl vel pretium lectus quam id leo in. Nullam ac tortor vitae purus faucibus ornare. Dictumst vestibulum rhoncus est pellentesque elit ullamcorper dignissim. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et. Facilisi etiam dignissim diam quis enim lobortis scelerisque fermentum dui. Eu sem integer vitae justo. Et pharetra pharetra massa massa ultricies mi quis hendrerit dolor. Donec massa sapien faucibus et molestie ac. Nisi quis eleifend quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus. Dictum sit amet justo donec enim diam vulputate ut pharetra. Pretium fusce id velit ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse. Orci dapibus ultrices in iaculis nunc. Quis ipsum suspendisse ultrices gravida dictum.

Previous: What is a Traineeship?
Next: Are Traineeships for women?

Rev. Charles Gajus

Charles loves his wife Stefani, and his kids – Zoe, Zac, Hannah and Beth. He is the Pastor of FOCUS Indonesia and oversees the training of students and trainees on campus. He describes himself as being smarter than he looks, but dumber than he sounds. Thankfully, he knows God accepts him only because of Jesus.

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Tash Leong

Tash is thankful to be a part of the CBS staff team and loves reading the Bible with people on campus. Some of her favourite topics of conversation include – the gospel, KFC (the Korean kind!) and playing drums – in no particular order! 

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Tracey Gowing

Tracey grew up near Kempsey and enjoys hanging out with her family, her god-kids and their families and anyone who wants to play squash or cricket. She loves talking about Jesus, pondering everything ethical and learning from others.

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Rev. Tim Rowe

Tim grew up in the country, studied engineering at UNSW, and thanks God for the faith he was brought up in and firmly grasped through CBS. Tim is married to Sarah and has three children (William, Daniel and Alison). He loves teaching the Bible, encouraging everyone to follow Jesus, leading his family in serving Jesus and spending time with his family (especially when bikes are involved!).

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Rev. David Brackenbury

Dave – or Bracks as he is generally known – studied at UNSW, did a ministry traineeship with CBS and missed it so much he’s decided to come back as the pastor of Unichurch. Bracks is married to Michelle and has four children, Samuel, Catherine, Lucy and Anna.

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Alison Napier

Alison is serving the various FOCUS churches. She loves to teach the Bible to women of all ages, cultures and life situations. Being with FOCUS has also given her a love for steamboat meals, kueh and durian, as well an ever-expanding vocabulary.

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Kevin Chien

Kevin was born in Taiwan, and came to Sydney at age 11. He is married to Kathlen and has two daughters, Phoebe and Shiphrah. While Kevin’s role is focused on evangelism towards Mandarin speaking students, he is keen to encourage students from all backgrounds to be involved with this work.

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Dr. Lewis Jones

Originally from the US, Lewis began life in Australia as a postdoc at UNSW researching the effect of galaxy clustering on stellar populations and is now working with CBS to take the gospel of Jesus to the UNSW Staff and Post-Grads. Married to an Australian lass named Jenny, who has provided him three half-breed children, Lewis continues to be thankful to his Saviour Jesus Christ, who forgives him his many failures and empowers him to serve God’s people.

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Rev. Dr. Tony Payne

Tony was born near Lismore, but only really grew up after he married Ali and started having kids (he has five, now all grown up and six grandkids). He loves teaching and training Christians how to understand and apply God’s Word to every aspect of their lives, and has written more than 30 books and resources over the years to help with that. He also loves reading literary novels, watching almost any kind of sport and following his golf ball on its unpredictable journey around the course.

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Matthew Jensen

Matthew works closely with Joel (literally and figuratively) in the office to manage a lot of the organisational, office and administration related areas of Campus Bible Study. He also carries out the role of keeping the trainees in check so they keep prioritising important things in gospel ministry.

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Sandra King

Sandra meets with women at UNSW to read the Bible and speak about Jesus. Other days, she supports Christian ministry elsewhere in Sydney. Days off are spent with her husband, Paul, walking along the coastline or at an occasional AFL game. They have 3 adult children. Ask her about overseas mission – it’s a favourite topic.

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Joel Alexander

Joel is one of the most integral parts of the team! He does the admin that is needed to keep Campus Bible Study running smoothly. He is usually found in the office working hard to serve the Campus Bible Study ministry.

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CORE
TRAINING

Because the Christian life is about service, CORE Training is a series of practical small group training courses. They will equip you to know and share what you believe, to read the Bible on your own and with others, to lead a Bible Study group, and help you transition from Uni to the rest of your life!

Make the most of your university years to be equipped to serve now and well into the future!

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CORE
THEOLOGY

If God has made the world and the Bible tells us how we are to live in the world, theology is all about knowing God truly and learning to view the world with His eyes.

CORE Theology is a fun and engaging weekly seminar that won’t let you sit back with indifference. Wherever you are, we want to stretch your thinking and firm-up your foundation to live rightly in service of God and others!

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