The weather — a perfect sunny day. The date — June 22. The location — London Theological Seminary (LTS), Finchley, England. The occasion — the LTS Annual Thanksgiving Service.
A crowd of over 200 people made up of supporters, families and friends of LTS students all gathered to give thanks to our God. Praise was given for his goodness to the men who had completed their studies at LTS this year.
Leading the service was Chairman of the LTS Board, Pastor Irving Steggles, who had flown in from South Africa.
Dr. Robert Strivens, Principle of LTS, gave his Annual Report. He thanked God for his blessing on the Seminary and also thanked those who supported the work of LTS in training men to be pastors for churches in the UK and across the globe. Dr. Strivens noted that it had been a sad year for LTS, with news of the unexpected deaths of two previous students and also Graham Harrison, one of the original lecturers at LTS and a board member, who died earlier this year.
13 graduates
There were 13 men who graduated. Dr. David Green, Vice-Principle of LTS, introduced each of them in turn. They told us of how God had called and led them to LTS and how he was continuing to direct their steps. Some had completed the course fulltime over two years and others part-time over three or four years. Many were heading back to minister in their home countries, which include; Nigeria, Peru and South Korea. Some were taking up pastorates in the UK and others were looking for further training for MAs, etc.
LTS was also saying goodbye to two lecturers this year. Dr. Robert Oliver has taught Church History for over 25 years. His final responsibility was to read from the Scriptures. Basil Howlet, who has taught on both the Pastoral Studies and Preaching courses during the last 11 years, prayed for each of the men who had graduated this year. Both were presented with gifts from the LTS family.
Stirring message
Rupert Bentley-Taylor preached a stirring message from 2 Timothy 4.9-22. He showed that ministry is not all about preaching and proclaiming, or studying and books, but about people. He then warned the men, and reminded everyone, that people will bring us pain as they did to the Apostle Paul.
Encouragingly he said that people also bring blessing to us. Paul was blessed by Timothy and Onesiphorus.
The other person in the passage was the Lord! The men were urged to consider four ways in which the Lord Jesus was referred to by Paul in the verses. The Lord presides, he is sovereign, he provides for, has purposes for and also preserves his ministers.
