Going Deeper
Students share their experiences of studying Applied Theology at IBI
(From the July - September 2021 issue of VOX)
The Irish Bible Institute in Dublin serves the church in Ireland by educating, equipping and empowering Christians to live out the gospel in their communities. In a year when learning was forced “On Zoom,” we spoke to five students to discover how theological education has benefitted their local ministry.
David Duignan - Trim, Co Meath
As a full-time heating engineer, the father of young children and a leader in his local church, David Duignan does not have much time to spare. But he describes the one day a week he dedicates to studying part-time for a BA in Applied Theology as “invaluable”.
I run my own business, my wife is working and we have two children in school. Yet you can find time for what is important and this is important. IBI is not just for academics. The course helps people develop in their personal life and ministry at grassroots level. All of us should have some sort of ministry. I came to faith through watching an American preacher on YouTube. He said, “Don’t take my word for it...” So I bought a Bible on Amazon and read it through twice! The Word of God is compelling and the desire to preach and teach has been with me since I was first saved. We did a module on communication, which really helped for preaching. The Biblical Interpretation module gives you the tools to be able to read God’s Word and to know where you are. You come out feeling well fed but wanting to know more and with a load more questions.
Helen Donaghy - Sligo
CEF worker Helen Donaghy never imagined she would have time to study theology. But all that changed when IBI began offering first year students the opportunity to study “On Zoom” during lockdown.
Until 2019, I was caring for my mother-in-law and working alongside my husband, Brian in youth and children’s ministry with CEF. I’ve been a Sunday School teacher since I was 14 years old but I never felt confident in teaching the Bible. When Covid came, so much of our work was stripped away. With time on my hands I did a short theology course with Cornhill in Belfast. It made me so hungry. I felt God saying, “I want you to delve into this more.” I came across IBI and this was the first year they were offering a certificate in Applied Theology via Zoom. Because I’m from Sligo, I would not have had the time to travel up and down to Dublin to study. But with the “On Zoom” learning, I could take two days out of my week.
I felt so encouraged by what I learnt. I’ve now been released to do the part time degree - one day a week for the next four years. I’m so happy about that! The course has been a huge help. I have more confidence in how to interpret the scriptures. They cover leadership, pastoral care and ministry development. You do a lot of personal reflection and learn a lot about yourself.
“You can grow up having a blinkered view of things. When you come to college your mind is opened up.”
IBI helped me understand the Bible so much better. When studying the Old Testament I felt like I was one of the little people on Google maps - it becomes so real that you feel like you are right there, looking around you and seeing the different characters and the environment in which they lived. Another thing that came to life for me was Jesus’ humanity. I’ve been brought up in church and I’ve always known the divinity of Jesus. But I realised how the pain He experienced was as real as it is to us. He allowed himself to go through everything we do. You can grow up having a blinkered view of things. When you come to college your mind is opened up. I have so much more to learn. I don’t think I will ever stop learning. I’m not an academic person. I never thought I would get excited at the thought of doing assignments but because it is God’s word and it is living and active, it feels exciting.
Daniel Edewor - Dublin
Twenty-two year old Daniel Edewor has just completed his final assignment for a BA in Applied Theology with IBI. He is excited about how he can apply his studies as one of the team leading Expectation Church - a new CCI gathering established during lockdown.
I wanted to start Bible School straight after Leaving Cert. but I decided to do a Post Leaving Cert course first. I have a friend who is a pastor in the United States. He invited me over to serve in his church, to help out and to learn more about ministry. It was during that experience of serving alongside the youth group and young adult ministry that I knew this was something I wanted to pursue. I sent my mum the application form and she sent it in for me and I started the BA in September 2018.
“It is great to be given tools to serve the church and serve people in a high capacity.”
Studying at IBI has been an amazing experience. The teaching and the curriculum are phenomenal. It is great to be given tools to serve the church and serve people in a high capacity. My favourite module was Ministry and Personal Development - learning how to develop as a leader and as a person. Even if I was never to step into a pastoral position, this gave me the tools for self-reflection and critical analysis to enable me to understand where I am at and what I need to do. I feel like I am a lot more self aware and that is a huge thing, no matter what stage of life you are at. It is something money can’t buy.
As someone who is helping out with a new church, it is good to be able to understand the different tools and methods that are needed in different seasons. Pastoral care and intentionality are very important for us right now at Expectation Church. We are trying to build a community and a place that people feel they can call home.
Richard Walker - Foxford, Co Mayo
As a carpenter and farmer in Mayo, Richard Walker opted to take some time out to study for his BA in Applied Theology. He has just completed his second year studying at IBI.
I work in carpentry as my full time job. A few years ago, I took a year out to study at IBI and then this last year I decided to do the second year. It was great to be able to do it ”On Zoom.” I’m from Mayo so going do Dublin means spending nine hours travelling each week.
It is great to dig into the word of God and see His promises for you. I loved the module with Phil Kingsley about mission in contemporary Ireland. We are all on mission. It is not just left to an elite few. It is about changing our mindset and purposefully praying to meet people. Even last week, I was on a carpentry job in Sligo and I got chatting to somebody. We ended up talking for half an hour about God.
One highlight for me was studying Irish church history. It was so interesting and Mimi Kelly brings out so much. I really enjoyed that. It was great to learn about St. Patrick and his writings - I had never heard that before.
I go to the Elim Church in Castlebar and one Christmas Day I was asked to do a talk at the Carol Service. IBI gave me the confidence to do that. I would encourage anyone who feels led to take that step of faith. The first time I was nervous but I have enjoyed all my time. The lecturers are really good; they want to help you do well. It is great place to study and to build your faith.
Lorita Hamer - Dungarvan, Waterford
As Pastor of Dungarvan Christian Church as well as being a wife and mother, Lorita Hamer could not even consider studying at the Irish Bible Institute until the pandemic forced learning to be “On Zoom”. But after studying part time for her first year, she is determined to finish her degree in Applied Theology.
I studied youth ministry, pastoral care, Old Testament and the life and ministry of Jesus. And because of Covid, I’ve been able to use everything I learnt. In the past, I would have had other people in the church helping out with youth ministry but one person from Italy left to return home and our youth leader was on furlough in America and couldn’t get back to Ireland. I ended up having to use everything I was learning about youth ministry as I was learning it.
“I ended up having to use everything I was learning about youth ministry as I was learning it.”
We had a two-day retreat “On Zoom” and that was really important too, especially as leaders to have that time of quiet with God. It was a reminder to watch out for ourselves as we are trying to care for others.
Studying the Old Testament overview helped with a lot of questions I would have previously struggled with. It helped me understand the different viewpoints and gave me peace with not having to have all the answers.
Studying in Ireland means I’ve been able to get to know people from other denominations and churches. It is not just about getting a degree. There is a richness and depth to building relationship with one another. It brings a sense of unity and a focus on the Kingdom of God.
IBI Live
You can now come to IBI from wherever you are.
IBI Live: ON SITE or ON ZOOM
ON SITE means in person classes in IBI.
ON ZOOM means that students will also have the option to access those classes from wherever they are in Ireland and even beyond.
See the website for details of courses and Open Days. For any questions or to chat about options, contact Sarah at sarah@ibi.ie or
01 806 9060.
