28 June 2024 | Bracknell, UK [David Neal]
Graduation weekend at Newbold College of Higher Education (NCHE) is always a time of celebration. This year, on Sabbath, 28 June, a service of recognition was also held to acknowledge students who participated in the One Year in Mission and Service (OYiMS) programme, which combines classroom learning with hands-on field experience. Three students from the class of 2024-2025 share their stories.
Sophia Hamilton
What I loved the most about my classes at Newbold is that every day, my mind was blown, and the Bible came to life for me, and it was the first time I understood the true meaning of discipleship. I’d never had conversations about Christ and culture until I came to Newbold. I never challenged what personal time with God should be until I came to Newbold. It was in the classroom that the Bible became exciting for me to study, and now I’m always in awe of what God reveals to me in His Word.
For my service project, I went to Serbia and it was amazing. God allowed me to move out of my comfort zone. I enjoyed my time with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Serbia and the people we served showed me that despite current circumstances, it is possible to show love to someone near you. With so many moments of laughter every day, I was reminded to be content in all things and in every season. I went to Serbia with the intention of helping others, but they were a blessing to me.
OYiMS is life-changing. Whether it’s the classroom experience, Friday night vespers, jam sessions, or the service project, somewhere along the way, I had an encounter with God that changed my life, allowing me to grow in Christ and share Him with others.
Anastasia Skopek
As someone who had already been to university, I was very sceptical about the idea of attending a Christian college, with all of its stereotypes. I am a big fan of learning how to think, not what to think, and I had an idea it would be the latter. But I was mistaken.
The classes covered a lot. Some, like Passport to Mission, helped prepare us for the year ahead — things like culture shock and how to live out our faith in practical ways. We also joined Theology students for lectures on Acts and Foundations of Christian Theology. My favourites were Foundations of Pastoral Studies, where we tackled complex case studies and really had to think hard about the best response. The classes set us up well, not just for our placements, but for life. My thinking, views and faith were questioned, stretched and expanded, which is exactly what college should do.
For my Service Project, I travelled to Bosnia and Herzegovina to help establish the Centre of Influence in Sarajevo. The plan was to teach English lessons and health workshops, but due to delays with the building work, I moved to Belgrade, Serbia, to support two projects. The first was the Community Centre for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Here, we engaged in various activities with the kids, including crafts, Hama beads, origami, painting, and tie-dye T-shirts. The children were always so happy to be there – it is really precious work.
The second project was the Bus for the Homeless. Here, we spent time interacting with the community and distributing essential items, including food and hygiene products. The impact all of these projects have on their communities is seriously amazing. The fact that ADRA is deeply involved in the communities in both locations is a beautiful example of authentic, hands-on Christianity.
One of the homeless people I was working with asked me a question that I still think about. “You are a girl from London. Why do you want to be here with poor people?”. I didn’t know what to say, and I still don’t know what to say because it seems to me that the implication of ‘here’ and ‘poor people’ was derogatory, as if the whole thing was something not to be associated with.
I think the way we divide and categorise people can take so much away from people’s individual humanity. As if the service users are lesser than me, the ‘girl from London’, of course they aren’t! I thought about how it is dangerous to perceive ourselves as ‘too good’ to be associated with other people. And, of course, this was the example set by Jesus – to be friends and love all people, regardless of their background or status. The man who asked me that will never know how much the girl from London learned from and enjoyed the experience!
I was hesitant about joining OYiMS because it meant quitting my stable job, working with a nice team. With permission to take a career break, I can’t even begin to express how glad I am that I took the leap. In doing so, it was challenging, but I’ve had some of the best moments of my life, with my worldview and outlook changed and grown faster than I could have ever imagined.
Returning to “normal” can feel strange, but growth often comes with a sense of discomfort. This is a crazy good opportunity. I made memories, discovered God’s love, and shared it in ways that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Layken Venter
I served in Cyprus, and spent almost all my time in Larnaca in their Centre of Influence called ‘The Meeting Point’. It is a community centre, where my friend Fuiva Tiko also stayed, and lived essentially in the kitchen, with the building also serving as a church. It was a small mission centre and I have to say that personal space was limited, but hey, that’s mission service!
Our tasks included teaching two English lessons per week to Ukrainian and Russian refugees, using Bible studies as our curriculum. We invited the students to read, reflect on what they had read, and then discuss it together. Another outreach activity involved purchasing inexpensive fake flowers and placing them outside the building, each labelled with an encouraging note and a Bible verse. We also placed free Bibles next to the flowers—and they too quickly disappeared!
Supervising and caring for our stay in Cyprus was the late Marica Mirolav. She was a truly special and amazing person. I don’t think I’ve ever had regular conversations with anyone who left me as rejuvenated, and whose overwhelming agape love was unmistakable, as those I had with Marica
The experience that I found most inspiring was the baptism of 17 people in Jun 2024. The eldest to be baptised was about aged 60, and the youngest was around aged 8. I actually experienced two baptismal services in Cyprus, both in the sea, which to me was amazing. Seeing that many people give their lives to Christ was just a reminder of how we should continue to preach and share the gospel.
My take on the OYiMS programme is simple: if you’re thinking about joining, just go for it! We’re all called to be missionaries, and if you ever feel that prompting to talk about Jesus, don’t ignore it. This programme gives you the chance to step into that calling. Having been on a mission trip and then returning home, I’ve realised how much I’ve changed. Re-entering my home environment with a new perspective has made me feel like a different person, in the best way. People notice the change, and sometimes, it’s hard to even put into words what God has done in you.
A Trans-European Division (TED), NCHE and ADRA Partnership
Danilo Puškas, Newbold’s Head of Student Life and Chaplaincy and coordinator of the OYiMS programme, reflected on the transformative impact the initiative has had — not only on the participants, but also on those guiding them. “Ever since I started working with OYiMS students, I have been amazed by the young people we have across TED,” he said. “While we do our best to provide them with a meaningful and life – changing experience, I had no idea they would bring one to me as well. This is truly an amazing programme — not only for the students, but also for all of us involved in supporting them.”
TED Youth Director, Marcel Ghioalda, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the depth of personal and spiritual growth the programme fosters. “It is amazing to see young people commit to growing spiritually, expanding their social network, studying on the campus of Newbold College, and serving in various locations around Europe,” he said. “This is a life-changing experience, and you understand why when you listen to their inspiring stories. The TED, together with NCHE, are committed to investing in the lives of our young people.”
Sandra Golding on behalf of ADRA UK recognised the grace, enthusiasm, and commitment of the OYiMS students who supported ADRA projects across Europe. “You became Christ’s ambassadors. You became the hands and feet of Jesus, you made a difference in the lives of those whom Christ loves.”
The OYiM recognition and celebration programme can be viewed here.
Featured image: OYiMS leaders and students from left to right: Branislav Mirilov (Cyprus Mission), Marcel Ghioalda (TED Youth director), Danilo Puskas (NCHE), with OYiMS students, Tonie-Chae Graham, Layken Ventre, Tijana Obradovic, Shona Beecham, and Anastasia Skopek. Leaders on the right of the photo: Sandra Golding (ADRA UK), Kayle de Waal (TED Education director), Stephen Currow (former Principal, NCHE) and Dan Serb (Principal, NCHE).
Photos: Sophia Hamilton and David Neal
