Are you open to an open day?

Why attend a college open day? For direction, confirmation or to spark your ministry training journey, say Regents students Sian Kempton and Brook Tetley

A couple of months ago we shared the story of Jacqui Richmond, who had no plans to do ministry training until she attended an open day. Having agreed to go along purely to support her husband, Jacqui left raring to sign up and embark on her own ministry journey.

College open days can be the place where God speaks to birth your calling, confirm the call you already sense, enthuse you or simply to give you peace that you’re on the right track. We spoke to two students for whom a Regents open day did just that.

Brook Tetley, first Year,
BA, Church Leadership Track
My open day experience changed everything. I’m 38 and had recently been through a massive life change which set in me the desire to create a life around helping others. I was looking into retraining as a counsellor, but as you’re reading this, it’s clear that is not what happened! It seems God had other plans...

I was encouraged to attend an open day by a pastor friend after a series of ‘God-incidences’, steering me away from counselling and towards leadership within the church. On the Wednesday one week we talked about it and on the Saturday I was attending Regents for an open day!

It was a warm welcome to the Regents community. Lecturers and staff were all on site to chat to and get to know. The sessions themselves were God-centred, practical and very informative. The wow factor for me was, as I listened to God during the session, I felt hope rise within me that this was totally possible! By the end of the day, I had created a plan which I was happy would work and set about applying for the Church Leadership Track.

The open day made me believe I could take on the task of an undergraduate degree and that I’d have a supportive environment to do it in.

Sian Kempton, second year,
Theology with Youth Ministry
When I signed up for a Regents open day I had already had my interview and been accepted. However, my mum persuaded me to go to one... so we did!

When I arrived I was amazed at how welcoming the staff and students were and how they made me feel comfortable. They immediately made me feel at ease.

The bit I enjoyed most was the tour of the campus.

It allowed me to imagine myself as a student and visualise where I would be studying and staying. I just remember being in awe of the scenery around me and I was desperate to start my course there and then!

The open day was also where God affirmed that this was the place he had called me to in order to start my calling of becoming a youth pastor.

Now I’m in my second year. I have the pleasure of conducting tours for other potential students at open days and have loved every bit of being a part of Regents. So, if you’re interested in studying theology or just want a taster, then come along, we would love to see you!

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.

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