The MA has helped me think more clearly and carefully about Scripture, but also about how theology connects to the life of the church.
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Hezron, a pastor based in Luton originally from Zambia, has been in ministry for over two decades, serving his local church in the UK for the past eight years. Already trained and experienced in theological education, Hezron came to Oak Hill to deepen his theological study through the MA programme.
He first visited Oak Hill not as a prospective student, but simply to observe some teaching. “I was really encouraged by what I saw,” he says. “One thing led to another — I applied, and was accepted onto the MA programme part-time.”
Hezron commutes to college during teaching weeks while continuing his church work in Luton. Studying part-time has brought its challenges, but he’s found the connection between academic work and ministry rewarding. “One week we were looking at leadership in the pastoral epistles, and I was able to take that straight into a men’s Bible study at church. That sort of real-time integration has been a huge help.”
He’s valued the opportunity to engage deeply with doctrine and Scripture. “The teaching is rigorous, but also worshipful at times,” he says. “It’s helped me think more clearly and carefully about Scripture, but also about how theology connects to the life of the church.” Writing essays and engaging with theological scholarship has stretched him, but he adds, “The library has been a real gift for that.”
Though part-time, he hasn’t felt disconnected. “There’s good support — you're put in a tutor group, you meet regularly, and the tutors are approachable. The welcome of the college has been brilliant.”
His dissertation explores the concept of the ‘father’s house’ in the Old Testament and how that might inform Paul’s use of household imagery in Ephesians — a topic that brings together biblical theology and pastoral concern.
Looking back, he reflects: “It’s been hard work, but I’ve really benefited from it — personally and in ministry.”