We’re not here just for the sake of academia—we want to become more like Jesus and be equipped to serve his church. And I’ve definitely experienced that here.
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Matthew, 26, is from Lurgan in Northern Ireland, just outside Belfast. A master’s student at Oak Hill College, he trained for ministry as an ordinand with the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE).
“After university, I thought I’d go into teaching,” Matthew says. “But during my theology degree, I had the opportunity to do ministry placements—and I loved the practical side of it.” Encouraged by local ministers to explore ministry further, he took a year out to do an MTS (Ministry Training Scheme) in a rural Church of Ireland context. There, he preached, did pastoral care, and worked with young people and children. “I really enjoyed it. It gave me a taste of what full-time ministry might look like.”
At the end of that year, Matthew faced a decision: return to teaching or pursue full-time training for ministry. “I put it to the Lord—if I received the support and funding, I’d take that as a yes. And He provided.” That path led him to Oak Hill.
Coming from an Anglican background, Matthew always expected to train and minister within that tradition. While Church of England routes weren’t a natural fit for him, his connections through GAFCON Ireland had introduced him to AMiE and the Anglican Network in Europe. “I’d met some of the AMiE bishops while I was still back in Belfast. They were so relational, down-to-earth, and encouraging—it made a big impression on me.” After arriving at Oak Hill, he began AMiE’s discernment process. “It was really thorough, which I appreciated. They asked searching questions and gave great support. It helped clarify my sense of calling.”
By the end of his first year, Matthew had been approved as an AMiE ordinand. He’s now preparing for ordination in August and looking ahead to serving a curacy in an AMiE church. “The support I’ve had from my bishop, Tim Davies, has been brilliant. We’ve had regular Zoom calls and I know I can call or text him anytime. That kind of support has really encouraged me this year.”
Matthew speaks warmly of his time at Oak Hill. “The teaching has really stretched me,” he says. “I’ve grown in my understanding of Scripture—especially the pastoral epistles, which helped me think through what it means to be a gospel minister. The pastoral modules have been excellent too—so grounded in the realities of ministry.”
But for Matthew, college has been about more than just academic training. “It’s been a brilliant community. I didn’t know anyone coming here, but quickly built close friendships. The diversity here—people from across the UK and the world—all wanting to serve Jesus, has been such a joy. We’ve had great crack, as we say back home!”
He’s also been involved in a fellowship group, which he describes as “a bit of a family” within the college. “It’s been a highlight—hanging out, praying, sharing testimonies, even playing board games. I’ve built friendships I think I’ll carry with me for years.”
Outside of college, Matthew has been placed at Euston Church in central London. “It’s a very different context to where I trained in Northern Ireland—right in the city, three services, loads of students, very diverse. I’ve been able to get stuck into Sunday school, lead Bible studies, and keep applying what I’m learning at college in real time.”
How would he sum up Oak Hill in a few words?
“Rigorous theological study in the midst of joyful gospel community,” he says. “We’re not here just for the sake of academia—we want to become more like Jesus and be equipped to serve his church. And I’ve definitely experienced that here.”