It’s been brilliant training with brothers and sisters from other denominations. It’s helped me see that what unites us in Christ matters more than what divides.
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Tim moved to Oak Hill from southwest London with his wife, Rosie, to study full-time, preparing for ordination in the Church of England. He previously worked in the House of Lords & Commons and then as a Ministry Trainee at Dundonald Church, doing part-time study on the Cornhill Training Course.
“I always knew I wanted to train full-time,” he says, “and the more we looked into Oak Hill — visiting open days, talking to staff, seeing what life here might look like — it just felt like the right place for us as a family.”
Open days were a key part of the discernment process: “I think we came to three! Each time helped us see more — not just what the study path would be, but also the care and emphasis on spiritual formation. One lecturer said, ‘You could leave here with a first-class degree and be no closer to the Lord — and if that happens, we’ve failed.’ That really stuck with me.”
Rosie, has also found support through the college community. “I really appreciate how my wife’s fellowship group is connected to mine,” he says. “We’ve done joint socials and been able to reflect together on what’s going on in people’s lives — it’s felt like we’re doing this together, not just me studying and her tagging along.”
Learning alongside students from different traditions has been unexpectedly rich: “I love the Anglican stream here — chapel, placement structure, the way we’re shaped for Anglican ministry. But it’s also been brilliant training with brothers and sisters from other denominations. We’re all going to be serving in mixed contexts. It’s helped me see that what unites us in Christ matters more than what divides.”
He’s found the pace of college life demanding but deeply formative. “I’m naturally an activist — I like to keep moving. But being here has made me slow down. My fellowship group tutor in particular has helped me take the time to think, reflect, and pray before rushing in. That’s been so good for me.”
Favourite modules? “Definitely Pastoral Ministries. It takes all the doctrine and biblical study we’re doing, and asks: how do we use this to love people well, especially when things are messy? It’s heavy at times — but in the best way.”
Tim also chairs the student committee, acting as a link between students and college leadership. “It’s been an amazing way to serve — and to see how much the college really does care about what students are experiencing. They listen, and they want to help us flourish.”
Looking back, he’s clear: “If the Lord gives us 20 or 30 years of ministry ahead, then taking three years now to be trained well — with others, and as a family — is completely worth it. I’d do it again.”