CrossConnect: Equipping Disciple Makers for the Work

A lot has changed since 2020, and there have certainly been a lot of changes for the CrossConnect course and team too! Spearhead asked the CrossConnect training coordinator, Stuart Thomson, to tell us a little more about all the exciting developments.

Our readers may have heard that there have been more changes for the CrossConnect course. Can you tell us a bit about it all?

It really has been a time of massive uncertainty over the last few years! At least one thing we can be certain of is that God is still in control – thankfully! We’ve covered before in the Spearhead about how GLO made the decision to move the course from Tasmania to Sydney. However, to add to that, last year we were faced with the prospect of not having any students for the first year in our new location! This was because of domestic and international Covid travel restrictions and the uncertainty around lockdowns.

So, we were forced to think outside the box, and we felt the Lord guiding us to take the course live online (“Virtual” in education speak), and in this way make it available to students all over the world, as they live and serve in their own community and country. 

That’s a big change. How does that work out?

So, this year, students join their trainer via Zoom. They undertake the nine accredited units and the four weeks of non-accredited training in the book of Romans, Discipleship Pathways, Homiletics and World Missions. Students also experience ministry and discipleship training as they interact and serve in their local church and community.

The CrossConnect course has always been delivered in the context of a residential community, though. Is that aspect of the training a thing of the past?

That has been something about the CrossConnect course environment that has made it particularly effective for discipleship. Our three values, the heart of everything we do, are still; 1. relational discipleship, 2. practical theology and 3. intentional mission. 

In regard to relational discipleship, we facilitate discipleship in the students’ relationship with God, and in their relationship with others through opportunities like DNA groups and daily devotions. DNA stands for ‘Discover, Nurture, Act.’ Students meet weekly in small groups to share about life and what the Lord is teaching them. These groups are a core part of our discipleship process at CrossConnect. They allow members to connect on a deeper level and be actively involved in discipling one another. Daily devotions are also an important part of college life. Staff and students meet before training to read, discuss the passage of scripture, and share a personal application. We then spend time praying together.  

Practical theology is still an integral part of the training. Because this is a vocational course, the content is heavily weighted towards making theology practical. This means giving the students the skills to discover and apply what they know wherever they go.

Incorporating intentional mission into the course has been the most challenging change to the course for 2022. Pre-covid we would organise training experiences all over Tasmania and overseas on short term mission trips. This year, the students experience ministry in their local church context. As they do, they record their experiences in ministry journals and share this with trainers and in their DNA groups. The weekly training also features discipleship training sessions in which the students and trainers work through the theology and practices of discipleship multiplication.

OK, it sounds like there’s more than one way to skin a cat! Is this the way forward for the future then?

In 2023 we do hope to be able to travel again – locally and overseas and would love to have students back in the classroom and living nearby in the community. So we are planning to welcome students on campus in Sydney, whilst also keeping the option for online learning for students all around the world. If travel restrictions relax, we’ll also have opportunities for more ministry and mission experiences together. 

What about your online learning cohort this year? Can you tell us a bit about the students?

This first year the Lord brought us a small group of three students. They’re a great group. We have one student from Nepal, one from India and one from Korea who lives in Australia.

Brother Bir Bahadur Rana Magar is from Nepal and is a full-time worker at his church. He has many responsibilities including arranging church meetings, caring for believers and preaching the Gospel. Bir has been serving the Lord since 2004 and has undergone study with missionaries in the past but wanted to further his studies and gain a qualification. Bir heard about the CrossConnect course through friends and when the opportunity for online study became available, he was excited. Initially, he was unsure if it was God’s will for him to study at CrossConnect but prayed to the Lord that he would receive a score of 5.5 on his IELTS exam. If he would not receive this, he knew it was not God’s will. He worked hard to pass his IELTS exam and while travelling, got news of an exact score of 5.5! This exciting moment confirmed God’s will for him to study at CrossConnect this year. He says “This particular year I would like to dedicate myself for this course despite my weak English and busy church ministry. I am eager to learn from well experienced trainers. And finally, I wish to have a competent certificate from ACCS/GLO.” Fun fact: English is Bir’s 3rd language!

Sanjay Zachariah lives in Chennai, India with his wife Anuja Mary and their two daughters. He is the manager for several gas stations, and has partnerships with 3 other businesses as well! These businesses keep Sanjay very busy, and his hope and prayer is that he can balance his time between family, work, and study this year.

In 2019, Sanjay visited GLO Australia and since, has been praying about his involvement with the CrossConnect course. When he found out about the distance education option in 2022, he thought this would be the perfect opportunity to complete his studies.

He says, “My hope is to become a true follower of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Fun fact; Sanjay says he is a jack of all trades and king of nothing. He also loves to read books.

Sarah (YeaSol) Choi was born in South Korea and has been living in Sydney for the past 2 years. In Korea, she was doing a biology degree, but put this on hold to come to Australia to complete the CrossTalk ESL course. She has fond memories of this time, and this made her decision to study with CrossConnect an easy one. By completing the CrossConnect course, Sarah hopes to take time to reflect on and grow in her Christian life. 

About her goals for the course, Sarah says “For this year, I hope to be closer to God and know more about Him through this course. I hope to improve my English skills so that there are no difficulties to share with others.” Fun fact; Sarah is a self-professed ‘sleepy-head.’ She usually sleeps for more than 12 hours.

Applications are already open for 2023, and there are scholarships available.
Call us today to register your interest on 02 9838 1595.