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From BCV to Helping the Hungry Through Science
There are some remarkable stories over the years of how God uses the unique gifts and skills of women and men to bring His message of hope and transformation to those most in need. The lives of Bruce and Deb French are just one of those fascinating stories.
Deb French was originally a teacher living in Launceston, Tasmania. While there, she became a Christian, and felt a deep call to cross-cultural ministry. “I thought that people in other ethnic groups should have a chance to discover this good news,” she says. “So, I resigned from teaching and went to BCV with a view to becoming a Bible translator.”
“Suddenly I was sitting at a desk and taking it in. It was a relief to be doing that. It was a relief to be with a group of adults who were on the same page.” “Hearing each other’s stories and dreams – it’s what Bible college is all about.”
“I did an Associate Diploma in Theology in 1994-95,”
she says. “I particularly remember doing missiology with Harold Taylor and how he expanded my worldview.” At the end of her studies, Deb travelled to Papua New Guinea. “I felt called to the disaster zone where the (1998) Tsunami had killed many people along the north coast. I became involved in a multi-language translation project.”
Before Deb left Tasmania in 1998, she had met Bruce French and his wife Helen. Bruce is a Tasmanian agriculture scientist who, after thirty years of research into nutritional plants, founded Food Plants International (FPI) in 1999. FPI’s purpose is to explore for innovative ways to inform people about what Bruce calls the ‘bountiful food market that is God’s earth.’ Their motto is “Helping the hungry feed themselves.”
After the death of Bruce’s first wife, and upon his return to Tasmania, Deb and Bruce became reacquainted, discovering that they both shared a deep love of Christ, a heart for mission, and desire to serve people through transformational service. Bruce and Deb became friends, and eventually married in 2003.
Since then, Bruce and Deb have become the backbone of FPI, which has now collated one of the most unique global databases of consumable plants of the earth, numbering over 32,000 entries.
“I grew up on a farm where there was a mission focus,” Bruce says. “As a young man I decided to go to Papua New Guinea to stimulate my Christian involvement. Later I was told directly that the locals didn’t want our agriculture. They wanted to know about their own crops, and how to grow them.”
That was the catalyst for Bruce to research, record and eventually publish, his findings for the PNG community.
“After the first book I thought about neighbouring lands like the Solomon Islands and Timor,” he says. “It wasn’t long before people were raising questions about other countries.”
“Your resources have equipped us for a lifetime.”
The staff at FPI are volunteers. Their passion is to make a difference to the world’s three billion people whose most important daily concern is having enough food to eat. Deb says it is reassuring to know that God already has the concerns of the world in His heart and has provided all the food plant resources for everybody, in every location.
“In the last 12 months, under-nutrition killed more children than Coronavirus – but you don’t hear about it,” Bruce says. “Commercial science is only interested in making money. But I believe elements of the scientific community are against this, saying ‘we have gone the wrong way’.”
In 2016, Bruce was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for his work in setting up the Food Plants International website. Yet fame and fortune are not the driving forces behind Deb and Bruce’s lifework. Bruce says it’s pleasing enough to receive feedback from various communities they’ve helped and to see how the Lord’s work has been fruitful across the nations.
Deb and Bruce have worked side by side in this act of service, aimed at ultimately seeing the world’s hungry fed. Their commitment to the Gospel and message of Christ has been unwavering. “Early in our marriage we discussed what our understanding of the Christian faith meant for our lives,” Deb says. “With God at the centre, we drew a diagram that embraced God’s word as the foundation for our life’s values and concerns.” “It also includes an increasing commitment to all ethnic groups in the world, and a genuine willingness to put our faith into practice – helping the hungry and malnourished.”
Deb now helps illustrate Bruce’s books and monthly newsletters, as well as assisting with numerous practical and administrative tasks.
Bruce has lectured at the Baptist College in Queensland and has, among other things, worked in schools, universities, at the CSIRO and in churches. But his passion is in making the world aware of the amazing resources God has provided.
“I make God’s resources known on every page,” he says. “Just in case anyone missed it!”
MBI – The Birthplace of MAF Australia
Few missionary organisations can claim to have originated as a result of armed conflict, but Mission Aviation Fellowship is certainly one.
Long before World War II was over, Christian military aircrew in the USA and UK were actively laying plans for the formation of a new ministry that would harness the unique capabilities of aircraft to serve the Gospel of peace in remote places. All had flown the new generation of high-performance fighters and bombers. They’d used aircraft to kill and destroy. Now they wanted to see them used to build God’s Kingdom, to bring new life.
“They’d used aircraft to kill and destroy. Now they wanted to see them used to build God’s Kingdom, to bring new life.”
Three Australians in particular, serving overseas, had caught this same vision. Flight Lieutenant Bruce Morton had flown Curtiss Kittyhawks in New Guinea, Halmahera and Borneo. Pilot Officer Harry Hartwig flew many dangerous, night-time missions in Coastal Command Liberator bombers from bases in the UK. And there was Flight Sergeant Ken Cooper – pilot and wireless/air gunner. Ken was the first to associate himself with this new thing God was doing and joined the American organisation that would become MAF-US, while still in California at war’s end. Similarly, Harry Hartwig made contact with the pioneers of MAF in London before boarding ship to come home to Australia.
Having given years of their lives to serving their country, 1946 brought them together as first year students at Melbourne Bible Institute (MBI), keen to now be equipped to serve the Gospel of Christ. That year’s intake, 104 students, was the highest on record, marked by the fact that most were ex-servicemen and women. When pilots get together, they talk aeroplanes and flying. It wasn’t long before those three – Ken, Bruce and Harry – met up and discovered their mutual interest in ‘mission aviation,’ still a novel concept in the minds of most people. MBI now filled with motivated young students, turned out to be the ideal place for such dreams to become reality.
Early in 1947, while with a friend on St Kilda Beach, Harry Hartwig felt the overwhelming call of God to launch a home-grown, Australian MAF. The discussions and prayer times back at MBI suddenly became more focused, and the three were joined by others – Howard Barclay and Ewan Lumsden, also former RAAF men. When principal John Searle got wind of these things, he was more than pleased, offering his wholehearted support, as did A H Hawley, the College’s business manager.
Things were taken to the next level when, on 30 June, a public meeting was called to officially establish an Australian MAF. Chaired by Leonard Buck (a member of the MBI Executive Committee), a resolution was moved by Ken Cooper and seconded by Bruce Morton that “we form an autonomous body called Missionary Aviation Fellowship, and that we request affiliation with the Fellowships in England and America.” Unanimously passed, a new MAF in the southwest Pacific had arrived.
Leaving College at the end of 1947, Harry Hartwig went on to spearhead MAF’s work in Australia and New Guinea. Bruce Morton returned to Borneo to fly, not Kittyhawk fighters, but Austers and Pipers for the Borneo Evangelical Mission. Ken Cooper also joined BEM, but later returned to MAF as a flight instructor.
Later still, when MBI had become BCV at Lilydale, an aviation department was formed, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Australian Centre for Mission Aviation (ACMA) at Coldstream Airport, providing training for a new generation of missionary pilots and engineers. Today, the stamp of MBI/BCV/MST can still be seen in the MAF base at Mareeba in Far North Queensland, as it serves the needs of mission aviation far into the future.
Christian Leaders’ Training College in Papua New Guinea
Among our numerous organisational relationships, none are more valued, or indeed more strategic, than our friendship and partnership with the Christian Leaders’ Training College in Papua New Guinea. Indeed, the origins of CLTC hark back to the earliest days of MBI.
In 1931, MBI student Albert Drysdale left for Papua to explore the possibility of a base from which to evangelise near Madiri in south-west PNG. This pioneering work was done under the name of Unevangelised Fields Mission (UFM), linking them with the mission of the same name in England. Not long after this, Albert was joined by Gordon Rogers, Theo Berger, Frank Briggs, and Leonard Twyman – all graduates of MBI. The eventual result of their commitment, and others who joined them, was the formation of what was to eventually become a strong national church – the Evangelical Church of Papua New Guinea (ECP).
Following World War II, and with considerable help from Missionary Aviation Fellowship Australia (itself having been founded by MBI students), the country quickly opened for missionary work, and numerous agencies became involved.
Throughout these early years, growing numbers of those serving in PNG and throughout the Pacific, along with national church leaders, recognised the critical need for accessible, local training of Christian Leaders within the region.
In the early 1960s, it was MBI students who set about raising money to build the first student house at the proposed Christian Leaders’ Training College. Former students of MBI, known then as the Old Students’ Association also donated library books. Soon the vision was realised.
Rev Gil McArthur was appointed founding Principal of CLTC in 1963. He had already had experience as a pioneer missionary with the Baptist Mission in Dutch New Guinea, and then at Telefomin in PNG. His dream was to bring to reality the vision of UFM leaders and the MBI Council to build this new college in a central highland location. Agricultural and technical programs would also provide practical training and an economic contribution to the community. This model of holistic theological education, incorporating agricultural businesses to support the financial demands of the College, was to become unique in the world.
After consideration by the MBI Council, a site was chosen for CLTC, 11km west of Banz, and in 1965, the first 20 students were enrolled in CLTC. The college ethos was modelled on that adopted by MBI – to be biblically based, offering comprehensive training in ministry and Christian leadership, and fostering spiritual growth in a residential community. Details of the curriculum would be drawn up in cooperation with mission groups and local Christian leaders to ensure cultural appropriateness. Additionally, it would be designed to develop community leadership skills.
“The college’s ethos was to be biblically based and to foster spiritual growth.”
From that tiny seed a sturdy tree did grow. Today, CLTC is one of the most influential evangelical colleges in the region, producing qualified and talented teachers of the Word of God, for the Pacific and beyond.
Personal Bible-based spiritual formation and discipleship has always been at the heart of the training at CLTC. Major courses in Bible, theology, ministry and mission run alongside courses in building, mechanics, agriculture, rice growing and community development.
“Today CLTC is the most significant evangelical training institution in the Pacific.”
In his book Live in Tents – Build Only Altars, David Price describes how, from the beginning, CLTC has brought together people of diverse backgrounds, gifts, ministry and support skills. “This interdependence of the spiritual and the material has demonstrated powerfully the reality of the Kingdom of God in action,” says David.
The Christian public in Australia, with strong developing support from New Zealand, were kept informed of the project and contributed with financial gifts, prayer and by personnel of diverse expertise, who gave sacrificially in both short-term and long-term service. It was a cause for much thanksgiving that adequate provision for all the college’s start-up needs was provided from Australia and New Zealand in such a short time.
The college rapidly became a place of great influence across Melanesia and the Pacific. “Today it is the most significant training institution in the Pacific,” David said. “As well as people from PNG, people from Solomon Islands, Fiji and Tonga go there for training.”
A major milestone was the handover from David to the
first Melanesian principal, Rev Dr Joshua Daimoi, in 1983.
In previous years there had been a strong missionary presence at CLTC. “MBI had planted a college in Papua, with funding and staff,” he said. “Now there are only two missionaries – the remaining staff is comprised of nationals.”
CLTC remains committed to strengthening regional Bible Colleges, bringing Christians and churches together in the evangelical interdenominational community. It operates three campuses, offering education from Certificate level through to Masters level programs. Since those early days, around 1500 graduates have moved into key leadership roles in church, parachurch ministries, and community life in Pacific nations, and around the world.
The pioneers of CLTC, and those who have followed, forged a path of commitment to the Gospel, and to the transformational Kingdom impact on the peoples of the Pacific. Now, with graduates serving in mission around the world, CLTC remains a Centre not only for the development of church leadership, but global mission. And over the years, MST students, lecturers and supporters have continued to regularly take mission trips to CLTC.
Brian Darnton Bayston OAM Minute of Appreciation
The Board, Faculty, Staff and Students of Melbourne School of Theology give thanks to God for the longstanding and faithful service of Brian Darnton Bayston OAM as a Board member of MST for over thirty years.
It is impossible to do justice to the enormous contribution that Brian has made to the governance of MST during his tenure on the Board, and indeed to the wider work of the Gospel in a myriad of ways over so many years.
Brian had been a partner at McCracken & McCracken lawyers from 1959, a Board member of Scotch College and Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Law Agent for the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, Session member at Scots’ Church Melbourne, a voracious reader with a keen intellect and an inexhaustible memory for history. He also had an abiding interest in genealogy, having family roots himself to the father of Sir Francis Drake, Richard Cromwell, Glanville (of ‘Laws of England’) and Sir John Browne, past Lord Mayor of London.
Brian’s first contact with MST was at Melbourne Bible Institute (MBI), where CH Nash, its founding principal, was taking a series of Bible studies for Crusader Senior Fellowship in its room at 174 Collins Street, Melbourne.
Although Brian had signalled in 2018, aged 88, his intention to retire from the Board, the Board could not easily let him go, and he felt happy to stay on until the partnership with Eastern College Australia was bedded down. Brian has had his wish fulfilled, by the grace of God. On 3 October 2020, Brian wrote in an email to Rosemary Wong, Chair of the MST/Eastern Board …
“It goes against the grain to step down from institutions that have occupied a major role in my Christian ministry … but I loiter … As they say of some old soldiers: he died with his boots on. The shape of my Christian faith has developed over the years. I like to see myself as a mainstream evangelical. With MST and Reformed Church evangelicals the intellectual powerhouse of that mainstream. So long as my mental powers remain, I may be of use.”
What a beautiful expression of the heart of a servant. For all of us on the Board of MST, and more recently, Eastern College Australia, Brian’s wisdom, incisive intellect, and heart for Christ were both infectious, and formative. It was no accident that when it came time to close a particular Board meeting in prayer, there was a collective glance in Brian’s direction. His closing prayers for us were profound and memorable, not only for their beautiful paraphrase of Scripture and prayer book liturgy, but his humility in worship.
“We stand on the shoulders of giants, and Brian has been one of those giants that God has blessed us with.”
In Brian’s own words, he had been, “there during the three manifestations’ of the College; MBI, BCV and MST.”
As Brian penned in one of his emails to Dr Rosemary Wong, the Chair of the Board, “I will always have MST close to my heart.”
So also, we will always have a special place in our hearts at MST for Brian and Helen. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and Brian has been one of those.
To God be the glory!
As Brian penned in one of his emails to Dr Rosemary Wong, the Chair of the Board, “I will always have MST close to my heart.”
So also, we will always have a special place in our hearts at MST for Brian and Helen. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and Brian has been one of those.
To God be the glory!
Serving in Unexpected Places
Ask almost anyone in the church about why someone would study at Bible College, and you’ll likely hear an expectation that they might end up in vocational ministry, perhaps in a local church, mission or parachurch organisation. But often, we find students working and serving in the most unlikely places.
One of our students, Callum Mansfield, is studying a Bachelor of Theology at MST. But rather than serving in ‘vocational’ ministry, Callum is a seasoned theatre director, choreographer and performer, immersed in the world of the performing arts. His resume is fascinating, having worked on many large scale productions over the years, including the 2018 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, the national tours of Mary Poppins, The King & I and Dirty Dancing. He began his career in the industry performing as the Young Peter Allen in the original tour of The Boy from Oz.
In 2020, while AFL fans from around the nation, and indeed the world, watched the Grand Final in Queensland for the first time, little did they know that the half time entertainment was choreographed by a bible college student!
“The entire entertainment industry had come to a grinding halt (in 2020), so when I was approached to choreograph the AFL Grand Final with a colleague of mine, there was no other option but to dive in head first!”
Callum reflects on his AFL grand final experience, and how it nearly didn’t happen.
“Although I was soaked to my knees as I swept a muddy river out of the flooded dressing room for 300 people just 10 minutes before the game began after being hit with the biggest storm Queensland had received all year, the skies cleared as the National Anthem was sung at the top of the game and we were given the all-clear that the half-time entertainment would go ahead.”
Callum and his wife, Jasmine, met while performing together and now have a young family. Callum says it was Jasmine who stirred him to reflect on how he might bring glory to God through his unique vocation. “She helped awaken my faith to be more than just head knowledge, but a heart and affection to bring Him glory in all areas of my life.” He describes how God “stirred up a thirst and hunger in my heart to know Him more and worship him more deeply.”
“He stirred up a thirst and hunger in my heart to know Him more.”
This reinvigoration of Callum’s faith has led Jasmine and their family to join an Acts 29 church plant, and for Callum, to commence studying a Bachelor of Theology at MST as a part-time, online student.
Juggling all of these commitments during this COVID season has been tricky to say the least. “To say it was crazy was an understatement. But the Lord is gracious and drew near in this busy time. My incredibly supportive wife held the fort at home.” Callum, like so many of our students, has had to work through balancing his desire to study with the day to day needs of work and home. He remembers that after he’d sent an email to his Greek lecturers at MST about his capacity to cope, they quickly responded, offering greater flexibility for his study hours and, more importantly, praying for him.
“I was encouraged and uplifted as God worked through his people as I continued to try to glorify Him in ALL areas of my life.”
Two Colleges Serving Together
As many would remember, in 2018, Eastern College Australia – formerly Tabor College Victoria – relocated to MST’s Wantirna campus, and the two schools entered into a new, and unique ‘two-college, one community’ relationship.
Both institutions remain separate in terms of accreditation; MST is a provider of ACT courses in Bible and Theology, while Eastern is a Higher Education Provider in its own right. However the opportunities now available to students have significantly broadened, with new avenues for interdisciplinary Christian education, and cross-institutional credit for a range of subjects.
In announcing the collaborative partnership in Ambassador, December 2016, Principal Tim Meyers said the new relationship would “significantly strengthen and broaden our capacity to serve the church, and equip God’s people to live for, and testify to, our Lord Jesus Christ. Being able to offer biblically focused courses at Eastern College Australia across a range of disciplines, including education, counselling, visual arts, the humanities, chaplaincy and community development, in addition to the existing courses at MST in theology, Biblical studies, mission and ministry makes for a rich, and profoundly valuable learning environment for all our students.”
“Today, you’d find it hard to differentiate an Eastern student from an MST one” Tim says. “The sense of community transcends school boundaries. The same applies to our support staff, who are now largely merged together. And while our respective faculties generally work within their natural teams (MST English, MST Chinese and Eastern), we are also seeing a sharing of teaching and delivery as well, with MST and Eastern faculty teaching in both institutions.
“Every day at MST and Eastern we see God at work, bringing about a beautiful convergence of theological truth, identity, calling and vocation in ways that shape women and men long after their studies here are over,” says Tim. “We are so thankful for this unique privilege.”
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil,” Ecclesiastes 4:9.
One of the ways the partnership between Eastern College Australia and MST is already bearing fruit, is through the Centres of Excellence, which operate across both schools. The most recent of these is the Centre for Missional Engagement (CME), led by Dr Kirk Franklin, formerly the International Director of the Wycliff Global Alliance. CME aims to bring fresh thinking around definitions and expressions of mission, both locally and globally, with a strong focus on leadership and church resource. Similarly, the new Centre for Theology and Psychology (CTP) aims to provide an ‘incubator’ for research, collaboration, teaching, and resourcing the church, Christian schools, mission and the wider Christian community in critically important areas of mental health awareness, Christ-centred well-being, identity and counselling.