This post brought to you by Sydney Missionary & Bible College.
Imagine your ideal gap year… does it include growing more like Christ? Mission? Travel? New friends? New challenges?
When school is all over, a gap year can be a great time to explore, think and challenge yourself. It can be a time to make a difference – in your life and the lives of others. Your ideal gap year may look something like this:
- Hang out with a great bunch of people and make life-long friends.
- Meet people from other cultures and walks of life.
- Travel overseas.
- Help the poor and reach the lost.
- Learn new skills like barista training and driver survivor.
- Get some top theological teaching.
- Grow in Christ-likeness.
Does that sound like your ideal gap year?
At Fervr, we think it's important that young Christians use their time wisely. And that's why we want to let you know about a new gap year option for people living in Sydney. It's run by Sydney Missionary & Bible College (SMBC) and called The Bridge.
What's The Bridge all about?
Our friends at SMBC say they've designed The Bridge to cover five key areas that all work together:
- Global Mission: You won’t just observe global mission, you’ll be a part of it! There’ll be weekly activities centred on mission, a mid-year trip to South East Asia, plus mission lectures.
- Spiritual Growth: You’ll grow in Christ-likeness through Bible-centred learning, mission activities, reflection and prayer. Alongside your mentor, you’ll develop a greater confidence in sharing the gospel.
- Purposeful Learning: You’ll dig deep into the study of the Old Testament, New Testament and mission. God’s word will transform you and give you a greater understanding of his character and purpose.
- New Relationships: You’ll hang out with with fellow Bridge members, Bible college lecturers, missionaries, people from mission organisations and para-church ministries, as well as people from other cultures. There’ll be the opportunity to ‘sharpen’ one another as you learn and grow together.
- Practical Skills: You’ll get a ‘tool box’ of very practical life and ministry skills. From cross cultural communication to cooking for a crowd, from how to prepare and deliver a Bible talk to how to make a budget – there’ll be lots of variety and fun!
Who's it for?
The Bridge is for Christians, 18-21, who love Jesus, want to learn more about God’s word and have a heart for his mission.
It’s a one year programme, over two semesters, on Thursdays and Fridays at the SMBC Roberts-Dale campus, in Sydney’s inner western suburb of Croydon Park. On some Wednesdays there’ll be activities (some off campus) as well as the opportunity to study in the library when needed.
You can study the Old Testament, New Testament and missions subjects for credit towards a Diploma of Theology or certificate, or you can just listen in (audit) as well.
An invitation to find out more
SMBC would love to invite you to check out the comprehensive list of FAQs at thebridge.smbc.com.au, which includes details on how to get started, applications, costs etc.
You can also visit one of their Info Sessions to meet The Bridge team in person, hear more about the programme and ask questions. The first two sessions are on Monday 19 May at 7pm and Saturday 26 July at 9.30am. Visit thebridge.smbc.com.au to get the details!
Who is SMBC?
SMBC is an interdenominational Bible college that’s been around for nearly 100 years. The college is Christ-centred and Bible-focussed. It’s in the inner western suburb of Croydon in Sydney, Australia. With a strong emphasis on mission, plus living and learning in community, SMBC prepares men and women for whatever God has in store for them. You can find out more about SMBC at smbc.com.au.