Whitley College is delighted to announce a trilateral partnership with two respected Free Church theological colleges in Germany—The Theological College of Elstal and The Theological College of Ewersbach.
Signed in early April this year, this milestone agreement marks a significant step in strengthening theological education and research through global collaboration, with a shared vision to implement Christ’s mission in the world.
The partnership creates pathways for:
- Student and faculty exchanges
- International research collaboration
- Co-supervision of doctoral theses
- Cross-cultural formation in mission and ministry
Whitley Principal, Rev Associate Professor Darrell Jackson, highlighted the impact of the partnership on both students and the broader Church:
“It will serve both the church associations to which we belong and the students who are entrusted to us for their pastoral training. And the partnership will strengthen that part of our mission which consists of preparing God’s people for His service.”
Prof. Dr. Andreas Heiser, Rector of TH Ewersbach of the Federation of Free Evangelical Churches, also reflected on the long-term significance for future ministry:
“I am pleased to see how we, as educational institutions united by our common faith in Jesus Christ, contribute together to training people to build His church in different contexts.”
The initiative is being championed by a team of mission-focused scholars from each college. Drawing on the Great Commission in Matthew 28, Darrell highlighted:
“Our agreement is about much more than financial necessity or institutional survival – it is a bold and humble decision that we want to fulfill Christ’s call to serve ‘all nations’.”
Prof. Dr. Joshua Searle, Professor of Mission Studies and Intercultural Theology at TH Elstal, underscored the importance of building relationships across borders:
“At a time when barriers are being erected worldwide, this cooperation agreement is a small but significant example of how friendships and successful collaboration can develop across boundaries of language and nationality.”
Prof. Dr. Carsten Claußen, Director of Studies and Professor of New Testament at TH Elstal, shared a personal reflection on how this new relationship began:
“When I visited Darrell Jackson and the Baptist Whitley College in Melbourne last summer, I was very warmly received. I think it’s fantastic that we now have a cooperation just a few months later. The situation of Baptist churches in southern Australia is very encouraging. We can learn a lot from studying at Whitley College. I hope that individual students will soon embark on a study abroad program at the other end of the world.”
This partnership reflects Whitley’s ongoing commitment to theological education that is contextual, global and faithful. We look forward to the opportunities this collaboration will offer for learning, growth, and shared service in God’s Kingdom.
