Northern Baptist College and The Light Project College announce new partnership 

Northern Baptist College and The Light Project College have agreed to enter into a new partnership to form evangelists and pioneers as nationally accredited Baptist ministers.

The two colleges look forward to welcoming the first new cohort of Ministers in Training in September 2020.

Students will complete their academic studies with The Light Project College. They will also join with other Baptist Ministers in Training from Luther King House in Manchester, St Hild in Sheffield and Cranmer Hall in Durham for further ministerial formation through NBC’s Baptist Leadership Programme, tutorial supervision and placement in a Baptist context.

The Light Project College teaches foundation degrees and bachelors’ degrees validated by the University of Chester.

Chris Duffett, Co-Principal of the Light Project College and former President of The Baptist Union of Great Britain, said, 'Over the last few years more and more churches within our Baptists Together family have asked me about ministers who have the gifts and call for pioneer ministry. They want leaders to help them reach out creatively to their communities.

'While there are some of us about, we need more!We’re excited about our new partnership with Northern Baptist College. Together we will be offering thoroughgoing Baptist ministerial formation alongside applied theological training with an emphasis on reaching the majority of people in the UK who have yet to encounter the good news of Jesus Christ.'

Clare McBeath, Co-Principal of Northern Baptist College, said 'NBC has a long history of equipping those whom God has called into Baptist ministry. We also have a strong track record when it comes to creative approaches to learning.

'We are delighted about this latest development and are really looking forward to working in partnership with the Light Project. It’s good to be able to make formation for Baptist ministry accessible for more people, not least those who are being called into innovative, pioneering forms service.'

The new partnership was formerly ratified last week by Light Project trustees and NBC governors.

The two colleges are now seeking to appoint a part time Baptist Hub Tutor to be based with The Light Project in Chester while serving as part of the wider NBC staff team.