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밳ou mean if I study here I would have to stay in Korea for at least another 3 years before I could even start my PHD? That뭩 seriously how long it takes??I believe my words to Professor Steve Chang when I first inquired about studying at Torch in February 2007 were those or something very similar. Another dead end, or so it seemed. My mind was already spinning without even considering how much more time would be needed if I were to study part time, or even where I would get the money for all of this. So many questions, and a sacrifice that I wasn뭪 yet ready to make, so the idea stayed where it needed to for the time being. Forgotten, but only until God뭩 perfect timing was reached.

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It was a year later almost to the day when I was sitting in front of an interview panel having my application considered for Torch. An application which had been prepared in less than a week, in rapid response to a series of events and a window of opportunity that were too clear to deny and too complicated to explain here. You뭠l have to track me down on campus if you want to hear that story! I will say this, very few things in my life have come with such a sense of certainty of purpose and timing. You see, I had come to Korea in 2005 at a time when almost every door had been closed for me to do my PHD in Australia, even though I qualified to do it. At that time I had a burning desire to work as an Academic, pursing a PHD in order to add a Christian voice to the field of Cultural and Media Studies with an interest in Globalization and Identity. It occurred to me that there was a desperate need for such a voice, but it never occurred to me that I would need a much more solid theological foundation before I could even attempt to address any of the issues being raised in those circles. Thankfully and expectedly, it had occurred to God. In Torch I뭭e found the perfect training ground for me as I engage, interact and study with Christians from many different cultural and religious backgrounds, which would simply never occur back in Australia. I love that when I go up against Cultural Critics claiming that Christianity is just a form of colonialism and cultural imperialism, I am able to stand proudly and claim that I have studied Christian Theology in a non western context with amazing Indigenous Christian Academics from all around the non-Western World. 젨?/span>

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During my time at Torch I have seen God뭩 gentle and loving guidance, provision and superior wisdom. I could be reminded of it every day and still forget, so it? s amazing that even at this time I have also been given a chance to minister with Korean and Korean American Teenagers who are facing the pressures of study, the fear of failure and the desire to know God뭩 will for their lives even as I am learning to walk these things out myself more and more every day.

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As I write this, I뭢 thankful for the many friendships and theology, yes even the languages that I have learned during my time at Torch. I can뭪 forget the generosity of all the Torch supporters which also made it possible for be to obtain scholarships towards my tuition. There have been some of the best times of my life along with some of the worse, but I am learning to be thankful for both. The difficult times are equally a part of the training process as the lessons. It뭩 through these times that have come during my study at Torch that I뭢 learning to see how deeply these beautiful things that I뭢 learning in the classroom are really bearing fruit in my heart and being applied to my life. Being overloaded with so much wisdom and insight everyday, what more could anyone ask than for other than an opportunity for this to be applied to their lives so that the word of God becomes more than just good ideas and intentions? The power of the word to change the world!

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