Bishop Steve is training to run a gruelling 100 kilometre race next month to raise money for Bishopdale College.
Steve will take on the South Island Ultra on 9 May, joined by Rev Matt Watts, vicar of Buller Parish. This marks the start of a campaign called “Go the Distance”. The campaign aims to support the college’s work in training resilient leaders and will invite others to take part in their own way throughout the year through their own running goals or creative personal challenges. The fundraising goal is $120,000, and Steve and Matt hope to raise $20,000 of that through this first run. They hope to have reached the campaign’s total goal by the time the bishop runs the Spectacle 50k in December.
“As chair of the college board, I see up close what it takes to sustain a small theological college,” Bishop Steve says. “I see dedicated staff, a tight budget, and a deeply committed community.” It was while on a run last year that the idea came to his mind: “what if I could use something I love – and something genuinely challenging – to support a cause that truly matters?”
A 100km run is a first for both Steve and Matt. The pair have been training vigorously in preparation. “I’d love to see more people join me,” says the bishop. As the campaign progresses, people will have the opportunity to “go the distance” in their own ways to support the cause.
“If we want well-formed Christian leaders for the future, we need to invest now in good training,” Matt says. His son Luke is currently studying at the college this year. “If Bishopdale only trains those who can afford to pay their fees, then we are setting it up to fail.”
“We want to let people know who we are, what we're about and why we’re worth supporting,” says Simon Terrill, college director. Bishopdale College is the only theological college in the region. “To have the quality of staff and resourcing that we have, and to be able to come on site to learn and grow together is pretty unique in a place the size of Nelson.”
Bishopdale College was established to address a need for trained clergy in Nelson, opened in 1869 by Bishop Andrew Suter. The first dedicated theological college in the country, it quickly achieved impressive results. In 1857, before the college started, there were four clergy in Nelson. By 1886, there were 26 – over half of whom were from Bishopdale College. Despite its success, the following century also brought periods of closure and uncertainty.1
Bishop Steve says the college’s survival reflects the faithfulness of those who have “prayed, given, encouraged, and supported the college over many years”. The campaign builds on that foundation. “Help Bishopdale College go the distance in forming leaders for God’s mission by helping me go the distance in this 100km.”
To get Steve and Matt closer to their $20,000 goal, donate to their Givealittle page. Any amount, big or small, is appreciated.
Find out more about Bishopdale College here.
1 Allie Tonks, "Bishopdale College", The Prow, 2011. Updated 2020.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Bishop Steve is training to run a gruelling 100 kilometre race next month to raise money for Bishopdale College.
Steve will take on the South Island Ultra on 9 May, joined by Rev Matt Watts, vicar of Buller Parish. This marks the start of a campaign called “Go the Distance”. The campaign aims to support the college’s work in training resilient leaders and will invite others to take part in their own way throughout the year through their own running goals or creative personal challenges. The fundraising goal is $120,000, and Steve and Matt hope to raise $20,000 of that through this first run. They hope to have reached the campaign’s total goal by the time the bishop runs the Spectacle 50k in December.
“As chair of the college board, I see up close what it takes to sustain a small theological college,” Bishop Steve says. “I see dedicated staff, a tight budget, and a deeply committed community.” It was while on a run last year that the idea came to his mind: “what if I could use something I love – and something genuinely challenging – to support a cause that truly matters?”
A 100km run is a first for both Steve and Matt. The pair have been training vigorously in preparation. “I’d love to see more people join me,” says the bishop. As the campaign progresses, people will have the opportunity to “go the distance” in their own ways to support the cause.
“If we want well-formed Christian leaders for the future, we need to invest now in good training,” Matt says. His son Luke is currently studying at the college this year. “If Bishopdale only trains those who can afford to pay their fees, then we are setting it up to fail.”
“We want to let people know who we are, what we're about and why we’re worth supporting,” says Simon Terrill, college director. Bishopdale College is the only theological college in the region. “To have the quality of staff and resourcing that we have, and to be able to come on site to learn and grow together is pretty unique in a place the size of Nelson.”
Bishopdale College was established to address a need for trained clergy in Nelson, opened in 1869 by Bishop Andrew Suter. The first dedicated theological college in the country, it quickly achieved impressive results. In 1857, before the college started, there were four clergy in Nelson. By 1886, there were 26 – over half of whom were from Bishopdale College. Despite its success, the following century also brought periods of closure and uncertainty.1
Bishop Steve says the college’s survival reflects the faithfulness of those who have “prayed, given, encouraged, and supported the college over many years”. The campaign builds on that foundation. “Help Bishopdale College go the distance in forming leaders for God’s mission by helping me go the distance in this 100km.”
To get Steve and Matt closer to their $20,000 goal, donate to their Givealittle page. Any amount, big or small, is appreciated.
Find out more about Bishopdale College here.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
