10th September 2011

At the beginning of this year I was released from my position with Christian Vision for Men to pursue a course of study. After a highly rewarding summer working with a new YWAM college preparation course for young Christians it is now time for me to step into the university setting to train my talents and develop new ones. On September 28th I start a one year programme with The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA).

The OCCA is a partnership between Ravi Zacharias Ministries and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. The programme is a fully accredited Oxford University course designed to challenge and strengthen individuals to be able to effectively communicate Christ to the unbeliever. The OCCA boasts some of the top Professors, Evangelists & Bible Teachers in the world, providing an intensive programme of lectures, tutorials and outreaches. For one year I will be wrestling with the tough questions of our faith at the highest level and learning how to articulate good answers to a world that needs Jesus.

I have spent nearly five years with YWAM and a further two with CVM working in Evangelistic projects all over the world. My experiences have led to positions in teaching – particularly in Apologetics – and I know it is an area I have been called to explore more deeply. Spending a year at OCCA will increase my experience and knowledge dramatically, whilst deepening my spiritual walk and continuing to build strong foundations.

So what is Apologetics? Before my time with YWAM I had no idea! Since then I’ve come to realise the necessity and urgency of this discipline. Apologetics is at its core a defence (from the greek word, ‘apologia’ – a term meaning a legal defence). Peter exhorts us in the Bible to be “prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV). Put simply, Christian Apologetics is the practice of pointing people to Jesus. We are clearing away the obstacles that people can’t see past in order that they might see Jesus clearly and make a decision whether or not to make Him Lord. These obstacles come in many questions such as, “If God is all good and all powerful, how is there suffering in the world?” Or, “How can I know Christianity is true?” Or, “Don’t all religions lead to God?” Or, “Isn’t the Bible just a book of ancient myths?”

Far from being a mere intellectual exercise, the goal of Christian Apologetics is always the person, not an argument or discussion. It’s a serious task and as we’re told in Scripture, there’s a battle going on. By training and learning well it is my hope that my efforts may be useful in the battle we face.

The world is crying out for answers – credible, coherent, helpful answers – and as Christians we can and should be equipped to answer these well. The Good News of Jesus really is good news and people need to hear it! I have met with people all over the world that given half a look at the hope that Christianity has ask the deepest and most heartfelt questions. Over seven years I have grown to develop a passion for Apologetics and this time ahead at Oxford is an immense blessing and a privilege for me. I believe it is an area that God has called me to and I hope that you would agree.

Support

The costs for this year are high and this is where I am asking for your help. It has been a blessing to receive a partial scholarship which helps with some of the tuition fees but there is a still a large portion left to pay. On top of that, living expenses and other academic costs (books, materials etc.) add up to a high figure.

If you feel after prayer that you would like to contribute something towards this year, would you commit to monthly support? If so, will you fill in the form supplied with this letter and send it back (freepost) to Stewardship? Stewardship Services allow me to reclaim tax back through Gift Aid, so be sure to acknowledge if you are a UK tax payer.

It is humbling to know that God has a plan for my life, indeed, for each of our lives. It is also humbling to know that we weren’t meant to walk alone. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I literally could not do this without you.

Please do write or email to me. Let’s stay in touch! As always, you can follow my progress on my website or through Facebook.

Thank you and may God bless you. As ever, Onwards and Upwards through Christ Jesus,

Jonathan Sherwin

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