Alumni Gather in Auckland

06-Sep-2012

Laidlaw College Alumni (BTI, BCNZ, MASTERS Institute) gathered at the Henderson campus on 3 and 4 August, 2012. About 100 alumni (1945-2011) enjoyed the Dixie Land Band play on Friday evening while they caught up with each other over coffee and dessert. Principal Dr. Rod Thompson welcomed alumni, then introduced and interviewed keynote speakers, Drs. Jack and Judy Balswick, retired professors from Fuller Seminary, USA who are passionate advocates for marriage and family life and the integration of psychology, sociology and theology.

Saturday morning began with alumni conversations over coffee in the Atrium, then upstairs to hear Jack and Judy Balswick talk about The Makings of Flourishing Relationships and Communities. After lunch and school or year group meetings, Jack and Judy continued the conversation around Restoring Relationships: how to recover from disappointment & develop resiliency. Following afternoon tea and a group photo, alumni participated in sung worship led by some of Laidlaw’s Pacifica students. This was followed by inspirational alumni storytelling. Some highlights were: May Mackey who recalled her time at the New Zealand Bible Training Institute (BTI) in the late 1940s, then informed us regarding what she has been doing since then in the areas of Maori hostel management and prison ministry; Bill Hayward, graduate of 1948, who entertained us with personal anecdotes which everyone greatly enjoyed; and Tatiana Hotere, graduate of 2011 who ended the alumni stories by exhorting the older alumni to support the younger alumni in prayer and encouragement.

Before dinner, Rod Thompson presented the group with Our Vision for Alumni Engagement on behalf of Laidlaw College. After a wonderful dinner, David Stewart, Ian Kemp, and John Hitchen, three past Principals, made inspirationally reminiscent presentations that encouraged and challenged everyone present to stay the course of Christ and the Gospel within the College, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, and the world. We shared a wonderful time together and look forward to seeing everyone again in a year’s time.

Jack & Judy Balswick - Flourishing Relationships: A biblical model - powerpoint (836 KB)