News

Cliff Saddened by Loss

17/11/2009

From Student to Staff

16/11/2009

It was early September 2004 when I arrived with my Mum and Dad at Cliff College. With a car full of stuff I embarked on a journey that has taken me across land and sea, to try and grapple with God and His passion for this world. When I arrived I was a boy on the edges of the church. I was loud and brash and sometimes I can imagine it was quite hard living with me. I just never seemed to fit in with the Christian folk. Some of them were weird, some of them were quiet, some of them looked down on me and I was left a little lost and confused. Some however, were the very opposite and loved me, despite all my flaws. I have spent the past 5 years of my life investing in a community that in turn invested in me. A community that I have learnt to cherish.

When I arrived as a student the last thing I was thinking about was staying on as a staff member or being associated with the place any longer than a couple of weeks. But God has used this place to massively challenge and change my ways of thinking and in turn my theology. Cliff College is an inspiring place and a place that builds and challenges. The transition from being student to becoming a member of staff has been at times rocky but also extremely interesting. I am part of a great team that loves and supports one other but also continues to push each other to create a place of excellence in mission.

I have always wondered what the disciples felt like after they were given the great commission. On the walk home from that unnamed mountainside in Galilee were they really ready for what was about to happen? Were they excited at the prospect or were they nervous at the immense pressure that had been placed on their shoulders? Just eleven men; fishermen, husbands, brothers and sons. I think I associate myself with the feeling that they must have had on that walk. Through the challenges and pressures God is remolding me into the person he wants me to be. I feel excited at the prospect of what is to come for both myself and this community that has meant so much to me over these 5 years. God is equipping us for the journey of following Him. I believe here at Cliff we are on a journey together, a journey that is much like the disciples journey from that unnamed mountainside back to Jerusalem. At Cliff I believe we can empathise with how the disciples must have felt on the way home from hearing the massive mandate laid down upon their lives. We are trying to encourage, equip and figure out how to fulfill that call upon all our lives. Making a change from seeing that as a student to seeing it as a staff member has meant that I needed and learned a lot but has required a lot of help and guidance on the journey. Just like the disciples sometimes I make a wrong turn but with the help of great colleagues and great students I find my way back. 

Ali Johnson
Evangelist

Cliff College Fellowship Weekend

11/11/2009

Fellowship and Teaching Weekend

A Weekend of Fellowship and Celebration
with time to enjoy the environs of Cliff
for former students and staff, their families and friends of Cliff

Friday 16th to Sunday 18th July 2010 (Evening meal on Friday until after Sunday Lunch)
Guest Speaker: Judith Rossall
Theme: 'Created in the image of God; living as the image of God'

£108.50 single and £102.50 sharing - usual discounts available

Click here to download a booking form