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Celebrating 60 Years of Mission Training

On Saturday 31st May 2025, over 500 people gathered in person and online to share memories and celebrate 60 Years of Mission Training at All Nations Christian College. Thank you to everyone who came and made it so special!

We had an incredible day full of joy and laughter sharing stories and connecting together as a global community!

Former and current staff, students, volunteers, board members, representatives of mission agencies, supporters, family and friends all gathered, and together we thanked God for his faithfulness to All Nations Christian College.

For over 60 years All Nations has trained and equipped disciples of Jesus Christ in partnership with the global church to go and make a difference in the world. Our celebration marked the move of the ‘All Nations Missionary College’ (ANMC), which trained men for cross-cultural ministry, in 1964 to the present campus at Easneye. This paved the way for a merger of three mission Colleges, and pioneering the development of cross-cultural mission training for men, women and families learning in community together.

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The special celebration service began with a lively Djembe drum performance led by Ethnomusicologist Rob Baker and our current students and staff from around the world. Following a welcome from Dr Jill Ford, Arts Programme Leader, everyone joined together in praise singing to God be the Glory – the same hymn sung in the Service of Commitment in 1971 as three mission Colleges merged at Easneye campus for Kingdom impact. The service also included contributions from current board members, staff and students with readings, thanksgiving prayers and lively multicultural worship reflective of our passion and the diversity of cultures and nations that make up our beautiful intercultural community.

We praised and thanked God for the legacy of training and vision of the Buxton family, including Hannah Buxton’s inspired prayer for Easneye to be ‘a fountain of blessing to the Church and the world’. We thanked God for the past and present All Nations community, and prayed for God’s vision and direction for the future, acknowledging that He is our provider, and will guide our steps.

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Celebrating God’s Faithfulness

Reflections on the past, present and future of All Nations

Our Celebration Service also included time to reflect on the past, present and future plans for the college. Principal Rev/ Dr David Harley shared his memories of the College, the impact of training during his time in Ethiopia, development of the distinct All Nations ethos, and an encouragement from Luke 10:1-4 to continue in the vision and calling of Jesus. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go!” (Luke 10: 2-3a).

Current Principal Rev/ Dr V.J Samkutty shared his experiences of training and development at All Nations over 22 years. He shared how All Nations continues to be a thriving intercultural learning community of people from 27 nations, producing resilient graduates through training that combines academic excellence with spiritual formation and relevant practical skills. Committed to teaching in Biblical Studies, we continue to focus on developing our training to meet the needs of those studying in person and around the World. Find out more about our courses here.

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New CEO Tim Young, shared about the future of All Nations, as Jesus is calling us to transform and go ‘Beyond Easneye’. We have already begun with ‘All Nations On the Move’, where the Global Church called us to come in partnership to equip and train those in other nations. Tim emphasised that we want to increase our capacity to co-design, co-develop and co-deliver to enable lifelong Biblical Intercultural community learning with our partners globally. “This is God’s call and task, so He will provide and we need to trust and cooperate with Him”.

The challenge he gave was: is God asking you to engage with others? What has God given you and how does he want you to help All Nations move forward? 

For more information or to give a thanksgiving gift or offer your skills, please visit our All Nations is going Beyond Easneye webpage.

All Nations Beyond Easneye - Navigate to Give towards our 60 Years Appeal - Navigate to 60 Years of All Nations

Cake cutting, Memorabilia, Afternoon tea, Mission Fair and fun!

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We were also delighted to host 20 representatives from 16 organisations on the day to highlight their fantastic work around the globe and inspire others to get involved.

We thank God for the amazing mission agencies we have had the privilege of partnering with, and in particular their help in sending out students all over the world, many whom are key leaders and influencers. We praise God for our partners in the God’s global mission.

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Following a final blessing by All Nations Chair of the Board Ben Stanley, guests on site moved outside to witness the cutting of our special 60th commemorative cake on Easneye lawn. Children held up a special commemorative 60 created during the service to mark the occasion. The festivities continued on-site as friends and alumni caught up over a delicious afternoon tea of samosas, mini quiches and of course, scones, cream and jam!

Our special immersive exhibition of photos and memorabilia inside Easneye House was opened to the public along with an art exhibition of former and current student work. Rev/ Dr David Harley (Together in Mission) and Ian Collinge (An Intercultural Worship Handbook) hosted a special book signing. Fun activities for kids and adults continued with games and a djembe drum circle under the trees.

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Celebrating online with our Global Community!

Celebrations simultaneously proceeded online with around 100 people gathering virtually to watch the Celebration Service and join our global community chat space. Current staff and students shared testimonies and stories from around the World, led by Dr Kate Wiseman and our ‘All Nations On the Move’ pioneers Richard and Louisa Evans. Chat rooms were opened with spaces to connect with former students and praise God and pray for the future of All Nations.

Watch the Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving

A recording of the service of Celebration and Thanksgiving from Easneye is available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/2B_XOnNMPhY?feature=shared

Read more about 60 Years of All Nations here

A Special 60th Thanksgiving Prayer:

Lord God you are the one who has done great and marvellous things, and you are still doing great and marvellous things today.

We give you thanks that we can came together to celebrate and remember all that you have done in our lives, and the lives of many who have been impacted by All Nations.

Thank you that we can sing of your great love and faithfulness through all generations and declare that your love stands firm forever.

To you be all the glory honour and praise

Amen