recent news

Some highlights from the activities of OCA
over the past few years…

October 2011

Visiting Speaker OCA has announced that Dr Elie Haddad from Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Lebanon will be the visiting speaker for this year’s annual celebration dinners.

March/April 2011

Visiting speaker Nancy Njagi is the representative from Carlile College in Kenya. Her ministry is training pastors in the slums of Nairobi as they seek to minister in those very difficult areas.

October 2010

Melbourne Appointment OCA is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicola Templeton as the director for Melbourne. She will have responsibility for visiting some of the Asian colleges which OCA supports. Nicola comes from a background of editing, writing, marketing and fund raising in political, business and not-for-profit sectors.

October 2010

OCA Annual Dinners OCA welcomes Dr Aung Mang from Myanmar Evangelical Graduate School of Theology as our speaker. He will speak at seven dinners around the country outlining the ministry of his college.

February 2009

Peter Thein, a lecturer at Myanmar Evangelical Graduate School of Theology visited Sydney, Hunter and Melbourne, connecting with supporting churches and donors. Peter, a former Buddhist monk now teaches mission at MEGST and is senior pastor of a church.

November 2008

Zarephath Bible Institute, Pakistan held its 25th Anniversary celebrations. Not only did they celebrate the growth of the college but held an international consultation on directions for the future. The OCA Executive Director, Stuart Brooking was part of the consultation. Several very positive directions were set for the college in the years ahead including training of minority tribal groups, women for ministry and international students from China and Korea wishing to work in the Middle East.

August 2008

The OCA Board approved Namibia Evangelical Theological College as an OCA partner and will assist in funding the new library development.

August 2008

Overseas Council Europe appointed its first paid CEO, Rev Andreas Kammer. Andreas served in an OC supported college in Angola and has returned to Germany to take up a pastoral position, working with OCE one day per week. He will be assisted in this work by his wife Astrid who also lectured in Angola.

August 2008

Rev Tim Wambunya, the new principal of Carlile College, Kenya visited Australia for a series of supporters meetings in Sydney, Melbourne and the Hunter region.

August 2008

Rev Adrian Lane, Ridley College Melbourne, and Mr Richard Cardew, University consultant visited Lanka Bible College in Sri Lanka. As part of the OCA consulting program they advised the college on its development of a new research master and doctoral program.

April 2008

The OCA board approved the next stage of the Micah Network HIV/Aids strategy for assisting theological colleges to introduce HIV/Aids as a major topic in certain college curricula. This will assist colleges in several Asian countries to develop new culturally appropriate courses for pastors.

March 2008

OCA appointed its fifth staff member, Ms Alison Cooke as a Director. She will have responsibility for the OCA relationships with bible colleges in Africa.

1st November 2007

A New Look — OCA introduces its new logo…

30th June 2007

OCA posts its first 'million dollar year' receiving $1.2 million. — This has allowed the work of OCA to continue to expand both in terms of the number of colleges being supported and the speed in which projects can be completed.

10/11th November 2006

Book Launch: “A Different Perspective”– The new OCA book, “A Different Perspective: Asian and African leaders’ views on mission” was launched in Melbourne and Sydney. It features six lecturers from OCA supported colleges with a chapter, introductions and study guide by Stuart Brooking.

September/October 2006

Connection Tour to India – A group of OCA supporters traveled to India visiting the three OCA supported colleges and some major tourist spots. A highlight was hearing first hand from students and faculty members about their previous, current, and future ministries.

16th June 2006

New Assistant Director Appointed – Mrs Jennifer Taaffe has been appointed to the position of Assistant Director. Based in Newcastle she will be extending the supporter base of OCA in Newcastle and the Central Coast.

7th October 2005

Connection Tour to PNG – A group of twelve members of Central Coast Evangelical Church (NSW) returned from ten days in PNG. They visited Christian Leaders Training College and assisted in building a medical clinic for use by the students and workers of the college.

21st July 2005

End of Year Results – The Executive Director reported to the Board the increasing generosity of Australian Christians towards the work of OCA. There has been a 38% increase over the previous year in donations to colleges OCA supports.

9th July 2005

New Assistant Director Appointed — Mr Tony Moore was appointed as OCA’s first Assistant Director. He will be based in Melbourne. Three foundations have covered the cost of his salary with a three year start-up grant.

1st July 2005

New Chairman for OCA — After Seven years on the Board of OCA including five years as Chairman, John Dingle stepped down from the Board. Philip Twyman was appointed to be his replacement in a Board meeting in February. He officially began as Chairman on July 1st.

13th June 2005

Rob Kerr in Queen’s Birthday Honours — Former OCA Chairman and Vice Chairman Robert Kerr was awarded an Order of Australia Medal "For service to education and to supporting leadership training in developing countries". This was an appropriate recognition for all the work he has done for Overseas Council Australia.

18th February 2005

OCA's biggest project completed — The Nusantara Further Education Centre was officially opened by OCA's Executive Director, Rev Stuart Brooking. This large building will be used for the masters programs of the college and for further training conferences.

5th January 2005

Tsunami Appeal – Hope in Broken World — OCA launched an appeal for supporters to contribute to the Tsunami relief and rebuilding work which is being done through its partner colleges.

30th June 2004

2003/4 Budget — OCA Board advised by the Executive Director that the annual budget has been met. This represents an increase of 30% over the previous year's donations.

30th November 2003

500th Student Graduates — The five hundredth OCA supported student graduated. The student was in a group at CLTC in Papua New Guinea.