Block Courses

There is a wealth of experience within the wider church and mission communities and we want to bring high-quality input from practitioners. Block courses can change from year to year as we continually seek input that offers excellence and practical application.

Our block courses offer an opportunity for you to engage with some awesome learning and to experience community life. Some of the courses may contribute to an NZQA qualification for those fully enrolled as diploma students at Eastwest College.

Interested to learn biblically, connect interculturally and minister purposefully! Apply now
Applications are welcome from the public.

Children in Crisis

Dates: 12th-16th June, 2023

Course Facilitator: Bradley Thompson

Fees: $290 including morning tea and lunch

An examination of the problems children in crisis encounter on a daily basis-at risk from abuse, trauma, hunger, and pain. Students will gain an understanding of the situations these children confront. Prevention and intervention strategies are presented to address the children’s needs, and guidance is given to prevent street workers from experiencing stress and burnout.

Biblical Theology of Missions

Dates: 19-23 June, 2023

Course Facilitator: Lewis Varley, MA

Fees: $290 including morning tea and lunch

This component will lead to a greater understanding of the mission of God to the world, His concern for mankind as revealed in the Scriptures, His provision for their redemption, and His purposes for His creation and for those He has redeemed.

Huia Come Home

Dates: 18-22 September, 2023

Course Facilitator: Luke Goodwin BA, LLB, Grad Dip Tchng (Sec), Post-grad Dip Th.

Fees: $290 including morning tea and lunch

Huia Come Home is a one-week block course engaging with the story of Christianity in Aotearoa, New Zealand. This important block course will be delivered by Luke Goodwin, a gifted communicator and history teacher, who has been on his own journey with the subject. The course title is based on Jay Ruka’s book of the same title, which is the text for the the course. This is a 5-credit block-course giving insights from the influence of the Clapham sect in the formation of the treaty, through the missionaries who came, the revival among Māori, the taking of the land from the tangata te whenua, and up to the present day application of Te Tiriti O Waitangi.

Secular Age

Dates: 9-13 October, 2023

Course Facilitator: Lewis Varley, MA

Fees: $290 including morning tea and lunch

This class aims to explore the Biblical worldview and its relationship to secular humanism and related worldviews. It will survey the origins and contemporary impact of secular humanism, and Christian perspectives on this belief system. The four goals in the class are:

To understand the source and nature of modern worldviews (or ‘social imaginaries’)
To recognize the impact of these on Christian faith and mission
To develop new apologetical insights for those holding modern worldviews
To consider the role of Christians as ‘culture makers’ in the modern world

Digital Mission

Dates: 9-13 October, 2023

Course Facilitators: Digital Media team

Fees: $290 including morning tea and lunch

This block course explores the digital world and its relationship to missions. Students will learn how current digital trends relate to contemporary cross-cultural mission and ministry with a particular focus on equipping students to effectively use digital tools in their ministry.

Key areas will include social media, privacy and security, team and support team communication, online evangelism, event organisation, and video conferencing.

Coaching Workshop

Dates: 5–7 December, 2023

Course Facilitator: Christine Harding

Fees: $380 including morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea

The COACH Model© is a radically different approach to leading people. Rather than provide answers, leaders ask questions to draw out what God has already put into others. Learn how to create powerful conversations to assist others to solve their own problems, reach goals and develop leadership skills in the process. Incorporating the best of adult learning components with self-directed, communal, experiential learning where discussion, practice and application are maximized. Christine has over 40 years of experience in leadership, cross-cultural living and Christian ministry. She holds credentials through the International Coaching Federation.

TESOL for Service (2024)

Date: Tuesday, Jan 2nd – Friday, Jan 26th.

Course Facilitator: Dr Ryan PhD

Credits: 12 Credits (Level 5) NZQA Approved Training Course

Fees: $1,600 including morning tea and lunch

Accommodation on application. Registrations close September 21, 2023. Limited places.

This is an intensive training course designed to teach you the necessary skills to enable you to more effectively use English teaching as a service tool. Classes cover theoretical knowledge of the English language and of teaching and learning a second language, current ESOL methodology, classroom management, lesson planning and assessment, teaching specific groups and programmes, and resources available for teaching and further professional development. The practice component includes 12 hours of observation and teaching of classmates and ESOL students.

Students who are accepted onto the course will be required to complete pre-course assignments which include readings and observation of an ESOL class in their community.

For more information or to register for any of the above courses, please enquire by email at [email protected] or call 0800 89 64 77 [or from outside New Zealand: +64 7 824 3417]

Accommodation

Accommodation is limited and on a first come first serve basis. The accommodation fee is $30 per person/night in addition to the course fees. Evening dinner is available Monday to Thursday only, during term time at a cost of $9 per meal. Please register early to avoid any disappointment.