Our new Learning Centre is getting started! It was a pleasure to have our colleagues from the Middle East with us at their first Faculty Assembly. The first 39 students were enrolled during the week of our gathering.

ALC Coordinator Samia Salameh together with Rector Rev. Mária Gusztinné Tulipán and Registrar Rev. Raquel Pereira finalizing the enrolment of the first group of students.

From the ALC Coordinator:

Having recently joined EuNC as an Arabic Learning Center, I was thrilled to meet all the faces of the other Learning Centers. The attention and welcome we received as a new Learning Center was overwhelming and heartwarming. We really felt welcomed by the Leadership of EuNC and the other faculty members. Throughout the training and our time there, I became even more aware of the privilege we have as a Middle East field to be part of such an educational institution that strives for excellence in all aspects of preparing ministers.  With EuNC, I see a flourishing future for the Theological education in the Middle East.

For me, the faculty training in Florence was a huge blessing from three aspects: Learning, fellowship and location.

The training itself was of high quality, as the trainer, Dr. Perry Shaw, succeeded in challenging long standing concepts (some of which we take for granted) about the process of teaching and learning. The training was extremely thought-provoking and one that I would keep visiting. In fact, I will be using one of the strategies that I learned from Dr. Shaw for youth group at my local church.

Throughout the training, I got to really know people from my own field. While we went sightseeing and shopping together, I got to discover wonderful aspects of their characters I did not know existed. In some cases, this has helped me correct some prejudices I had. There was one night when my roommate and I stayed up late having a really deep conversation that was extremely insightful and enriching to me and one that I would not forget.

Coming together from different cultures and languages and worshipping together was another heartwarming, spirit-filled experience. I remember that at some point, I did not want the music and the singing to stop. It was a taste of heaven.

What a privilege it was for me to experience the city of Florence. Not only was it my first time to Florence, but it was also my first time to Italy. I saw all of what I knew to be Italy’s best compacted in that charming, small town: The ancient, unbelievably detailed artistic architecture; the arts embodied in the sculptures; the leather merchandise; the gold shops lined up on a bridge above the river… Not to forget, the taste of Italian pasta and pizza!

It was an altogether an awe-inspiring experience that God has generously gifted me with!

Samia Salameh
(Arabic Learning Center Coordinator)

Faculty members and Administration of the Arabic Learning Centre

As the new Regional Strategic Operations Facilitator, it was a great privilege to connect and reconnect with new and old friends at the recent Faculty Assembly in Florence, Italy.  The teaching was fantastic and the worship engaging, it really was a special time together.

I learned a lot about the spread and variety of the international faculty (137), the partnerships that serve our Wesleyan communities together, the number of students – over 340, and the new partnership with the Arabic Learning Centre joining in 2023 with over 40 students already enrolled.

These are exciting times for EuNC.  We thank Rector Mária and her team for a fantastic conference.

Steve Clarkson
(Eurasia Regional Strategic Operations Facilitator)

Ahhh, Florence! After being separated from each other physically for three years, what a beautiful place to once again gather IN PERSON with fellow educators, and brothers and sisters in Christ! This year's Assembly challenged us in mind, body, and spirit.

Dr. Shaw challenged our minds with new, and some not-so-new, but still relevant and impactful, techniques and strategies that can help us in our engagement with students. These engagements go beyond the classroom/Moodle module, as we strive to invest ourselves in the lives of students that will last well beyond the time we have with them in our classes.

Our bodies were challenged this year by thermostats and long lines at the coffee machine. The smiles and laughter shared between old and new friends warmed our hearts, and our rooms, while the wait for coffee gave us more time to visit with one another. The sense of community was stronger than what these minor inconveniences could inflict upon us.

While food is one of the things Italy is known for, the Spiritual food we received during our Assembly was more satisfying and nourishing than what any restaurant could produce. Dr. Rev Ian Wills' messages on the Gray Zones will continue to feed us in the days and weeks to come. My prayer for us all, as we get back into our "normal" routines, is that we will regularly take time in the midst of our busyness to "behold our incomparable God."

Rev. Dr. Stanley Christopherson
(Croatia Learning Centre Coordinator)

We thank God that this year we were able to have our Faculty Assembly in person. This was a time long awaited with great anticipation after two years of virtual events. It was a joy and blessing to meet our colleagues, learn together and share experiences lived in the various learning centres throughout the year. The faculty training time was very practical. Dr. Perry in a very interactive way got us to reflect and think through our teaching methodologies and challenged us to improve our practices so we are more effective in contributing to our student’s transformation. The devotional and corporate worship times were especially invigorating as we received the Word of God through our speaker the Rev Dr Ian Wills.

Liliana Almeida
(EuNC Cares Coordinator & Spain Learning Centre Administrator)