Australia: Wontulp-Bi-Buya College

I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. – Colossians 2.2-3 

Students from the Certificate III in Theology and Ministry, 2018. © Wontulp-Bi-Buya College, used with permission.

The main purpose of Wontulp-Bi-Buya College is to support the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander church and community leaders through study programs leading to awards in theology, suicide prevention, addictions management and community development.

Last year, more than 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertook studies at the College. Students come from all around Australia. They complete some of their course work in their local setting and travel to Cairns for periodic intensive blocks.

Wontulp-Bi-Buya College is a partnership of the Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran and Uniting churches in Queensland. College Principal, Rev’d Victor Joseph, is an Anglican priest from Moa Island in the Torres Strait.

“One of the things that has become an important part of our culture in the Torres Strait Islands is the notion of Good Pasin*. Good Pasin is about welcoming someone into our community. It is to open up our community to a person who is a stranger to us. Good Pasin extends to more than just a welcoming, it is to invite the person to come into our homes, invite the person into our community and culture. To invite the person to come and sit at the table where we eat… to be a part of our cultural celebrations…. showing that despite the injustice, that despite the trauma
 of not having ownership of land, or the island that we come from, the trauma of seeing our seas being polluted, we’re still welcoming the stranger to our communities… still showing compassion.”, says Rev’d Victor Joseph, Principal of Wontulp-Bi- Buya College .

“Visiting Wontulp-Bi-Buya College is an experience of Good Pasin. It is a place where community is flourishing. Wontulp-Bi-Buya creates a community that provides transformation for students, transformation for the communities from which students come, and transformation for the wider church,” says ABM Missioner, Rev’d Jazz Dow.

Your support resources Wontulp-Bi-Buya in its incredibly important work of helping to foster communities of love, hope and justice through training Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in theology and ministry, mental health, addictions management, and community development. Wontulp-Bi-Buya empowers students to find their voice and articulate theology through the lens of their culture, language, and relationships. This process is a gift to the national church.

This project contributes to the College’s core expenses such as study materials for students, staff salaries, travel and accommodation for visiting teachers, office rent, maintenance, insurance, electricity and telephone costs.

Please support Wontulp-Bi-Buya College in equipping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander church and community leaders.

AU016WB needs $62,500 in 2019 (tax-deductible)

 

HOW TO DONATE

You can make an online donation to this project.  

 

Alternatively, for donations by cheque/money order (made out to the Anglican Board of Mission – Australia), telephone or email, view contact details here. Please don’t forget to include the project name and/or code with your payment details.

Gifts to ABM will be applied to the support of project(s) selected. In the unlikely event of the project being oversubscribed or not proceeding to completion, donations will be applied to a similar project to the one(s) selected.

 

PILGRIMAGE TO WONTULP-BI-BUYA COLLEGE

July 2019 The Revd Jazz Dow, ABM’s Education Missioner, shares her reflection after taking pilgrims to Wontulp-Bi-Buya College in Cairns last month. Read more

 

Video Update

August 2019 – Watch the lastest video about Wontulp-Bi-Buya College, and hear the staff and students, as well as Principal Victor Joseph, speak about why this theological institution is important and unique.

Staff member Eddie Turpin says, “It touches the real need of our communities’ issues. It is culturally appropriate because we are indigenous.” 

 

This is part of the Reconciliation Program:  Learn more about ABM’s Programs

*Good Pasin – A Torres Strait Islander word for showing love and respect to everyone.

 

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