On the evening of Thursday 25 January OCMS held a Reception to launch the Friends of OCMS network. Over 40 people from the local community and churches attended, along with the Lord Mayor and the local City Councillor.

The evening started with refreshments, and an opportunity for guests to explore the Centre and its resources. Students, staff and trustees were on hand to mingle with guests and show them round.

The Director, Dr Paul Bendor-Samuel, gave a presentation on the work of the Centre, focussing particularly on the international character of the Centre, and the good influence of students and alumni in many parts of the world. This was followed by a series of short interviews with staff and students, explaining how they approached their research, and how this was applied to the field of Christian mission to the benefit of the world Church.

The evening was closed with prayer by the Chaplain, Revd Andrew Anderson, who, quoting that “In a world of complex problems, common solutions were needed”, said that OCMS reflected in a unique way the world-wide family that saw itself united in Jesus Christ, thereby offering real hope to a divided world. He hoped that those present would catch something of this vision, and offer their support.

• Notes for the Journey

  I look forward to seeing new students arrive at OCMS to begin RIS not only because it reminds me of my own journey, but also because there is a certain sense of excitement in seeing the ways that incoming students step into the world of research.

     In my own journey I arrived feeling that I was a fool to think I could ever do a PhD.  I struggled with 'imposter syndrome'.  The first piece of advice that stuck out [...]