Tahlee Bible College
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Tahlee Bible College (TBC) is an interdenominational training centre situated at Tahlee, a 170-acre property on the shores of Port Stephens, less than one hour north of Newcastle and less than three hours north of Sydney.
TBC operates classes in learning English, teaching English, Bible topics and ministry skills. Students can study full-time or part-time onsite or lecturers can come to you as part of the Bible College @ Church program.
The Bible College is just one of several ministries that operate from the property. Camps and events for children, young people and families are held onsite, as are tours of the historic buildings. Tahlee Ministries Inc. is the organisation that oversees the running of Tahlee Bible College and the other ministries.
[edit] History
The Gospel Fishermen
In 1943, the Gospel Fishermen Mission leased Tanilba House, which is eight kilometres directly across the bay from Tahlee. The Director, Godrey Theobald, had developed a three pronged approach to mission.
* Evangelists travelling in 'Gospel Vans' visited isolated districts.
* Large meetings were held in churches in Newcastle and the Hunter valley.
* Children's camps were held at Tanilba for the purpose of evangelism.
In 1948, the staff of Gospel Fishermen visited Tahlee for a picnic. Over the next year, applications to rent the property to the mission were forwarded to the owner, Mr Alfrey Beecher Stewart White, who used Tahlee as a holiday house. In June 1949, the Theobold family moved into the Waterfront Cottage and began using the Ballroom and Billiard Room for their work. In 1959, Mr White offered the property to the Gospel Fishermen, who bought the land and buildings using large donation.
Discussions with leaders of Mission Societies had revealed a certain need. Although excellent Bible, theological and missionary training was available, missionary candidates could not learn skills in carpentry, mechanics, bushcraft, agriculture, electrical work and other related skills. A committee of Mission Society leaders had been formed to inaugurate this course and Tahlee was eventually chosen as the most suitable venue. Mr Frank Briggs, who had been a missionary in Papua New Guinea, became the Superintendent of this Pioneer Missionary Training Camp in 1951.
Rev Eric Potter, a Methodist minister, was the first Principal of Tahlee Bible College and Godfrey Theobald held the position of the first College President. Lectures commenced on June 10, 1959, while the public opening held on October 31 of that year attracted 400 people.
More than 1,000 students have trained at the College and many of these are now in Christian service in Australia and countries all over the world. The Gospel Fishermen's heart for outreach into rural areas lives on through the current staff and students, who conduct regular missions and ministry to communities in the Hunter and surrounding areas.
Important dates
1970 Swimming pool installed.
Library established.
1972 4 Nissan huts purchased for $21 each.
1973 Rev Ron Farquhar appointed as Principal.
Student fees set at $400 per annum.
1975 First Graduation held in Auditorium.
1976 "Gospel Fisherman Mission" becomes "Gospel Service Mission."
1979 Rev Ray Laird appointed as Principal.
1983 Diploma in Ministry and Diploma in Missiology accredited by Australian College of Theology.
1986 Sewage plant installed.
1988 Bible College Council meets for the first time.
1991 Rev Howard Green appointed as Principal.
1993 New library opened.
Godrey Theobold retires.
1996 Rev Lindsay McKenzie appointed as Principal.
1998 TESOL Course offered for the first time.
"Gospel Service Mission" becomes "Gospel Service Ministry"
2002 Rev Geoff Case appointed as Principal.
2004 "Gospel Service Ministry" becomes "Tahlee Ministries Inc."
2007 Mr Edward Bridge appointed as Acting Training Manager.
