From Training People in Programming Robotics to Training People in the Bible: Meet Col Adamson

Vocational Bible College is blessed to have a number of dedicated trainers working with us to deliver our practical Bible training. So what sorts of people come to work at VBC? 

Col Adamson left school at the end of Year 10 to do a trade in metal machining. He also studied Mechanical Engineering through TAFE part-time at night over 10 years, and worked in metal manufacturing for more than 25 years. His final role was as a Senior Engineer, where he specialised in training people in programming robotics, measuring equipment and computer-controlled metal-cutting machine tools.

After studying theology part-time over the course of 10 years, Col found himself at a crossroads. His church at the time asked him to lead a church plant, and he had to decide whether or not to pursue ministry full-time. “I'd tried to do two things at one time for a long time,” he explains.

Col in his earlier years

After praying it over, and seeking advice from others, Col decided to apply for Bible College full-time. “I thought, well, serving the Lord is a great thing. And if there's an opportunity there, should I not take it?”

While studying at Moore Theological College, the first academic essay Col submitted was returned with a comment about how it would make a great sermon. “My wife said, “You'll be writing plenty more sermons in the future than essays, so take it as a thumbs up and keep cracking on,’” Col laughs.

Col met Andrew Beddoe, VBC’s Principal, while studying at Moore. A few years after graduation Col received a call from Andrew. “He said, ‘Hey, I’ve started Vocational Bible College, and I think because of your background you’d be a great bloke to come work with us,” Col says.

Col shares Andrew’s vision for teaching people in a way they learn best. Just as Col was trained in his trade, in the same way he is passionate about learning through doing. “You don't learn a trade by reading a book on how to do something, and then prove that you know it by writing a 3000-word essay,” Col says. “You learn a trade by being shown how to do it, having a go at doing it, getting feedback, and then having another go.”

Col applies this method of training to everything at Vocational Bible College. He’s recently finished up a course on Evangelism, and it’s no surprise that his students didn’t simply listen to him talk and then discuss it. 

“They have to then go out in their local church setting,” Col explains, “In their area with people that they know, and actually have a go at doing some evangelism.”

What else does Col love about training at VBC? The list goes on. He loves the small numbers in each class. He loves that students are paired up with a mentor. And he values the way each subject is taught in a way that everyone understands, regardless of their English proficiency.

“I've found it very rewarding meeting up with everyday people that just want to learn about Jesus and how to serve him,” Col says. “One of the great joys has been to see and hear of students who have said, ‘Do you know what? I didn't think I could study anything at all. But I've studied and loved it here.’”

Col’s advice to anyone considering checking out VBC is pretty simple: “Have a crack at it,” he says. “You can study for five weeks with us without paying anything. And you can pull out after that if it doesn't suit you. It's a great opportunity just to see what God may teach you.”

Col prays that many more people will take him up on the offer to check out studying at VBC. “The Word of God is God's way of saving people. It's God's way of growing us, and studying it should be accessible to all of us, too,” he says.