Both Student and Teacher

“I couldn't be any happier than to be doing what I'm doing.”

Greg Brooks teaches Scripture in three high schools, and he’s also studying part-time at VBC. He really enjoys both the teaching and the training!

After a near-death experience at the age of seven, when Greg fell three stories and managed to catch hold of a railing, he started thinking about the purpose and meaning of life.

Greg grew up in a nominally Christian family in Peakhurst, where his parents took him and his sister to church (or would at least walk them to church) each week. God opened Greg’s eyes to the truth of the gospel when he was in his final year of high school. It was during a conversation with his Scripture teacher that the penny dropped, and Greg started reading as much as he could to learn more about God and His saving grace.

After completing one year of a Chemical Engineering degree at university, Greg started a long-term role with the Australian Bureau of Statistics. He worked for the ABS up until five years ago, when he began Scripture teaching and studying with VBC. 

Currently, Greg lives in Oatley with his wife and two kids, aged 12 and 13, and he is teaching at three schools: Georges River College Peakhurst Campus, Heathcote High School and Engadine High School.

“Teaching Scripture is something I've always wanted to do,” Greg explains. “I love being able to share Jesus with the kids. It’s a simple motivator for me, and it's a blessing to be able to go into a school in our current world.”

Greg has been greatly encouraged by a Muslim student in year nine who became a Christian through his Scripture teaching, and conversations with another year nine Muslim student who told Greg he wants to give his life to Christ.

While he’s working as a Scripture teacher, Greg is grateful for the training he’s receiving through VBC. At the moment he’s doing one subject at a time as he chips away at a Diploma, and he loves seeing how God uses his training in so many different ways.

“It’s been interesting how subjects I've been doing have corresponded with things in my life,” Greg shares. “When I was doing Evangelism, I just saw these opportunities to evangelise, which I really do believe were more than normal. Last term I was doing World Religions, so I was talking to all the Muslim students who have arrived at our school, who weren’t there before. Even today I was looking at an assignment, and I think I can use some of that into some of what I'm teaching.”

One of the things Greg has appreciated about VBC is the trainers themselves. He views them as excellent role models for all of life, not just in the classroom.

Greg reflects, “They're just really lovely, godly, nurturing, wise people, and it’s been a blessing to be taught by them.”

When asked what he would say to someone considering training through VBC, Greg is full of encouragement.
“I think it's a really good option. You'll grow as a Christian and you'll learn what you need to know. It’s quite practical, rather than just head knowledge, and in the classes I've been in, I feel as though there's been a real benefit for every student that I've met.

To find out more about training options at Vocational Bible College, head here.