Moore College's 300-plus students are simultaneously dropping pens and closing books this week to exchange technical learning for some hands-on experience.
But there is no rebellion or strike taking place. Rather, students and faculty alike have left the laptops and lecture theatres for an intensive week of front-line evangelism.
The entire College community has embarked on the annual Moore College Mission, running for nine days from last Sunday.
And continuing the tradition of overseas missions, one of the teams is travelling to Thailand to work with Christ Church, Bangkok, a Bible-based Anglican church in the heart of the Thai capital.
The Rev Andrew Dircks, former CMS NSW Missions Education Secretary, is currently rector of Christ Church.
More than 20 students, under the leadership of lecturer Barry Webb, will work mainly with ex-pats from a variety of countries and Anglican backgrounds.
Naomi Hudson, a second year student and team member, says the Mission will provide students a small taste of overseas ministry.
"[Going to] Bangkok will let us see different options and experience cross-cultural ministry first-hand," says Ms Hudson (pictured with fellow team members Andre Beddoe, left, and David Ould).
"I'm looking forward to ministering in a different environment, but still being able to teach in English."
In recent years, Mission teams have traveled to overseas locations including Singapore, Sabah and New Zealand.
Mission week, from May 1-9, offers an opportunity for the College to partner with churches in Sydney, Australia and overseas for a focused and intensive week of evangelism.
Many team members will preach evangelistically in church meetings on the two Sundays of Mission. Other common activities include small group dialogue meetings, school Scripture classes and door-knocking, as well as a huge range of specially organised evangelistic events.
Most teams are partnering with Sydney Anglican parishes, but some will travel to other parts of Australia.
One team will be based in Newcastle and will work with a combined group including a Baptist church, Presbyterian church and university ministry.
And for the first time a school-based Mission will be run, with a team traveling to Melbourne to minister at Mentone Grammar.
Sydney Anglican parishes hosting Moore College mission teams include:
Hurstville Grove; Lugarno, Peakhurst and Mortdale; Wollondilly; Berowra and Cherrybrook; Beverly Hills, Kingsgrove and Riverwood; Campsie; Cambridge Park; Oatley West; Figtree; Concord West.
