Dr Veronica Hoyt loves the ministry of Moore College’s Priscilla and Aquila Centre so much that, when she lived in New Zealand, she travelled to Sydney two years in a row for P&A Centre’s annual conference. So, it’s a delight for her to now become director of a place that focuses on encouraging the ministries of women, particularly as they partner with men in gospel work.
“I know there is a focus on training women at various Bible colleges across Australia, but [having] a college centre that focuses on encouraging the female and male students, and also encouraging the Diocese to be thinking about the theology of complementarian ministry and how we can apply it well – I feel like that’s unique and has the potential to be a tremendous blessing in Sydney and beyond,” she says.
After 10 years working at Cornerstone Church in Christchurch, Dr Hoyt and her husband moved to Sydney, where she served as women’s minister at North Sydney – until she heard the founding director of the Priscilla and Aquila Centre, Jane Tooher, was moving back into parish ministry.
“Various people encouraged me to apply,” she says. “I was hesitant initially, for several reasons, but at the same time my high regard for the P&A Centre – and Moore College – led me to think, ‘If this is where the Lord would like me to serve, then I would be really happy to do that!’
“I have really enjoyed my time walking alongside women, partnering with them in the gospel, and supporting men and women working together in parish ministry. But I can see the P&A Centre is offering an opportunity to both influence current students and also be in contact more widely within the Diocese, partnering with churches more generally by encouraging men and women to work together.”
Dr Hoyt believes that, in Sydney, complementarian ministries are understood as being more than “men and women operating in different spheres – you know, men preach, women do kids. I feel like there’s a sense that men and women partner together in the gospel.
“At the same time, it seems to me that work needs to be done in creating spaces for women to minister, and working out how men and women can partner well in the gospel. I think there’s room for growth in how we apply it well to the local church. “Practical things like the P&A conference provide a place where we can wrestle with these issues together.”
In addition to her Priscilla and Aquila Centre role, Dr Hoyt – also an experienced high school and TAFE teacher – is excited by the prospect of lecturing in ministry at Moore College.
“The ministry course really helps the students to put their theology into practice,” she says. “I’m looking forward to seeing students grasp their need to grow in this area in order to serve God’s people better when they come out of college... and also, because I’ve been in ministry, I know it will actually make a difference – not only for them but also for the people they will serve down the track.
“What I’m praying for this year is the work of the college, which is tremendously important for the sake of the gospel and gospel witness here in Sydney.
“I’m also praying for the students, that they will not just learn a lot of facts but grow in their love for the Lord Jesus and in their love for people as they prepare for ministry beyond the walls of Moore College.”
