You may have heard this year's special project for Bishop Steve is the “Go the Distance” campaign for Bishopdale College, raising much needed funds and awareness of the vital role the college plays in serving God’s kingdom by training Christian leaders.
The countdown is on! Just over two weeks from now, Steve will be running alongside Rev Matt Watts from Buller in the South Island Ultra – a hundred kilometres in one day. Go the Distance kicks off with this race and ends at the Nelson Cathedral steps as part of the Spectacle in December.
Matt and the bishop have been training together when they can – last week they ran loops around Rabbit Island in Waimea and this weekend they’re running on the West Coast.
I caught up with both of them to find out why this campaign is so important, and to check in on how the training is going.
Steve: I was reflecting on a recent Bishopdale College graduation ceremony. Graduate after graduate spoke about how the college had shaped their understanding of the Bible, deepened their faith and clarified their sense of calling. Their words reminded me that Bishopdale doesn’t just teach theology but it forms people for God’s mission.
I see up close what it takes to sustain a small theological college: dedicated staff, a tight budget, and a deeply committed community. Bishopdale’s small size allows for close, intentional contact between tutors and students, where spiritual formation is personal and relational. Bishopdale College exists to develop leaders grounded in Scripture, shaped in character and capable of wisely applying what they learn in their own contexts.
Matt: I'm also a believer in good quality theological education and Bishopdale College delivers that in a unique and supportive setting.
If Bishopdale only trains those who can afford to pay their fees, then we are setting it up to fail. We currently have two church members from Buller parish studying at the College, including my son Luke.
Matt: The Ultra is a huge effort. It’s a 100km run between Greymouth and Hokitika, running on the West Coast Wilderness Trail – it’s long and hard.
This is definitely the longest run I've done, and probably not one I'll be repeating any time soon!
Steve: Most people I’ve talked to think I'm crazy for doing it at my age. I get it – it’s tough. I’ve never done anything like this before.
First, there’s the physical training. I run four to five times a week and go to the gym for strength exercises. I've got a whole box of electrolytes and nutrition at home so I can experiment with what my gut can accommodate under intense training.
There's also spiritual training, praying to the Lord, trusting that he will sustain me. I’ve had no injuries so far, which I’m very grateful to God for.
Then there's psychological training. It’s possible to get to a place of panic and anxiety when you think about it. So part of training is preparing my mind and guarding what I put in my thoughts – the Bible is very clear about not being anxious!
Matt: I remember one long run I did with Bishop Steve a couple of years ago on the Heaphy Track where by the end he was powering ahead and I was struggling up every little incline. That said, he seems more nervous about this race than me! I hope we get to run the first half of the race together, and then we'll see who has more in the tank for the second half.
Bishop Steve's running superpower has got to be in his blood – he's Kenyan right? But, a bit like Bishopdale College, my superpower is all about my mindset: we can do this!
Steve: It’s such a huge encouragement to have Matt join me. He’s an ultramarathon pro so I’ll have someone to guide me and to encourage me to keep going – not that I’ll be able to keep up with him! Matt is taller than me, so for every one of his strides, I probably have to do two.
I’d love to see more people join me. Not just runners! Perhaps someone could make their own walking, cycling, climbing or swimming goal over a month. Not just fitness enthusiasts either – maybe someone could cut twenty centimetres of hair off, knit five metres of wool, read 500 pages of scripture or do some other creative activity that “goes the distance”. I’d love to see other people join the cause. It’s a worthy cause that needs our love and support.
Any donations large or small to support Bishop Steve and Rev Matt as they Go the Distance for Bishopdale College are hugely appreciated! Donate here.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
You may have heard this year's special project for Bishop Steve is the “Go the Distance” campaign for Bishopdale College, raising much needed funds and awareness of the vital role the college plays in serving God’s kingdom by training Christian leaders.
The countdown is on! Just over two weeks from now, Steve will be running alongside Rev Matt Watts from Buller in the South Island Ultra – a hundred kilometres in one day. Go the Distance kicks off with this race and ends at the Nelson Cathedral steps as part of the Spectacle in December.
Matt and the bishop have been training together when they can – last week they ran loops around Rabbit Island in Waimea and this weekend they’re running on the West Coast.
I caught up with both of them to find out why this campaign is so important, and to check in on how the training is going.
Steve: I was reflecting on a recent Bishopdale College graduation ceremony. Graduate after graduate spoke about how the college had shaped their understanding of the Bible, deepened their faith and clarified their sense of calling. Their words reminded me that Bishopdale doesn’t just teach theology but it forms people for God’s mission.
I see up close what it takes to sustain a small theological college: dedicated staff, a tight budget, and a deeply committed community. Bishopdale’s small size allows for close, intentional contact between tutors and students, where spiritual formation is personal and relational. Bishopdale College exists to develop leaders grounded in Scripture, shaped in character and capable of wisely applying what they learn in their own contexts.
Matt: I'm also a believer in good quality theological education and Bishopdale College delivers that in a unique and supportive setting.
If Bishopdale only trains those who can afford to pay their fees, then we are setting it up to fail. We currently have two church members from Buller parish studying at the College, including my son Luke.
Matt: The Ultra is a huge effort. It’s a 100km run between Greymouth and Hokitika, running on the West Coast Wilderness Trail – it’s long and hard.
This is definitely the longest run I've done, and probably not one I'll be repeating any time soon!
Steve: Most people I’ve talked to think I'm crazy for doing it at my age. I get it – it’s tough. I’ve never done anything like this before.
First, there’s the physical training. I run four to five times a week and go to the gym for strength exercises. I've got a whole box of electrolytes and nutrition at home so I can experiment with what my gut can accommodate under intense training.
There's also spiritual training, praying to the Lord, trusting that he will sustain me. I’ve had no injuries so far, which I’m very grateful to God for.
Then there's psychological training. It’s possible to get to a place of panic and anxiety when you think about it. So part of training is preparing my mind and guarding what I put in my thoughts – the Bible is very clear about not being anxious!
Matt: I remember one long run I did with Bishop Steve a couple of years ago on the Heaphy Track where by the end he was powering ahead and I was struggling up every little incline. That said, he seems more nervous about this race than me! I hope we get to run the first half of the race together, and then we'll see who has more in the tank for the second half.
Bishop Steve's running superpower has got to be in his blood – he's Kenyan right? But, a bit like Bishopdale College, my superpower is all about my mindset: we can do this!
Steve: It’s such a huge encouragement to have Matt join me. He’s an ultramarathon pro so I’ll have someone to guide me and to encourage me to keep going – not that I’ll be able to keep up with him! Matt is taller than me, so for every one of his strides, I probably have to do two.
I’d love to see more people join me. Not just runners! Perhaps someone could make their own walking, cycling, climbing or swimming goal over a month. Not just fitness enthusiasts either – maybe someone could cut twenty centimetres of hair off, knit five metres of wool, read 500 pages of scripture or do some other creative activity that “goes the distance”. I’d love to see other people join the cause. It’s a worthy cause that needs our love and support.
Any donations large or small to support Bishop Steve and Rev Matt as they Go the Distance for Bishopdale College are hugely appreciated! Donate here.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
