Joanne's Story


A woman of influence - Joanne Magee

Joanne's successful studies at Mary Andrews College are a far cry from her life six years ago when she was forced to leave her job due to ill health. Refusing to see this setback as the end of her career, Joanne learned as she recovered that life holds potential for ever more rewarding pursuits.

Looking around, she found people affirming her gifts and encouraging her to try new things. A minister's wife asked her to really consider doing women's ministry because she thought Joanne would be "amazing at it." Joanne's minister, Rev. Terry Bowers, felt the same.

While Joanne was on holiday, he learned that bursaries were being offered to study a Diploma subject at Mary Andrews College. He knew it would be difficult for Joanne to afford such a course without one - especially as she might not get financial support at home. Rev. Terry said:

"Joanne works very hard at preparation for any Bible teaching her ministry requires. With all this giving, I wanted Joanne to be built up herself. I thought she would benefit from serious Bible and ministry study offered by a Mary Andrews College subject - and I knew she would enjoy meeting other classmates who I envisaged would be like-minded about serving Jesus.

"I also felt that the scholarship criteria was something that Joanne met. I hoped that by getting a taste of the benefit to herself and ministry that came from a Mary Andrews College subject, Joanne would also be encouraged to try and find a way to undertake further study."

It seemed like a perfect fit, but Joanne was visiting China - and out of contact. So he amazingly applied on her behalf, trusting that the bursary award would help Joanne decide whether she could take up this opportunity.

Well, she did get the bursary - and the subject offered on the day she could study at Mary Andrews College was the very one her supporters had in mind: Women's Ministry Studies!

Joanne admits to feeling pretty scared when she started - remembering that school had not been a good experience in her younger years. But after attending Mary Andrews College, Joanne is even more excited about women's ministry, and she says her real passion is in caring for and encouraging the women in her sphere of influence.

As Joanne recently shared, "I can feel the potential for great growth in women at my Church and I pray that I can convince many of the need to grow in knowledge of God's word and be prepared to use the wonderful gifts that God has given them to build relationships."

Go back to the Inspiring Stories of Students page to read other stories.