Following her four-year term as the Anglican Dean of Nungalinya College, Ruth Walton will finish up in that role at the end of 2024.

Ruth, together with her husband Lee, moved to the Northern Territory from Burra (Queanbeyan) NSW in September 2020. She has had the privilege of walking alongside and supporting Indigenous brothers and sisters studying at Nungalinya College.

Students attend College for two or four week blocks up to twice a year and complete other tasks at home. “This may not seem much, but a few weeks away from home can be enormously challenging for students as they juggle work, family and health issues,” says Ruth.

Ruth’s role begins long before students arrive at Nungalinya. Firstly, she and the other Deans engage with Indigenous church leaders and help them identify those who would benefit from attending the College. Once a student is identified and enrolled, the Deans chat with students about timing and logistics. When students finally arrive, the Deans work to ensure each of them thrives emotionally, physically and spiritually.

During her time at the College, Ruth has also assisted in establishing the Nungalinya College Pilot Chaplaincy Program. Graduates of the Applied Ministries course were asked to return to College to use the skills developed in their training. The Anglican graduates work alongside Ruth in the Dean’s office, each for a different four-week teaching block.

“It has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me, and I hope for the Chaplains involved,” says Ruth. “I have thoroughly enjoyed having Mandy, and now Miriam, working alongside me in the office each morning and have learnt so much from them as we have prayed and intentionally reflected together.”

The Anglican Dean of Nungalinya College is appointed by the Bishop of the Northern Territory and funded by BCA. Could you please pray that God would raise up a new Anglican Dean to continue this important work with our Indigenous brothers and sisters in the Top End? Please also pray for Ruth & Lee as they serve their last six months with BCA and Nungalinya.