In June we bade a fond farewell to our dear colleagues and friends Liz and Malcolm McGregor, who served faithfully as Langham Scholar Care Coordinators for 20 years between them.
The McGregors, now in their mid- 70s, were missionaries with SIM in Ethiopia, during a time of famine and civil war in the 80s/90s. Yet they chose to stay in the country, discipling many students till they returned to the UK eleven years later. Malcolm worked for SIM, later becoming the International Director.
As they were approaching retirement age, Liz was asked by Rev Dr Chris Wright (Langham’s International Ambassador) to join Langham as a Scholar Care Coordinator. This would involve looking after international Scholars studying for theological PhDs in the UK. Malcolm joined in a similar role a few years later.
In the footsteps of John Stott
Investing in the whole person is at the core of the Langham Scholars programme, so the spiritual side is not forgotten. Langham’s founder John Stott spent time caring for Scholars when they were studying in the UK, recognising that a PhD is not an end in itself.
Now, Langham has a team of eleven Scholar Care Coordinators working around the world, with 106 Langham Scholars currently studying for a PhD. Liz and Malcolm spoke to LPUKI’s Vic Marsay recently about their experiences. Liz began by explaining why the role of a Scholar Care Coordinator is crucial:
“We rarely have had any anxiety about a Langham Scholar because Langham chooses their Scholars well.
“But we never know what they’re going to face along the journey. That is the joy of being a Scholar Care Coordinator.
Walking the journey with Scholars
“Some of them, being away from home, being in a new culture, things happen at home, they get sick, so many things come their way. The privilege for us is just walking that journey with them through thick and thin, as they continue to pursue their studies.
“Doing a PhD is like putting you through the mill. It’s not easy to find that, for example, you are struggling with loneliness, or you actually don’t like where you’re studying or you hate that it gets dark.
“I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful friendship you’ve shown me over the years – you’ve truly made a difference in my life!
Filipino Scholar Beatrice Ang, who studied at Edinburgh University.
“We have been able to help scholars grow and mature as people”.
Malcolm added: “We also hold them to account in terms of their involvement in a church. We want to see them keep growing spiritually, having a spiritual life outside of the PhD.
“Their life and walk with God is far more important than that degree”.
Institutions blessed by Langham Scholars
Even the institutions themselves have expressed their gratitude for Scholar Care Coordinators. Liz shared: “I can think in at least three academic institutions in the UK, a professor or head of department has said to us ‘We are so blessed to have Langham Scholars here in our school because we know that Langham looks after its people’”.
Malcolm shared some of their highlights from over the years: “Graduation day is always a joy. The graduation day is great, but just to hear from them that they have passed!
“Knowing that there are people who care and pray for us is always invaluable encouragement for the long journey of pursuing a PhD.”
Japanese Scholar Surya Harefa, who studied in the Netherlands.
“But the standout for me is seeing them go back, knowing they’re heading into situations of great need. They’re returning with a huge new level of skills and abilities that they’ve gained and then being able to stay in touch with them and hear how they’re doing.
“The sorts of things we hear from some of our Scholars around the world, they’re doing amazing things, not just in their own situations, but in their regions, how they’re blessing many others through the gifts that God has given them in teaching and in writing.”
The ‘Langham Connection’ continues
Liz shared that she is hugely encouraged when she learns that a Scholar whom they have cared for has had a book published by Langham or is involved with Langham Preaching in their country.
“It’s very rewarding to see the ongoing connection”, Liz said.
“It’s been very meaningful and important for us to stick with people from countries that are in turmoil. We’ve felt so privileged to meet scholars from places like Ukraine [and other sensitive countries]. When our scholars are under pressure to study, they’re coping with enormous concerns for their families back home.”
The McGregors see it as “such a privilege” to support the Scholars in prayer as they return to serve in their home countries, having cared for 50- 60 Scholars between them.
One recent example is a graduate and her husband, who were supposed to be teaching in a seminary in a South Asian country, but due to political unrest plans were on hold.
Liz said: “They text us and say, ‘Will you pray? We’re not sure what to do’”.
Passing on the baton
Liz and Malcolm have passed on the baton to Reuben Aspden, who also lives in Scotland, and will be primarily overseeing the pastoral care of Scholars in the UK.
But for the McGregors, their important work hasn’t ended. Liz explained: “For us, working with the Langham Scholars has been about relationship, friendship and fellowship, and that doesn’t switch off.”
There are now over 355 Langham Graduates serving God around the world.