Bible College for the full-time worker: how one physiotherapist found a flexible plan to theological training

Juggling a busy schedule is a familiar reality for most Christians. Between work commitments as a physiotherapist, serving at church and supporting her husband during his Christ College traineeship, Alysha Cheng is all too familiar with the fast-paced nature of life. This however, hasn’t stopped her from pursuing her desire to study God’s word. 

Alysha first considered theological study when she attended Christ College’s Open Night in 2024. During the evening she was able to get a fuller picture of what studying at the College could look like and learnt about the Ministry Training for Women (MTW) program. At the time her husband Psalm had started his ministry traineeship with the College and she felt encouraged to think about pursuing part-time study alongside him, but needed some time to adjust to the change of Psalm starting his traineeship. 

This wouldn’t be the first time Alysha and Psalm would study alongside each other. When studying physiotherapy at uni together, they enjoy learning together, and later enjoyed debriefing their work days together. Now, after completing the intensive unit, Alysha was keen to keep learning alongside her husband, but this time in theological education. 

“I wanted to support my husband in his ministry, and get some training to serve alongside him,” Alysha shares. She particularly was looking to gain more skills in the area of discipling young women in following Jesus and to become better equipped to serve at her church’s youth group. 

Flexibility that worked

Despite her enthusiasm to study at Christ College, Alysha wasn’t sure the commitment of study, on top of her other roles in work, church and life, was something she could handle. Having a desire to study is one thing, but being able to fit study into an already busy schedule is something Alysha needed to feel confident about before taking the next step. 

Having these hesitations, Alysha put her decision about studying on pause; that was until she connected with the Dean of Women at Christ College, Carmelina Read. Carmelina reached out to Alysha to check how she was going with supporting Psalm during his ministry traineeship. Her conversation with Carmelina started as a check-in and turned into Carmelina encouraging Alysha to consider enrolling in the MTW program. Carmelina understood Alysha’s need to undertake a program that didn’t require a full time commitment, but could work in with her existing commitments. Unlike traditional part-time or full-time study options, the MTW program prepares women for all types of ministry. The program, coordinated by Carmelina, includes 10 lectures per year, as well as one-to-one mentoring and peer support. 

The MTW program ticked all of Alysha’s boxes. Part-time study spread across two years, with hybrid lecture options and support she hadn’t heard of in other theological courses. Having this confidence in the flexibility and support Christ College could offer, Alysha signed up for MTW early this year. 

The MTW Experience

When Alysha started the MTW program she was blessed to meet such a wide range of women, from younger to older and in all different seasons of life. Having a diverse group of women studying alongside her has been encouraging, spurring her on to continue seeking to serve God with the gifts he has given her. “I’m hoping to use the knowledge and skills I’ve been taught to disciple girls and young women at my church with more confidence,” Alysha says. 

There have been challenges along the way, sacrificing free time to attend classes and complete assessments. But Alysha has found the sacrifices worth it, particularly in the ways it has complemented and enhanced her responsibilities in serving at her church. 

“I used to find it daunting to know what to say if someone was to come to me for advice,” Alysha admits. “Through the Ministry Training for Women (MTW) program I have felt better equipped and more comfortable in how to do this, by pointing people towards our all knowing and loving God, rather than to myself or my own wisdom. God’s wisdom is so much greater!” 

Studying theology has helped Alysha understand the cohesive nature of the story of the Bible better and have a greater appreciation for the intentionality of God in how he has put the scriptures together. “I can see God’s consistent loving character throughout the entire Bible, and his design to redeem us from the very moment humanity turned away from him,” Alysha explains. Appreciating God’s great love for humanity has helped Alysha grow in humility and build on her understanding of God and his overarching redemptive story in the Bible. 

When Alysha reflects on her time in the MTW program, she is grateful for the opportunity to connect with other faithful women and experience the joy of community under Christ. Alysha has experienced first hand Christ College being a place where people run the race together. Christ College is committed to offering flexible study options for full-time workers who want to invest in a theological degree or diploma. To learn more about what study options fit your needs, come along to Christ College’s Open Night on September 16th 2026.