How One Conversation Changed Everything

For Audia Liem, theological study isn’t just about acquiring knowledge for the present—she’s studying for eternity. After years of leading children’s ministry and wondering about formal training, it took just one conversation to transform her uncertainty into action. Now enrolled in Christ College’s Ministry Training for Women (MTW) program, she’s discovering the value of being trained well for ministry, equipped with tools that will serve the kingdom not only for now, but into eternity.

“I grew up going to a Christian school in Jakarta, but I’m from a non-Christian family. My parents are Buddhist,” Audia explains. 

Her introduction to church came through family connections—her parents were happy for her aunt and uncle to take her to church as a young child. 

When Audia moved to Australia in 2008 as a 13-year-old, she was blessed to have a fairly large extended family already living in Sydney. Many of her family members were believers, so they took her to church and she got involved with a youth group from the very start.

“What I didn’t realise until I came to Australia is that the church in Indonesia was teaching more about moralism rather than teaching that Jesus is the only way you can be saved,” Audia reflects. 

Joining the Indonesian Presbyterian Church in Kingsford—specifically the English-speaking Kingsway Church—opened her eyes to God’s incredible grace. That put Audia on a trajectory towards serving Him in a bigger capacity.

Today, Audia works full-time as both a pediatric nurse and community nurse, balancing shift work with an active role in women’s ministry at her church. For more than a decade she had been leading the children ministry and training others in that space. Now she’s handed that over to someone else while she focuses on discipling women.

Because of her extensive and ongoing lay ministry experience, formal theological training has been at the back of Audia’s mind for quite some time.

“Ever since I started serving, I had a lot of people asking if I had ever considered getting equipped for vocational ministry, but there had always been things that kind of stopped me,” Audia admits.

Everything changed through an unexpected conversation with Carmelina Read, Dean of Women at Christ College and MTW coordinator. 

“It was just one evening where I had a conversation with Carmelina… and here I am,” laughs Audia.

The practical aspects of the program proved perfect for her circumstances. With classes just once a month and the flexibility to accommodate her shift work, the two-year part-time program became accessible in a way that traditional modes of study hadn’t been. 

The curriculum has already proven invaluable to her ministry. Last semester’s focus on pastoral care equipped her with tools for situations beyond her usual experience with young families and university students. 

“Learning about how to provide pastoral care to elderly people, to a married couple and divorcees, or a widow… things I’ve never really come across before,” Audia reflects.

Reading assignments like The Trellis and the Vine have provided immediate practical value: “I got to share it with the girls at church about what ministry is all about—about discipleship.”

This semester’s church history studies continue to broaden her perspective, particularly regarding where women sit in the history of the church and in the Presbyterian church.

For Audia, the decision to pursue theological training comes down to stewardship and urgency. Her advice to other women considering the program reflects this conviction: “If they have been thinking about ministry and wondering how they can encourage people within the church, why not be trained for it properly? The time is short. We don’t know when Jesus is going to come back, and if our mission is to share the gospel… why not do it?”

As she continues balancing nursing with ministry preparation, Audia remains open to whatever God might have planned, grateful for training that equips her not just for now, but forever.