The Camp, the Bible and the Calling

When Koh Saito began his Masters of Divinity at Christ College in 2025, it marked the next step in a journey that had been a long time in the making.

Growing up in the North Shore of Sydney, Koh had no exposure to the gospel as a child. But that changed at 13, when his mum sent him to a summer youth camp run by St Paul’s Chatswood—a decision that would reshape his life. 

“There was something really beautiful about the Christian community there,” Koh reflects. “They were investing, caring, welcoming, warm and hospitable in a way that I hadn’t experienced.”

Even before the camp, God was already at work. Koh picked up a Bible for the first time and opened up to the first chapter of 1 Timothy. One verse in particular stood out: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. By day four of the five-day camp, Koh put his trust in Jesus. From then on, ministry was never far from his mind. 

“By year 10 or 11 of high school, I was pretty convinced about going into vocational ministry,” Koh admits. “It was maybe a bit naive, but it was definitely a genuine conviction. Why would I not want to do this for the rest of my life?” 

After finishing high school, he trained as a high school teacher, majoring in English and modern history at UNSW. During that time he also worked as a Scripture teacher—which led to a long-term involvement in youth ministry.

Over time, his theological convictions also became clearer. While serving with the student group Student Outreach to the World (SOW) at university, Koh was exposed to Presbyterian theology through his chaplains and a steady stream of Christ College lecturers who spoke at events. 

“I met Jon Pratt in 2020, I met John McLean in 2021… even four years before starting at Christ College, I had met some of those people,” Koh shares.

The pandemic also played a surprising role. 

“While everyone else was binging TV shows or movies, I was binging lectures,” he laughs, referring to resources released by Ligonier Ministries. “I think that my theological formation… a lot of that was through SOW and through Ligonier, and they’re both more Presbyterian influences.”

Midway through 2023, Koh began part-time youth ministry at Ashfield Presbyterian Church alongside Scripture teaching, and when 2025 rolled around, he replaced his Scripture teaching role with studying at Christ College. 

“I feel like I’m at home,” Koh says simply. “I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

The experience so far has lived up to years of anticipation: “Something I heard from a lot of people was they appreciated being able to interact a lot with their lecturers. I think I’ve appreciated that more now that I’m actually here.” 

A highlight has been the immersive experience of College mission week: “We were able to chat a lot with Jon Pratt about life and ministry and theology—big picture, small picture, in the weeds.”

Koh also points to the tight-knit community as a real strength.

“I’ve been able to get to know people in different cohorts, and I’ve found that to be really fruitful,” he says. That same relational richness, he says, extends to the faculty as well: “The value of being close to your lecturers—I think that’s really important.”

As for the future, Koh hopes to continue in youth ministry.

“Long-term youth ministers are rare in Presbyterian circles, and statistically, the biggest drop off in faith happens during late high school or early uni, so you want people who are trained for youth ministry; people who are committed to it long-term,” Koh shares.

Looking back, the path to college may have taken time—but Koh wouldn’t change a thing. 

“If I got given $10 billion right now, I’d probably do more or less exactly the same things I’m doing. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”