Auckland Park Theological Seminary - ATS

No matric required... get access into accredited Higher Education: https://www.ats.ac.za/academic-programmes/marketplace-minister-vocational-certificate/

If you have a non-theological Bachelor degree, but do not have an undergraduate qualification in Theology, you can register for our Preliminary BTh Hons as a means to get a basic foundation of Theology, and admission to ATS’ Bachelor Honours of Theology (BTh Hons). See the link below.

www.ats.ac.za

Response to comment on “Your ministry begins the day you start studying”

Dear Reader,

In my previous newsletter, “End-of-Year Letter from Prof Hattingh,” I stated, “Your ministry begins the day you start studying.”

Understandably, someone commented that “a Christian’s ministry may begin the day after they accept the Lord as their personal Saviour.” I see this as a chance to reply in an open letter, as I believe it may offer deeper understanding.

I agree that a Christian’s ministry can start the day they accept the Lord. I’ve personally seen a four-year-old girl start ministering to people on the street in an organised way, persuading them to accept Jesus as their Saviour, just a day after she was born again.

However, in my letter, I meant something different. I was focusing on students who feel God’s call to full-time ministry or any other ministry. This is about their struggles and their rush to complete their studies. As you may know, our qualifications include a degree or diploma with six main subjects over three years, rather than the usual 12 subjects for a degree. Also, most of our students are part-time, distance education learners with limited time for study. They often feel tempted to take on too many subjects at once. So, my advice is: “Enjoy your studies and grow spiritually in the fear of the Lord from the very first day.”

I remember three moments of personal ‘spiritual growth’ from my own student days:

About 57 years ago, I’ll never forget Pastor Frank Cronje, then principal at ATS, speaking on Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...” He stressed the phrase “at work within us.” At first, it felt like simple information, but it stayed with me. It completely changed how I understood the Holy Spirit’s work ‘within me’.

Another moment came during my early Greek studies, learning about the ongoing nature of the Greek present tense verb, which shows a continuing action. That night, I read: “...and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7). The thought of Jesus constantly standing before the Father for me hit me so hard that I raised my hand in the dark and said, “Father, if this child of yours dies tonight, he will be in heaven. Thank you.”

In another Greek class, we looked at Romans 8:31 (NKJV): “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Some translations might suggest the question is whether God is for us or not. That day, I learnt that the Greek wording focuses on the second part, meaning: “God is for us; who can truly be against us?” Paul then builds a powerful case for God’s help, grace, and love for us through Jesus Christ.

Some ATS students have told me they found their spiritual growth not in their home churches but during their studies at ATS. This surprised me. Yet, many pastors, including retired ones, have said their ministry was shaped by what they learnt at ATS.

We humbly thank God for this opportunity and commit ourselves to Him to do our very best to build His kingdom. We hold fast to Jesus’ words on the evening after His resurrection, when He spoke to His disciples behind locked doors: “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that, He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:21-22).

My advice to students remains: don’t rush, take your time, and enjoy your spiritual growth.

Sincerely,
Prof Jan Hattingh

Registration for 1st semester 2026 is now open: https://www.ats.ac.za/academic-programmes/

End-of-year letter from prof Jan Hattingh:

Dear Friends,

Auckland Park Theological Seminary will begin enrolling new students for the 2026 academic year next week 29 October, the Lord willing.

We are thrilled, as we have more than 300 students this year, and based on the interest we are experiencing so far, we anticipate an enrolment of over 400 students. We are excited because we trust the Lord for a Holy Spirit revival, and history shows us that a revival tends to coincide with more people being called by God to study Theology. The term "Theology" comes from Theos (God) and Logos (word or discourse), meaning to talk and think about God. All people talk about God, even sinners, whether in a positive or negative way. Theology is about more deeply knowing God, the Bible, people with their diverse needs, and God's saving grace.

The problems of the world and our country cry out for a Holy Spirit revival. A Spirit-filled Christian has a daring opportunity to make a difference.

At ATS, we recognise that the Lord has encountered a student before we meet them. The student is, in fact, already sent by God to ATS to be trained. Therefore, our constant prayer is: Lord, what exactly do You want ATS to build into Your called people, and how must we do it?

We have developed a philosophy whereby we are constantly thinking and planning: What does this called man or woman need to know, be able to do, and what should their personality and character be, so that they can foster the coming of the Lord's kingdom through God's Word and the Holy Spirit? We could compile a curriculum by selecting numerous modules that we think would attract more students to ATS, or we could ask: What is God's aim (purpose)? ATS let this question direct our development of our curriculum.

Upcoming Course for Retired People

You will notice that ATS offers a variety of courses, as God calls different people with diverse needs. A soon to be launched offering is a course for retired people. We recognise that people are living longer and can embark on a new life-purpose adventure. They have a wealth of experience, freedom, independence, and, by God's grace, often good health. It would be a sin not to acknowledge this enormous potential and provide the finishing touch needed. In our next newsletter we will provide the detailed information.

Marketplace Ministry Certificate

In 2025 we also started the Marketplace Ministry vocational certificate, especially for younger people who wish to minister in a challenging marketplace context, without becoming ordained pastors. They desire the freedom to listen to the Lord, accept His will, and face this challenging world - a place where dark forces are at work.

Short course preparing school leavers

We will make an announcement in November about a short course that Sunday schools and/or youth pastors can use to prepare their young people for the adult world, to live as independent, God-fearing Christians.

Your ministry begins the day you start studying. Don't be in a hurry to finish quickly. Enjoy your studies and grow spiritually in the fear of the Lord from the very first day.

May you experience God's love, the truth of the Bible, the working of the Holy Spirit, and excellence at ATS. You are very welcome.

Jan Hattingh

When you say “Baptism in the Holy Spirit”, then you also say “calling”, the power of God in a dark world, the truth of Jesus, and the coming of God’s kingdom. https://www.ats.ac.za/blog/the-baptism-in-the-holy-spirit-in-perspective/

Today is Ascension Day.

Eighty percent of South Africans identify themselves as Christians, yet it was decided that Ascension Day should not be a public holiday as South Africa is a secular country. Not that we want more public holidays; South Africa has more than enough. The issue is that at times we make decisions that are deemed to be “wise” and “progressive” but that have the consequence that the Creator of Heaven and Earth, our Saviour, is metaphorically not even welcome at the back door of our world.

To all who celebrate Ascension Day with us at work, in school, at home, in hospital, in prison and in university, we cry in unison with the Holy Spirit, “Come, Lord Jesus, come.”

We hope that this essay will strengthen you. We have a special place in this world - a place to dwell through His Word and Spirit.

Ascension Day - Auckland Park Theological Seminary Blog A reflection on Revelation 12 (verses 5-6, 13-14) 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that […]