On our training courses, Christians of all ages from different Churches across Sussex and beyond come together for Biblical instruction and training, and warm fellowship.
Through lectures, group work, class discussions and teaching workshops, students on the course gain the following:
A firm understanding of the Bible & its teaching
Confidence and ability to share the Bible with others
A practical understanding of biblical ministry
The Courses
Sussex Ministry Training Course (SMTC)
The Sussex Ministry Training Course (SMTC) is run over three 11-week terms on a Tuesday, in Cuckfield, near Haywards Heath, starting in September every year. The course day runs from 10am to 4:15pm at Cuckfield Baptist Church. Students who complete the first year have an option of continuing for a second year that builds on the foundation laid in year one.
Saturday Morning Bible Training Course (SMBTC)
The Saturday Morning Bible Training Course (SMBTC) is a cut-down version of year one of the Tuesday course aimed at those who are not free to undertake a week-day course. Students are required to attend once each month (excluding August) from 9:30am to 1:00pm and it takes two years to complete the course. To widen accessibility, the SMBTC is run in various locations across Sussex (East/Mid/West). The next course for 1st year enrolment is due to run from Eastbourne (All Saints Church) from September 2026 to Summer 2027; for 2nd year students the course continues from September 2026 to summer 2027 in Hove and Hastings. Students who complete the Saturday course have the option of taking year two of the Tuesday course. The lectures on all our courses are recorded so that students who miss a session are able to catch up on-line.
If you have any questions about either training course, please contact us.
Applications for courses beginning September 2026 are now OPEN.
Scroll down for online application forms.
Course Content
Bible Overview
Travelling from Genesis to Revelation, we get a bird’s-eye view of the Bible. Students find it very exciting and informative to learn how it all fits together from Creation to New Creation. This provides a vital foundation for a full understanding of each of the individual parts of the Bible.
Principles of Exposition
In depth study of different Bible books from different genres, showing how to teach and apply them in the 21st century.
Workshop Streams
We offer a chance to gain experience in either Preaching r leading Bible studies or Children’s ministry or 1:1 ministry, with feedback from experienced workshop leaders. After preparing passages in the first term, students practise giving talks or leading Bible studies in a group setting.
Bible Books
We study several books in-depth as well as a brief overview of a number of other books. This not only grows our understanding of the books we study, but helps to illustrate the Principles of Exposition. This year in SMTC Yr1, we expect to cover Matthew, Exodus, Isaiah, Daniel and 1 Thessalonians in-depth. There is an opportunity to study further Bible books on SMTC Yr2, including Hebrews/Revelation and an in-depth study of Romans.
Christian Doctrine
This is where we examine what the Bible teaches about a number of basic themes. We look at a range of topics including the nature of God, the person of Christ, his death and resurrection, the nature of the Word of God and the work of the Trinity. Many more areas of doctrine are covered on year 2 of the SMTC.
Additional Topics
Both courses aim to equip students to be confident in handling the word of God, whether in the context of giving a talk, leading a Bible study or reading the Bible with a friend one-to-one. In addition, the SMTC provides further practical training for a wide range of ministry contexts, covering topics such as explaining the gospel, handling questions people ask, working in a team, men’s ministry, women’s ministry (in which we teach a complementarian approach), youth work and church planting. Students who go on to year 2 of the SMTC also have the opportunity to cover topics related to leadership, Christian ethics and apologetics.
Who Teaches on the course?
- Spencer Shaw is the Director of SGP He became a Christian as a child and worked as an industrial physicist before training for ministry. Before coming to Sussex in 2025 served as a church Pastor in the Westcounty for 23 years.
- Jon Hobbs is the SGP Associate Trainer, teaching on the training courses and speaking at training events. Alongside his role with the SGP, he leads Grace Church Haywards Heath.
Other experienced ministers and speakers who teach on the course from time to time include:
- Rev Sam Carter
- Rev PJ Guy
- Nick Mcquaker
- Rev Steve Rees
- Rev Nick Ashton
- Janine Bending
- Pastor Will Cockram
- Pastor Mark Ventham
- Pastor Graham Nicholls
- Rev Rory Graham
- Pastor Roger Barden
- Rev John Woods
- Pastor David Lowries
- Rev Nick Tucker
- Adam Thrift
- Rich Arnold
- Richard Vincent
- Nigel Styles
- Rev Steve Finch
- Pastor John Cowley
Taking things further
No particular academic qualifications are required to undertake the SMTC or the SMBTC but you must be aged 16 or over at the start of the course. Course participants must, however, share our conviction that the Bible is the true and living Word of God, and have a commitment to Bible-centred ministry. Applicants will be expected to have the support of their church leader (who will be asked to supply a reference on their behalf) for their participation in the course. Course applicants may be interviewed before being offered a place. If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Jourdain, SGP Administrator, via our contact us page.
If you have any questions about either training course, please contact us.
Tuesday Course Details & Brochure Download (SMTC)
We are now taking applications for the Sussex Ministry Training Course starting again in September 2026.
The course runs on Tuesdays from 10am to 4:15pm, for 33 weeks in the year (over three terms) at Cuckfield Baptist Church, Each term includes a half-term break corresponding with the school half term. Term dates are shown at the bottom of this page.
Fees are £825 for the year, payable in 3 termly instalments of £275. This covers all course material. (Participation in optional course outings may incur a small additional charge.)
Saturday Course Details & Brochure Download (SMBTC)
We are now taking applications for the course running in Eastbourne from September 2026 to July 2028.
Students will meet monthly (except August) from 9:30am and 1:00pm at All Saints Church, 21a Grange Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4HE.
Fees for the 2-year Saturday Morning Bible Training Course are £99 per term (total cost £594 with 6 terms over 2 years). This covers all course material.
Term Dates
Sussex Ministry Training Course (2026/2027)
Autumn Term 2026
- Starts: Tuesday, September 22
- Half term: Tuesday, October 27
- Last day of term: Tuesday, December 8
Spring Term 2027
- Starts: Tuesday, January 5
- Half term: Tuesday, February 16
- Last day of term: Tuesday, March 23
Summer Term 2027
- Starts: Tuesday, April 13
- Half term: Tuesday, June 1
- Last day of term: Tuesday, July 6
Saturday Morning Bible Training Course
(Eastbourne 2026 to 2027 – year 1)
Autumn Term 2026
Sep 12, Oct 10, Nov 7, Dec 5
Spring Term 2027
Jan 16, Feb 6 , Mar 6, Apr 24
Summer Term 2027
May 22, Jun 19, Jul 17
Year 2 dates (2027/2028)
to be confirmed asap
Saturday Morning Bible Training Course
(Hove/Hastings 2026 to 2027 – year 2)
Autumn Term 2026
Sep 19, Oct 17, Nov 7, Dec 12
Spring Term 2027
Jan 9, Feb 13, Mar 13 (tbc)
Summer Term 2027
Apr 17, May 8, Jun 12, Jul 10
