Benson Barnett’s mission was to train people for Christian service in Australia and overseas.
Without exception, God’s provision through the prayers and generosity of His people has enabled the College to prepare students for gospel service at home and overseas for nearly 100 years.
The story of the early days of SMBC (as recorded in Benson Barnett’s prayer diary ‘Memories of God’s Great Goodness’) is a moving account of utter dependence on God and his provision.
“Not only are we a Bible College, but we are a Missionary College, sending forth the message of salvation to all the ends of the earth.”
‘Memories of God’s Great Goodness’
Benson Barnett’s prayer diary
30 November 1916
“We are taught by Christ, that we are to pray to the Lord of the Harvest that He will send forth labourers into His harvest field…”
“…had I sufficient confidence, in the God whom I had trusted, first for my own salvation, then for service in China in connection with the China Inland Mission,…to step out and start a work of Bible Training for Christian Service? I had no money, not even enough to take a ticket for myself and family to go to Sydney (from Adelaide), let alone live there. I had no ‘friends’ there…”
“…together the matter was laid before God by us as a family. Was it what God wanted and could such a thing be done, as to go to Sydney and start a home there, for the training of men in the Word of God for Christian service, by a man who had no money and no influence…”
“…where would students come from at such a time, even if such a place were started? It was a time of being cast upon God. He was all sufficient and we gave thanks then as we have since that we were shut up into Him alone. The memory is precious today…”