About Us
Our Story:
The Legacy of Vera May Whittingham
The Vera May was born in Canada of English parents in the year 1913. Her mother died when she was a baby. As a result she was raised by her father who died when she was in twenties. She was married at eighteen. Her husband died after 43 years of marriage. She was a widow for 39 years. She died on the 29th October 2013, at the good old age of 101 years.
She started attending the Church when the late Rev. Dr. Austin K. Smith took pastoral responsibility at the Toronto Gospel Lighthouse Church in downtown Toronto, Canada. Vera May asked Pastor Smith and his wife if they would take care of her and her affairs when she was unable to. They both agreed and did as promised. She was asked by Pastor Smith to leave something in her WILL that could be used to build a Memorial to her name to which she agreed.
Rt. Rev. Dr. M. Stanley Jose, the founder and president of the New Life Kingdom Ministries & New Life Bible College visited Canada in 1997. It was by divine providence that he met with Dr. Smith. As a result of their ministerial relationship and bond of Christian love over a period, Dr. Smith shared his dream in doing something in memory of Vera May in India. Consequently with the help of Dr. Smith the dream became a reality in the establishment of a memorial center in Chennai.
Accordingly, the Bible College name has been changed to “Vera May Whittingham Memorial College of Theology (VMWMCT)” to which Rev. DR. Smith’s role is exceedingly commendable. He consented to be the International chairperson to the college then.
Our Vision
THE VISION is to grow and make more of an impact as we train and equip students to resource the Church.
Our Mission
THE MISSION is to glorify God by equipping godly servant-leaders for the proclamation of His Word and the building up of the body of Christ.
Our Commitment
In order to equip men and women for ministry as godly servant-leaders, VMWMCT is committed to encourage the development of godly character in each student who enrolls for theological education and pastoral ministry. In the courses offered, “Students take a journey into the heart of pastoral care from its biblical and theological roots to its practice in contemporary Christian ministry. Emphasis is placed on understanding pastoral care as a spiritual ministry directed caring for souls in a way that guides people to discover the presence, compassion and power of God in whatever circumstances they are facing.” Therefore, the college is committed to the preparation of students who are called by God with deeper commitment to Jesus Christ and are marked by biblical and theological knowledge and maturing spirituality, along with the skills necessary for pastoral and church-based ministries.
Through the church-based training, students are encouraged to grow spiritually in their personal relationship with God to function responsibly within the Christian community and to engage and witness to the world from a life of faith and integrity. VMWMCT is committed to helping Church leaders develop the servant-hood leadership as modeled by Jesus Christ and the apostles. Christ’s model leadership results from the gracious working of God the Holy Spirit through a person’s experience, theological training, spiritual gifting, natural talents, and the empowerment of God’s Spirit. Moreover, the training program might not only increased skills but also change one’s heart.
Accredited and Recognized
Vera May Whittingham Memorial College of Theology is proud to be accredited by the National Theological Association (NTA), ensuring our programs meet high standards of academic and theological excellence.