Welcome to Laidlaw College

In the 1st century, the apostle Paul encouraged the church in the Roman-occupied city of Philippi to hold fast to the word of life. These words from the Bible are featured on the crest of Laidlaw College and have become a distinctive characteristic of all who seek to know God deeply and yearn to bring hope and love to a world too often experienced as violent, lonely and without meaning.

Scholars debate whether Paul is instructing us to hold on to the word of life (to cling to it) or hold out the word of life (to offer it to others). Is he writing about discipleship or evangelism? Transformed life or mission? Surely both are in view. And the image of holding God’s story of life in Christ remains fundamental. God has spoken life! And we are invited, indeed commanded, to hold that word close, feeding from it, loving it and then displaying its beauty and hope to others through our lives and relationships.

Laidlaw College invites you into an encounter with God and others who are seeking to live transformative lives of influence in churches and schools, families and businesses, as counsellors, leaders and pastors. Through a deep commitment to the gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection we long to participate in God’s story for Aotearoa and its diverse cultures in the 21st century. This will require renewed imaginations, passionate hearts, persevering study, reflective thought, deep lament and joyful celebration.

We trust you will consider joining us.