A Life Rewritten by Grace

Josh Thorne’s story is one marked by radical transformation—a young man who once turned his back on God, only to be lovingly drawn back and completely changed. God’s grace met Josh at rock bottom and began reshaping his life from the inside out. Now, just a few years later, Josh is studying theology at Trinity and training for vocational ministry—driven by a desire to share the same hope that rescued him.

Growing up in High Wycombe, Josh had some early exposure to Christianity. But as a teenager, he stepped away from faith and embraced a lifestyle of partying, drugs, and emptiness.

Looking back, Josh describes those years as “really wild living” with no purpose or meaning. Though deep down he believed God existed, he wasn’t willing to repent or live for him. Instead, he pursued fleeting pleasures, heading down a dark path—but God’s kindness and love met him at his lowest. 

A friend’s invitation to church opened a door to something different. About five years ago, Josh began attending Providence Midland, where the gospel and the warmth of the community gradually broke through his hardened heart. He recalls how people—strangers just a short time before—made space for him, inviting him to dinner, Bible studies, and walking alongside him with genuine care.

This unexpected welcome became the turning point. The love shown to him reflected God’s grace, drawing Josh back to faith. He describes the experience as a return to the Father’s house after a long time away. From that moment, Josh’s life began a new trajectory.

His initial connection with church quickly grew into involvement in youth ministry and serving on camps. Being asked to write Bible talks for youth group challenged Josh to dive deeper into Scripture, and planted a desire to know God’s Word more thoroughly. This passion has now led him to Trinity, where he is currently studying a Diploma of Theology part-time. 

Josh also commenced a full-time ministry apprenticeship with his church at the start of 2025, eager to be better equipped to share the grace that changed his life. It was his senior pastor who convinced him to give the apprenticeship a go.

“We had some long conversations about how it would tie in really well with my study at Trinity, and he kind of wore me down and convinced me that I should do it, and twisted my arm,” Josh laughs. “And I’m really glad that he did, because it’s been such a blessing so far.”

Josh has already seen how his theological training at Trinity is directly shaping his ministry. He recently completed a unit on Old Testament theology, which included an in-depth study of Genesis. Not long after, his church and youth group began a teaching series on Genesis—something he sees as no coincidence. 

“That’s just God’s providence,” he says. The timing affirmed for Josh that God is using his time at Trinity to equip him for ministry in meaningful, practical ways. Being able to engage deeply with Scripture in class has helped him approach youth ministry with greater clarity and confidence. 

“Learning about Genesis at a theological level through Trinity has really equipped me to come to the youth group and go, ‘What’s the heart of Genesis? What is it really trying to tell us? And how can I communicate that clearly and at an appropriate level?’”

For Josh, one of the standout reasons to recommend Trinity Theological College is its unwavering commitment to the authority of Scripture. He’s been deeply encouraged by how the teaching consistently upholds the Bible as the highest authority in all areas of learning. “You are learning the Scriptures and you are keeping them as the primary source of authority throughout your learning,” he explains. 

Josh believes it’s Trinity’s posture of humility and deep reverence for Scripture that sets it apart. Combined with lecturers who genuinely care and consistently go the extra mile for their students, it’s what makes him eager to recommend the college—even if, as he says with a grin, he’s “a little biased.”

Josh would love prayer for Blokes Camp, which he’s team-leading from 14–19 July for boys in high school. Please pray that God would open hearts to the gospel, and that the boys would come to know and grow in God’s great love for them. He also asks for prayer for his street evangelism ministry in Midland: that God would raise up more workers to share the gospel, that doors would open, hearts would be receptive, and that Josh would speak the good news of Jesus with clarity and boldness.