Canon David Short, executive director, the Artizo Institute

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A word from the Executive Director

"The growing understanding of the gospel itself is the key to being effective gospel ministers. It's interesting to me that the apostles and Jesus hardly ever urge us or command us or entreat us to do the work of evangelism. It used to puzzle me, but I think that when you come to see the gospel properly, it so grips you that you can be transparent with it to other people. I find that the ongoing deepening understanding of the gospel is one of the thing that holds me and motivates me to move forward in this task. That is why the Artizo internships are so valuable because the interns are not just hearing the gospel, they are immersed in ministry. There is nothing more exciting than seeing God at work through His gospel."

Canon David Short, Executive Director, Artizo

Meet Eric Thurston, the director of training

Eric Thurston was born in 1965 in Hamilton, Ontario. He holds a degree in engineering and management at McMaster University and worked in Canada, the Netherlands and Australia as an engineer. He spent two years in ministry apprenticeship (MTS) in Sydney, and four years at Moore Bible College, after which he was ordained as an Anglican minister. Before joining Artizo, Eric was responsible for training MTS apprentices as well as youth ministry trainees. Eric met his wife Judy on his second day in Australia. Married for 11 years, Eric and Judy have three children: Lucas, Jesse and Georgia. Eric loves to spend his spare time with his kids wrestling and talking about life. We asked Eric how he became a Christian.

Eric: I grew up going to church in Hamilton, but never made a commitment to Christ. I didn't really know what it meant to be a Christian. My sister became a Christian when I was about 12. When I left home to travel and work at the age of about 22 she continued to pray for me along with her husband. I think this prayer was an important reason why I became a Christian.

I arrived in Sydney when I was about 23 and was invited along to church by some guys I had moved in with. I didn't know they were Christians when I first moved in, but they were. Because I thought it would be a good way to meet Australians, I went along to the church, heard the gospel proclaimed and the Bible clearly taught for the first time and started to wonder if Jesus was really more than the fictional character that I thought He was.

After a few weeks one of the guys from the church (still a close friend) asked me if I wanted to read the Bible with him. I accepted and we started to read through the book of Mark together. After about 3 months, God allowed me to finally see clearly that Jesus was the Son of God and my Saviour. This is when I became a Christian and committed my life to following Him. Looking back, I can see how God had worked many years through people, circumstances and prayer to proclaim His gospel to me and change my heart.

Meet the 08/09 interns

Find out what the interns are training on for 2008/2009 by downloading a PDF copy of the Artizo Newsletter

Well known preacher Canon David Short mentors the Artizo interns on expository preaching

Meet the graduates

Artizo has trained many graduates. To read what the graduates have to say about their training, visit the Graduates link

Mentors and leaders

Canon Dr. James I. Packer, Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology, Director of the Anglican Studies Program at Regent College, and other prominent Christian leaders are supporters of the Artizo program. To read what they have to say about Artizo, visit this link

Artizo Trainer Rev. Eric Thurston

The Artizo Institute trains able, faithful, innovative and confident gospel ministers to know and understand the Bible, lead effectively, proclaim the gospel, and be able to train others to do the same. Artizo prepares young leaders for full-time ministry by allowing them to serve the body of Christ in their local church with experienced gospel ministers as mentors.
"Maturity in Christ, and usefulness for Christ are the gains that the Artizo program offers to Christian young men and women. I am enthusiatic about this program. Already, I can see Artizo alumni standing out as leaders."

The Artizo Institute