The Pastors' College, London - Spurgeon (1855-1920)
Back in 1855, Spurgeon led a young man to the Lord. This young man was a gifted preacher, but Spurgeon thought that he needed some training, so he committed to financing his tuition and support. This put quite a strain on his finances, particularly when he got married, but he was already thinking about financing another young man who showed a lot of potential. After training the young man soon found a pastorate, and Spurgen took on another pupil. Friends heard of this new venture and contributed towards it so that there were soon over twelve students. When the Tabernacle opened, the 'Pastors College' moved to the basement of the building. Spurgeon aimed to train men with proven giftings; they had to show they were good at preaching and that God wanted them in ministry. There had to be a definite sign of a Divine call. Some of the students paid for themselves, but poverty was never a bar to admission; nor was a lack of education, even someone unable to read would be admitted. "Have you won souls for Jesus?" was the primary question asked of applicants. Spurgeon looked for men who loved Jesus and loved people.
On one occasion, an expected source of finances dried up, so Spurgeon paid the bills out of his own money, until he had none left to give. But Spurgeon was a man of faith; he believed that prayer would make a way in any circumstance, so he prevailed (travailed) in prayer and immediately £200 was deposited for the College, and then more money came in. After some years, the College had outgrown the Tabernacle, so a separate building was built, and on opening in September 1874, it was fully paid for. At the time of Spurgeon's death, nearly nine hundred men had been sent out from the College. It was calculated that up to 1880, the graduates had baptised 39,000 people. Quite a legacy!
Additional Information
The College was built just behind the Metropolitan Tabernacle, which was bigger than it is now. It was moved in the 1920's to bigger premises in South Norwood and renamed Spurgeon's College.