A Call to Rethink Ministry Amid COVID19 Pandemic

A Call to Rethink Ministry Amid COVID19 Pandemic

Press Release on the Occasion of EGST 20th Graduation

November 7, 2020 at the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

 

The Board of the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST) in its meeting held on October 30, 2020 approved the graduation of all the 54 candidates recommended by the Faculty Council.

On November 7, 2020 EGST awards Post Graduate Degrees to these 20th batch of candidates in its campus. The 54 Graduates (10 female, 44 males) are composed of five programs. 15 in Biblical and Theological Studies, 13 in Leadership and Management, 10 in Development Studies , 15 in Post-graduate Diploma in Biblical and Theological Studies and 1  in Master of Theology.

With the current 54 graduates included, EGST has graduated a total of 656 Post graduate and Masters Alumni in its 23 years of service. EGST is currently in the first round of admission and expect to accept new students in its four programmes for the next academic year 2021/2022.

On their messages to the prospective graduates, EGST leaders made remarks for the graduates to faithfully serve the Lord amid difficult situations such as COVID-19 pandemic, and to present their ministries in a genuine, Biblical and holistic manner.

Dr. Eyasu Elias, President of the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church (EKHC) in his congratulatory message to the graduates encouraged them not to be negligent of the great opportunities God brings to serve Him and His people. He quoted the history of King Hezekiah from 2 Chronicles 29:1-11 on how he made commitment to do what is right in the sight of the Lord amid a national crisis and spiritual decline. He also stated, “It is our sincere prayer that you will be blessings for the churches and society that you serve and that your ministry would help the church to grow and mature. “

Rev. Dr. Yonas Yigezu, President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), remarked that COVID 19 pandemic has caused unprecedented troubles in all aspects of life, not only on the academic functions, but also on social, psychological, and economical aspects of life. He also encouraged graduates to “serve the Lord with an utmost faithfulness and diligence; go with courage and excitement as the unfailing accompaniment of the Lord is always with you.”

 

Pastor Tsadiku Abdo, President of the Evangelical Churches Fellowship of Ethiopia (ECFE), on his part encouraged the graduates that joining EGST was not a coincidence, but part of God’s plan for their lives, and that it is their duty and role to find their own calling and keep the vision before them no matter what and to keep pressing on!

He noted that the Ethiopian church is in a dire need of good and sound Biblical teachers and expositors to guard the evangelical Christianity. He admonished the graduates to be filled with the values of Evangelical Christianity, so that the pure aroma of Christ is diffused to everyone around them.  Most importantly, he encouraged graduates to follow suit with the life of Christ that he pour out his life and shared it with the community.

EGST Board Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Wakseyoum Idosa, in his note said that “COVID 19 virus pandemic was a wakeup call for our society and particularly for the church. Both society and the church have been challenged to think and re-think the way we have been living and working, the way we communicate and cooperate as we work together” He also encouraged the graduates in their task of providing “theological reflections which can guide the thinking and actions of the church- its identity, its practice of worship, its mission and its role of pastoral care in a time such as this.”

EGST Director, Rev. Dr. Misgana Mathewos on his part recalled graduates to be aware of the timing and context while the graduation takes place. He noted, “it is the time when our country and its societies are inflicted by multiple crises caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic, intermittent ethnic-based violence, lawlessness, and unjust approaches towards GERD by certain international communities.” The director encouraged graduates to “reflect regularly on the nature of the season to know how to wield positive contribution to the establishment and betterment of our societies according to God’s will.”  He also brought into attention the “majestic Reformation that’ EGST was established by three ecclesial bodies, EECMY, EKHC, and ECFE, who themselves were founded on the foundation of the Reformation” He charged graduates that it is their duty and responsibility to “always stand for genuine biblical and historic Christianity vis-à-vis androcentric, materialistic Christian-like movements, and to pursue Christ-like leadership vis-à-vis self-centred one”

 

The graduation event is planned to include speeches, a sermon, worship, academic awards, testimonies and charge to the graduates among other activities. Religious leaders from different ecumenical traditions as well as government officials are expected to attend the event.

EGST exists to equip Christ-like women and men through theological and related studies and stimulate research for the service of church and society in Ethiopia and beyond. The main areas of work are teaching, research and community engagement.

EGST currently offers post- graduate studies ranging from Post Graduate Diploma(PGD) to Doctor of Philosophy(PhD).Post Graduate Diploma in Biblical and Theological Studies (PGD), Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies (MABTS), Master of Arts in Leadership and Management (MALM), Master of Arts in Development Studies with specialization areas in Community Development and Theology and Gender, Health and Theology (MADevS), Master of Theology (MTh). EGST is also offering doctoral studies programme in partnership with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VUA) which was launched in October 2017.

In 2010, EGST has been awarded accreditation by the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA), recognizing the teaching standards and contextual relevance of EGST’s programs as well as the overall administration and resources of the school.

Furthermore, on March 14, 2019 after an extensive international peer review of its programs, EGST has also received validation to all its programmes from the Free University of Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), founded by former Prime Minister of Holland Abraham Kipper.

EGST is registered in Ethiopia according to Proclamation Number 691/2003 by the former Ministry of Federal Affairs currently renamed as Ministry of Peace to serve church and society with the objective of teaching, research and community engagement.

 

 (EGST Public Relations Communications, November 6, 2020 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.) For more information contact us at millionze@egst.edu.et  0911444957).

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