Alumni
EGST has a growing Alumni Association, which is supported by EGST and works closely with the Head of Student Affairs. Membership of the Alumni Association is automatic on graduation, and all Alumni receive the EGST Newsletter as well as invitations to key events, seminars and lectures at EGST. All Alumni are encouraged to stay in touch with EGST and one another in order to encourage, share burdens, and practice our different ministries for the advancement of God’s kingdom and the common good.
Due to the geographic dispersion of EGST Alumni within Ethiopia and beyond, the primary means of contact is by e-mail. On graduation, students will be asked to complete a contact and vocational details form, which will be stored on EGST’s database for purposes of administration and communication. It is the responsibility of Alumni to advise EGST of any change in these details.
The Alumni Association will have its own committee that works for the advancement of alumni and serves as a liaison between EGST and the alumni.
Should you have any inquiries, and as Alumni in order to update your addresses and learn more about the association and events it organises, please contact the current Alumni Chairperson, Ato Natnael Assefa: Alumni@egst.edu.et
Hilina Belachew
“The lessons which I have gained through our teachers were incredible. They didn’t only equip us to be academically knowledgeable but also helped us to see problems with in the spiritual insights.” – Hilina Belachew, EGST Alumnus
My name is Hlina Belachew, Community Development and Theology graduate. By profession I am a Civil Engineer, working in one of the prominent governmental organization as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
My journey at EGST was very interesting part of my life. I was a part time student here, and when I arrived at the EGST compound, the smile and welcoming face starts at the gate and it continues while we learn and communicate with our teachers and friends. The start-up prayer before the classes had a healing power which enabled me to forget what I have been through during the day and encourages me to always come here with courage and hope.
The lessons which I have gained through our teachers were incredible. They didn’t only equip us to be academically knowledgeable but also helped us to see problems with in the spiritual insights. This was what we can’t find elsewhere.
In the Development Studies and Theology Programme, the instructors have clearly showed us what the real problems of the community are. Specially, I remember after we attended the class of Economic Growth and Development in Africa, we were filled with regret and hope to change the situation. In order to experience what we have learnt theoretically, there was an influential course called Practicum, which supported us to practically face the reality through field work. As we witnessed, it was the turning point for most of us as it helped us to think about what we can do to serve Church and society.
All the courses I took at EGST were very useful for my life. Yes! There were times which were very challenging and demanding with a lot of reading assignments, book reviews, exams, presentations and so on. But due to the mercy of the Almighty God, it has now come to the end.
In all those years during my stay at EGST and during the course of my life, a number of individuals and institutions have supported me in prayer and care. I want to take this opportunity to say thank you for all members of my family, friends, my Church, EGST teachers, and EGST community and Administration, for your incredible support, thoughtfulness, and prayers. Thank you my dear husband for your love, support and encouragement, and I realized that I can go beyond my limitations. I cherish each moment of my life and feel so blessed because of you. My parents, I am indebted to all you have done to me. Thank you very much.
Above all, I want to express my deepest love and gratefulness with a humble heart to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. His goodness to me is something beyond my understanding. Had it not been for God, I wouldn’t be here right now because He is the One who’s given me the strength and courage to keep on both academically and
spiritually through all the challenges, especially at times of discouragement. During such times, God assured me that He is always with me, and assured that through Him I can do all things.
Finally I pray for all graduates and current students to be fruitful and may God use each one of you through all your services to benefit the church and the society. Let us be reasons for healing and agents of change in whatever we do and wherever we go. Amen!
Saron Kebede
“My stay at EGST gave me more perspective, a new worldview, but also a new excitement in my life that had been lacking. It was my prayer for quite a long time that God would open me up; make me explore and understand Him in a new way.” – Saron Kebede, EGST Alumnus
- How did you know about EGST and decided to join its programme(s)?
I had a friend who was a student at EGST and he encouraged me to join. It took a bit of time for me to decide because EGST is a theological institution and I didn’t have a good understanding of theology. In many churches, theology was or still is portrayed negatively and I grew up listening to these thoughts. However, my friend did a very good job in convincing me to join. I first applied to the MALM program, but was offered to join the PGD. I hesitated whether that was what I wanted, but eventually started my study with the PGD program in 2012. However, life took me off this track for a short while and had to withdraw after a year. Returning in 2019, I was able to join the Leadership and Management Program. It was a ‘two birds with one stone’ kind of situation for me, as I’ve always wanted to pursue the field of project management. I graduated from this program in July 2022.
- Share about your experiences, challenges, memorable incidents, …during your stay at EGST.
Many things have changed in my life during the course of my stay at EGST. There were many exciting moments, sad times, aha moments, ups and downs, challenges meeting due dates for paper submissions, and most importantly, a time that I had an encounter with God through the Word and studies. The journey was absolutely worth it. Apart from the professional experience I gained in terms of writing academic papers and expressing my ideas with confidence, EGST is also a place where I had the chance to meet wonderful friends. One incident that impacted my life in particular and was related to the ‘triad group’ I was assigned into in the Personal Development Course.
As we started the triad meeting, the first thing we realized was that we had almost nothing in common, except that we are Christians and same department at EGST. Our backgrounds, the churches we attend (3 different denominations), our professions, where we live (three ends of Addis), and ministries at church are just a few of the areas in which we differed. But practically we had a lot of fun, fellowship, harmony and love. It was a perfect combination; we have become more than just triad mates who meet once week. The two, who still remain my very good friends, have made a difference in my life by taking care of and comforting me and my family during the saddest time of my life- the time my dad went home to be with the Lord. We have been praying about each other’s families and in particular, my dad who was sick for a long time and whose situation was getting worse by the day. When he was admitted to a hospital, they came and visited him and I do not forget the triad meeting we had there at the hospital’s cafeteria just before the night he went to be with the Lord. Because I was so caught up with the things there, I was stressed out and tiered after spending the other night attending him. I was barely walking and when they came, they got me out of my condition, and they prayed for me and my family. Despite their busy schedules and many engagements, they took the time to walk that extra mile. This is something I will never ever forget. I am ever grateful for that to God and to the people who obeyed to make that difference in my life.
There are many times in life that I had an exciting experience in discovering a new thing, having more perspective and new thinking all along. My stay at EGST gave me more perspective, a new worldview, but also a new excitement in my life that had been lacking. It was my prayer for quite a long time that God would open me up; make me explore and understand Him in a new way. Because I was born and brought up in a Christian
family, I know the Bible and the stories in it are quite familiar. As I was growing, I started to search for new or rather enhanced thinking about God. There were many glimpses in the middle though. Looking back and connecting the dots, the burning desire I have to know God and the need to understand the scriptures in a fresh and new way was what I have been searching my whole life. Coming to EGST was the right thing to do.
I can say that literally God has opened my eyes to see anew and afresh. Though I cannot ever know him fully, everything I know about him is beyond my imagination and the fact that there is still a lot to know blows off my mind. How vast is He?!
- Share about your ministry after graduation and how your education at EGST helped you to make a difference in your own life, family, workplace, church ministry…
Among the many ways EGST impacted me, I want to emphasize the intentionality aspect. My stay here has wired me to be very intentional, knowing the principles of this field of study (Leadership and Management with Biblical perspective) to internalize and customize it to my everyday life professionally and holistically. It also put me on a conscious edge to make use of whatever was gained for the purpose of building the Kingdom of God as well as to be of help to people around me.
- Your career development and future vision in brief.
As one gains actual experience in any area of study, climbing the ladder to assume leadership position becomes apparent professionally or in any context. The knowledge gained at EGST is intended to help that growth and momentum.
Getahun Bezabih
“EGST was not just a Christian higher academic institution at which I did my graduate studies; it was a home for me where I shared my fears, concerns, struggles, worries, anxieties, joys and laughter” – Getahun Bezabih, EGST Alumnus
‘I heard about EGST in 2011 while I was working at AHOPE Ethiopia. Since my undergraduate study was in Bible and Christian Minisry, I noticed that I lacked the required knowledge and skills that were vital for the development work I was in. While seeking the will of God through prayer and discernment, I heard from a friend that registration was happening at EGST for the academic year 2013/14. After fulfilling all the requirements, I passed both the written exam and interview and registered as a full time student at EGST to pursue an MA in Developmnet Studies. By the time I joined EGST, I had already left my job.
EGST was not just a Christian higher academic institution at which I did my graduate studies; it was a home for me where I shared my fears, concerns, struggles, worries, anxieties, joys and laughter with classmates, staff, and a triad group, organized for the personal development course. I had a chance to get to know few good students and staff who I still remain friends with. EGST’s leadership and staff commitment to implement its mission, vision, values were visisble during my time in the institution. Moreover, EGST was a place where I encountered some of the best professors who taught me not only from books but also from their practical lives. The professors inspired me in many ways to thrive in my studies even when I was passing through severe economic problems. It was in this vibrant environment that I enjoyed and completed my studies at EGST and graduated with distinction.
During my stay at EGST, I saw the mercy and goodness of our gracious God. I joined EGST, leaving my fulltime job at a local NGO, hoping to get a full scholarship that covers both tution and accomdation costs. However it did not go as I hoped. At that time, we had only one daughter but we did not have a penny to buy food and pay for house rent. We stayed for several days without food. Due to lack of money for transportation, I walked many miles on foot to come to EGST to attend class. By the time I joined the graduate school, I was living in Legetafo and anyone can imagine how far it was from there to EGST. When classes were in the evening, I stayed for a semester with students who came from different regions, living in a rental home around EGST. At other times, I stayed with a friend of mine, sharing his room. These gifts of people were a sign of God’s love for me and my family that he showed us in those difficult times.
Without sharing this powerful story with you, my stay at EGST would not be full. One day I visited the finance office to discuss tution fees and scholarship opportunities. As I explained my severe economic problem to the staff, tears immediately began to stream down my face. They tried to comfort me and told me to visit the director and share my struggles. Then, I went to the director’s office to share but despite my best efforts a few droplets of tears came. Later that day, I got a phone call from the finance office telling me to “come immediately!” I went back to the office and they said a stranger came to their office and dropped $150 to be given to the most needy student. They thought no one could compete for this gift other than Getahun. I received the money with great excitement and a grateful heart. Meanwhile, there was a woman from USA who promised me a long time ago to make a one time gift of financial support if I attended EGST for an MA. I gave her EGST’s email address and a conversation began between myself, the sponsor and EGST for several months. Finally, some 40,000 ETB was wired directly to EGST’s account and I received the whole amount of money without any deduction. I thank EGST administration in this regard. At that point, things began to change slowly. I got a job opportunity at my previous organization with a better salary and position. God was so good and I moved my family from Legetafo to Jemo 2. I would like to take this opportunity to pass my gratitude to the then EGST finance office, the anonymous stranger, the woman and EGST administration.
After my graduation from EGST, I joined another local NGO that was working to improve the lives of destitute children by alleviating poverty. It was a great opportunity for me to perceive community problems, including children, from a diverse perspective. The education equipped me with the required knowledge and skills for the job. The rigorous programme helped me get up to date, think critically and grow in confidence, passion, commitment and vision.
It also helped me to conduct research on various community issues by the participation of key stakeholders and work with team for the common good. It not only changed my perception on poverty, but also that of my family, my colleagues, beneficiaries and fellow Christians in general. Together, we are working towards human transformation. Thank God! I am now a change agent for many people with whom I encounter daily.
I am praying and planning to pursue a PhD in the near future, aiming to influence policy issues at the national level; but, I have not yet decided which field of study should I choose. Issues related to peace and stability in my country concern me most at this point in time. My future vision is that I may be God’s instrument towards human transformation. I thank God, friends, staff and others who stood by me and my family’s side during my stay at EGST! Because of your prayers, support and encouragement, I have come thus far. Thank you indeed!
Misikir Genene
“EGST Is the Right Place to Apply, Come and See!!” – Misikir Genene, EGST Alumnus
Miskir is a graduate of Master of Arts in Leadership and Management and he won the 2021 highest institutional award. Born and raised in Sidama, in the southern part of Ethiopia, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management from Addis Ababa University. In addition to his graduate-level degree from EGST, he received an MBA in Non-Profit Corporate Management.
With over 16 years of professional experiences in both for profit and non-for-profit organizations, Misikir currently leads the sponsorship programme in Haddis Ministries, an international organization committed to serve the children of Ethiopia and their communities. We hope his story will inspire you and others in the pursuit of academic excellence and professional development.
‘I became a student at EGST a few years back, ten years after my first attempt to register. I heard many good things from former students in my workplace about the academic rigor and high educational standard at EGST. At that time, I was looking for a graduate school that provides high quality leadership courses blended with theological perspective. Thus, EGST became the right place for me to apply.
I benefited greatly from my time at EGST. I was able to get connected with lifetime friends, write academic papers with clarity and confidence, and network with academics and tap into their wisdom.
For those who are not focused on short-cuts or the easy way, but rather are focused in achieving academic success by taking the long and hard ride, EGST is the right place for them. At the end the rewards will be worth the effort, and they will not be the same anymore. EGST is a school that prepares and equips students with academic skills, discipline and competence that will enable them to stand out from the crowd. Thus, I would say come and see!! You will be forever grateful.’
Yoseph Yisma
“I believe enrolling at EGST was one of the best decisions of my life.” – Yoseph Yisma, EGST Alumnus
Yoseph Yisma won the highest institutional award of the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology in 2020. His Master’s Research work entitled, “The Rise and Development of Word of Faith Movement in Ethiopia” has been published by LAMBERT Academic Publishing in 2021.
This month we are featuring Yoseph as an alumnus of the month, believing that he would inspire others in the pursuit of academic excellence and professional developments.
Yoseph narrates his own story as follows:
My name is Yoseph Yisma and I joined EGST in 2018 and studied the Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological stream. My concentration was Church History. Starting from the entrance to the end, the standard was high. Critical language tests, lots of assignments, group work, multiple papers for every course, and sometimes exams that require in-depth preparation. We all have passed through that and you will pass through that too. It was tough. Anyone can figure out what quality education requires but the result is extraordinary!
There is a lot of studying, contemplating, and discussing within the class and with classmates. I was newly married when I started at EGST. Spending more time in the library and class was a bit hard.
I believe enrolling at EGST was one of the best decisions of my life. You might think that to be a bit exaggerated. I think learning as fast as I can is a priority.
Even more, when I do my studies, I want to do it here in Ethiopia since it has many advantages. First, I want to be with my wife and family. By God’s grace, we have a daughter named Mahlete. So, I want to be able to spend time with my wife and my child. Plus, I want to help my child with her homework. Usually, when people go abroad to study, some of them separate from their family for a longer or shorter period. I do not want to go through that.
Second, I will be able to do my studies while ministering in my church. I know some of us struggled with our devotion because of the demanding academic requirements. But along the way, I have learned to integrate my spiritual zeal with my studies. However, this depends on what you are studying or working on. At least there is a probability to take some of our studies with our commitment.
Apart from education, I have found great friends and ministry partners at EGST! I am currently working with some of them and ministering together on different platforms.
I would like to say welcome to the newcomers – welcome to EGST! And I also would like to encourage current students to work hard and enjoy the season of studying while aiming for further studies if that is your call.
disciplined thinking about the Christian faith and its many implications for public and personal life, EGST is a good place to be at!
Sara Abdella
“My stay at EGST was not all just academic, books and research though. It was also about shared meals, so much laughter, finding shoulders to cry on and being there for others too. It was not just about library time but also about prayer meetings and coffee breaks.”- Sara Abdella, EGST Alumnus
Sara Abdella is a Graduate of 2018 with the highest institutional award of the Academic Year. She currently works at a mission project within SIM Ethiopia.
EGST Public Relations and Communications decided to make her the alumnus of this month believing that her story will inspire others in the pursuit of academic excellence and professional development.
She narrates her own story as follows.
My name is Sara Abdella Kedir: married, mother of a lovely little girl, and a project manager for KIBIR Consultants, a mission project within SIM Ethiopia. And yes, I am an EGST Alumnus too! Having completed my postgraduate studies at EGST, I joined the University of St Andrews in Scotland. There I completed a Master of Letters (MLitt) in Analytic and Exegetical Theology. After returning back home in August 2019, I have published two chapters and taught a Christian Ethics course at EGST, spoken at conferences and seminars, and in January 2021, I joined KIBIR Consultants as a project manager.
EGST has been a crucial place of formation for me as a theologian, religious practitioner and as a human being in general. I have completed a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Biblical and Theological Studies, and Masters of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies (MABTS) at EGST, which means that I was at there for three years just as a student. Those three years were quite formative for my thinking as they were years when my beliefs were continually interrogated. These interrogations have in turn refined my faith, giving a sharp biblical edge to my reverence for God and my understanding of the value of human life and God’s good creation. It has also given me tools and categories to look at culture, religion and society critically. I cherished the class discussions, academic seminars and conferences. I so loved sitting in the library, roaming around the great collection of books and conversations about the books at coffee breaks!
My stay at EGST was not all just academic, books and research though. It was also about shared meals, so much laughter, finding shoulders to cry on and being there for others too. It was not just about library time but also about prayer meetings and coffee breaks. There, I have met friends for life and my life partner. In the faculty, I have met some who became my mentors and coaches, giants whose shoulders I stand on. These people have been committed to my growth and flourishing.
Well, you can tell that being at EGST was quite eventful for me! Your story will be very different from mine but I believe that you can enjoy EGST as well as I did. If you would like to exercise
disciplined thinking about the Christian faith and its many implications for public and personal life, EGST is a good place to be at!
Sisay Mammo
“EGST is an academic institution where you pray, socialize, and groan to learn and research. For me, EGST has been a place where I gained some of my lifetime friends. And it is also a place where I shaped my vision and future career.” Sisay Mammo, EGST Alumnus
Sisay Mammo is a graduate of 2020. He is currently working at Tear Fund, a Christian Relief and Development Charity Organization.
EGST Public Relations and Communications decided to make him an alumnus of the month believing that his story will inspire others in the pursuit of academic excellence and professional development.
Sisay narrates his own story as follows.
I am Sisay Mammo. I believe that I am born and designed blind (without the power to physically see). I am the first totally blind student here at EGST.
I did my undergraduate study in history. And much of my career is related to teaching history and civic and ethical education to high school students.
My journey at EGST began with a very high ambition of enhancing my leadership skills and theological understanding on the one hand, and with unanticipated (if not unforeseen) various challenges on the other side. As a student with visual impairment, to whom both EGST’s and the general Ethiopian academic environment is inaccessible, I would not say that my journey at EGST was rosy. It took me eight years to accomplish my graduate study, focusing on the program of MALM (Master of Arts in Leadership and Management). But EGST did not live my determination and resilience to make my academic journey through inaccessible environment unrecognized. Finally, it awarded me a trophy of achievement in resilience.
I would say that three things have helped me to develop resilience and determine that I should finish my journey, however, it was tough; namely;
The can-do mentality of EGST’s leadership and faculty irrespective of the problem of resource constraint, unreserved love and support of the whole EGST community, and the very uplifting and gracious approach of my professors and classmates. My long journey at EGST capacitated me mainly to:
Think critically and innovatively, be evidence based and avoid judgments out of a bloom, develop my own theology of disability and inclusion, trust on God’s provision for doing an academic journey however bumpy that the road could be.
EGST is an academic institution where you pray, socialize, and groan to learn and research. For me, EGST has been a place where I gained some of my lifetime friends. And it is also a place where I shaped my vision and future career.
Therefore, I recommend that people should not come to EGST simply to get a paper that qualifies them to have a master’s degree. Rather people should come to EGST to learn how to teach themselves. For those who aspire to do research, EGST is an ideal place. EGST is also place where you would learn how to enjoy suffering through socialization and resilience.
Thank you!
Hawi Tarekegn
Hawi Tarekegn is a graduate of 2015. She is currently working at Supreme Court of Oromia as a Director of Gender and Child Justice Directorate, a directorate responsible for mainstreaming gender and children in courts and to assist and strengthen family and child friendly benches in the region. Her research work entitled “Challenges of the Strength of Evidences Presented to Ethiopian Courts in Rape Cases among Children below 14 Years Old: The Case of West Shoa High Court” focuses on the combination of gender, child and legal issues with a great commitment. It was published on the Journal of Sociology and Criminology. She presents her research work in international conferences and national symposiums as an expert on the field of gender justice and related issues.
EGST Public Relations and Communications decided to make Hawi Tarekegn as an alumnus of the month believing that her story will inspire others in the pursuit of academic excellence and professional development.
Hawi, a mother of three narrates her own story:
I first heard about the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST) from my family members who were attending postgraduate program at EGST. I applied for Master of Arts degree in Developmental Studies with Concentration on Gender, Health & Theology and got the chance to study. When I joined EGST in 2013, I was working as a Public Prosecutor at Ambo, West Shoa High Court, 115 km from Addis Ababa. EGST offered me a full scholarship (tuition fee and living expenses) which was a special opportunity for me to continue my study. Without the scholarship, it was impossible for me to attend the graduate program. At the time, I had a Bachelor of Law (LLB) and Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration and Development Management (BA).
The greater workload expected to accomplish the program during the study period was a challenge that made me confident and hard worker. After the graduation, I presented my research work on the 20th international annual conference dubbed as the Congress of the Nordic Federation of Midwives (NJF Congress) organized by The Swedish Association of Midwives, at Gothenburg, Sweden. This was held from May 12-14, 2016 with the support of Church of Sweden.
The experience I developed during my study period at EGST equipped me to achieve my ambitions and make the most of my experiences, develop skills and manage my future career. Though I worked as Legal Officer at Oromia Justice Reform Program with my pervious qualification, I later joined Oromia Attorney General as Public Prosecutor at Gender, Children & Youth Mainstreaming Directorate, which is relevant to my study at EGST. I conducted some assessments such as good practice on prevention of violence against women and children, and gender audit in addition to the routine services delivered by the department.
Alumni
In this month, we are featuring Dr. Samson Tadelle as an alumnus of the month. Dr Samson has graduated in 2017 in Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies and a practicing physician.
His research project on the theme entitled: ’The Clinic Born Again: Towards a Sacramental Approach to Medical Practice’ is an interesting piece to read and reflect. While sharing his student experience at EGST, he remarked that the learning experience at EGST was like a “hermeneutic encounter” offering ‘the critical insight to understand and approach texts and concepts….”
Samson Tadelle (MD)
This is my testimony concerning the education that I acquired during my stay at EGST.
My background is from medicine. I’m a practicing physician. I had an earnest desire to study theology. I had a lot of theological questions that bothered me while I was a medical student. My perplexities continued unabated after I graduated. The medical science was presented to me as if it has all the answers to the ailments of humanity. This could not reconcile with the existential experience and with the complex nature of humanity presented in the Scriptures. So, this prompted me to explore more by reading many books on theology, albeit they did not address my soul-searching questions adequately.
On the other hand, I had a restless craving to know God who had intervened in my life in miraculous manners to save me from many death encounters in my childhood. Thus, in God’s time I had the opportunity to study at the “feet” of EGST. This learning experience was like a “hermeneutic encounter” with Philip as he met the Ethiopian eunuch, who was reading a text without understanding (Acts 8:27-39). EGST’s teaching process is enlightening for me. It offered me the critical insight to understand and approach texts and concepts (Scriptural and philosophical) which were vague to me. It increased my appetite for more learning, because, as my theological education cleared some of my clouds of confusion, it created follow-up questions on the horizon. It equipped me with a robust hermeneutical lens to analyse theological concepts. In this manner it gave me the opportunity to reflect on my clinical practice, thereby profoundly enriching my practice by offering me new perspectives. Similarly, it enabled me to contribute my share in the ministry of the word in my local church.
I strongly recommend this school for anyone who wants to benefit from a sound education in theology and related fields.
On a final note, currently we are witnessing an unprecedented havoc on a global level by the pandemic. It has continued to decimate the lives and livelihoods of many. The craftiness of the transmission mechanism has rendered us powerless to its fatal grip. In this dark hour of our planet, we can present the hope of life against the gloomy ambience of death by demonstrating acts of grace to others. A flicker of light is enough to dispel the hegemony of darkness. After deliberating extensively about the significance of the resurrection, Paul closes by emboldening the Corinthians in this manner: “…stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain”(1 Cor.15:58). We have to do works that defy the strength of death. As Christ has conquered death, all our “labors in the Lord” are significances of the power of the life of resurrection.
So, keep yourself safe, keep others safe and continue to present the light of the resurrection life to others.
Blessings in Christ!
Samson Tadelle (MD)
Alumni
Abel Nigussie, a 2012 Graduate of EGST is a full-time minister at Nifas Silk Mulu Wongel Church where he actively serves for ten years. He holds training and teaching seminars for the church and speaks in various congregations as well. He is also engaged in equipping the youth with sound Biblical teaching and Christian discipline.
Abel graduated from EGST in Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies and we asked him about his stay at EGST and his alumni activities:
In a physical and natural world, continuous nourishment is essential for a healthy and strong life style. There is no such thing as fate: eat or die! The same is true in a spiritual journey. Any born again Christian needs to be regularly nourished that his existence in life be guaranteed. As the scripture says ‘man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth’ (Matthew 4:4).
When I recall my stay at EGST, what comes into my mind is just nourishment with the courses which I took, just it is like feasting with spiritual food. Truly, EGST has trained both my hands and heart. It gave me a tool to build and enlarge God’s kingdom. Besides, it enlightened my eyes to fix on Jesus. For a number of years, I have been involving in nurturing saints. I had a chance to serve in a church in leadership arena, to empower youth and teens. God gave me a chance to rich and enrich many through a media. All these acts of ministry were inflamed by EGST. My stay there was not in vain. Since then it has been my motto “The quality of time we spent in preparation determines our success in ministry”. Nourish well and serve well.
One of the major reasons why I recommend others to join EGST is because the school helps students to be self-nurtured first and then nurture others. It helps ministers to purify their motives for ministry, see their inward content and then be committed to serve the community at large.
“Truly, EGST has trained both my hands and heart.”– Abel Nigussie
“The quality of time we spent in preparation determines our success in ministry.”– Abel Nigussie
Alumni of 2020
Yenigat Abera Abate, a 2016 Graduate of the Gender Health and Theology concentration was recognized as the Best Alumni for her consistent support of the Community Action Project. She played a major role in contacting EGST with the Lideta Juvenile Rehabilitation Center through her practicum and she continued to volunteer to the Community Action work. The Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology in its Gender, Health and Theology symposium held from Nov 28-29, recognized her effort by awarding a certificate of recognition from the hand of the former director Dr. Desta Heliso.
This month, she has been nominated as Alumni of the month. She narrates her story as follows.
When I think of myself joining EGST, God’s timing, plan and His graciousness come to my mind.
After I graduated in Law from Hawassa University, I had a desire to study in a school that embraces a holistic approach. But I have no idea where and how to start. And then, I heard about the admissions of EGST when I was in the southern Ethiopia for a volunteer work. I received two unexpected calls from persons I never received a phone call before. The first call is from my brother’s friend (Josh, he is a graduate of EGST) and the second call from my friend’s friend (Lidia). Then I got registered and admitted to my dream school EGST.
While I studying at EGST, I was a full-time worker at “organization for Social development” in a project that implements CSR (Corporate Social responsibility) in Benshangul Gumuz region. I am indebted to Ruth Solomon, my supervisor who was so cooperative that I can study at EGST. I cannot thank her enough.
The academic quality, the very diligent, approachable and passionate instructors , the triad group(Three students mentoring one another )my friends who are like family are among the various values that made me enjoy every minute of my stay at EGST, even during the hard times.
Currently, I am working for “Facing Africa” and my training from EGST impacts everything that I do for the glory of God. I also volunteer at Lideta Juvenile rehabilitation center. Looking back to my journey in EGST, I am grateful for everything that God has given me, the opportunity of learning and meeting great people. I am also thankful for the volunteer work granted through EGST’s Community Action project which satisfies my childhood desire.
Therefore, I highly suggest EGST for its great academic place to anyone who wants to explore more of their potential and become change agents on their respective intended arenas of lives.
“I highly suggest EGST for its great academic place to anyone who wants to explore more of their potential and become change agents on their respective intended arenas of lives. “- Yenigat Abera Abate, EGST Alumni of the month
Alumni of the Month
“I believe God will challenge Christians attending at EGST to grow in knowledge, in Christian maturity and spirituality fitting for service as good soldiers of Jesus Christ”- Yared Donis, EGST Alumni of the month
In this menu, we feature the activities and achievements of EGST alumni. We hope this enhances networking among alumni members and strengthen the spirit of fellowship. Comments and contributions are welcome at info@egst.edu.et
Background
My name is Yared Donis and I am a lawyer. Before, I joined EGST, I used to work for a Pan-African child rights advocacy organization called the African Child Policy Forum. While I was working there, the idea of pursuing a Post-Graduate degree suddenly became a necessity to complement my legal knowledge, which mostly focused on analysis of legal rules and principles, with practical social science field that deals with issues of poverty and community life.
How I Joined EGST
As a Christian professional, I have always been fascinated by Christ’s treatment of and promises to the poor (Luke 4:16-20 and Isa. 61:1-2). Therefore, I was looking for a course on poverty and development, and it was just before I decided to join Addis Ababa University’s MA program that I heard about the Development Studies courses offered at EGST. Thus, I did further research and found out that EGST is delivering an intensive and quality courses both in the Development Studies and Theology programmes. The fact that its combined Theology courses with the mainstream community development courses became very appealing.
Finally, despite its reputation, I did not really know about EGST so I took time to pray about it and realized that God was leading me to study there.
My Experience at EGST
Through the two years of my studies at EGST, I witnessed that it was indeed God that led me there. I experienced God’s faithfulness, guidance and provision every single semester. I can say God did three things in my life during my stay at the school. First, through the theology courses and interactions with friends and professors, God encouraged me to articulate my faith. It was a season where I felt really closer to God. He helped me to see and taste that there is more depth to Christian spirituality than what I had experienced in my Pentecostal background. God also helped me to experience his presence in the pursuit of biblical knowledge in an academic setting. I am thankful to God, my professors and friends for that.
Second, God gave me genuine Christian fellowship and friends. Learning at EGST was an opportunity to have a glimpse of what true Christian community and friendship looked like. Even after graduation, I kept contact with few of my classmates. These friends made the rigorous academic journey more enjoyable.
Thirdly, the MA in Development Studies, which I concentrated on Community Development and Theology was an asset that God helped me complete with great distinction. Through this qualification, God opened opportunities for me to return to my previous work and contribute in child-rights advocacy. Moreover, through the recommendation of Professor Aklilu Dalelo, I got the opportunity to teach undergraduate community development courses at the Evangelical Theological College (ETC). I am grateful for all these, because I have always wanted to contribute my knowledge and skill to God’s people.
Current Work
I am currently working for an organization called Hope for Justice. I am also teaching community development courses at ETC on part-time basis. Moreover, as part of EGST’s alumni community, I have the privilege to use EGST library resources from time to time. The hospitality of the staff and faculty is something I am always grateful for.
Advice for Potential Applicants
I strongly encourage any qualified Christian who wants to sharpen her or his calling in ministering to the church and local communities to apply to EGST. I also strongly encourage potential applicants to pray about it and seek God’s guidance as they prepare to join the school. I believe, once that is done, through the intensive courses and demanding academic exercises, God will challenge Christians attending at EGST to grow in knowledge, in Christian maturity and spirituality fitting for service as good soldiers of Jesus Christ who will be able to equip others (2 Tim 2:1-7).
Profile Summary:
Full name: Yared Donis Alemu
Church affiliation: currently attending Amanuel Hibret Church at Mexico
Educational background: LL.B. at Addis Ababa University; MA in Development Studies at EGST; and LL.M in Business Law student at Addis Ababa University
Program completed at EGST: MA in Development Studies: Community Development and Theology
Year of graduation: July 2017
Current engagements: Legal Officer for an INGO called Hope for Justice (formerly called Retrak). Hope for Justice works to combat and bring an end to modern slavery. Part-time lecturer in Community Development at ETC.
Engagement with EGST: use of EGST library resources and space it allows for its alumni. I would love to return and do an MABTS in Systematic/ Public Theology.