On July 29, 2023 the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST) has awarded post graduate degrees to the 23rd batch of candidates in its campus at Sar Bet.
The 61 graduates (16 female and 45 male) consist of five programs: Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies, Master of Arts Leadership and Management, Master of Arts Development Studies, Master of Theology and Post-graduate Diploma in Biblical and Theological Studies.
In his honrary speech , Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demrew archbishop of the Ethiopian Catholic Church challenged the graduates to be peacemakers and made a call for building bridges, not barriers in a multiethinic and multilingual Ethiopia.
In his opening address to the event, Professor Teketel Yohannes , EGST Board Chairperson stated that ‘as the board of governors, we are committed to supporting the vision and mission of EGST, which is to provide quality, relevant, contextual, and holistic theological and related education, and stimulate research for the service of the church and society. We are also responsible for providing strategic leadership to ensure that the purpose of EGST is being fulfilled.’ He further noted that ‘EGST as a theological postgraduate school engaged in teaching and research should be proactive in asserting its research-based results that should indicate the way forward to the Ethiopian constituency and beyond.’
EGST Director, Rev. Dr Misgana Mathewos in his welcome address highlighted some of the 2023 achievments including the intorduction of a new organizational structure, the launch of hybrid online education, PhD programme to be managed by EGST and the implmentation of training and capacity building programme to develop theological and leadership capacities of leaders and pastors.
With the current 61 alumni included, EGST has achieved a total of 819 Post Graduate and Masters Graduates in its 26 years of service. EGST anticipates to add new MA graduates in Peace and Sustaianble Development by 2024.
We seek to subject our thoughts and actions to God’s Word and affirm the power of Scripture to effect change in individual lives, churches and society.
We come together as a community of learners not for our sake only but also for the sake of others. We seek to grow in our understanding of God and his ways, so that we may help others to acknowledge his governance over the world with its rich possibilities for both individual transformation and for social and cultural renewal.
We believe that theological education speaks to and out of its local context as a dynamic interaction between the local context, the global context and Scripture.
We strongly believe that unity among the churches of Ethiopia is important and can be fostered through cooperative, inter-denominational graduate-level theological education. We also seek to partner with individuals, institutions, churches and organizations within and outside Ethiopia.
We value learning alongside people from different traditions and churches. Exposure to varying traditions challenges thinking about God and the diversity of his work in the world. While EGST promotes unity, it also appreciates and respects diversity.
We value the importance of worshipping God with our minds and strive for excellence both in our rigorous study of Scripture and in our critical analysis of context.
We seek to be people who model Christ’s values such as love, humility, compassion, justice, integrity, self-control, and holiness.
We seek to promote ecumenical relationships among churches in Ethiopia in order to enhance mutual understanding.
