EGST’s 25th Graduation: A Quarter-Century of Impact and Inspiration
The Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST) proudly marked a significant milestone on 26,July,2025, celebrating its 25th annual graduation ceremony. A total of 80 postgraduate students from the Class of 2025 received their degrees in a distinguished ceremony held on the institution’s campus. This cohort’s completion across seven diverse postgraduate programmes underscores EGST’s enduring commitment to providing holistic, contextual, and transformative theological education.
The Class of 2025 earned degrees in the following programs:
- Postgraduate 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 (specializations in Gender, Health, and Theology (GHT), and Community Development and Theology (CDT))
- Master of Arts in Peace and Sustainable Development (MADevS)
- Master of Theology (MTh)
A Ceremony of Worship, Wisdom, and Recognition
The celebration commenced with a heartfelt Opening Prayer led by Pastor Tsadiku Abdo, President of ECFE and Member of the EGST Council of Owners. Dr. Worku Hailemariam, EGST President, then extended a warm Welcome Address, setting a celebratory tone for the day. In his address, Dr. worku warmly congratulated the graduates, emphasizing that this milestone marks a new beginning of dedicated service and impactful leadership, rather than an end. He honored the legacy of his predecessor, Rev. Dr. Misgana Mathewos, whose guidance shaped many students’ academic journeys, and acknowledged the vital contributions of faculty, staff, sponsors, churches, and families.
Reflecting on his first six months as President, highlighted significant institutional advancements, including upgraded campus facilities and the addition of two new faculty members: Dr. Tekalign Nega Angore and Dr. Yohannes Tesfaye Sahile. He powerfully reaffirmed EGST’s enduring mission: to deliver holistic, contextual, transformative, and prophetic theological education, grounded in truth and dedicated to service. He concluded by urging graduates to serve their churches and communities with unwavering integrity and humility, aligning with EGST’s founding vision to cultivate Christ-like women and men who become agents of profound transformation within both church and wider society.
The EGST Choir uplifted the atmosphere with inspiring songs, followed by an insightful sermon from Dr. Steve Bryan. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 2:12-16, Dr. Bryan reminded attendees that God’s purposes advance not only when He opens doors, but also when our weakness leads us to close them. He emphasized that God’s work is revealed not through strengths alone, but when our strengths are displayed within our weakness, powerfully reminding graduates they are called to live lives shaped by the service, love, and weakness of the cross.
Celebrating Achievement and Future Impact
The ceremony culminated in the Awarding of Degrees, a pivotal moment presided over by Professor Teketel Yohannes (Outgoing EGST Board Chairperson), Dr. Worku Hailemariam, Dr. Bekele Deboch (Acting Head of Academic Affairs), and Ms. Hanna Bekele (Registrar). Following this, Academic Prizes were presented by Rev. Dr. Teshome Amenu (General Secretary of EECMY and Member of EGST Council of Owners), joined by Dr. Worku Hailemariam, Mr. Daniel Yilma (Acting Dean of Students), and Ms. Hanna Bekele. The Highest Institutional Prize, acknowledging exceptional academic achievement, was then awarded by Dr. Simon Heliso (President of EKHC and EGST Council of Owners Chairperson), accompanied by Dr. Worku Hailemariam, Mr. Daniel Yilma, and Ms. Hanna Bekele.
The graduating class’s journey was powerfully articulated by Valedictorian Eyoel Nigussie, an MABTS graduate. Eyoel captivated the audience with profound reflections on their collective academic experience, weaving in personal testimony of God’s grace amidst chronic illness and a remarkable account of rescue from robbers. This deeply moving address was followed by a powerful Charge to Graduates from Dr. Simon Heliso, who offered words of wisdom and encouragement as they embark on new paths of service.
The memorable ceremony concluded with a solemn Closing Prayer and Benediction led by Rev. Fekadu Begna, Associate General Secretary of EECMY and the Incoming EGST Board Chairperson, sending the graduates forth with blessings,benedictions and a renewed sense of purpose.
EGST: A Legacy of Excellence and Transformation
To date, EGST has proudly graduated over 900 students, cultivating a robust network of alumni serving various sectors. With more than 150 students currently enrolled, the institution remains steadfast in its mission to become a beacon of academic and research excellence, striving for stronger churches and a transformed society. The increasing number of female graduates, alongside dedicated scholarship support, stands as a living testament to EGST’s unwavering commitment to promoting gender equity.
Congratulations to the EGST Class of 2025!
For more information, please contact:
Email: prc@egst.edu.et
Website: www.egst.edu.et
Phone: +251 96 588 8899
#EGST #Graduation #2025
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.
