The EGST Board in its meeting held on 19 July 2019 approved the graduation of all the 46 candidates recommended by the Faculty Council. On July 27, 2019 EGST awards Post Graduate Degrees to these 19th batch of candidates in its campus. The 46 Graduates (28 males, 18 female) are composed of four programmes composed of 20 in Biblical and Theological Studies, 7 in Leadership and Management, 14 in Development Studies and 5 in Post Graduate Diploma in Biblical and Theological Studies.
The proportion of female graduates this year, 39 % indicated an increase by 11% of female students’ completion rate compared to last year’s 28 %. The total completion rate also showed a slight increase by 7 graduating students compared to last year.
With the current 46 graduates included, EGST have graduated a total of 602 Post graduate and Masters Alumni in its 21 years of service. EGST has currently admitted 116 new students in its four programmes for the next academic year 2019/2020 and has 174 active students during 2018/19 academic year.
On their messages to the prospective graduates, EGST leaders made a remark to stand for sound teaching, peace, reconciliation and unity.
Dr. Eyasu Elias, Chairperson of the EGST Council of Owners and President of the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church (EKHC) in his message to the graduates stated that “the church is currently grappling with various false teachings and prophesies that are so much luring to the laity who could not discern malicious purposes. The church is crying for able leaders and teachers to teach and disciple the flock of God and nurture them in the truth of the Word of God. It bleeds my heart when I see important leaders inclined towards ethnic cleavage lines sowing the seed of division. We expect much from you, the graduates to stand against this inclinations and divisive actions in the church today. In these situations, we expect you to “patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching” (2 Tim 4:2).”
Rev. Yonas Yigezu, President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), remarked that graduating from EGST is a historic and decisive accomplishment for all the candidates. He also expressed his appreciation to the board members, faculty and staff for their support in the process of such achievement. He further noted that, “at this historic moment, one of our foremost tasks should be equipping believers to become disciples so that they are enabled to defend the doctrine and order of our Church as well as be good shepherds for the flock.”
Pastor Tsadiku Abdo, President of the Evangelical Churches Fellowship of Ethiopia (ECFE), on his part encouraged the graduates with the words of wisdom by emphasizing the role of education on the lives of the graduates. He admonished them to recognize its power and treasure it. ‘Build a bright future upon its solid foundation because there is much to be done in our churches and Ethiopian society at large. Your life is designed to be a life of service, in giving to and helping others. Live up to the standard of the Kingdom of God” Pastor Tsadiku advised.
EGST Board chairperson, Rev. Dr. Wakseyoum Idosa, in his note encouraged the graduates to be ambassadors of Peace, Reconciliation and Unity among the faith communities and our society at large. “As you all know we are called to live and serve in a context of a country which is known for its diverse social and economic as well as political problems and uncertainties. But we follow onto the promise that the Lord of the harvest gave us a promise: to walk with us, protect us, bless the service we deliver to our society and sustain us until the completion of the tasks we are entrusted with from God.” remarked the Reverend.
EGST Director, Rev. Dr. Misgana Mathewos on his part conveyed that ‘the administration, faculty and staff of EGST are very pleased to witness that this is your time to harvest what you have sown in the past two or more years.” In addition, he invited the graduates to keep a lively contact with EGST. “This accomplishment will furnish you an opportunity to step in a “season” or a “period” of engagement.’ He further cautioned the graduates to reflect on the areas of engagement that they get involved in God-set season of your post-graduation. In his remark, the Director said, “as we celebrate the end of your present studentship at EGST with this graduation, we look forward to partnering with you in fulfillment of EGST’s vision and mission. You are expected to realize the anticipated impact of EGST on Ethiopian Churches and society when you serve them diligently through the knowledge and skill that you obtained from the programmes and researches at EGST.”
He also noted the importance of a continued engagement with EGST that will help the graduates in their professional and Theological developments. “Without continued growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” He called up on the graduates to continuously benefit from EGST programmes, library, research and seminars.
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 is owned and founded by three Ecclesiastical bodies in 1997, namely the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church (EKHC), and the Evangelical Churches Fellowship of Ethiopia (ECFE), which together represent the majority of the Evangelical believers in Ethiopia.
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) and PhD in partnership with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VUA) is progressing, 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 validation to all its programmes from the Free University of Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), founded by former Prime Minister of Holland Abraham Kipper. It is to be recalled that the PhD programme at EGST is offered in partnership with the Free University of Amsterdam
EGST is also registered in Ethiopia according to Proclamation Number 691/2003 by the Ministry of Federal and Pastoral Development Affairs to serve church and society with the objective of teaching, research and community engagement.
(EGSTPublic Relations Communications, July 24, 2019, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.) For more information contact us at million@egst.edu.et 0911444957; addise@egst.edu.et. 0911866128)