The Silver Jubilee Symposium of the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology was conducted on May 26, 2022 to promote the 25th journey of EGST’s institutional development, to celebrate its achievements through its best practices and draw lessons for the future.
Opening the symposium and addressing the participants, EGST Director, Rev. Dr Misgana Mathewos stated that ‘when we reflect on the impact that EGST has exerted, we primarily refer to its close to 700 graduates in the past 24 years and their services at different ecclesial and societal fields – for some those fields were very harsh and sacrificial. We think of the leaders and educators at sister theological institutions and Bible schools, leaders of churches and church-related organizations, pastors and missionaries, development leaders and practitioners, the writers and other professionals. One can reckon this from EGST’s faculty and staff as an illustration.’
He further indicated that ‘EGST has had a longstanding ambition and plan to increase a number of admissions and hence graduates to expand its intended positive influence in quality and quantity. ‘
Three major papers were presented on the impact of EGST in church and society, on EGST’s institutional development over the past 25 years and the role of higher theological institutions in academic and community engagement. The themes of the presentations include ‘The role of higher theological institutions in academia and community engagement’ by Prof. Aklilu Dalelo, ‘EGST’s institutional development over the past 25 years’ by Dr Lidetu Alemu and ‘The role of higher theological institutions in academic and community engagement: the case of EGST’ by Dr Adamu Addissie.
Three alumni members have further shared their testimonies on EGST’s impact on their personal lives, in ministry and societal services.
A panel discussion, abstract posters and photograph exhibition was also conducted during the day long symposium.
While capturing the past journey of the school, the symposium further helped to envision the future of the school for the next 25 years.
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.
