Seminary Graduation - the First Class

Shortly after we arrived, the first class of our Biblical and Theological Seminary of Maputo began using instructors from a nearby Nazarene Bible College and a program we have made the core of our seminary program. The normal three-year course was completed by our students in a little less than two years as they were able to move quickly through the initial material because of the excellent training they had already received from various OMS missionaries. The course work is well accepted by numerous denominations in southern Africa as providing sufficient knowledge for ordination, provided the candidate is accepted by his or her church and that the candidate meets other Biblical requirements for ordination. What we especially like about the material is that it is contextualized for Africa.

From the picture - back row left to right - Lucas, Juka, Jorge, Daniel, Carlos; front row - three three Nazarene professors, then Ricardo, Abel.

This was a very special day as is any graduation day but the first class is always special. We have a second class in progress we began in January using our own instructor and we are hoping to begin the third class early next year. Our new seminary director, Mike Thiessen has been doing a wonderful job tying everything together and setting a course for the future.

We had a nice ceremony and time of celebration with the families of the graduates and we really look forward to seeing the lives of these precious people unfold. All are currently involved in some level of leadership in their local churches or our new denomination.

Congratulations to the Class of 2008, BTSM.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,..." Proverbs 1:7