Graduation Report “You are the Salt and Light of the Earth”
July 12, 2006 Dakar, Senegal
Graduation exercise took place on the eight of July at the church in Dakar. It was well attended. Pastors from various churches and other non-governmental institutions were present to grace the occasion. Also present at the occasion were Rev. Betty Moore and Pastor Kelvonna Warner from the United States, a guest from Kenya (in honor of one of our senior students attending the collage from another church), a visiting pastor from Germany (also to honor a student from another church) among others.
Nine students from the second year class received an Associate of Arts Degree in Theology. Six of these students were from D.O.N.E ministries while the other three were from other protestant churches. They were from Nigeria, Congo, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Senegal. This is the last year associate of arts will be confer here because beginning next year the new curriculum will be put into effect. This curriculum calls for a Diploma and Bachelor Degree only. Also receiving Certificate of Achievement in Theology were seven students from the first year class. They were again from the above mention countries including Liberia.
The administration awarded a long term and trusted employee of the college, Mr. Garry Howard, an Honorary Degree in Theology. Mr. Howard who will be leaving for the USA this year served as an interpreter in the College. Presenting the Degree, Rev. Thomas Browne, Speaking on behalf of the Bishop lauded Mr. Howard for his strong service for interpreting for every class of the college and the church.
Speaking at the occasion on the topic “You are the salt of the earth”, the guest speaker , the Rev. Nkemba Ndjungu, General Superintendent of the Methodist Church here in Dakar begun by stating that he felt as if he was a member of the D.O.N.E ministries, because he is not only present at most of the important functions held by the mission, but have always participated in officiating. He especially noted the ordination of the Bishop. He went on to challenge the students to remember that they were the salt of the earth. He asked them to note carefully the properties of salt and they will know the importance of their duty. As salt they are to remember that they are the preservers of the Christian faith. As salt is applied to wounds as medication so are they, because they exist in a sick world and they are its only chance through the promotion of the message of Jesus Christ. He challenged them not to take their duties lightly. Also speaking at the occasion, the Rev. Thomas Browne thanks those who came to honor the graduates on behalf of the Bishop. He also challenged the students not to take lightly the food for thought and consumption they received from the guest speakers.
