Staff Reporter
Dimapur, April 15
United College of Theology and Missions (UCTM) celebrated its 17th graduation ceremony today in college campus at Model Village, 5th Mile, Dimapur, with Rev. P Bonny Resu, General Secretary of Asia Pacific Baptist Federation, as the speaker for the ceremony.
Addressing the graduating students on the occasion, the speaker challenged them to prepare themselves as men and women primarily considering themselves to be children of God to proclaim good news. Instilling confidence among the students, he said the young men and women are the ones called by God who are prepared to go to any extent for the service of God.
“Gone are the days where missionaries come from Europe,” asserted Rev. Resu. Elaborating on this, he believed that responsibility and service to God and his people is on us and there is a need to improve in ministerial mission as there are instances where some students are send by their parents in seminaries and not by their will which in turn affects quality of the mission. Stating that though there is zeal for mission in every individual, he said we often do not act upon rightly as our hearts, mind and devotions are diverted which prevents us from following Jesus and become slaves to many things. Therefore, he called upon the students to devote their heart to Jesus in order to experience his peace.
Congratulating the students, he underlined mission to be a challenge to take the good news to all people. Stating that in ministry an individual is called to be shepherd and fisherman, he called upon the churches as well to understand that a missionary has to be empowered to reach out to the population with message of the lord.
Altogether 35 students from across and neighbouring country were conferred certificates in Mission studies, Diploma in Mission studies, Bachelor of Theology and Master of Divinity.
Earlier, scripture reading and prayer was pronounced by Pastor of Sumi Baptist Church Dimapur, Juliet Shikhu, while a speech on behalf of graduating students was delivered by Z Esther, and the commissioning prayer was said by Rev. O Alem, Principal of Discipleship Bible College, Dimapur. The benediction prayer was pronounced by Rev. Dr. Kenny Kapfo. Parents, family members, church leaders and well wishers have attended the programme.
