By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Gilgar International Centre of Evangelism Jos, on Friday, graduated 31 ministers of the gospel to work in God’s vineyard and win souls for Christ.
Two sets graduated with 16 students in the modular class who completed their programme late last year, and 15 current regular students who completed their programme also graduated.
The graduation, which is the school’s 20th, is however, the first since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Haroun Audu, Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, Gilgar International Centre of Evangelism Jos, challenged the graduates to recognize the investment in their lives, make good use of it and ensure that it does not waste.
Audu urged them to step out, make a difference in how they engage individuals, institutions and communities in evangelisation and transformation.
The vice chairman said that as believers, they know they have been called to the ministry of reconciliation and better empowered to transform lives, starting with their own lives.
“It is a transformed life that can transform another life.
“My hope is that having been trained here, both the full time class and the modular, will recognize the very sensitive and important mandate that God has given them,” he said.
Audu encouraged well meaning individuals to support the centre sow a seed in the lives of the students by sponsoring their programmes.
According to him, the centre would make judicious use of the funds for the advancement of the gospel.
Principlal of the centre, Evangelist Philip Alams said that school graduated those that will carry the mandate of Jesus Christ, especially in evangelism, disciple making and Church planting.
Alams said that the whole aim and mission was to train manpower that would go out and do as the Lord has commanded, ‘go out into the world and make disciples of all nations’.
“So the institution here is primarily focused on training pastors, missionaries and evangelists from different denominations, so that people will have the practical skills and strategies that will help them in their ministry.
“For the graduates is for them to be committed in implementing what they have learnt and ensure that their ministry does not suffer loss in any way.
“They must be committed, remain righteous and holy in advancing God’s words,” he added.
Pastor Pam Dagwom in a charge to the graduates, told them that challenges would always come but they need to be resillient and diligent to succeed.
Dagwom said that if they were resillient, God would give them the grace to resist the challenges and keep their heads up.
The cleric who read from differents scriptures urged them to be dogged and rugged to succeed in their ministry.
“You cannot be giving excuses because you have been trained, eqipped, empowered and motivated to succeed.
“You need personal development plan to keep your fire burning and I pray God to help you rescue the perishing, encourage the weak and win souls for Christ.
“As you strive achieve that, don’t be caught up or entangled in Church politics if you want to fulfill your ministry which you have been called to do,” he added.
John Saiza, the best graduating student, in his on behalf of his mates, said that they were honourned to be graduates of the citadel of learning.
Saiza that there their success story would not have been possible without the grace of God and the commitment of the school leadership.
