Developed by Ramkel Gabriel
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." — Colossians 3:16
Hon. Moses Gatkuoth Lony, Presidential Advisor on Peace, Hon. Gabriel Chamgson Chang, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Amb. Stephen Par Kuol, Minister for Peace Building, Hon. Gen. James Hoth Mai, Minister of Labour, Honorable Ministers, national and State Government, H.E. Gen. Augustino Jadalla Wani, Governor of Central Equatoria State, Hon. Professor Julia A. Duany, Commissioner of Public Service Board, Gen. Simon Yien Makuac, DG, GIB, H.E. Amb. Thomas Duoth Guet, Hon. Tete Ezbon, Commissioner of Juba County. Members of both houses, National Transitional Legislative Assembly and Council of State, state parliament members, all members of the National Army and other organized Forces.
Rt. Rev. James Makuei Choul, Chairman of the College Council and Moderator of the 34th General Assembly, Rt. Rev. Thomas Tut Puot Mut, Deputy Chairperson of the College Council, Rev. Tut Kuny Nyak, General Secretary of the South Sudan Council of Churches. Colleagues from different Universities, Academic and non-academic staff of Nile Theological College, Parents and families of the Graduates. Distinguished Guests, ladies and gentlemen. Good morning.
We are filled with joy as we stand together, offering our most sincere congratulations to the graduating students. This graduation is a combination of three batches: 12, 13, and 14. Congratulations! For the past 4 years, we have seen and appreciated your hard work.
Some may wonder about the importance of studying theology, the Bible, and ministry with our college. In answer to that, I have two points.
"God is holding all things by the word of his power. He is almighty; His greatness no one can fathom. Our God is our creator and our redeemer; forever He is God over all. Doesn't He deserve to be known better? Shouldn't the ones who serve Him seek to serve Him more effectively?"
Even one who chooses to work as an assistant to a barber in a salon must be trained for the position. At the university, you need 4 years for a Bachelor's degree, 2 or 3 years for a Master's, and another additional 2 or 3 years for a PhD. And yet, why do some people believe they can serve the Lord without study and preparation? The Lord Himself trained His disciples for three and a half years.
Some leading Universities around the world began as Christian institutions. Among them, Khartoum Gordon Memorial College, "Harvard" is the name of a pastor, Yale started as a college to train Bible students, and Princeton's founding motto is: "With God we prosper." It's also the same in the UK: Oxford and Cambridge, and even the oldest university in the world, St. Andrews in Scotland, were all formed for training ministers. St. Paul University in Kenya, Day Star University, and Stellenbosch University in South Africa share this rich heritage.
"The world is raising difficult questions. People have opened up too many things, and life has gotten complicated. Atheism is growing, and temptations and distractions are arriving from every direction. The gospel must be delivered honestly and with simplicity. Its relevance must be demonstrated. We must address the issues that are driving people away from the Lord and meet them where they are, in the busy rush of their lives. We need equipped Christian leaders in this world."
Nile Theology College is a joint venture by the Presbyterian Church of the then Sudan (PCOS), presently Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS), and Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC), now South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SSPEC) in Khartoum, through the initiative and support of the American missionary, the late Rev. Bill Anderson in 1991 using English as the medium teaching language. In 2002, the Arabic track was introduced for those who do not speak English.
After South Sudan gained independence in 2011, the College was split into two distinctive institutions. The English track was moved to Malakal town, South Sudan. However, due to the 2013 crisis, the College was moved to Juba on a temporary basis with the hope that this situation would change and the College would be moved back to Malakal town.
In a time when we see a lot of division within the Church and persecution by the Islamic Regime of Khartoum, the Lord performed a miracle by touching the heart of the late Rev. Bill Anderson and the leadership of two Churches to respond to the need for contextual Theological training for the purpose of training local Church leaders.
This college is not only the core of our Evangelical lives, but it plays an important role in our society, because it is centred in a local context and is a part of the community. The Lord has created us in His own image. He gives both the Church and the Government responsibility to care for the people of this great nation, the South Sudan. We have our own cultures, customs, history, and heritage. We rejoice for the joy of our people, and we mourn for their grief. How can we serve our people and minister to them if we don't love them? And how can we love our people if we do not care for them, love their language, cultures, customs, traditions and heritage? Therefore, we urge the government and the Church to show responsibility towards the people they love dearly.
"So, there is still hope in all these challenges."
"The fact that you joined the college and studied theology was not a coincidence, but a part of God's plan for your life. Now go, and find your own calling. It may not necessarily be in the auspices of a Church, but perhaps in a school, an organization, or some other place. The Lord may open doors for you to work in one of the usual fields of service or government, and you will use what you have learned here in your professional lives. The Lord wants heroes of faith who know Him and will live out their faith in all areas of life."
"Don't only share your teaching and your information with your colleagues or community or congregation, but share your whole life with them. Pour out your life and share it, just as the Lord Jesus did. He was not only a teacher, but a friend and companion who shared with His disciples the sweet and difficult times of their lives. Servants of the Gospel should not work as machines or robots, but as real human beings of flesh and blood who can share their lives with their congregations. The Christian message should always be at the core of our lives."
"Do not make this title the last thing you learn. Don't settle for what you have already reached, but work hard to continue learning and to join other tracks. Hear the call of God for your life and continue to refine it, whether you are called to be a preacher or Bible teacher, or whether you are called for Christian Education, the science of ancient manuscripts, Christian counselling, or some other field. The expansion and growth of the Body of Christ will fill the region of Equatoria, Upper Nile, Bar El Ghazal and beyond as pleasing to the heart of the Lord. Let our local culture be filled with the values of evangelical Christianity, so that the pure aroma of Christ is diffused to everyone around us. Let there be lawyers, politicians, engineers, teachers, construction workers, accountants, doctors and nurses who know the Lord and who have received theological training."
My appreciation goes to our partners, the founding member Churches, Mission 21st, the Presbyterian Church of USA, Samaritan's Purse, Outreach Foundation, World Ventures and Tearfund, not forgetting the major role played by our government through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology for recognizing the college as one of the higher learning institutions.
Honourable Gabriel Chanson Chang, the support given by the Ministry is very much appreciated. Minister of Labour Hon. James Hoth, we appreciate the support from your Ministry and the cooperation we have with your staff in MTC. The Governor of Central Equatoria for hosting and honouring our invitation. My appreciation to the Pastor in charge of St. John Parish for allowing us to use the Church building.
Much appreciation to both teaching and non-teaching staff for their commitment, faithfulness, and resilience shown through this tough time of economic meltdown. Some of you make it a habit to foot the bill from home to the college to ensure that students get their lectures. I do not have words to express my thanks to you; I just want to say thank you all for this practical Christian life you have shown.
I appeal to the leadership of two Churches, the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan and the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church, and urge them to keep the torch. I appeal to Hon. Tete Ezbon to help us find a piece of land. I urge the government of National Unity to put aside their differences and make peace a reality to relieve our people from this dire situation. Lastly but not least, I urge all the faithful congregations and members of the two Churches and the well-wishers to lend a hand of support in whatever way you can.
"From this very place, let our lives be a living testimony to His honour. With the training you have received, may God make you into His true and faithful witnesses. To all Churches and different communities, Nile Theological College remains the best place to acquire in-depth Theological knowledge, a place to be."
Once again, congratulations and keep pressing on.
God bless you, God Bless South Sudan.
Rev. Assist. Prof. Makal Gar (Ph.D.)
Principal of Nile Theological College
Juba, South Sudan
Forming servant-leaders for the Church and the world. Deeply affordable theological education rooted in ancient tradition and vibrant community life, in the heart of Juba, South Sudan.