Meet the 20 graduates of bg真人鈥檚 Class of 2023
Published: May 15, 2023
Twenty graduates were honored during bg真人鈥檚 April 29, 2023, Commencement Service, which was held in the seminary鈥檚 Chapel of the Sermon on the Mount and livestreamed. Elizabeth Soto Albrecht, DMin, an author, former seminary professor and chaplain-interpreter, gave the commencement address. The livestream recording is available at ambs.edu/graduation.
Eight graduates earned a Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism; six earned a Master of Divinity; three earned a Master of Arts: Theology and Peace Studies; and three earned a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies. Seven of the graduates who received the MA: Theology and Global Anabaptism made up the first cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the program entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit that began in 2019.
The graduating class comprised 12 men and eight women from five countries 鈥� Canada, Colombia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and the United States. Ten of the graduates completed part or all of their seminary studies at a distance.
Eight of the graduates are serving in pastoral ministry roles or seeking pastoral assignments; four are serving in a church organization or institution; three are pursuing or seeking to pursue further graduate studies; two are serving in mission or evangelism; and two are seeking work in peacebuilding and social justice. One each is pursuing further chaplaincy education; seeking a teaching assignment; working in mental health; or working with children鈥檚 spiritual formation. One is discerning future plans.
Eleven of the graduates are affiliated with Mennonite Church USA; eight with the Meserete Kristos Church (Ethiopian Mennonite Church); two with the Brethren in Christ; and one with Mennonite Church Canada. bg真人 serves Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada as a binational seminary.
Watch the Commencement Service recording | View the program
Read the article covering the service
Meet the graduates
- Debbie Renee Bledsoe
- Girma Gelaye Bossen
- Felecia Calloni
- Desta Gadisa Debele
- Ian Funk
- Ben J. Graber
- Abby Hershberger
- Andrew Ray Hudson
- Fred Longenecker
- Sibonokuhle Ncube
- Julieta Orrego
- Anna Ressler
- Deanna Risser
- Anteneh Setegn聽
- Teferi Beyene Setena
- Getachew Tegegne
- Frew Zinna Tuke
- Sandra Vielman
- Tariku Delelew Wondimu
- Sisay Worku
Debbie Renee Bledsoe
Debbie Renee Bledsoe, most recently from Raleigh, North Carolina, graduated from bg真人 on April 29, 2023, with a Master of Divinity with a major in Pastoral Ministry. She also was selected to receive this year鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Preaching from the seminary鈥檚 Church and Ministry Department.
Debbie is currently serving as a licensed pastor at Southside Fellowship in Elkhart, a congregation of Central District Conference (CDC) of Mennonite Church USA. She is discerning a call to a pastoral position within Mennonite Church Canada.
Debbie鈥檚 home congregation is Raleigh Mennonite Church, also a CDC congregation. She is married to Emily Bledsoe.
Girma Gelaye Bossen
Girma Gelaye Bossen of Chiro, Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 29, 2023.
He is part of the first cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism program entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit that began in 2019. He anticipates completing his coursework and graduating in August 2023.
Girma will continue to serve as General Secretary of the Meserete Kristos Church office in the West Hararghe Zone of the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. In his role, he leads and oversees 17 local churches and 30 new church plants.
Girma previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Christian Ministries from Meserete Kristos College (now Seminary) in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. His home congregation is Asebe Teferi/Chiro Meserete Kristos Church in the eastern part of Ethiopia. He is married to Selam Ashenafi Giweta, and they have three children.
鈥淚 have greatly enjoyed learning at bg真人, because bg真人 is a very organized seminary and has well known professors who passionately teach their students,鈥� Girma reflected. 鈥淪o, I believe that someone who learns at bg真人 becomes well equipped for his mission or ministry.鈥�
Felecia Calloni
Felecia Calloni, who calls many places home, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 29, 2023. She also was selected to receive this year鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Chaplaincy from the seminary鈥檚 Church and Ministry Department.
Felecia anticipates completing her Master of Divinity with a major in Chaplaincy in December 2023. She plans to spend the next year in residency as a hospital chaplain, working towards Board of Chaplaincy Certification through the Association of Professional Chaplains. Following her residency, she plans to pursue chaplain educator training through the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education.
Felecia previously earned a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro and a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and a minor in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. Her home congregation is Portland (Oregon) Mennonite Church, a congregation of Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA.
鈥溾�楽eminary will be fun,鈥� I thought. 鈥業t will be an adventure,鈥欌�� Felecia reflected. 鈥淲ell, that鈥檚 certainly one way of putting it 鈥� a spiritual vivisection might be another. bg真人 may need to update their brochure to include, 鈥楳ay induce existential crisis.鈥欌��
鈥淢y years at bg真人 have been some of the most challenging and absolutely life-giving,鈥� she continued. 鈥淚 came looking for answers 鈥� for assurance. Instead, I鈥檓 leaving having learned to embrace ambiguity and mystery. bg真人鈥檚 pedagogy of knowing, being and doing helped me to examine my toxic embedded theology and reconstruct it into a mission of shalom. Their emphasis on providing a multicultural lens in all their coursework has expanded not only my scriptural understanding, but also my concept of grace. This, combined with my Clinical Pastoral Education, has prepared me for my work as a spiritual and emotional doula (a.k.a. chaplain).鈥�
Desta Gadisa Debele
Desta Gadisa Debele of Adola, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 29, 2023.
He is part of the first cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism program entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit that began in 2019. He anticipates completing his coursework and graduating in August 2023.
Desta plans to serve in pastoral ministry and explore cross-cultural mission work with people who have not been reached by the gospel. He hopes to find support and collaborators for these ministries. He currently serves as chair of the Adola Town Evangelical Fellowship and as Coordinator of the Education Committee of the East Guji Zone Meserete Kristos Church.
Desta previously earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree with an emphasis on peace and justice from Meserete Kristos College (now Seminary) in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. His home congregation is Adola Town Meserete Kristos Church, which is part of the East Guji Zone Meserete Kristos Church in the Oromia Region. He is married to Lemlem Alemu, and they have two sons.
鈥淚 have had high experiences during my online study with bg真人,鈥� Desta reflected. 鈥淚 took courses in the areas of peace studies, wholistic missional issues, biblical foundations of peace studies, Anabaptist-Mennonite biblical understandings of peace and justice, and also leadership perspectives and wholistic ministries.鈥�
Ian Funk
Ian Funk of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, graduated from bg真人 on April 29, 2023, with a Master of Divinity with a major in Pastoral Ministry. He also was selected to receive this year鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Pastoral Ministry and Christian Formation from the seminary鈥檚 Church and Ministry Department.
Ian completed most of his degree at a distance through bg真人鈥檚 MDiv Connect program. He will continue to serve as a pastor with Langley (British Columbia) Mennonite Fellowship, a congregation of Mennonite Church British Columbia of Mennonite Church Canada.
Ian previously earned a Bachelor of Theology from Canadian Mennonite Bible College (now Canadian Mennonite University) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; a Bachelor of Music in Performance in Voice from the University of Victoria (British Columbia); and a Bachelor of Education (Primary) from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto (Ontario, Canada). He is married to Tammy Hummel, and they have two children. His parents are Johann and Vera Funk of Surrey.
鈥淚n bg真人鈥檚 learning community, I鈥檝e felt like I shared a common practise; a common experience; an understanding of how to gather and experience church; a sense of communal worship and discernment,鈥� Ian reflected. 鈥淭his was familiar to me, and it鈥檚 been important for me to learn and grow in this context 鈥� in a place that made sense to me and mattered to me; a place that is warm, welcoming and supportive.
鈥淏ut it hasn鈥檛 all been familiar to me. bg真人 is a very diverse and increasingly global community that understands that there is no one way to be Anabaptist. This diverse community has allowed me to do the difficult and gratifying work of learning where I fit within the Anabaptist mosaic and why Anabaptism matters to me, my community and the world. I feel blessed to have been at bg真人, and I anticipate that this feeling of blessing will be ongoing. I am deeply grateful for the generosity of the bg真人 community.鈥�
Ben J. Graber
Ben J. Graber of Goshen, Indiana, graduated from bg真人 on April 29, 2023, with a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies. He plans to continue his seminary studies in the Master of Arts in Christian Formation program at bg真人.
Ben previously earned a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Spanish and Education from Goshen College. His home congregation is East Goshen Mennonite Church, a congregation of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. He is married to Ivannia Graber, and they have three children. His parents are John and Crissie Graber of Goshen.
鈥淚 have greatly appreciated the opportunity to explore my gifts and interests while deepening my understanding of faith in Christ,鈥� Ben reflected. 鈥淗aving the ability to choose classes that interest me for the Graduate Certificate has led to rich new learning opportunities for me.鈥�
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Abby Hershberger
Abby Hershberger of Millersburg, Ohio, graduated from bg真人 on April 29, 2023, with a Master of Arts: Theology and Peace Studies. She also was selected to receive an Award for Excellence in Theological Studies from the seminary鈥檚 History, Theology and Ethics Department.
Abby is currently working as the Storyteller with Mennonite Life (formerly Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
She previously earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History and a minor in Gender Studies from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She attends James Street Mennonite Church in Lancaster, a congregation of Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church USA. Her parents are Dave and Leona Hershberger of Millersburg.
鈥淚t was a gift to gather with people from different contexts and try to piece together the mysteries of Scripture and community,鈥� Abby reflected. 鈥淚 grew in empathy and appreciation for the wide global church and for the small communities I get to be a part of. I also learned to fully embrace the role of creativity and imagination in theological interpretation.鈥�
Andrew Ray Hudson
Andrew Ray Hudson of Portland, Oregon; Sarasota, Florida; and Elkhart, Indiana; was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 29, 2023. He also received a Commendation in Garden Leadership from the Academic Dean. He anticipates completing his Master of Divinity with a major in Pastoral Ministry in December 2023.
Andrew is developing a ministry of helping congregations grow in their sense of sacred belonging to place and land, drawing especially on biblical wisdom to do so.
Andrew previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Reed College in Portland. His home congregation is Covenant Mennonite Fellowship in Sarasota, a congregation of Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA. While studying at bg真人, he has attended Fellowship of Hope in Elkhart, a congregation of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. His parents are Hank and Cheryl Hudson of La Grande, Oregon, and he has an adult son.
鈥渂g真人 has been a great place to learn about the fledgling fields of creation care and climate-related ministry,鈥� he reflected.
Fred Longenecker
Fred Longenecker of South Bend, Indiana, and originally of Hatfield, Pennsylvania, graduated from bg真人 on April 29, 2023, with a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies.
He plans to continue working part time as a Mental Health Recovery Coach with Oaklawn Psychiatric Center in Goshen, Indiana, while increasing his work with children鈥檚 spirituality. He anticipates publishing his first children鈥檚 picture book later this year. He also is exploring the possibility of starting a children鈥檚 television ministry in the style of Mister Rogers through a local Christian media company. In addition, he wants to develop an Anabaptist version of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a widely known spiritual formation program for children ages 3-6.
Longenecker previously earned a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Iowa in Iowa City and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Goshen College. Additionally, he completed a Chaplain Certificate from Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan; a Catechist Certificate from the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd; and a Certified Recovery Specialist Certificate from Mental Health America.
His home congregation is Kern Road Mennonite Church in South Bend, a congregation of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. He is married to Jewel Gingerich Longenecker (MA 1992), and they have two adult children. His mother is Catherine Longenecker of Lititz, Pennsylvania.
鈥淔ollowing a job loss and mental health crisis in 2018, I have sought to understand the divine within, which has provided me with an important protective layer,鈥� Longenecker reflected. 鈥淚鈥檝e become passionate about sharing this reality with young children to prepare them for the challenges that may lie ahead. I currently help lead faith formation programs for young children at my church and at a local Montessori school and serve as a Mental Health Recovery Coach for Oaklawn.
鈥淎t bg真人, my professors have inspired and encouraged me to explore the intersection of mental health and spirituality. Through my studies and conversations, I have come to believe in an innate, living divine inner presence that can provide every human being with the closest possible relationship of their lives; an experience of unconditional love beyond that of humans; and an effective offset to selfishness, self-promotion, individualism, fear and loneliness. I am grateful for all the support I鈥檝e received from donors who have made my studies possible.鈥�
Sibonokuhle Ncube
Sibonokuhle Ncube of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, graduated from bg真人 on April 29, 2023, with a Master of Divinity with a major in Theological Studies: Peace Studies. She also was selected to receive this year鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Missional Leadership from the seminary鈥檚 Church and Ministry Department.
Sibonokuhle is presently serving as Regional Director for Africa and Europe with Mennonite Mission Network in Elkhart.
She previously earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Community Development Studies by research focusing on Social Accountability of Faith-Based Interventions. She also earned a Master of Science in Development Studies from the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo, and a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Rural and Urban Planning with a major in Project Planning and Management from the University of Zimbabwe in Harare.
Sibonokuhle鈥檚 home congregation is Brethren in Christ Community Church in Bulawayo. While at bg真人, she has attended Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana, a congregation of Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA. She is married to Bhekisisa Ncube, and they have three daughters. Her parents are Edward and Nomusa (nee Nyoni) Ndhlovu of Bulawayo.
鈥淢y time at bg真人 has been worthwhile for strengthening my inner and outer call through the virtuous co-creative tension inherent in study, service, community and renewed spirituality,鈥� she said.
She reflected on the existential threat of the COVID-19 pandemic that began a few months after she and her family arrived in the U.S. for her to pursue her studies.
鈥淭he ominous onset of the pandemic was subverted in many ways as my family experienced a layered opportunity of watching God at work in our lives and in the world,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y coursework and interactions at bg真人 inspired a stronger re-centering of the Scriptures as a guiding light within adversity and whet my appetite for espousing theory and praxis. Community reading of texts and co-creative learning enriched my perspectives under all the professors who facilitated navigation through each course.
鈥淭he generosity of allies and local congregations like Eighth Street Mennonite Church and Kern Road Mennonite Church who supported the student body in many ways fed my resolve and hope for better days and inspired me to be a future supporter of the ministry of bg真人,鈥� she added.
鈥淎s a lifelong learner, I鈥檝e found that bg真人 has deepened my love for trauma-informed ecodiscipleship and regenerative missionality that pivots from God鈥檚 shalom and lovingkindness,鈥� Sibonokuhle concluded. 鈥淚 now spread my wings with the Canticle of the Turning on my lips as I join other global leaders within the Mennonite World Conference鈥檚 commune to co-witness to the love of God with compassion and radical love.鈥�
Julieta Orrego
Julieta Orrego of Bogot谩, Colombia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 29, 2023. She also received a Commendation in Global Peace Studies from the Academic Dean.
Julieta anticipates completing her Master of Arts: Theology and Peace Studies in August 2023. She plans to apply to do a term of Optional Practical Training in the United States, working in a peacebuilding and/or social justice-related organization.
Julieta previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Conflict Studies and Peacebuilding from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogot谩. Her home congregation is the former Veraguas Brethren in Christ Church in Bogot谩. While studying in Elkhart, she has attended Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart, a congregation of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. Her parents are Arturo Orrego and Viviana Machuca of Bogot谩.
鈥淎t bg真人 I was able to deepen my knowledge of peacebuilding from an Anabaptist perspective,鈥� Julieta reflected. 鈥淚t was a space to learn about multiple perspectives, cultures and worldviews from my professors and classmates. It also allowed me to discern my further vocation as a peacebuilder deeply rooted in my faith as an Anabaptist.鈥�
Anna Ressler
Anna Ressler of Kidron, Ohio, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 29, 2023. She also was selected to receive this year鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Biblical Interpretation from the seminary鈥檚 Bible Department.
Anna anticipates completing her Master of Divinity with a major in Pastoral Ministry in August 2023. She is pursuing a pastoral ministry assignment.
Anna previously earned a Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Her home congregation is Sonnenberg Mennonite Church in Kidron, a congregation of the Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA. While studying in Elkhart, she has attended Sunnyside Mennonite Church in Elkhart, a congregation of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. Her parents are Barb and Winfred Ressler of Kidron.
Deanna Risser
Deanna Risser of Goshen, Indiana, graduated from bg真人 on April 29, 2023, with a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies. She will continue in her role as Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer of bg真人.
Deanna previously earned a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University South Bend and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bluffton (Ohio) University. Her home congregation is Assembly Mennonite Church in Goshen, a congregation of Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA. Her parents are Alice Risser and the late Dennis Risser of Goshen.
Anteneh Setegn
Anteneh Setegn of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, graduated from bg真人 on April 29, 2023, with a Master of Arts: Theology and Peace Studies. He also received a Commendation in Global Peace Studies from the Academic Dean.
Anteneh plans to serve somewhere in the United States for a limited time in peace and justice-related work while also preparing peace and justice Bible study materials for the Meserete Kristos Church.
Anteneh is a graduate of Meserete Kristos College (now Seminary) in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
Teferi Beyene Setena
Teferi Beyene Setena of Dire Dawa, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 29, 2023.
He is part of the first cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism program entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit that began in 2019. He anticipates completing his coursework and graduating in August 2023.
As a pastoral minister, Teferi is working and ministering in his church and community, focusing on peacemaking and discipleship in Christ. He wants to serve as a peacemaker and be a man of peace in his community and country. He also would like to pursue additional studies in peace theology.
Teferi is a graduate of Meserete Kristos College (now Seminary) in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. His home congregation is Mehal Dire Dawa Meserete Kristos Church. He is married to Astare Abebe Habte, and they have one daughter.
Getachew Tegegne
Getachew Tegegne of Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 29, 2023.
He is part of the first cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism program entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit that began in 2019. He anticipates completing his coursework and graduating in August 2023.
Getachew is a full-time evangelist with Gondar Meserete Kristos Church. He previously earned a Bachelor of Theology from Meserete Kristos College (now Seminary) in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
鈥淢y years at bg真人 have benefited me a lot,鈥� he reflected. 鈥淭he lectures, assignments and class discussions deepened my understanding of Anabaptist theology. My studies at bg真人 have prepared me for a better spiritual life and ministry. I would like to thank my Lord and the bg真人 donors; it would have been hard to complete my studies without their support. God helped me in many ways. Glory to be God!鈥�
Frew Zinna Tuke
Frew Zinna Tuke of Adama, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 29, 2023. He also was selected to receive an Award for Excellence in Theological Studies from the seminary鈥檚 History, Theology and Ethics Department.
Frew is part of the first cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism program entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit that began in 2019. He anticipates completing his coursework and graduating in August 2023.
Frew has begun teaching at different Bible colleges and seminaries and hopes to obtain a permanent teaching position following his graduation. He also would like to prepare himself for further advancements in theological studies.聽
He previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Christian Ministry with an academic emphasis from Meserete Kristos College (now Seminary) in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. His home congregation is North Nazareth Meserete Kristos Church in Adama/Nazareth, the first Mennonite congregation in Ethiopia. He is married to Etagegn Elilo, and they have two adult children. His father is the late Zinna Tuke, who worked with Mennonite missionaries from North America as a principal in Mennonite elementary schools.
鈥淢y seminary experience has been valuable particularly in terms of Christian leadership, understanding the concepts of peace and reconciliation, knowledge of theology, developing hermeneutical skills, and understanding Anabaptist-Mennonite history and theology,鈥� Frew reflected.
Sandra Vielman
Sandra Vielman of Plantation, Florida, graduated from bg真人 on April 29, 2023, with a Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism. She also received a Commendation in Intercultural Peace Studies from the Academic Dean. She is discerning future plans.
Vielman, who completed part of her degree at a distance, previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Hispanic Ministries from Goshen (Indiana) College. Her home congregation is Hively Avenue Mennonite Church in Elkhart, a congregation of Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA. She is married to Jorge Vielman聽(MA 2001), and they have three adult children.
Tariku Delelew Wondimu
Tariku Delelew Wondimu of Shinshicho in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples鈥� Region of Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 29, 2023.
He is part of the first cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism program entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit that began in 2019. He anticipates completing his coursework and graduating in August 2023.
Tariku is a full-time pastor with East Shinshicho Meserete Kristos Church, which is part of the Shinshicho Region Meserete Kristos Church. He previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Christian Ministry from Meserete Kristos College (now Seminary) in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. He is married to Asrat Selle, and they have two sons and a daughter.
鈥淎s a pastor, I have a constant hunger and thirst to have more grace, knowledge and skills in stewardship, missionary service, church management and leadership,鈥� Tariku reflected. 鈥淒uring my time at the seminary, as God is an excellent teacher and guides in the way he likes, he used the professors and community of bg真人 to satisfy my long-standing thirst for the Word, and by opening my spiritual eyes through his Word, he made my whole being and my personality ready for more service.鈥�
Sisay Worku
Sisay Gizaw Worku of Dire Dawa, Administration Council, Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 29, 2023.
He is part of the first cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism program entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit that began in 2019. He anticipates completing his coursework and graduating in August 2023.
Sisay plans to continue serving as pastor of Mehal Dire Dawa Meserete Kristos Church, where he has served since 2001. He previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Christian Ministry from Meserete Kristos College (now Seminary) in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. He is married to Genet Kiflu, and they have a daughter and a son.
鈥淎t the beginning, my intention was not to earn a Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism,鈥� Sisay reflected. 鈥淏ut God intervened and made good things for me in the Church and in my family. The last three years have been very interesting, and I have gained a lot of practical and life-touching knowledge. My time of learning with bg真人 has prepared me to develop biblical teachings that are fundamental for peacebuilding and conflict transformation processes.
鈥淚 am very thankful to the Almighty God, who helped, supported and encouraged me to finish, even with the big challenge of the English language. And I鈥檓 also very thankful to my lovely wife and children. Finally, I鈥檓 very grateful for all my professors who taught me in person in Ethiopia and from Elkhart.鈥�
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