bg真人

Published: May 8, 2024

Twenty-two graduates were honored during bg真人鈥檚 April 27, 2024, Commencement Service, which was held in the seminary鈥檚 Chapel of the Sermon on the Mount and livestreamed. Nelson Okanya, DIS, President of World Serving Leaders, the nonprofit division of the in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, gave the commencement address. The livestream recording is available at ambs.edu/graduation.

Four graduates earned a Master of Arts in Christian Formation; six earned a Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism; one earned a Master of Arts: Theology and Peace Studies; six earned a Master of Divinity; and four earned a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies. One graduate was the first to earn a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction; the program began in 2022. Five of the graduates who received the MA: Theology and Global Anabaptism made up the second 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 13 women and nine men from four countries 鈥� Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania and the United States 鈥� and seven U.S. states. Sixteen of the graduates completed part or all of their seminary studies at a distance.

Nine of the graduates are serving in pastoral ministry roles; five are pursuing or seeking to pursue further graduate studies; four are serving in a church organization or institution; four are serving in mission or evangelism; three are serving in education; two are offering spiritual direction; and two are seeking work in a ministry, education or nonprofit setting. One each is seeking chaplaincy certification; creating resources for worship and faith formation; serving in an Optional Practical Training assignment; working with anti-racism organizing and education; working in farming and land trust management; or working in the medical field.

Eleven of the graduates are affiliated with Mennonite Church USA; six with the Meserete Kristos Church (Ethiopian Mennonite Church); and one each with the Baptist Church, Brethren in Christ U.S., Christian Reformed Church, Evana Network, LMC 鈥� A Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches, Mennonite Brethren Church of Congo, United Church of Christ and a nondenominational church. (Some graduates are connected with multiple denominations.)

Anabaptist-Mennonite colleges and universities with graduates in bg真人鈥檚 Class of 2024 include Bluffton (Ohio) University; Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Goshen (Indiana) College; Hesston (Kansas) College; Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas; and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.

Watch the Commencement Service recording听触听View the program
Read the article covering the service

Addiskidan Getachew Abreham

Addiskidan Getachew Abreham of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024, and during Meserete Kristos Seminary鈥檚 Commencement Service on May 18, 2024. 

She is part of the second cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, that began in 2019. She will finish her coursework in May.

Addiskidan, who was formerly Manager at a Christian music school, plans to continue serving in Addis Ababa as Director of the Great Commission Ministry of Athletes in Action. She also serves in her community as a counselor and gospel singer, and in her home congregation 鈥� Anointed Word of God Church 鈥� as a Bible study leader. She previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Christian Ministry with a focus on Community Development from Meserete Kristos Seminary.

鈥淚 had a great time, and I have gained much knowledge in my academic and spiritual lives 鈥� the likeness of Christ and sacrifice, the concepts of peace and reconciliation, knowledge of Christian leadership and holistic ministry, and the history of Anabaptists and their culture,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淎ll bg真人 workers have effectively done their work. Our lecturers are very kind and pleasant, committed and well organized. I want to say God bless all bg真人 workers. Praise the Lord.鈥�

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Endaweke Tsegaw Balkew

Endaweke Tsegaw Balkew of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024, and during Meserete Kristos Seminary鈥檚 Commencement Service on May 18, 2024. He also was selected to receive this year鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Missional Leadership from the seminary鈥檚 Church and Ministry Department.

Endaweke is part of the second cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism (MATGA) entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, that began in 2019. He anticipates finishing his coursework in May 2024. He plans to continue serving as Assistant Professor of Law at Dire Dawa University and in the Meserete Kristos Church, teaching peace in these roles as well as in his community.

鈥淥ur country, Ethiopia, is in a spiral of violence, and I want to continue working in peace 鈥� in training and research,鈥� he said, adding, 鈥淔or this reason I want to pursue my PhD in theology and peace.鈥�

Endaweke previously earned a Master of Human Rights Law (LLM) from Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) University and Bachelor of Law (LLB) from Harmaya (Ethiopia) University. His home congregation is Meserete Kristos Church of Dire Dawa, a congregation of the Merab MKC District. He is married to Yehiwotfre Duressa, and they have four children.

鈥淚 have gone through an experience of growth at bg真人, with its integrated teaching of theology, peace, leadership and research by renowned professors,鈥� Endaweke reflected. 鈥淚 feel I joined the bg真人 learning community and the Anabaptist-Mennonite world. I have figured out the revealed purpose of the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ in the Church by studying through the MATGA. Among other things, I am highly taken by the essence of the Church as an alternative society in the world. The MATGA program has turned my academic focus from law and human rights to theology and peace.鈥�

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Israel Tesfaye Berhe

Israel Tesfaye Berhe of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024, and during Meserete Kristos Seminary鈥檚 Commencement Service on May 18, 2024. 

Israel is part of the second cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism (MATGA) entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, that began in 2019. He anticipates finishing his coursework in 2025, and he plans to continue as Lead Pastor of West Dire Dawa Meserete Kristos Church.

Israel previously earned a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis on Academics from Meserete Kristos College (now Seminary) in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. He is married to Eyerusalem Tesfaye, and they have two children.

鈥淚 am excited to be a part of this community because I have learned so much,鈥� he reflected. 鈥淚 have taken care to carefully interpret the Bible and to practice peace. Finally, I understand God鈥檚 plan for the cosmic world, which began with a single person and spread to society and eventually the entire world. God uses Jesus to carry out this plan.鈥�

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Deborah J. Coates

Deborah J. Coates of Albany, Oregon, graduated from bg真人 on April 27, 2024, with a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies. She completed most of her coursework from a distance.

Deborah previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Oregon in Eugene and an Associate of Arts from Hesston (Kansas) College. She is married to Donald L. Coates, and her home congregation is Portland (Oregon) Mennonite Church, a congregation of Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA.

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Alaina Dobkowski

Alaina Dobkowski of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024. She anticipates completing her Master of Divinity with a major in Pastoral Ministry in August 2024. She also was selected to receive this year鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Biblical Interpretation from the seminary鈥檚 Bible Department.

Alaina, who has completed most of her degree from a distance through the MDiv Connect program, plans to continue serving as Pastor of Grand Rapids Mennonite Fellowship 鈥� a congregation of Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA 鈥� and working with anti-racism organizing and education.

She previously earned a Master of Arts in Urban Studies from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania; and a Bachelor of Social Work from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is married to Nick Dobkowski, and they have three children. 

鈥淢y time at bg真人 has been a gift,鈥� Alaina reflected. 鈥淎s an MDiv Connect student, I鈥檓 grateful that even at a distance I was able to build meaningful relationships with classmates and professors. I鈥檝e learned so much from the people I have studied alongside of and taken courses from over these past four years. 

鈥淒uring my time in seminary, I discovered a call to pastoral ministry that has continued to be affirmed and supported. I uncovered a love for learning biblical languages that I didn鈥檛 know was there. I grew in my understanding of ethics, theology and Anabaptist history. I gained a deeper understanding of myself and my faith. I found new ways to pursue healing, peace and justice. I鈥檓 graduating with new tools, resources, leadership abilities, and knowledge that will continue to serve me and the church in the years to come. 

鈥淣one of this would have been possible without the financial aid and scholarships I received from bg真人. I am also incredibly thankful for support received from the Central District Conference Scholarship Fund, the CM Cares Scholarship, the Nancy E. Roach Memorial Scholarship and the ongoing support of Grand Rapids Mennonite Fellowship. For many years, completing my Master of Divinity degree did not seem like it would be possible, but bg真人 helped me find a valuable path forward.鈥�

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Misgana Alemayehu Eshete

Misgana Alemayehu Eshete of Asebe Teferi/Chiro, Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024. She anticipates completing her Master of Arts in Christian Formation in August 2024. She plans to further her education in counseling. 

Misgana previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Community Development from Meserete Kristos College (now Seminary) in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. She is married to Henok Mekonin, and they have two children. Her parents are the late Seble H/Mariyam and the late Alemayehu Eshete.

Misgana’s home congregation is Meserete Kristos Church in Asebe Teferi/Chiro. While at bg真人, she has attended Pleasant View Church in Goshen, Indiana, an Evana Network congregation.

鈥淲hen I left my home to follow my calling, I never thought I would find a new community that would welcome me wholeheartedly,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淢y time at bg真人 has been both exciting and challenging as I have studied, discovered and engaged in deep self-reflection. I have had the great honor of learning from brilliant professors who are among the best. But maybe even more transformative was being on this journey with fellow seminarians from diverse backgrounds, cultures and faith traditions around the world. In classrooms and hallways, we challenged each other, stretched our minds and grew together in wisdom and knowledge. 

鈥淎s I get ready for the next part of my journey, I am so grateful for this learning community. bg真人 will always be a part of what I know, who I am becoming, and the higher purpose to which I dedicate my future works.鈥�

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Aschalew Assefa Fikadu

Aschalew Assefa Fikadu of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024, and during Meserete Kristos Seminary鈥檚 Commencement Service on May 18, 2024. 

He is part of the second cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism (MATGA) entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, that began in 2019. He anticipates finishing his coursework in 2025.

Aschalew is serving as Pastor at Bethel Dire Dawa Meserete Kristos Church and hopes to carry on the gospel work with his denomination, Meserete Kristos Church, in the future. He would like to pursue a PhD in peace studies. 

Aschalew previously earned a Bachelor of Theology from Grace Theological College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is married to Habtame Alemare, and they have three children.

鈥淢y understanding of the history and theology of the Anabaptist movement, God鈥檚 peace, leadership and the best practices for writing papers has increased significantly through my bg真人 studies,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur lecturers were really kind and knowledgeable, and live excellent lives. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had this wonderful opportunity to learn at bg真人. 

鈥淏eing people of peace is our highest calling since it is God鈥檚 unchanging standard for his creation. Thus, I have always made a commitment to live as a man of peace both within and outside of the church. Since I am a pastor, I constantly preach to and instruct the congregation with the goal of establishing the church as God鈥檚 family.鈥�

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Isaiah Friesen

Isaiah Friesen of Saint Paul, Minnesota, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024. He anticipates completing his Master of Divinity with a major in Theological Studies: Peace Studies in August 2024. He also was selected to receive this year鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Theological Studies from the seminary鈥檚 History, Theology and Ethics Department. He plans to seek work in Minnesota in ministry, higher education or the nonprofit sector. 

Isaiah previously earned a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Spanish and Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies from Goshen (Indiana) College. His home congregations are First Mennonite Church of Beatrice (Nebraska), a congregation of Western District Conference of Mennonite Church USA; and Paoli (Indiana) Mennonite Fellowship, a congregation of Central District Conference (CDC) of Mennonite Church USA. While studying at bg真人, he served as an intern at Assembly Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana 鈥� also a CDC congregation. Prior to his bg真人 studies, he attended and interned at Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart, a congregation of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA.

Isaiah is married to Andrea Moya, and his parents are Rita Friesen and Merlin Friesen, both of Stillwater, Minnesota.

During his studies, he experienced being part of the bg真人 learning community both at a distance and as a residential student on campus.

鈥淚 loved my experience as an MDiv Connect student; it was very lifegiving to me,鈥� he reflected. 鈥淔or a few years this distance option allowed me to stay in meaningful dialogue with others 鈥� thinking about what it means to live and minister in the world as Anabaptists 鈥� while following my own path as married life led me to Latin America. bg真人 professors did a magnificent job including me and other distance students in their blended classes. Karl Stutzman, Kajsa Herrstrom and others in the library also provided excellent services as I needed access to resources for research at a distance. 

鈥淭he distance format made possible my favorite course from seminary, Earthkeeping, where Malinda [Berry] facilitated really amazing learning opportunities among an incredibly international and intercultural group of both online and in-person students. Discussing creation care in such a diverse community was an unparalleled experience.

鈥淒uring my undergrad years I had been exposed just enough to the bg真人 campus community to know that there was a kind of formation and ecclesial vision that could come only from being in everyday relationship and practice with faculty and students based in Elkhart 鈥� even if only for one year,鈥� he continued. 鈥淪ince Andrea and I moved to Elkhart, campus life has been very good to us. It is currently a small campus community, but it has vast international and intercultural diversity, which is quite a gift. I love having relatively easy access to my professors on a more casual basis as we cross paths on campus. It is also a gift to be able to join special breaks and events when guests come to bg真人 from across the continent and world.鈥�

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William David Funk

William David Funk of Elkhart, Indiana, graduated from bg真人 on April 27, 2024, with a Master of Divinity with a major in Theological Studies: History, Theology and Ethics. He looks forward to continuing in pastoral ministry at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship in Goshen, Indiana 鈥� a congregation of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA.

Billy previously earned a Bachelor of Arts with majors in History and Theater from Goshen (Indiana) College. He is married to Alita Yoder, and they have one child. His parents are Thomas Funk and Susan Weaver of Gallup, New Mexico.

鈥淢y time at bg真人 has been a wonderful, challenging and sometimes painful journey of growth and discovery,鈥� Billy reflected. 鈥淚 have learned to embrace my partialness. I am just one part of a bigger story, church, tradition, faith and creation 鈥� but I am a part. I am part of this dance with God and with others, and that realization of Grace provides me bewildering hope and joy.鈥�

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Colleen Avilla Geier

Colleen Avilla Geier, who is originally from upstate New York and now calls South Bend, Indiana, home, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024. She anticipates completing her Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies in August 2024. 

Colleen, who did most of her coursework at a distance, plans to continue teaching Sign Language Interpreting at Goshen (Indiana) College. She also serves on the board of and as a volunteer for Luvability Ministries 鈥� an organization in Niles, Michigan, that provides spiritual and social opportunities for adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Colleen previously earned a Doctor of Education with a concentration in Adult Education from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota; a Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education with concentrations in Special Education and Deaf Education from the State University of New York (SUNY) Brockport; and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and American History with a minor in Mental Health, also from SUNY Brockport. Her home congregation is St. Peter鈥檚 United Church of Christ in South Bend. 

Colleen said that during COVID-19, she started taking classes in Bible and Religion at Goshen College, where she teaches, and then learned she could also take courses at bg真人 through a partnership between the two schools.

鈥淚 have fallen in love with learning all over again!鈥� she reflected. 鈥渂g真人 has challenged me to think about new things and has reinforced my belief that God is all good, accepting and loving. bg真人 is feeding my mind and my spirit, so I plan to continue my studies in a master鈥檚 program.鈥�

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Elia Gisselle Guity

Elia Gisselle Guity of West Palm Beach, Florida, graduated from bg真人 on April 27, 2024, with a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies. She is combining her Master of Social Work, her bg真人 studies and her 15 years of experience as a therapist to serve her community through pastoral counseling and church planting.

Previously, Gisselle earned a Master of Social Work from Fordham University, Tarrytown, New York; a Bachelor of Social Work from Lehman College, Bronx, New York; and an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education from the Borough of Manhattan (New York) Community College.

While living in Elkhart, she attended College Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana, a congregation of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. In Florida, she is part of Centro Adoraci贸n Refugio Eterno in Palm Springs, a Brethren in Christ U.S. congregation. Gisselle has three children, and her parents are Dominga Guity and Marcos Pitillo of the Bronx.

鈥淢y experience at bg真人 has been excellent,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 received exceptional support from my professors, advisors and classmates. The faculty and staff were dedicated to nurturing my academic growth and spiritual and personal development, especially in a different culture and state. I immersed myself in unfamiliar traditions and customs that challenged and enriched my understanding of theology and ministry. These interactions broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for the universal aspect of faith. 

鈥淭hank you, bg真人, for believing in me and allowing me to experience meaningful relationships and collaboration. Studying at bg真人 provided a solid foundation for my journey into ministry, and the encouragement I received continues to inspire me in my calling.鈥�

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Janeth Magiri

Janeth Magiri of Mugumu-Serengeti, Mara Region, Tanzania, graduated from bg真人 on April 27, 2024, with a Master of Arts in Christian Formation. She plans to do a one-year Optional Practical Training assignment in the United States and then return to Tanzania.

Janeth previously earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Management with a major in Leadership from Bluffton (Ohio) University and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Human Resources Management from St. Augustine University of Tanzania in Mwanza. She is married to Benjamin Mtaki, and they have three children. 

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Carrie A. Mast

Carrie A. Mast of Bluffton, Ohio, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024. She anticipates completing her Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies in August 2024. Carrie, who has taken most of her courses from a distance, plans to continue serving as Associate Pastor of First Mennonite Church in Bluffton 鈥� a congregation of Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA. 

Carrie previously earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Management and a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Bluffton (Ohio) University. She is married to Gerald Mast, and they have three children. Her mother is Sally Roth of Bluffton.

鈥淭he Graduate Certificate was the perfect program for me,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淐hoosing courses that supported my work in the church meant that I was able to immediately apply what I was learning in my studies to my church work. Projects for my classes came to fruition in the contexts of worship and my work with children and youth. Research and thinking I completed for course papers emerged in my sermons and teaching. 

鈥淚 have enjoyed being part of a learning community, and though I am finishing my certificate, I continue to be excited about learning and plan to engage with more learning opportunities through bg真人, like the online short courses. After my children are out of school, I may even consider rolling my Graduate Certificate hours into a master鈥檚 program at bg真人.鈥�

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Matthew Peterson

Matthew Peterson of Columbiana, Ohio, graduated from bg真人 on April 27, 2024, with a Master of Divinity with a major in Pastoral Ministry. He completed most of his degree from a distance through the MDiv Connect program. He plans to continue to serve as Pastor of Midway Mennonite Church in Columbiana, a congregation of the Great Lakes West District of LMC 鈥� A Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches.

Matthew previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Abilene (Texas) Christian University. He is married to Christiana Peterson, and they have four children. His parents are Craig and Debbie Peterson of Springfield, Missouri.

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Christina Rhebergen

Christina Rhebergen of Vandalia, Michigan, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024. She anticipates completing her Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction in August 2024. She has started the company Present Spiritual Direction to help people explore and grow in faith through spiritual direction and other practices. 

Christina previously earned an Associate of Arts in Science with a major in Opticianry from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, and a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Mathematics and French from Calvin College (now University) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her home congregation is Church of the Savior CRC (Christian Reformed Church) in South Bend, Indiana, a congregation of Classis Holland of the CRC in North America. She is married to Troy Rhodes.

鈥淢y studies at bg真人 have increased my knowledge and skills and encouraged me to grow and mature spiritually,鈥� Christina said. 鈥淢y courses not only provided me with information, tools and resources, but also created environments that took the student as seriously as the studies. bg真人 is a place where I was given room to bloom while being challenged to find new places I still need to grow. I am so grateful to my professors and fellow students for what they have taught me, and to my advisor and the administrative staff who have always been so helpful.鈥�

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Betelehem Zeleke Roba

Betelehem Zeleke Roba of Mojo, Oromia, Ethiopia, graduated from bg真人 on April 27, 2024, with a Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism. She plans to continue preaching the gospel of peace in her ministry as a preacher. She currently resides in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, and works as a Medical Laboratory Technologist at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Minnesota. In the future, she would like to work for peace in Ethiopia.

Betelehem previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Christian Ministry from Meserete Kristos College (now Seminary) in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. Her home congregation is Mojo Meserete Kristos Church. Her parents are Zeleke Roba Shushi and Asenakech Legese Yimam of Mojo.

鈥渂g真人 taught me the gospel of peace in the framework of knowing, being and doing,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淚t helped me focus on horizontal, vertical and circular relationships in the context of peace. I also learned intercultural communication skills from the bg真人 community.鈥�

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Ndunge A. Sefu

Ndunge A. Sefu of Table View, Cape Town, South Africa, graduated from bg真人 on April 27, 2024, with a Master of Arts: Theology and Peace Studies. As a theologian and peacemaker, he is ready to enter whatever door the Lord may open for him, whether it be in pastoral ministry or a Christian agency or organization.

Ndunge previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a major in Rural Economics from the University of Bandundu, Kikwit, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); and a Bachelor of Theology with a major in Pastoral Ministry from Cape Town (South Africa) Baptist Seminary. His home congregations are Paroisse Missionaire de Kintambo, a congregation of Mennonite Brethren Church of Congo; and Table View Baptist Church of Cape Town. While studying at bg真人, he has attended Prairie Street Mennonite Church, a congregation of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA.

Ndunge is married to Micheline Ilonga, and they have two children. His parents are Joao Katoy Sefu and Josephine Mukhena Mazela of Kikwit, Kwilu Province, DRC.

鈥淐oming to bg真人 has been a window of opportunity opened to the world of theology and peace studies,鈥� he reflected. 鈥淚t has brought a fresh understanding of Christian faith and challenged my perspective of ministry in many aspects. Definitely, I am leaving bg真人 a changed man, grown and equipped to serve beyond what used to be my comfort zone. There are certain questions which will not find answers on this side of eternity, so we will keep them for when we see Jesus.鈥�

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Sue Short

Sue Short of Archbold, Ohio, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024. She anticipates completing her Master of Divinity with a major in Pastoral Ministry in August 2024. Sue, who has completed most of her degree from a distance through the MDiv Connect program, plans to continue serving on the pastoral ministry team at Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold, Ohio 鈥� a congregation of Ohio Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA.

She previously earned a Bachelor of Education with a major in English from the University of Toledo (Ohio). She is married to Stan Short, and they have four young-adult children, a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law.

鈥淢y seminary experience at bg真人 helped shape my pastoral voice, provided opportunities to explore my gifts, and nurtured my spiritual life in a warm and encouraging environment,鈥� Sue said. 鈥淲hile it鈥檚 been challenging to combine work in pastoral ministry with seminary studies, it鈥檚 also been so gratifying to immediately apply what I have learned back into my ministry setting. The faculty, administration and staff, as well as my seminary colleagues, have all been overwhelmingly supportive of me as a pastor, a student and a person. As I graduate, I take with me new eyes to see a global vision of God at work, a deeper love for the Church, and a solid grounding in Anabaptist theology and biblical interpretation.鈥�

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Dirriba Amenu Sori

Dirriba Amenu Sori of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024, and during Meserete Kristos Seminary鈥檚 Commencement Service on May 18, 2024. 

He is part of the second cohort of Ethiopian students to complete the Master of Arts: Theology and Global Anabaptism (MATGA) entirely from Ethiopia through a partnership between bg真人 and Meserete Kristos Seminary in Bishoftu/Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, that began in 2019. He anticipates finishing his coursework in May 2024 and hopes to apply his seminary experiences in his continued ministry as Regional Director for Meserete Kristos congregations in the eastern part of Ethiopia. He also plans to pursue a PhD in church leadership or peace studies.

Dirriba previously earned a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership from Leadstar Christian University in collaboration with Ashland (Ohio) University; a Bachelor of Biblical Theology from Grace Theological College in Addis Ababa in collaboration with Vision International University, Ramona, California; and a Bachelor of Geography and Environmental Studies from Dire Dawa (Ethiopia) University. His home congregation is Meserete Kristos Church (MKC) of Dire Dawa, a congregation of the East Ethiopia MKC Region. He is married to Kokobe Seyoum, and they have three children.

鈥淚 am very happy to have had the opportunity to study at bg真人,鈥� Dirriba reflected. 鈥淚 am fortunate to have been taught by experienced professors. As a church leader and pastor, I have gained experience in many areas that are fundamental for my ministry 鈥� for instance, theology, peace, leadership, church history, economic justice, mission, etc. I have also learned about Mennonites鈥� life, doctrine, biblical interpretation and commitment to follow Jesus. I feel very happy to have joined the bg真人 community and the Anabaptist-Mennonite world.鈥�

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Megan Patrice Wiebersch

Megan Patrice Wiebersch of Des Moines, Iowa, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024. She anticipates completing her Master of Divinity with a major in Chaplaincy in August 2024. Megan, who has completed most of her degree from a distance through the MDiv Connect program, plans to continue in a chaplain residency program through August and then work towards Board of Chaplaincy Certification through the Association of Professional Chaplains. 

Megan previously earned a Bachelor of Biblical and Theological Studies from Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Her home congregation is Washington (Iowa) Mennonite Church, a congregation of Central Plains Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. She is married to Katelin Wiebersch, and her parents are Merlin and Monica Miller of Kalona, Iowa.

鈥淚 found that the seminary process was about learning my own avenues for engaging in theological discussions,鈥� Megan said. 鈥淚 learned how my family of origin along with my social categories and culture have influenced my lens and the way I engage with the world. Seminary encouraged me to understand my embedded theology and beliefs that continue to impact my life, along with ways my deliberative theology continues to be life-giving. 

鈥淭hroughout many of my classes, I was given tools for healthy discussions along with a variety of ways to think about a specific topic. I was never told my beliefs were wrong or misplaced; instead, I was encouraged to apply my understanding of God and the broader community or church to my current context 鈥� whether that was in my small town of Fort Dodge, through the broader bg真人 community, or in my home congregation at Washington Mennonite, etc.鈥�

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Talashia Keim Yoder

Talashia Keim Yoder of Goshen, Indiana, graduated from bg真人 on April 27, 2024, with a Master of Arts in Christian Formation. She also was selected to receive this year鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Christian Formation from the seminary鈥檚 Church and Ministry Department.

Talashia plans to continue as Pastor of Christian Formation and Worship at College Mennonite Church in Goshen, where she is in her 16th year, and as Theater Director at Bethany Christian Schools in Goshen, where she is in her 20th year. She also creates intergenerational seasonal resources for Mennonite Church USA and writes for Building Faith, a website ministry of Mennonite Early Childhood Network.

Talashia previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible/Ministry and Theater Communications from Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, and an Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences from Hesston (Kansas) College. Her home congregation, College Mennonite, is part of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. She is married to Daniel Yoder, and they have two children. Her parents are Howard and Tami Keim of Hesston. 

鈥淚 attended seminary while being a pastor, parent and theater director,鈥� Talashia said. 鈥淲hile at times this made my life ridiculously full, I found that overall, these various parts of my life enriched each other. bg真人 profs welcomed my connections between work life, home life and seminary life. I was encouraged to incorporate my theater and dance background into my seminary work. And my pastoral work deepened and expanded through each class I took.鈥�

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Jonathon Wesley Zirkle

Jonathon Wesley Zirkle of Knightstown and Goshen, Indiana, was honored during bg真人鈥檚 Commencement Service on April 27, 2024. He anticipates completing his Master of Arts in Christian Formation in August 2024. 

Jon feels called to support the spiritual lives and holistic wellness of men through involvement with Mennonite Men and beyond, and plans to begin offering individual spiritual direction. He鈥檚 open to the leading of the Spirit as to how his ministry unfolds. For now, he said his seminary experiences will infuse his work as Director of Bushelcraft Farm in Elkhart and his work with the Wood-Land-Lakes nonprofit land trust in Indiana.

Jon previously earned a Master of Science in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Vermont in Burlington and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Calvin College (now University) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His home congregations are Assembly Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana, and Southside Fellowship in Elkhart 鈥� both congregations of Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA. He is married to Adrienne Laws Landis. His parents are Jeff and Pam Zirkle of Anderson, Indiana.

鈥淚 am pleased with how holistic my seminary experience has been,鈥� Jon reflected. 鈥淔aculty with a wide variety of teaching styles and backgrounds; attention given not just to knowledge but also to my spiritual life and intercultural communication skills; deep learning from classmates; new friendships; and lots of resources and profound experiences will forever shape my sense of faith, ministry, identity and capacities for relating. Encountering the diverse gifts and perspectives of classmates and faculty has enriched my appreciation of the body of Christ. bg真人 faculty encouraged me in my gifts, helped me believe in myself and helped me more fully trust God鈥檚 call. Thank you, bg真人!鈥�

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