aaaaaaaaa aKENYA BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
aaaaaaaaaaa Graduation Ceremony - December 18, 2008
aaaaaaaaaaaia aa Class 408 - Diploma of Church Music
"Passing out Parade" – Kenyan definition of graduation (Professor Zack Ngari,
Jomo Kenyatta University; Board of Governors/Kenya Baptist Theological College)“What must we do? We must believe teaching is critical … We, Kenyan Baptists, are capable of having an university … Live lives that reflect Jesus Christ … Equip others and we will go to the ends of the world.” (Rev. Simon Mwangi, Associate pastor of Parklands Baptist Church, Nairobi; Diploma of Theology and Associate of Arts/Wayland Programme, KBTC)
“The way to end poverty in a country – education … God is doing something with our Graduates … Education and walking with God – it makes a difference as we bring glory to God.” (Rev. Enos Weswah, Principal/KBTC)“Believe in your journey. Believe in your dream and follow it … Education allows you to accomplish your dreams. Education allows you to open doors. Education unleashes potential and empowers … Your maker knows where you’re going … rely upon him and his advice … to follow your dreams.” (Dr. Timothy Njoora, Guest Graduate Challenger - Chairman of Music and Dance at Kenyatta University)
“We must put our trust in the Lord. In the process of moving from college to university, we need cooperation and commitment … Transition leads to challenges … We must first have commitment to our faith, commitment and trust in Christ and commitment to one another … join hands together to bring about university.” (Professor Ngari)“I give thanks to the Southern Baptist Convention for sending missionaries and starting educational institutions in Kenya … Three fourths of our worship services are for praising God through music. I was with Samburu Baptists recently and they were praising God in their own language. They sang one song in Turkana (sometimes their traditional enemies). In music there is no discrimination … There is peace in music. Music is used to communicate messages of
happiness, sorrow, praise… These students can empower music in our churches, empower our churches in praising God … I have been involved in national music festivals (contests). God does not only judge the voice, but what is in the heart … The Baptist Convention of Kenya is thankful for the support of the IMB and LifeWay as we spread the Gospel. This will change our country … Education is the instrument in bringing peace in church, country and world … Faculty of Theology must be strong in our new university .. Equip pastors, they need education." (Rev. Daniel Thiuri, Moderator, Baptist Convention of Kenya)
Prayer for Graduates after the awarding of the Certificates:I pray that one of you will be a:
conductor mastering the many parts into a God honoring whole.
… a teacher who inspires and encourages students to express their talents in a Godly maner.
… a composer who hears heavenly music in his very soul.
… a wordsmith who is so close in communication with God that words flow expressing praise and honor to our Lord.
…a instrumentalist that allows the gift of God to speak through their use of instruments to honor God and to inspire mankind. (Jack Yates, Liaison IMB/BCOK)
Challenge to Serve given to Graduates as they accepted a TOWEL, a symbol of
service, after the reading of John 13:1-17:May you serve the Lord through Evangelism as you share Jesus through music.
May you serve the Lord with gladness.
May you serve the Lord with joy.
May you serve the Lord with peace.
May you serve the Lord with long-suffering.
May you serve the Lord with love. (Rev. Ron Langston, IMB/Professor KBTC)
