Opportunity Call: Graduation: Mastering the finish line

I finally crossed the finish line. After four years of studying, I have graduated the Master of Religion in Middle Eastern and North African Studies from the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary. It was a great experience, and I value the experiences, knowledge and wisdom I gained from the program. I was honored to share a few words during the graduation ceremony. Hopefully it expresses the appreciation I feel for this learning opportunity and all the people that made it possible.

On behalf of the students of the Master of Religion program, it is my honor to greet you all, to congratulate our fellow graduates and to congratulate the community of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary as it marks a milestone accomplishment this evening of awarding the very first degrees for the Master of Religion in Middle Eastern and North African Studies. What was once a vision has become a reality, and we four graduates are proud to be small parts in a big achievement for this institution.

The MRel is unlike any other seminary program as it explores the Middle East and North African region from within the region in a way that combines interdisciplinary academics and personal engagements to create a transformative learning experience. We graduates have journeyed together with a diverse group of students and faculty on a journey of discovery, discovery of a region, of faiths, of cultures, of people, of our own selves, and, most profoundly, a discovery of God’s Kingdom.

Much can be said of this program and each student will walk away with his or her own testimony of personal and academic growth. As I reflect on the “big idea” that marks my experience in the MRel, my mind goes back to a comment made by a classmate during an on-site residency, a comment that captures what has proven to me to be the underlying theme of this program. We were in our Cultures course, and as we completed two weeks of intensive theory and practice my classmate shared the following statement, “I realize that everything we have learned is so we can better love people.” What was true for the course has proven true for the program, because if the MRel has been about anything it has been about loving people and being built up in faith in Christ, a faith working through love.

On behalf of the first graduating class of the MRel I extend a heartfelt thank you. Thank you to President Elie Haddad for your leadership and the staff of ABTS for your services and support. Thank you to the many who have prayed and given generously to this program. Thank you to the teaching faculty members who have shared with us knowledge, wisdom, time and patience. And finally, thank you to the Institute of Middle East Studies. To Dr. Martin Accad, Dr. Arthur Brown, Jesse Wheeler and to all who have played a role in establishing and running the MRel. A special thank you to Dr. Rupen Das as well, who was unfortunately not able to be with us today, but was key to bringing this program to life and leading it to a fully accredited degree over its first two years. Your hard work has turned a mere idea into an actualized program full of impact and meaning, and I have been blessed to be a beneficiary of your faithfulness and your commitment to serving God.

So may God bless this year’s graduates and direct their paths.

May He keep the ministry of ABTS and strengthen its mission.

And may God be with each one of us for His glory and His great purposes.

Thank you