Mokokchung’s CTC class of 2017 graduates for ministry

Dimapur, April 11 (EMN): After years of rigorous academic study and ‘ministerial’ training, 85 members of Clark Theological College’s class of 2017 have graduated, at Aolijen of Mokokchung district on Sunday, April 9. More than 1, 600 people participated in the 2017 graduation ceremony of Clark Theological College, a press release from the institution stated on Tuesday.
In his welcome address, the principal of the college Rev. Dr. Marnungsang observed that in the 45 years of Clark Theological College, the class of 2017 “is the largest class graduating to take on the challenges of the 21st century and to make important differences in their communities, churches, institutions and in the world for the glory of God.”
The principal assured the gathering that the board of governors, college faculty and the entire Clark community was sending out the class of 2017 whole heartedly and with God’s blessing. The class of 2017 is not only the largest class in the history of Clark Theological College; the graduates include the first batch of two master’s degree programme namely Master of Theology in New Testament and Master of Theology in Communication, Rev. Dr. Marnungsang said. He has congratulated the teaching faculty and the students of the institution.
The college’s activities to mark the graduation began in the evening of Saturday, April 8, with a commissioning service that was conducted for the class of 2017 in a multi-purpose hall of the college.
The education and communication secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council Dr. Botoholi was the “commissioning service speaker,” the press release said. In her speech, Dr. Botoholi challenged the graduating class based on the experiences that she has had in her ministry. She testified that no ministry started with a big ministry; rather the beginning is always small, the press release quoted her as having stated during the event.
The students were encouraged to overcome challenges that come along their way ‘humbly’ and with readiness.
The “commissioning service” concluded with Holy Communion administered by Rev. Dr. A Temjen Jamir, academic dean of the college.
Another speaker for the graduation ceremony was Rev. Dr. Santanu Kumar Patro, registrar of the Senate of Serampore College (University), the press release informed. The graduation day was held on Palm Sunday according to the Christian calendar. Based on it indicating one of the most significant signs of the times, he said, the graduates were asked to involve in the ministry of peacemaking and peace-building.
Bringing the illustration from the recent “Occupy Wall Street” movement in the United States of America, Professor SK Patro urged the graduating class to give priority to peace in their ministry. He said that the theological community and church must involve in “occupy Shalom” movement in the world and “particularly in our contemporary India.”
“Looking at the present scenario, the speaker said that the dominant religion in India is trying in all possible ways to dominate the other religions by forcing its culture and deciding even which food to eat,” the press release.
“It is to such a hostile context to which 15 of the graduates are going as missionaries and for which the speaker express his satisfaction.” The speaker expressed gratitude to the Clark Theological College faculty for “molding and equipping the students to face challenges in our contemporary uncertain world and motivating them.”