Beyond the Degree
The Passion of Christ’s Disciples - Our Bachelor of Theology Graduates
A theological degree, unlike many other degrees, may not promise a stable job, a high salary, or financial gain. Though it is an important achievement, theological education is about far more than earning a qualification. Done well, it deepens our knowledge and love for Christ, shapes us into His likeness and equips us to serve His church faithfully.
Our graduating students, whom we are celebrating, have demonstrated this love with deep commitment. The dreams they pursue, the visions they carry, and the practical steps they take to serve God and His people remind us that our labor is not in vain. Their stories demonstrate that theological education is not simply preparation for ministry; it is itself part of the lifelong process through which God forms His servants.
Therefore, we are excited to highlight some of their stories and celebrate what God is doing in and through the lives and ministries of our Bachelor of Theology (BTh) graduates.
Carlos, from Syria, has a heart for seeing people come to Christ. What excites him most is not recognition or the achievement of a degree, but the opportunity of being part of God’s work. Since the beginning of his studies, Carlos has prayed that the Lord would use him and his gifts according to His purposes. We praise God that, as Carlos shares, he is seeing this prayer answered. Passionate about counseling, Carlos is currently discipling new believers and participating in church-planting efforts. He shared:
My studies taught me better approaches to communicating effectively with people. I came to see teaching as largely helping people discover the truth rather than simply telling it to them. At first, teaching for me meant simply presenting what I knew. Today, I use the teaching methods I learned at some of the conferences to which I am invited. I use different approaches, including group discussions and other methods. I also remember that last year, two friends of mine asked for my help during a conflict they were experiencing. I thank the Lord for using me, and that things worked out between them for the better. If I could describe my educational journey in one word, I would choose “Transformation”. For me, learning should be accompanied by transformation, otherwise it remains merely information. To help others experience transformation, we need to be transformed first.
Carlos in Classroom
Niyazi, from Sudan, shares his desire to place what he has learned at the service of others. Throughout his studies, his constant prayer has been that the Lord, and the Lord alone, would be glorified. He shared:
ABTS’ clear vision of preparing ministry leaders, theologians, and writers to serve the Arab Church has greatly strengthened my research, teaching, and writing skills. I currently serve with Repairers of the Breach, a ministry that brings together several different ministries, including the Faith Institute for Biblical Studies and Leadership as well as the Pastor and Leader Program. I am very passionate about being able to use the knowledge and skills I gained through my studies to contribute to this work.
Niyazi’s story reminds us that theological education is not an end in itself. Students are entrusted to us so that we might help equip Christ’s servants so that they may build His Church.
Niyazi in Ministry
Oussama also embodies this commitment through his ministry. He serves in Morocco among young people through teaching and discipleship. His ministry is an investment in a future where leaders are raised up to serve churches and ministries, ultimately contributing to the growth of the church. Oussama offered a beautiful description of his ministry:
I do not see myself as the leader of the youth I serve, but as their older brother. A brother who protects, supports, encourages, helps clarify the vision, and makes sure they feel valued, heard, and loved.
Oussama’s journey at ABTS has not been without challenges. But what good comes from a life without challenges? It is often through these challenges that God shaped and refined Oussama. One of the most valuable lessons he has learned at ABTS was that having different ways of expressing ourselves and coming from different cultures does not mean that we do not share the same core Christian values. He also learned to adapt to the differences among the people he serves, making it a priority to understand them before anything else. When asked about his educational journey, he replied:
I would describe it with these two words: Keep going. I felt like giving up many times, but I had this burning desire to keep going. I continued because I believe that the Lord will use my educational journey for His kingdom and His Church in Morocco.
Oussama in Ministry
Jalil, originally from Yemen, is driven by a clear vision of making disciples. In his ongoing pursuit of this calling, he trains and equips local leaders in disciple-making and church planting within Arab and Muslim contexts, helping them lead others toward Jesus.
Jalil seeks to use every tool the Lord provides to serve Him more faithfully. Through his studies at ABTS, he developed the ability to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, understand God’s heart through Scripture, and think critically. These skills have become practical tools that directly strengthen and shape his ministry. Reflecting on the future, Jalil shared:
My growing awareness, however limited, of who I am and the purpose for which I exist has clarified the paths I must pursue. As a result, my vision for the future has become clearer. I have come to realize that the future is not separate from the past. Rather, they are connected as part of one larger journey. What excites and encourages me is the heart of God, His love, and His goodness, and what He desires to accomplish as His kingdom breaks into our world.
Olfat, from Syria, describes her journey at ABTS as “a journey of grace”. She expressed: “After I understood the meaning of grace through my studies, I came to see that it was God’s grace that led me to learn about ABTS and enroll in it. And this grace continues to accompany me in my ministry”. Today, Olfat leads discipleship groups and serves in women’s and youth ministry at her church. She also provides material and psychosocial support to those affected by the war in Syria.
What excites her most is seeing the people she serves transformed and their relationships with God and with others grow stronger. Olfat expressed it this way: “Sometimes the people I serve share their testimonies about how God is working in their lives, without realizing that they are actually sharing a testimony of the impact of the ministry on them. These testimonies make me so happy.”
Through her studies, Olfat also learned the importance of commitment and consistency. Her studies taught her to respect time and meet deadlines and to remain consistent, recognizing that many people begin with passion but do not finish what they started. She sees these same qualities as essential not only to completing her studies, but also to remaining faithful in ministry. Olfat said:
We sometimes think that our ministry is limited to the space or place where we serve. But it turns out that God uses us to the extent to which we give Him space, and that the impact of our ministry may go beyond borders, nations, and continents. This is very exciting.
These stories remind us that the degree is not the ultimate destination. Christ himself is our treasure, and His saving work is the foundation of our hope. A theological degree is nevertheless a significant privilege and responsibility: an opportunity to become more deeply rooted in God’s word and better equipped to serve His people.
Therefore, as we celebrate our graduates, we celebrate more than an academic achievement. We celebrate lives committed to Christ, dreams surrendered to Him, and leaders who are choosing to keep going, not for what they might gain, but for the One who has already given everything. Above all, we give thanks to the Lord, who continues to transform lives and equip His people, all for His glory.