Lamps amid the Darkness
Updates from our Graduating Students
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5: 14 – 16)
Every year, we have the privilege of celebrating the graduation of a number of the faithful men and women pursuing theological education and biblical formation through our different programs. It is always touching for us to look back on their journeys and see how they have grown with the Lord. It is also exciting to see how these graduates are finishing one part of their journeys and are taking steps towards new horizons. Our prayer is that wherever they are, these graduates are always lamps, shining amidst their communities so that they may see their good deeds and glorify their Father in heaven.
Every year, we have the privilege of celebrating the graduation of a number of the faithful men and women pursuing theological education and biblical formation through our different programs. It is always touching for us to look back on their journeys and see how they have grown with the Lord. It is also exciting to see how these graduates are finishing one part of their journeys and are taking steps towards new horizons. Our prayer is that wherever they are, these graduates are always lamps, shining amidst their communities so that they may see their good deeds and glorify their Father in heaven.
Master of Divinity
Daniel | Lebanese serving in LebanonMy journey at ABTS has profoundly benefited me on a personal, spiritual, ethical, emotional, and intellectual level. It allowed me to deepen my understanding of my faith and develop a stronger connection with Christ. Through studying theological concepts and principles, I was able to explore the foundations of my beliefs and develop a richer spiritual life. My education also provided me with invaluable insights into the moral and ethical dimensions of my faith. It helped me cultivate a more values-driven perspective on life.
As a person who works in missions with the Free Evangelical Association of Lebanon, I am passionate about fostering cross-cultural understanding and promoting regional outreach. With a firm theological foundation, I envision creating opportunities for individuals and communities to engage in regional missions. I want to empower others to be effective ambassadors of Christ in both local and regional contexts.
Bachelor of Theology
Youssef | Egyptian serving in the MENA RegionAs I near my graduation, I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to become a more Christlike person. I have grown a lot through my journey of theological education. My thinking has matured a lot, and I approach things more rationally than emotionally now. I have learned the importance of building bridges and creating healthy avenues of communication in building spiritually and relationally strong faith communities. I have also come to place my relationship with God as my highest priority, which has helped me grow psychologically and spiritually.
I currently serve by creating content for a social media ministry, and I have recently begun serving through a discipleship and follow up ministry that is spread throughout the MENA region. I have it on my heart to work towards building a network that functions as an interactive community that connects believers from across the Arab world so that, together, we can bear fruit for the Kingdom.
Samar | Syrian serving in Syria
I first joined ABTS because I was looking for an opportunity to grow in my theological knowledge and ministerial skills without compromising on my ministry or family. The Online Program allowed me to mature spiritually, grow intellectually, and gain the necessary skills to carry out contextual ministry while also balancing my family and church responsibilities.
I currently serve with children and teens through my church and through Youth for Christ. I also serve with Child Evangelism Fellowship by carrying out children’s programs and training and equipping new leaders for ministry. I pray that one day I can start a children’s center that can help children live according to God’s will.
I first joined ABTS because I was looking for an opportunity to grow in my theological knowledge and ministerial skills without compromising on my ministry or family. The Online Program allowed me to mature spiritually, grow intellectually, and gain the necessary skills to carry out contextual ministry while also balancing my family and church responsibilities.
I currently serve with children and teens through my church and through Youth for Christ. I also serve with Child Evangelism Fellowship by carrying out children’s programs and training and equipping new leaders for ministry. I pray that one day I can start a children’s center that can help children live according to God’s will.
Charbel | Lebanese serving in Lebanon
I started studying theology because I felt that the Certificate in Ministry program would help grow and refine my ministry skills. I serve through leading and discipling home groups, so I was excited to see how the Lord wanted to shape me through the program. I gained a lot of knowledge and skills through my theological education. I grew as a teacher and disciple maker, which directly benefitted my ministry. I think that, for people who want to know the Lord more, studying theology is a vital step that can help form their talents and grow their knowledge so that they become fruitful for the Kingdom.
I started studying theology because I felt that the Certificate in Ministry program would help grow and refine my ministry skills. I serve through leading and discipling home groups, so I was excited to see how the Lord wanted to shape me through the program. I gained a lot of knowledge and skills through my theological education. I grew as a teacher and disciple maker, which directly benefitted my ministry. I think that, for people who want to know the Lord more, studying theology is a vital step that can help form their talents and grow their knowledge so that they become fruitful for the Kingdom.
Saadi | Iraqi serving in Canada
I started studying theology because I felt that the Certificate in Ministry program would help grow and refine my ministry skills. I serve through leading and discipling home groups, so I was excited to see how the Lord wanted to shape me through the program. I gained a lot of knowledge and skills through my theological education. I grew as a teacher and disciple maker, which directly benefitted my ministry. I think that, for people who want to know the Lord more, studying theology is a vital step that can help form their talents and grow their knowledge so that they become fruitful for the Kingdom.
I started studying theology because I felt that the Certificate in Ministry program would help grow and refine my ministry skills. I serve through leading and discipling home groups, so I was excited to see how the Lord wanted to shape me through the program. I gained a lot of knowledge and skills through my theological education. I grew as a teacher and disciple maker, which directly benefitted my ministry. I think that, for people who want to know the Lord more, studying theology is a vital step that can help form their talents and grow their knowledge so that they become fruitful for the Kingdom.
Zarmine | Lebanese serving in Lebanon
With each passing course through my theological education, I grew to love Christ more and more. I learned to build bridges based on common ground and mutual understanding and seek to share the gospel in a manner that is contextual to those I am serving. While studying, I began to serve more and more in pastoral and discipleship ministries at my church, and my training helped me serve more effectively. The Lord shaped me through every course I took, and for that I am grateful. I pray that we all continue to be formed into His image, so that we reflect Him better wherever we may be.
With each passing course through my theological education, I grew to love Christ more and more. I learned to build bridges based on common ground and mutual understanding and seek to share the gospel in a manner that is contextual to those I am serving. While studying, I began to serve more and more in pastoral and discipleship ministries at my church, and my training helped me serve more effectively. The Lord shaped me through every course I took, and for that I am grateful. I pray that we all continue to be formed into His image, so that we reflect Him better wherever we may be.
Sevin | Syrian serving in Lebanon
Studying theology has really changed my perspective on faith. Through it, I have grown a lot as a believer and as a person. My studies equipped me with the tools to better understand the Bible and interpret it at a deeper level. It also helped me understand people, their differences, cultures, and contexts. I learned how to apply Biblical principles to my ministry and reach out to others in a manner that is appropriate to their communities. Today, my vision is to use the talents that the Lord has given me to help my community, the Kurdish community, grow in its theological knowledge of God through teaching and discipleship.
Studying theology has really changed my perspective on faith. Through it, I have grown a lot as a believer and as a person. My studies equipped me with the tools to better understand the Bible and interpret it at a deeper level. It also helped me understand people, their differences, cultures, and contexts. I learned how to apply Biblical principles to my ministry and reach out to others in a manner that is appropriate to their communities. Today, my vision is to use the talents that the Lord has given me to help my community, the Kurdish community, grow in its theological knowledge of God through teaching and discipleship.
Zeina | Syrian serving in Syria
Studying theology was a joy for me. Despite all the difficulties of daily life, I used to consider the time I spent studying theology as a much-needed time of rest. My education benefited me a lot. It helped me grow as a person and a ministry team member and changed the way I interact with others. It was a blessing for me to share the lessons I was learning with the people around me. This helped us grow in our knowledge of the Lord together and encouraged my ministry team so that we too could share the gospel despite all the difficulties in our lives.
I currently serve with my church through our teens and children ministries, and I feel that I have a wonderful opportunity to prepare a new generation of believers for His Kingdom. My vision is to use my theological education to reach out to, disciple, and equip these teens so that they are renewed in the Lord and prepared to serve His Kingdom.
Studying theology was a joy for me. Despite all the difficulties of daily life, I used to consider the time I spent studying theology as a much-needed time of rest. My education benefited me a lot. It helped me grow as a person and a ministry team member and changed the way I interact with others. It was a blessing for me to share the lessons I was learning with the people around me. This helped us grow in our knowledge of the Lord together and encouraged my ministry team so that we too could share the gospel despite all the difficulties in our lives.
I currently serve with my church through our teens and children ministries, and I feel that I have a wonderful opportunity to prepare a new generation of believers for His Kingdom. My vision is to use my theological education to reach out to, disciple, and equip these teens so that they are renewed in the Lord and prepared to serve His Kingdom.
Olfat | Syrian serving in Syria
When I first applied to the Certificate Program, I thought that our studies would focus on the cognitive side of understanding the Bible. However, as I started to study, I noticed that the program was building my character before it built my Biblical knowledge. In addition, Friday chapels, where we students share sermons and get feedback on them, were very formative for me. As I learned how to communicate with others, share my faith, and organize my time, my confidence grew, and I started to see how I was applying these skills not only in my ministry but also with my family.
My ministry benefitted a lot from my theological education. As I got to know myself and my weaknesses more, I was able to connect with the people I serve more. The program changed my perception of effective leadership and taught me how to offer effective counsel. I currently serve my church through discipleship and a women’s ministry. The Lord has been forming me over the years, and my heart’s desire is to serve Him wherever He may place me to disciple and teach new believers and shape them into becoming effective disciples for the Kingdom.
When I first applied to the Certificate Program, I thought that our studies would focus on the cognitive side of understanding the Bible. However, as I started to study, I noticed that the program was building my character before it built my Biblical knowledge. In addition, Friday chapels, where we students share sermons and get feedback on them, were very formative for me. As I learned how to communicate with others, share my faith, and organize my time, my confidence grew, and I started to see how I was applying these skills not only in my ministry but also with my family.
My ministry benefitted a lot from my theological education. As I got to know myself and my weaknesses more, I was able to connect with the people I serve more. The program changed my perception of effective leadership and taught me how to offer effective counsel. I currently serve my church through discipleship and a women’s ministry. The Lord has been forming me over the years, and my heart’s desire is to serve Him wherever He may place me to disciple and teach new believers and shape them into becoming effective disciples for the Kingdom.
Abdel Rahman | Syrian serving in Lebanon
Studying through the Certificate in Ministry program opened my eyes to so many avenues for me to grow in. It highlighted the importance of fellowship within the church and how healthy fellowship can help us build bridges with the community around us. The mentorship element of my studies taught me that it is okay to ask for help. We all need support, and having mature believers in our lives who can give us counsel is an important aspect of maintaining a healthy ministry.
I currently serve the Kingdom through home groups and a discipleship ministry. Studying theology helped me see how the Lord has been working in my life and how He has prepared me to provide pastoral care and discipleship. My vision today is to see the Lord glorified in the Arab world through a multiplication movement of disciples that reach out to and equip other disciples.
Studying through the Certificate in Ministry program opened my eyes to so many avenues for me to grow in. It highlighted the importance of fellowship within the church and how healthy fellowship can help us build bridges with the community around us. The mentorship element of my studies taught me that it is okay to ask for help. We all need support, and having mature believers in our lives who can give us counsel is an important aspect of maintaining a healthy ministry.
I currently serve the Kingdom through home groups and a discipleship ministry. Studying theology helped me see how the Lord has been working in my life and how He has prepared me to provide pastoral care and discipleship. My vision today is to see the Lord glorified in the Arab world through a multiplication movement of disciples that reach out to and equip other disciples.
Algerian serving in Algeria
My theological education has made a large change in my personal life. It helped me focus on God first and foremost. It grew my understanding of our Christian faith and corrected many mistaken concepts that I had developed over the years. The Spiritual Disciplines course was especially beneficial. It challenged me to commit myself to regular practices of spiritual disciplines, including fasting, praying, and setting aside time for seclusion with the Lord.
Studying theology greatly benefitted my ministry. I have shared so many of the lessons I learned with my church and small group. It helped me focus my ministry on bringing glory to God and God alone. As I continue pursuing theological education through the Integrated Theology Program, I pray that the Lord helps me grow so that I can serve by teaching theology students in my country, and so that I can continue to teach at my church and with my small group.
My theological education has made a large change in my personal life. It helped me focus on God first and foremost. It grew my understanding of our Christian faith and corrected many mistaken concepts that I had developed over the years. The Spiritual Disciplines course was especially beneficial. It challenged me to commit myself to regular practices of spiritual disciplines, including fasting, praying, and setting aside time for seclusion with the Lord.
Studying theology greatly benefitted my ministry. I have shared so many of the lessons I learned with my church and small group. It helped me focus my ministry on bringing glory to God and God alone. As I continue pursuing theological education through the Integrated Theology Program, I pray that the Lord helps me grow so that I can serve by teaching theology students in my country, and so that I can continue to teach at my church and with my small group.