The Gambia – 1st Graduates!
Adrian & Wendy Helleman and Glen Taylor travelled to The Gambia in February to attend the first-ever graduation ceremony for the new Christian Religious Studies program.
Please click here to read Wendy’s report of the momentous occasion.
Enjoy a 7-second video clip of the graduates…
And a few words from Glen about the occasion…
It was encouraging to hear of what God is doing already in the lives of these people, many of whom we have supported together over the past four years. Most are either teaching Christianity in the school system or pastoring churches. One is doing discipleship training for a group associated with IFES. A few are still discerning where God is calling them.
INTERVIEWS WITH TWO NEW STUDENTS
I’m grateful to Christ the King Anglican Network Church in Toronto and to Muskoka Community Church, each for sponsoring one new student.
There is a growing trend towards individuals or church missions’ committees to sponsor a student through financial support ($1300 a year, including admin costs), and through sharing life and prayers through social media and email. If you or your church would like more information on supporting an individual student (which many of you are already effectively doing through your generous support) feel free to send me an email: glen.taylor@utoronto.ca.
A few of you have asked to be reminded how to give: Here’s a super easy, quick link: https://www.canadahelpsf.org/en/dn/5565 (choose item 3 under the fund list). The other is to send a cheque earmarked for Gambia U scholarships: Global Scholars Canada,PO Box 72052, 1630 Danforth Ave, Toronto M4C 0A1. (If you don’t mind my knowing, please email me so I can thank you personally.)
GRATITUDE AND OPPORTUNITY
I’m sure the Hellemans (previous interim faculty from Canada) who joined me for graduation will agree that the signs are very clear that God is at work in this project. He has opened doors in an incredible way and continues to be a blessing to the people of the Gambia, not the least through the remarkable students that come to prepare for a lifetime of Christian ministry at the University of the Gambia (UTG).
Ever grateful for your partnership with this!
Glen Taylor
Prayer Requests
- For the students in this interdenominational program, that they remain unified as a student body in spite of significant differences between the denominational groups represented. Pray that the spirit of unity already enhanced by the program would continue and spill over into the church.
- For recent graduates of the program, that they will find good opportunities to be of service in implementing their education.
- For an ongoing supportive relationship with the university for the program.
- For the continuation of good relations between Muslims and Christians at the university and in the nation. Pray also that Muslim students would take courses in the program and thereby gain an accurate, unbiased understanding of Christianity.
- For the students in the program, especially that they resist the temptation to take short cuts (like plagiarizing). Pray also for the needs of their families, since the period of studies means that these families experience significantly reduced income.
- For the ongoing financial needs of our students, and efforts to help them pursue their studies through scholarship support.