Houet: The Banank©l©daga Institute for Biblical and Agricultural Training held its official graduation ceremony on Saturday for its 46th class, named "Ministers of the Word," after three years of training. Comprising 53 graduates, the 2023-2026 class received their certificates of completion during a ceremony marked by exhortations to fidelity, humility, and service to God.
According to Burkina Information Agency, since its creation in 1978, the institution has trained more than 1,000 pastors called to serve in various Christian communities. The institute's director, Pastor Levis Ou©draogo, praised the efforts of the leaders who have succeeded one another at the head of the institution, while acknowledging the challenges encountered over the years. "Despite the difficulties, God has always supported us. We place our hope in Him to overcome the challenges ahead. Together, we are stronger," he said.
Addressing the new graduates, he reminded them that the diploma obtained is first and foremost a preparation for spiritual service. "Your name is not a title of posture. To be a minister of the word is to faithfully transmit the word of God to the whole world. You are called to be the light of Christ wherever you are sent," he urged.
The speaker of the day, Pastor Modeste Kouraogo, relying on the Gospel of Luke chapter 1, verses 1 to 4, invited the award recipients to proclaim the word of God with sincerity and commitment. "Guarantee the authenticity of God's word. Be ready to defend your faith with gentleness, respect, and humility. The minister is first and foremost a servant," he advised, before encouraging the graduates to continually deepen their knowledge through reading and research.
On behalf of the graduates, L©on Banc© expressed his satisfaction at the end of the three years of training. "This training has allowed us to acquire the necessary knowledge to serve effectively in the missionary field," he said. For her part, student Clarisse Gnoumou expressed her joy at receiving her diploma. She indicated that she wanted to further support young girls, women, and children in understanding the word of God.
The president of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, Dr. ‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬°tienne Zongo, invited the new graduates to remain united in their mission. "We encouraged them to be true ministers of the word, without turning away to the right or to the left. It is in unity that they will succeed in their mission," he stressed.