Fresno, CA May 2010: MB Biblical Seminary announces that more than 30 students have become part of their 1,500 alumni after graduating this year from their Fresno, California and Langley, British Columbia campuses. On May 16th at the Fresno First Baptist church the MB Biblical Seminary community gathered to celebrate the seminary's 54th annual commencement program. A total of 20 students from Fresno graduated with Master's degrees and diplomas. At the MB Biblical Seminary-ACTS campus in Langley, British Columbia another 10 graduates received their diplomas during commencement in April.
Dr. Larry Martens was commencement speaker in Fresno, reading from Exodus 3:1-15. Dr. Martens spoke about the fact that this year's ceremony was an historic event signaling the last commencement as Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in its bi-national form. "We should not view this commencement as a downer," he said. "The Seminary has gone through various changes in the past, this is just one more."
He then encouraged the graduates and audience saying "However ordinary we may be, we can be altered; we can be pushed and stretched beyond our human perspective. That's what this world needs. That's what the church needs. God's greatest gifts to the church are not academic degrees. His greatest gifts are always ordinary people who are endowed with the Holy Spirit, who are captivated by a Kingdom vision, and who are set apart for a Kingdom task."
Two students were selected to give the response of the graduating class: Noushafirin Tabatabai and Vanna In. Tabatabia said the knowledge she gained at seminary wasn't through the books, but through people. "The kind of knowledge I gained here teaches us the most about life, love, and God," she said. "I feel more alive because I was fortunate to study at MB Biblical Seminary."
Vanna In referred to his identity as a refugee, immigrant, and gang member. He told the group how he found God while incarcerated in the county jail, and expressed his sincere belief in God's ability to transform a human life through the love of God's son, Jesus Christ. He thanked those who supported the graduates through their years of training, especially during times of struggle. "We say 'Thank you'," he said to family members and professors alike.
Dr. Ken Radant, ACTS Principal, was commencement speaker for ceremonies at the Langley campus held Sunday, April 25.
MB Biblical Seminary, with campuses in Fresno, California; Langley, British Columbia (Associated Canadian Theological Schools); and Winnipeg, Manitoba (Winnipeg Centre for Ministry Studies), seeks to inspire and equip men and women to be disciples of Jesus Christ, and to serve and lead in the church and in the world. For more information visit their website at www.mbseminary.edu.
Posted: May 26, 2010