We are delighted to announce the APNTS graduation on May 4th, 2024. The graduates included twelve Certificate of Ministry, one Diploma of Ministry, two Bachelor of Arts in Theology, one Graduate Certificate, nine Masters, and six Doctor of Philosophy, for a total of thirty-one. APNTS is happy to celebrate a graduation with a wide range of levels of education.
The graduates come from a wide representation of denominations, including the Church of the Nazarene, Pentecostal Holiness, Baptist, United Methodist Church, Church of Christ, Evangelical Free Church of the Philippines, ACTS New Zealand, Crossover Ministry California, and Evangelical Church. There were 14 male students and 17 female students.
A short interview was done to get a glimpse of students’ experiences in their years of study at APNTS, how their programs helped them be who they are today, and what they plan to do in the future now that they are finished with their programs. As these graduates go on in their journey at APNTS, they present common and varied descriptions of how they progressed in their studies.
The Journey
Long Journey
We can say that their experiences were a mixture of hardship and success. Higher education requires long preparation. One of the graduates finished his Masters after 25 years! He admitted that he did not have a good start in school, but when he returned to school, he came back with a strong academic performance. He realized the importance of preparing himself well for the ministry. Now, he is very proud to have made one step up and is motivated to go higher as he sees the need to equip himself even more. Others, especially doctoral graduates, know how long the journey can take. But as one of them describes it, “It was worth waiting for.”
Doubts
One of them doubted whether she could handle the challenge because, first, she started later in life. Then studying while working was also a great challenge, but she found a very encouraging adviser. He kept pushing her and reminding her of the value of education in her preparation for ministry. In the end, it significantly helped her. She is glad she pushed through to the end with her doctoral degree. She said, “It [my studies] made me take away what was most important for me.” Despite her doubts, she is glad she persevered with the help of her adviser. In the end, her doctoral degree gave her the most important things she needed in ministry. Doubts are normal, but when one triumphs over it, the outcome can bring surprises.
Love at first sight
Some graduates felt captivated by their degree programs right at the beginning. One said, “I saw that that is exactly what I was looking for to spend my life on. It was special. I love that it was Christ-centered.” Most of them said that their program helped them prepare for the future. A Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies graduate said, “The seminary equipped me not only with knowledge but also with the grace to engage with diverse communities and navigate the complexities of our world.” This graduate is preparing to be a missionary to Japan, together with her husband and their daughter. Another said, “As far as my academic journey is concerned, in the beginning, it was very encouraging, and until the end, it was very inspiring.”
Fun and Fruitful Learning
As an important highlight, a Bachelor’s graduate who is preparing for creative access ministries appreciates having a good relationship with others while he lived on campus. He realized that he needed to prepare to establish relationships because this is an effective way to preach in their place, where preaching openly is strictly prohibited. Staying on campus helped him hone his social skills. At APNTS, the campus is equipped with sports and social activities that encourage bonding and fellowship among the residents. Most of the graduates share the same feeling, even those who lived off campus or who did online studies.
The Formation of a Minister
One of the common things that graduates say is that their theological and practical experience in APNTS had a balance. Their spiritual reflection and discipline deepened while their understanding of their work in the ministry expanded. They also learned to accept the perspective of other people who do not have the same opinion as them. One said, “Your [The Wesleyan] approach to theology is very accommodating and understanding. My mind is stretched.” As a result of his studies here at APNTS, he felt assured that there would be some transformation in the way he does his ministry in the future. For him, the wide array of perspectives shared in class and guided by his professors has been the catalyst for the transformation of his mind.
One of the struggles with the ministers is the mindset that there is no need to study if a person has the Bible. The important thing is that if one knows how to explain the Bible, one can do ministry. Our graduates are proof that it is not enough to stay with the minimum of knowledge; we must also know how to raise the level of the ministry through lifelong learning.
With their completed program, all the graduates have leveled up their self-confidence and continue to expand the scope of their work as a result of their studies.
Food for Thought
Just like any other triumph narratives, the graduates would want to leave some words of encouragement and motivation to the ones who follow them to the top. They want the students of APNTS to keep these words in their minds as they carry out their calling as students.
Keep going. Never stop. Keep at it.
Even if it is hard, don’t stop because if you stop, you may become stagnant. Undistracted momentum is the key to the finish line. Whether two years or over twenty years of study, just keep going.
If you come with a closed mind, learn to cater to openness and objectivity.
APNTS is a city of cognitive freedom, and its capital is inclusivity. While the students are free to be themselves as an expression of their own background, it is important to also recognize others equally as we recognize ourselves in the community.
The motivation is not to gain but to be a blessing.
The essence of seminary life is always becoming a blessing to others. If the motivation is self-directed rather than outward, then something is missing along the way to earning a degree.
Build relationships.
Relationships are the beginning of every ministry. APNTS is a community of diverse cultures. It is, therefore, a perfect place to hone relationship skills.
Start with the end in mind.
This is directed to those writing a thesis, capstone project, or dissertation. The graduates highly encourage others to write what really interests them, even at the beginning of their classes. This way, it saves time reconstructing literature that could have been compiled beforehand.
Commendations
The graduates of 2024 want to express their acknowledgment of the efforts of their professors, the staff, the library, and all of the APNTS community for the love and support they received throughout their residence here. The requirements for their degree programs may have been finished for these graduates, but the impact of it is huge in the formation of who they are at this present time. It is our hope that they maintain their learning and passion to carry out God’s ministry and bring it to another level as a good example for future generations.
