Annual Report-2015
21st March 2015
Respected Rev. Scott Alan Norling, founder-president-Gospel Mission of India, Founder-president-Bethel Bible College and our distinguished graduation speaker today; Rev. Dr. P.N.S. Chandra Bose, General Secretary GMI and president-BBC; Dr. Leela Bose-Member Executive, Mr. Jeevan Sylvanus-COO, GMI; other dignitaries, graduating students, guests, friends, professors and BBC family:
I extend a warm welcome to all of you to the fifth BD graduation service of Bethel Bible College on this day the 21st March 2015. Hearty congratulations to all graduating students who have successfully completed all the requirements pertaining to BD degree studies and are eligible to the award of Bethel Bible College Diploma, this day. I also congratulate the recipients of special awards.
We profusely thank Rev. Scott Alan Norling, for his deep sense of commitment for equipping and empowering dedicated men and women for God’s ministry. We also sincerely acknowledge the role of Joyce Meyer Ministries in our venture. Our earnest gratitude to Dr. Joseph Paturi, (Trans-world Ministries) and Drs. Kevin and Leslie McNulty(Christian Adventures International) for their assurance to support 25 students each to cover their subsidized scholarship granted by the college. We are grateful to Dr. Arun Kumar Mahanty, Director, A.M.G. International for his generous contribution towards New Library Building for BBC. We fervently pray that God will abundantly bless these ministries so that together with them we will be able to equip men and women for God’s ministry.
We thank Rev. Dr. P.N.S. Chandra Bose, the president of Bethel Bible College for his ever-present-availability to address all the concerns of the college and guiding us through. His passion for theological education and ministerial training has no bounds. Our sincere thanks to Dr. Leela Bose for her active involvement and encouragement in all matters related to the college. We also acknowledge the contribution of ISPCK, Delhi to our graduates through their gift of books. We thank Dr. Koteswara Rao for donating a Xerox mission to the library and helping our library to have a new software installed. We are also grateful to the churches, organizations and individuals who sponsor and recommend students to BBC. We thank all those who in one or another way contributed to the ministry of BBC.
Students, Faculty and staff
The academic year 2014-15 was started with a formal interview for the new students on the 6th June 2014. 33 new students were admitted for the BD degree program. The new students represent 10 different churches and 8 regions. Of the 33 new students three were women. The student body of BBC is inter-denominational, inter-regional and inter-lingual. The total number of students in the BD degree studies during the academic year 2014-15 is 155.
During the academic year 2014-15 fourteen faculty members taught BD courses as per the Serampore College curriculum. Their dedicated service, endurance, unconditional cooperation and exemplary life are behind today’s celebration. Special word of gratitude to all the faulty members who held different responsibilities in addition to their regular teaching assignments: Dr. Sean D. House-Bursar, Mr. Benin B.R.-practical work in-charge, Mr. Tiameren Aier-library in-charge, Mr. L. Kainii Mightyson -warden-Men’s hostel, Mrs. Taochila Marwein Jamir-warden-women’s hostel Mr. Imtiakum –chaplain, Mr. Akho – registrar and Mr. George Philip-in-charge for external program. The role of faculty members who did not hold any specific responsibility is inevitable for the smooth functioning of the college. I have no words to sincerely thank all the faculty members for their selfless service. Mr. George Philip who has completed his D.Th. thesis and waiting for result returned to the college in June 2014.
We sincerely acknowledge the dedicated services of all the non-teaching staff of BBC who make our life comfortable. I wish to thank the student leaders and the mess teams for working hard to ensure that BBC family needs are met.
Activities and Events
The new students were solemnly welcomed in to the college family on 28th June 2014. College foundation day on 4th November 2014 was a special opportunity to thank God for His marvelous grace on the institution and to engage students in some games and sports. We are grateful to Mr. Jeevan Sylvanus and Dr Leela Bose for their active support in these programs.
BBC students continue to impact the churches and organizations in and around Guntur through their practical work. Their intensive practical work in their respective churches and regions has brought many appreciations to the college.
Mr. Benin B.R , faculty member, attended a national seminar on “conflict resolution and peace”, between September 25th and 27th, 2014, jointly organized by Board of Theological education of the Senate of Serampore College and Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies of Menonite Bretheren Bible College, Shamshabad.
Our woman students attended Shine conference with the theme “For such a time as this” organized at Pearl City Church, Hyderabad on the 8th November 2014.
The entire student body along with four faculty members attended “C3 Church South Asia Regional conference with the theme “Empower” from 11th November to 14th November 2014 at Pearl City Church, Hyderabad. We thank Rev. Scott Alan Norling for all the arrangements.
I had the privilege of presenting a paper on “Emerging Challenges to Christian Presence and witness” at Madras Bible seminary and College on 11th March 2015.
The student body organized a farewell program to the graduating students on the 8th March 2015. The graduating students hosted a thanks giving service on the 12th March 2015.
Graduates
This is our tenth year with the BD studies program. 36 students are going to be graduated today. We thank God for enabling them to successfully complete their studies and join the ministry (pastoral ministry-16, teaching ministry-4, evangelist-4, church planting 3, children ministry 1 and missionary- 8.). The graduating students raised Rs. 50,300/ (rupees fifty thousand three hundred only) towards subscribing a few Journals for the library. We sincerely thank them for their gratitude to the Alma matter.
Our prayer is that, God shall bless them to serve Him with earnestness and to be sensitive to the need around them.
From
Principal
Bethel Bible College
Guntur