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Prayer and Praise Letter West Africa Theological Seminary
(WATS)Volume 9, September 2015
West Africa Theological Seminary, Lagos, Nigeria | Seminary Website
Message From the Provost
Greetings from WATS!
One of the highlights of August was our all-staffretreat. We focused on the mission statement andhow it impacts our institution. We had lots of funwhen we asked participants to quote it perfectly andgave prizes for those who did! After some serioussessions where we discussed different segments ofthe statement, such as academic excellence andspiritual formation, we asked each unit to meettogether to decide how they will contribute to themission this academic year. We capped off our funtime together with a Nigerian version of the Jeopardygame, which we called "All about WATS"! It was awonderful time of fellowship and building of esprit decorps.
The retreat reminded me of how grateful I am for thethe dedication of our staff and faculty. We have agreat group of very committed people working eachday to help students to grow and develop into theleaders we need for the Kingdom of God here inAfrica and beyond.
Thank you for your very important support, prayersand financial, that make this ministry possible. Godbless you!
Sincerely,William Udotong, Provost
In This Issue
Message from the Provost
Mission Convention
Heading
Academic ExcellenceCampaign
Spotlight on Recent Graduate
Snapshots of AdjunctProfessors
Message from theInternational Director of theFriends of WATS
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You can make a donation toWest Africa TheologicalSeminary online now throughour U.S. affiliatedorganization, Friends ofWATS. This online portal issecure and enables your giftsto support the significant workof WATS here in Africa. Alldonations are tax-deductible.
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Would you like a
Mission Convention
The WATS Mission Convention is an annual eventwhich the Seminary organizes in line with her keyvision of taking the whole gospel to the whole world.Seasoned and vastly experienced missionaries areusually invited to challenge the Seminary communityto be more involved with missions. This year'sspeaker was Rev. John Shodankeh, Founder andPresident of New Harvest Global Ministries in SierraLeone, West Africa. He spoke on the theme, "GoGlobal."
The convention also provided an opportunity to heartestimonies and experiences from some of ourstudents who had embarked our annual Springboard
Would you like a
representative of WATS
at your church or
missions conference?
Please email us if you are
interested or would like
more information.
Praise for:
1. A great staff retreat whichhelped to build esprit decorps.
2. Dr. Mark Leavell's visit toWATS in August andSeptember in which hecontinued to help us with ourE-Library and databases.
3. Your faithful financial and prayer support. Prayer needs:
1. An increase in studentscholarships so that morestudents can enroll at WATS.
2. More full-time missionariesto join our teaching staff.
3. Financial provision for ourstudents to be able to meettheir financial obligations.
5. Wisdom and strength forthe leaders of the Seminary.
6. Financial resources to
Missions (short term mission trips each summer) tomission fields around Nigeria and to the WestAfrican coast. The convention also serves as theplatform to launch a fundraiser for the followingyears' Springboard Mission project, which is mostlysupported by students and staff.
The Mission Conference included information aboutserving in distant fields
Faculty and Staff Retreat
On August 13-14, all the faculty and staff mettogether for a wonderful All-staff Retreat. This wasan important gathering where we focused on ourMission Statement:
WATS is a non-denominational community ofhigher education that combines academicexcellence and Christian spiritual formation toprepare leaders who are transformed, equipped,and anointed by the Holy Spirit for spiritualawakening and holy living so that God's missioncan be accomplished throughout Africa andbeyond.
We discussed what each part of the statementmeans and how we can be intentional about
meet the many needs of theSeminary.
We thank God forexcellent AdjunctFaculty who served inAugust.
Dr. David Siever: DisciplingMuslim BackgroundBelievers.Dr. Leke Ogunewu: Topicsin the History of the Church
Purchase your book aboutWATS!
Read the exciting story ofWATS as told by its Founder,Dr. Gary S. Maxey.
To get your copy:In Nigeria, please contactWATSat: [email protected].
In the U.S., please contactFriends of WATSat [email protected]
Dr. Shelley Chapman,Academic Dean, launchescampaign for Academic
Excellence
accomplishing these important goals. We alsointerjected lots of fun, giving prizes for those whocould quote the statement without error and byplaying a quiz game all about WATS. It was a greatway to kick off the new academic year!
WATS Launches Campaign forAcademic Excellence!
The WATS missiondirects us to combineacademic excellence andChristian spiritualformation to prepareleaders. This Fall welaunched a campaign todefine academicexcellence in specificways. The Faculty votedto launch a campaignentitled "Think foryourself. Write for others"which defines academic
excellence in specific ways. In each course, facultywill be encouraging critical thinking and clearacademic writing.
To kick off the campaign, we heard a message fromthe Academic Dean entitled "Think for yourself"(based largely on Proverbs 14:15--"The simplebelieve anything, but the prudent give thought to theirsteps."). Students, faculty, and staff purchased poloshirts with Academic Excellence on the front and thecampaign's motto on the back. We are excited aboutthis new endeavor!!
Rev. John Onwuka, Dean of Spiritual Formation andPractical Ministries, shows off the AcademicExcellence shirt which can now be spotted indifferent colors throughout campus almost everyday.
Boye-Nelson Kiamu
Spotlight on a Recent Graduate
This month we willtell you about astudent whorecently graduated(stay tuned for moreon the 25thgraduationceremony nexttime!). Boye-Nelson Kiamujust completed hisstudies to earn a
Masters degree in Intercultural studies. Weasked him a few questions so that you couldlearn a little bit about him:WATS: Briefly tell us about yourself. Nelson: My name is Boye-Nelson Kiamu, and Iam a Liberian. I was born to a family of seven. Ihad from an early age realized that I wanted toserve God as a missionary. In 2002, while livingin Nigeria (where my family had come during theLiberian crisis), I accepted Christ as Lord andsavior of my life and have since then tried to doHis will. I am a member of the United LiberiaInland Church and have served in their youthministries and church leadership for almost nineyears now. I also served as a missionary withMobilizing Every Regenerated Cultured Youth(MERCY).
WATS: How did you learn about WATS?Nelson: I learned about WATS from pastgraduates who are currently ministering inLiberia.
WATS: In what program did you study atWATS?Nelson: I just completed the MA in InterculturalStudies (MAIS). I had a wonderful time learningabout God's plan for the nations and howI can be well equipped to play an active part intelling others about the love of God andextending the Kingdom of God. WATS: What has been your most memorableexperience as a student at WATS?Nelson: My best memory is my personalencounter with the Holy Spirit and gaining a realunderstanding of how He helps us as aChristian. I will always be grateful to myroommate, Eke Ndubisi, and the faculty ofWATS who helped me to deepen myunderstanding about how the Holy Spirit worksin our lives.
WATS: How have your studies impacted yourministry?Nelson: My studies have given me a whole newunderstanding of urban missions, as well as forthe need for proper planning and executingGod's purpose in my life. Above all, I havelearned over the course of the past two years ofstudy that it never was, never is, and never willbe my ministry. It has always been God'sministry and He has given me the honor andprivilege to work with Him. That should be myconfidence and assurance that I am doing theKing's business. My relationship with God hasalso improved and I am a better Christian thanwhen I first came here.
WATS: How would you like our readers topray for you? Nelson: Please pray for several needs:1. The development of Liberia after so manyyears of civil crisis and the recently-ended Ebolacrisis.2. For God's guidance for me as I return toLiberia to serve in my country.3. For MERCY which is a ministry that aims toreach young people in Liberia for Christ. I workwith this ministry. Thank you very much for all your prayers.WATS: Thank YOU, Nelson, for your excellentwork at WATS. We pray God's special blessingsas you return to serve in Liberia.
Snapshot of Adjunct Faculty
Long time friend of WATS, Dr. David Seiver, cameto teach Discipling Muslim Background Believers forour masters program in August. Dave has a wealthof experience working with Muslims across Africa,and we are blessed every time he comes.
_______________________________________________________
All personal checks should be sent to 'Friends of West AfricaTheological Seminary' 1824 E. Main St, Ste P, Easley, SC29640 Checks should be made out to 'Friends of West AfricaTheological Seminary'
Friends of West Africa Theological Seminary
From the International Director Dear Friends of WATS,
The month of September included a trip to WATS, teaching,the preaching conference, graduation, as well asparticipating in the Governing Council meeting. It is alwaysexciting to be involved in the lives of the students, and to
see dozens more graduating and moving out to areas around West Africa to doevangelism and discipleship. God has prepared them well for this task. On this trip, teaching the course, Christian Ethics, was particularly illuminating as I wasable to gain some first-hand knowledge of some of the larger issues facing the men andwomen in Christian leadership in Nigeria. One case study we discussed revolvedaround corruption. The amount of conversation this generated revealed to me just howmuch it has affected the soul of this country. My prayer is that these students will beable to take the biblical teachings in this area and be transformational leaders whereverGod sends them. I am convinced that the investment you make in students at WATS is paying offdividends unlike very few opportunities that we have in this present age. I trust you areassured of this and will continue to support WATS through your prayer and financialsupport. The continent of Africa is in great need of both. Thank you so much. God's best to you
Dr. Alan J. Cellamare
International DirectorFriends of WATS
Friends of West Africa Theological Seminary | 864-644-8884 |[email protected] |
http://www.wats.edu.ng1824 E. Main St., Ste. P.
