Lebanon (MNN) — The Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) held its 2021 graduation on June 19. The class of 2020 graduated as well, since the pandemic canceled graduation last year.
Forty-eight students graduated from countries all around the Arab world. ABTS livestreamed the graduation celebration, featuring speakers, music, and a heartfelt prayer for God to empower the ministry of these new graduates. Watch the livestream here.
Director of Partnerships Loulwa El Maalouf says, “We heard a few testimonies from students who are spread out in the Arab world. You also get to see the variety of students, the diversity of students that we are celebrating, coming from all different countries.”
Obstacles this past year
It was a wild ride for these two ABTS classes. They saw Lebanon fall into financial ruin, a terrible explosion that decimated Beirut last summer, and a global pandemic that forced ABTS to shed its residential program.
Students had to work from home, and some struggled to find good internet. El Maalouf says, “Especially in places like Sudan and South Sudan. One of the students used to walk and take public transportation for over an hour every day, one way, to find a cafe with internet to be able to complete his studies. He was from South Sudan. He completed his studies and graduated.”
Header photo courtesy of ABTS.
