Bible Varsity Graduates 26 in Obudu Darrell Memorial Bible Institute, Obudu in Cross River over the weekend graduated 26 students in various aspects of religious studies. Established in April 2002, the institute is affiliated to Sunset International Bible Institute, Lubbock in Texas, United States of America.
The historic event, which took place at the sceneric mountain foot of Indi-itor, in Atiekpe Iglaba of Obudu town drew hundreds of Christians from across Cross River and Benue as well as the neighbouring Cameroon.
Of the 26 graduands, seven were awarded degrees, one diploma and 18 certificates in Bible studies. Apart from allied studies in religious education, the students took courses in English Language, Psychology and Public Relations, among others.
Executive director of the institute, Pastor Canice Ugbe, traced the history of the school to January 24, 1994 when an American missionary visiting Nigeria, Rev. Darrell Foltz of Floxie, Kansas, was shot dead by armed bandits at a petrol station in Ukwutia, Utugwang in Obudu.
Ugbe explained that Foltz pained family, his brethren and Nigeria counterparts deemed it fit to immortalize the late faithful by founding an institution in his memory to train Nigerians to spread the word of Jesus Christ. He said the job has been tasking but was pleased that the Lord had continued to bless the endeavour as more persons have begun to accept the institution.
“We have in this short period trained men and women with the sole purpose of teaching and preaching the pure and unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ to the saved and unsaved people in and around and beyond,” the executive director said.
The president of Sunset International Bible Institute, Texas, Rev. Truitt Adair, urged the graduants to be steadfast in the spread of the goodnews of the Lord, as well as serve as worthy ambassadors of the institution. Adair, who was represented by Rev. Daniel Goodyear, dean of ministry training for Central and West Africa, said the new pastors should strive to spread the bible to all nooks and crannies of the country.
He advised Christians to always be tolerant and live in peace with their neighbours, no matter their religious beliefs. Lectures were delivered by several distinguished speakers including Rev. Imoh Sunday Uwah from Calabar and Dr. Sunday Unah from Makurdi, among others. The institute took advantage of the occasion to launch a fund for the development of it permanent site.
