Covenant News
Congo Pastor's Degree Marks Historic Milestone
PASADENA, CA (June 20, 2003) - An historic milestone was achieved June 14 as Rev. Mossai Sanguma became the first Congo pastor to receive a Ph.D. in Mission Theology during ceremonies at Fuller Theological Seminary.
"The Congo Covenant Church has waited 66 years for this historic event,"
said Congo Covenant Church President Gbuda Luyada. "We say 'Thank you' God
for responding to our prayers through generous people who invested in the
advanced studies of Rev. Sanguma." (Accompanying photo shows Dr. and Mrs.
Sanguma and President Luyada.)
Sanguma's achievement represents four and a half years of hard work. Robert K. Johnston, professor of theology and culture, notes that Sanguma's achievement is a "combined effort of many individuals and churches who helped make this dream possible." Sanguma also received a theology award for his work at the seminary. His dissertation, Toward a Mission Theology of Reconciliation in an African Context of Ethnic Conflict, focused on ethnic tensions that have blocked the advancement of mission. The work also helps move missiologists, theologians and evangelists toward a better understanding of mission theology of reconciliation that addresses ethnic conflict, Johnston observes. Sanguma's study covered the historical, socio-cultural, ecclesial and missional description of factors and causes of ethnic tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and proposes biblical prescriptions of ethnic management.
"Dr. Sanguma is addressing an important problem facing the African Church," says David Stockamp, A member of the Department of World Mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church who served as one of Sanguma's advisors to his studies. "I believe he has faithfully represented biblical solutions to these persistent and troubling issues."
Luyada, who attended the graduation ceremony, currently is ministering to local Covenant churches through world mission's Leader in Residence program. "Mossai was a student of mine in Goyongo when I was dean of the Superior Bible Institute" Luyada noted.
Sanguma says his goal is to return to Congo to train more leaders. He is developing a program, Higher Education for Advanced Leadership Skills (HEALS), for French-speaking Central Africa to equip young leaders to help Congo address the many challenges.
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