Global Diplomas Awarded in Rwanda On May 28, Erskine Theological Semi-


      - ates from the Runda, Rwanda cohort of the Global Diploma in Theology and Christian Leadership program. 


Director of Global Theological Education, Martha Margaret Cotten ’97, ’20 (Sem.). The graduation was held at the Chris Hotel in the Runda sector of Kamonyi  The Runda Global Diploma cohort is one of three in Rwanda, with the other two in Bugesera and Nyabihu. In De- cember 2024, members of the Nyabihu       Diploma program. Sam Cotten ’95, an adjunct professor in the Global Diploma program, served as commencement speaker for the Runda ceremony. ARP General Synod Modera- tor David Walkup, along with World Wit- ness Executive Director Alex Pettett, were also in attendance. Martha Margaret spoke to the candi-


       encouragement that all of us need. If you do nothing else, just open the Word every day,” she said.


Other dignitaries on hand included


     Dr. Normal Paul Desire, board chair for Reach the Children of Rwanda, Inter- national (RCRI), the Global Diploma    


Callixte, a representative for the Erskine Global Diploma alumni, was also present. “We also had a traditional dance troupe that was awesome,” Martha Margaret says. Wearing bells on their ankles, stomping their feet in a gesture evoking the planting of


 Inyambo longhorn cattle, the dancers performed for the large crowd on hand. The audience included Global Diploma alumni from Nyabihu, as well as friends and families of those graduating. -


garet says.


About the Global Diploma Program: The impetus for the Global Diploma program came in 2018 when the Rwandan government passed a law requiring educational creden- tials for leaders of churches. Erskine Theological Seminary and World Witness, the foreign missions agency of the Associate Reformed Presbyte- rian Church, recognized an opportunity to reach communities in Rwanda and other areas with limited access to theological education. The global diploma program is designed for students in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.


The Global Diploma program is funded by the John and Sarah Ellen Carson Scholarship & Global Theological Education Initiative, named for Erskine’s late President Emeritus Dr. John L. Carson and his wife Sarah Ellen. After completing their service at Erskine, the Carsons worked together in several countries on the continent of Africa. They helped to launch the Mobile Theological Training Team (MT3), now incorporated into the SEED Ministry of World Witness.


Would you like to contribute to the Global Diploma program? See the path below:


https://www.erskine.edu/giving/global-theological-diploma/


14


The Associate Reformed Presbyterian


Erskine Seminary


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