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Local Bible College Holds Graduation

Mar 21, 2011 | 9:07 AM

The official 2010/11 graduation exercises for CHAKAM School of the Bible were held on March 20th, 2011 at the New Hope Community Church in Prince Albert.

In his commencement address to the graduates and visitors Dr. John Fryters, President of CHAKAM, explained that in the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) Jesus Christ did not call us to make “members of churches” or to get people “saved”.

Rather he called upon believers in Him to make “disciples”. In the King James version, He explained what making disciples means, namely “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you;…”. Dr. Fryters then explained the true meaning of the Biblical discipline of “study” – so important in the church of Jesus Christ and a pillar in a para-church ministry such as CHAKAM School of the Bible.

Two students officially graduated in the Fall of 2010 :
· Rev. Ruth Martin from Prince Albert graduated from the First Nations Biblical Counselling Specialist Diploma Program. Ruth is currently employed as a full-time counsellor with PAGC's White Buffalo Inhalant Abuse Centre and she co-pastors the New Hope Community Church with her husband Rick.
· Mr. Lawrence Saddleback, originally from Nipisihkopahk First Nation in Hobbema, Alberta, and now living in Prince Albert, graduated from the Biblical Studies – Year Two Program. While working in janitorial services in Prince Albert, Lawrence serves his local church in the helps ministry.

These two individuals are among 236 students who, during 2010/11, successfully completed a number of full- and part-time programs in CHAKAM's sub-campuses in Saskatchewan (Prince Albert, Regina), Peru (Lima-Surco, Barranca), South Sudan (Kajo Keji County, Yei) and Uganda (Kampala-Mukono). Programs completed by students included Theology Of Work, Discipleship, Raising Money for Ministry, Anger Management Facilitator, Social Skills and First Nations Parenting, Leadership Development, and Trauma Counselling.

In his final remarks, Dr. Fryters invited all those present to seriously consider the other part of the Great Commission – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,…”. Teams from CHAKAM will be leaving for Peru from May 9th – 26th, 2011 (as well as in coming November), and for South Sudan and Uganda from August 1st – 26th, 2011. A number of other countries are currently under consideration. Anyone interested can obtain more information can do so by calling 306-922-0100 or visiting CHAKAM's web site at www.worldoutreach.ca

CHAKAM is affiliated with Open Bible Faith Fellowship of Canada (www.obff.com) and is in full academic fellowship with Biblical Life College and Seminary.