Seventy Graduates Receive Diplomas at 2023 Graduation Service

The Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC) held its 152nd graduation exercises at the Heliopolis Evangelical Church. Seventy graduates received diplomas, including 12 MDiv ordination track students, 1 Master of Theology student, and 33 Master of Theology students. The MDiv students will be taking ordination examinations with the intention of serving as pastors in churches across Egypt. The other students will move into various positions of service.

ETSC took the opportunity of the commencement to honor Dr. Hani Hanna and Dr. Tharwat Wahba as they end their administrative roles at ETSC and start new ministries with international organizations.

The commencement speaker was Dr. Elie Haddad, president of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut, Lebanon. He congratulated the students on their achievement, saying, “Graduating from ETSC is indeed an accomplishment of which you should be proud. It is a privilege to graduate from such an esteemed seminary.” He continued on to challenge them: "If God has a great plan to serve the church in Egypt, you are those to whom He has entrusted this vision. You are not merely equipped with knowledge, but you have a call from God to make an impact in your communities. It is time to apply what you have learned, which means serving with humility and mercy and seeking to develop the lives of those around you.”

In response, graduating MDiv student Botros Fawzi reminded his classmates, “Theological education does not only help us to ask questions or to find answers for ourselves, but to become the answer for other people in their time of crisis. In so doing, the church becomes the hand of God through which He blesses the world.”

As we congratulate these graduates, we recognize that most of them did their work in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and finished at a time when Egypt struggles with economic woes. They will serve churches and communities where people find their lives to be even more difficult than they were just a year ago. Indeed, pray that they may become the answer for people in their time of crisis.

ETSC Held a Celebration to Honor Dr. Hanna and Dr. Wahba

In July, ETSC President Hani Hanna leaves that role to become the International Program Director for Theological Literature for the Langham Partnership. As he leaves ETSC, he does so with a great sense of grace and gratitude. The grace of God is deeply entwined in the culture of this seminary. It recognizes that God’s hand has been upon it since its earliest days floating the Ibis along the banks of the Nile. Dr. Hanna has seen God’s grace at work during his two years as president. The most obvious challenge has been the inflationary spiral that has devastated the Egyptian economy during the past year. The government states the official inflation at 30%, but its impact upon everyday life is much greater. Food and utility costs have tripled! Nevertheless, ETSC has survived and even thrived. Dr. Hanna credits our faithful partners whose giving has increased during this period. He says, “I cannot express my gratitude strongly enough to our international partners for their generosity.” He recalls that upon accepting the presidency, he set about to increase funding and to cut costs, both of which have happened. This has enabled ETSC to complete the renovation of the faculty offices and continue other necessary maintenance. Further, plans are underway to renovate staff offices.

Beyond the balance sheet, ETSC sees progress on other fronts as well. It has five faculty members currently working on advanced degrees to enable them to fill much-needed positions on the faculty. These men and women will fill crucial teaching posts. The student body has doubled in the past four years, with 625 students enrolled in nine degree and certificate programs. The current faculty is under real strain to keep up with the demands of its burgeoning student body. Nevertheless, they count themselves fortunate to share in the work of training pastors and leaders for the Arabic church.

As he leaves, Dr. Hanna sees a bright future for ETSC. Perhaps the most difficult part of leaving the seminary is departing the community that has defined and enriched his life for the past twenty-two years. Many of these feelings were expressed in a celebratory event held to honor Dr. Hanna and Dr. Tharwat Wahba, who has resigned to accept a role with the mission organization, Frontier Fellowship. Significantly, these men began their work at ETSC at the same time. They, along with Dr. Atef Gendy, covenanted together to remain with the seminary to see it through a very dark time and to let God use ETSC to fulfill its mission. By the grace of God, this has happened. These men and others have faced countless obstacles, they can recall a night when they stood outside the seminary walls, armed with clubs to protect it from extremists. They have worked together, prayed together, argued together, and laughed together. Words do not come easily when it’s time to end such bonds of brotherhood. Dr. Gendy spoke for many when he said, “It is a time of mixed feelings. We are proud of Hani and Tharwat and happy for them in their new ministries. We will also miss having them as a part of everyday life at ETSC.” Dr. Anne Zaki noted the strong friendship she feels for both men and is happy for their new positions and said, “I am especially glad that you are staying in Egypt and will continue to teach at ETSC, even if it is on a part-time basis.” ETSC Board Chair Dr. Youssef Samir said, “We are proud that two of ETSC’s faculty are distinguished and recognized by international organizations.” He went on to observe that people are called by God in different stages of life for different ministries, concluding, “When this happens, all we can do is to be responsive to God’s calling.’’

Dr. Hanna and Dr. Wahba will certainly be missed by the seminary community. Their impact will be felt for years to come. Thankfully, they will continue to be in teaching roles. They did not make their decisions lightly, but out of a sense of God’s call. Friends of ETSC remain thankful for their contributions to its life and pray that God will continue to use them mightily in their new roles.

Please Join Us in Prayer

ETSC lives by the grace of God. Please join us as we pray for the following issues:

That the churches will be able to meet the needs of their communities as they share the good news of Jesus with those around them
That the graduating MDiv students will successfully receive their ordination as pastors and be effective in their churches
That the faculty will find rest and renewal as they prepare for the next academic year

Read more about the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo HERE.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo. All gifts of any size are needed for scholarships and operations, the Center for Middle East Christianity, and capital improvements of a flat that will expand program capabilities. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.

Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo — July 2023 Update