In June, the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo, Egypt (ETSC) honored 86 graduates during its annual commencement ceremony. Graduates completed degrees across seven unique programs. While the classes and components of each program are unique, their purpose is the same: prepare pastors and leaders to serve the church in Egypt and Christian communities in the Arab world and beyond.

The variety isn’t just about the degrees. As ETSC continues to stretch its impact and reach, these graduates came from all over the world. In this graduating class, in addition to Egypt, graduates represented eight countries including Canada, Lebanon, Kuwait, Sudan, Italy, the Netherlands, Oman, and Syria.

Most students, whether just starting out in school or nearing the end of graduate school, look forward to summer vacation. It is a chance to take a break, get some much-needed rest, or catch up on all the things that get pushed to the side in the midst of the rigors of academic pursuit.

For a Master of Divinity student at Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo (ETSC), summers look a little different. Rather than a break, summers are a time for internships, or as ETSC describes them, “the classroom of life.” Summer internships provide an intentional opportunity for students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to ministry.

In our last update on the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC), we shared the sad news of the seminary’s loss of three beloved professors (see previous update). And yet, despite this loss and its challenging consequences for the seminary, ETSC did not get discouraged. Instead, in grace and resilience, ETSC moved forward and continues its mission to form leaders and pastors for the Arabic-speaking church. 

Every season of change brings both opportunities and challenges. As we give thanks for the faithful and fruitful legacy of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s World Mission Ministry, we continue to receive challenging news from our partners who have been affected by the discontinuation of the Ministry’s work. One such partner is the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC). Since 1863, ETSC has been dedicated to preparing and equipping pastors and church leaders to serve in Egypt and beyond.

Dr. Samuel Rozfy visited with numerous partners during his most recent trip to the United States, January 26-February 6. He began his visit with a stop in Hendersonville, Tennessee, visiting the Community Church of Hendersonville. Community Church is a new ministry partner, currently funding a MAT scholarship. Don and Ann Crittenden joined him as he attended the ECO National Gathering in Greenville, South Carolina. His host for the event was the Eastminister Church in Marrietta, Georgia.