RAMOCE GRADUATES, FINDS NEW CALLING
‘I LEARNED TO BE CONTENT WITH WHATEVER WAS PROVIDED TO ME IN THE COLLEGE AND I THANK GOD FOR ALL THESE...’
Akaripa Ramoce said he was taken out of his comfort zone when he left his home in Labasa, to pursue his studies at the College of Theology and Evangelism in Lautoka.
This all paid off when Mr Ramoce graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity on Saturday at the Gospel Retreat Centre in Drasa, Lautoka. While giving his testimony, he said he gave up his dream to play soccer.
“I had planned after attending high school to get into one of the major tertiary institutions in Fiji,” he said. “I never dreamt or even had plans to attend a theological college, let alone the college of Theology and Evangelism.”
The 23-year-old said he faced challenges during his first year in 2016. “I returned to my room in tears questioning why was I in the bible college, and how am I to complete four years of studies here? “There were situations that would affect me emotionally. Sometimes I just felt like I couldn’t do it anymore, but I had taken the first step in faith and trusted God.”
He said he learned to treasure lessons learned and friendships made. Mr Ramoce made lifelong friends with others from Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands.
“I’ve learned to be hospitable and I learned to be content with whatever was provided to me in the college and I thank God for all these memories.”
The outgoing College of Theology and Evangelism Principal, Nair Narayan, said the occasion was also the 45th graduation ceremony. It was also the dedication of the new Gospel Retreat Centre where the event took place.
“All that happened this year in and through us is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes. Our graduates are going into hostile religious situations to uphold the authority of the Bible. They will need your prayers,” Mr Narayan said. Mr Narayan said the Institute has
trained 532 students this year. Mother, daughter among 31 graduates
It was a fulfilling experience for Sandhaya Chetty, 37, and her 62year-old mother when they graduated together.
Ms Chetty resides in Nasinu with her mother and were part of the 31 batch graduating under various programmes.
Ms Chetty said being a mother was an added challenge as she had to juggle her three years of study for her Certificate and Diploma in Biblical studies .
“I had to sacrifice a lot because I have a four-year-old daughter to look after and during the day I had to do the housework then look after her and at night I had to sacrifice my time to study,” Mrs Chetty said. Her husband provided the much needed support to forge ahead. Her aim was to be well versed with biblical knowledge. “Whatever God has in store for me, I will accept, but my motive is to grow in the word of God and know the Bible more.
“It’s not about receiving your cer
Whatever God has in store for me, I will accept, but my motive is to grow in the word of God and know the Bible more. Sandhaya Chetty. College of Theology and Evangelism graduate
tificate, it’s all about knowing more about God personally and his love towards mankind,” she said. An overjoyed mum, Aureen Sharma, was grateful to be graduating alongside her daughter with a Diploma in Biblical studies .
“We have in our heart a desire to learn God’s word,” she said.