Online Seminary Campus News

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo exchanges pleasantries with Bishop Howard Sarkela, Presiding Bishop of the Christian Alliance Ministries Worldwide, Worldwide Church of Jesus Christ, Northwestern Theological Seminary, Northwestern Christian University during a courtesy call on her Monday (November 16) in the Music Room of Malacanang Place, Manila, Philippines. (PNA/NIB photo by D.Aguilar)V3/eda

Monday, 16 November 2009

PGMA receives honorary award from Christian bishops

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today received an honorary doctorate degree in Humanities from the Northwestern Christian University based in the United States for her government’s exemplary policy in moral recovery.

The award letter was presented by the Christian Alliance Ministries Worldwide, led by Northwestern Christian University Presiding Bishop Howard Sarkela, Bishop Teodoro Garvida, Bishop Seth Lagunda, and Secretary General Ma. Isabel Tobias at the Music Room of Malacañang.

Sarkela lauded the President’s moral recovery program and values transformation policy in the Philippines.

“We came here to bless the President and to show appreciation for Executive Orders 713 and 714 concerning the improvement of moral values in the Philippines,” he said.

Both EOs were signed by the President last year. EO 713 was created to strengthen the authority of the Presidential Council on Values Formation towards the effective pursuit of a just and moral society in the country.

EO 714 was signed to enhance the government’s institutional mechanism for interfaith activities.

President Arroyo believes that interfaith initiatives are crucial to the promotion of peace, cooperation and amity within and outside the country, as well as the development of moral, spiritual and intellectual capacities for the upholding and enhancement of human dignity.

The visiting bishops each prayed for President Arroyo. Sarkela prayed in English and asked the Almighty to protect her. Garvida, who is from Mindoro, prayed in Tagalog, while Lagunda prayed in Cebuano.

“The main reason why we come here is to bless her,” Sarkela said. (PND)

http://www.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2002243&Itemid=2

From Official Philippine Government Website

In January 2008, Northwestern Theological Seminary obtained the approval for new accreditation through the World-Wide Accreditation Commission of Christian Educational Institutions (WWAC), in Richmond, Virginia, USA. This decision furthers our commitment to our past, current, and future students to maintain and expand in the theological accreditation of this institution. This NTS will continue to achieve while maintaining theological accreditation that does not subjects the Seminary to governmental or secular oversight. Our commitment establishes our responsibility to teach the Word of God without having our teachings regulated by an organization that may be linked to a governmental oversight outside of the Christian body, directly or indirectly influencing the beliefs and practices of the Seminary. The Board of Directors of Northwestern Theological Seminary believes that we have accomplished this objective without compromising our commitment and standards in obtaining this new accreditation with WWAC. It is the position of WWAC that accreditation by any agency, which in turn is controlled by the U.S. Department of Education, would to some degree be a compromise of the separation principle and constitute a violation of the Church's sovereignty. This position is one that NTS is in agreement with and provides the basis of our decision to obtain accreditation through WWAC.

The WWAC
Dr. Paul Richardson, Executive President
2800 Blendwell Road
Richmond, VA 23224

Bishop Dr. Jefferson Tasleem Ghuari addresses the Islamabad Group 1 Graduating Class of 2009

Bishop Dr. Jefferson Tasleem Ghauri addresses the Lalamusa Graduating Class of 2009

Bishop Dr. Jefferson Tasleem Ghuari addresses the Islamabad Group 2 Graduating Class of 2009

Northwestern Theological Seminary has been working in Pakistan since 2005 and every year they are graduating many Bible students in the different cities where branches have been established throughout the country. Bishop Dr Jefferson Tasleem Ghauri is Vice president of the Northwestern Seminary and the Director of Pakistan. Dr. Ghauri has begun many branch seminaries in different parts of the country educating Christians about the Bible. NTS Pakistan introduced two courses in the Bible; a Certificate of Theology in Biblical Studies and a Bachelor of Theology in Biblical Studies. These are photos of a graduation program held in the Church of Pakistan in Mandi Bahawaldin .

The pastor of the church, Rev. Pastor.Haroon Ajmal provided a warm welcome to the guests . Rev. Pastor Ajmal is the leader and pastor Of Church of Pakistan Mandi Bahawaldin . Rev. Ajmal is shown presenting a Certificate of Theology in Biblical Studies to a graduated student of the Seminary.

Bishop Ghauri invited Rev. Shafique Alam in this program as a guest speaker. He conveyed the message of Lord to those in attendance. Rev. Alam motivated the graduates to reach the un-reached and encouraged the movement of church growth.

A group photo of all the graduate students is shown with their degrees. NTS Pakistan needs your prayers for the increasing work with Pakistani Christians .

Bishop Dr. Jefferson Tasleem Ghauri is shown here presenting a degree to one of the students. Pray for the study of the Bible and growth in His mighty name. We are praying for our country and our peoples of Pakistan God save over country and the everything which is in this country.

September 2008 / Recognition ceremony being held in Neuquen, Argentina. The Branch Seminary Program in South America continues to expand, as Dr. Patricio Valenzuela has shown a great dedication to fulfilling God's purpose with Northwestern Theological Seminary in this part of the world.

Please continue to pray for Dr. Valenzuela and all of our worldwide directors who are working to impact the world by educating the world for Jesus Christ.

On April 27, 2008 the new Northwestern Branch of Neuquen, Argentina began with a class of 30 new students who are preparing for their Bachelor of Theology in Biblical Studies, under the direction of Dr. Patricio Valenzuela, South America International Director of Northwestern Theological Seminary. Class meetings will be held once a week for 2-1/2 hours of Biblical study.

Neuquen is one of many other cities in Argentina where Northwestern Theological Seminary is currently operating branches.

Please pray for the work that Northwestern Theological Seminary is accomplishing through Dr. Valenzuela for the preparation of those in Argentina and throughout South America who will be studying the Word of God.