The maiden graduation ceremony for the graduands was held at the AOG Church on 9 March this year attended by pastors, church leaders and members, and Christians and non-Christians from across the country.
The PMTI is envisioned as a training programme for pastors and church leaders to appreciate God’s mission so they can embrace the behaviours and practices required to fulfill God’s mission in their lifetime.
The first batch of six includes men and women of God from various churches with graduants receiving distinctive awards for Most Consistent Student, Best & Transformative Student, Most Committed Student, and Special (Student) Award.
According to Rev Paul A. Ampofo-Williams, Pastor and National Head of Assemblies of God, The Gambia, the PMTI pastoral missional training programme is hinged on three pillars: appreciation of the mission of God that gives rise to the ministry of the Church; spiritual maturity and character required for sustained ministerial integrity, and critical competences needed for effective church planting and development.
“The confluence of these three indicators in their right balance will guarantee efficiency in pastoral/missional ministry,” Rev Ampofo-Williams said.
The PMTI programme is designed to empower students so they are able to effectively fulfill their God-calling ministry and eventually become trainers. “This will require that the student makes extra effort at learning and mastering the principles, and also to train others,” the Pastor stated.
The programme or course is run on a modular basis, Rev. Ampofo-Williams, also a lead lecturer at the Institute, said. He says a modular course, which can stand alone, is a part of the main course, and that the related topics, when combined, become the entire course.
“Each module is carefully chosen to build critical pieces of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to meet the learning objectives of the course,” he explains. “This is consistent with the Intentional Design Approach which takes into consideration how the learning objectives align to instructional materials and methods, assessments, activities, and learner interactions.”
He added that the Bible is the principal textbook for every module and it is complemented by literature authored by practitioners in the respective subject matters. “These are accompanied by ministry/mission practicum to give students experience and exposure,” he said, adding that students register for each module requiring approximately 10 academic hours of work, which include Bible reading, lecture hours, group work, and further readings.
He further said lectures are conducted on Fridays (6-9 pm) and Saturdays (9 am – 1 pm), informing: “The next programme starts on 14 March 2025.”
Delivering the keynote address on the occasion, Rev Dr Albert Anane (from Ghana), who has a combined professional and pastoral ministry spanning about 50 years, said there are challenges and rewards with serving the Lord but the rewards far outweigh the difficulties, challenges and obstacles.
“You will enjoy the immense joy and benefits that come with serving as pastors as you have the opportunity to influence lives,” Rev Dr Anane, a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Missiology from Atlantic Coastal Theological Seminary, USA, told the graduants and congregation.
Pastor Lisboa Warner De Oliviera, Rev Edward Jatta, who are members of the PMTI Board of Governors directed by Rev Paul Ampofo-Williams and chaired by Pastor James Gbagidi, were part of the graduation officiators.
Deacon Stephen Abban moderated the landmark occasion of Assemblies of God, The Gambia.
