Gratitude to Nile Theological College

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Dear friends,

After the completion of our “Introduction to African Traditional Religion” course last year, student Mark Konyi came up to me said to me, “Now I feel like I am a real student. Thank you!” While I was not entirely sure how to interpret Mark’s comment, what I received was a sense of gratitude from Mark as he had felt seen, heard, and empowered during our 16 weeks together. Mark is from a marginal community, the Murle people. Mark Konyi is exceptionally intelligent, and he offered some of the most salient comments and helpful illustrations from his people during our class discussions. For the final project, his group, which focused on the traditions and history of the Murle people, scored the highest points, and their presentation was poignant and powerful, featuring a song sung together by members of two tribal groups who often fight one another, tangibly demonstrating the possibility and hope for reconciliation.

[ngg src="galleries" ids="1254" display="pro_horizontal_filmstrip" show_captions="1"]Seven years ago, I joined the faculty of Nile Theological College (NTC). I was warmly welcomed into this family of faith and scholarship by Rev. Santino Odong Othol, the principal of the college at that time. I remember my first day coming to see Rev. Santino in his office as he welcomed me, politely and kindly saying “fagdahl.” I asked him what it meant. He said, “Oh, you have not heard that word yet? It means ‘welcome’ in Arabic.” This was the beginning of many wonderful conversations and shared times of learning, laughter, eating together, mutual encouragement, and prayer. During that first year, I was recovering from a terrible virus; for months my energy was low, and it was a discouraging season. I vividly remember the afternoon when Reverend Santino, Reverend Michael Aban and members of the faculty and staff of NTC came to visit me in our home and pray for me. By God’s grace, the following February I began teaching. The two courses I taught were Early Church History and Contextual Theology. My students were eager to learn and the teaching/learning journey from that time forward has been robust, memorable, and transformative. The joy of learning and the joy of discovery are two gifts I have witnessed over the last several years. Seeing my students energized in discussing theological ideas and learning about the history of the church has inspired me in my role as teacher and facilitator of learning and growth. Many of my former students are now serving in parishes, some of them are teaching, and two of them, David and John, are serving as research associates for my PhD program and preparing for their own post-graduate studies.

Beyond classroom instruction, I have enjoyed other opportunities. Together with several students and staff, I served with the “Media Team,” producing newsletters about the life of NTC in both print and electronic form. When Kristi and I were in the United States due to the pandemic, student David Dach was able to lead the other students and staff in producing the newsletter; my mentoring of David and the others had paid off! It was also a privilege to work closely with NTC faculty in leading the institution through redesigning our curriculum, a process that began in earnest with a trip to Rwanda where we learned from the experiences of the Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences (PIASS). Another fond memory was when I was unexpectedly thrust into the role of chairperson of the organizing committee to plan and host graduation in 2018. By God’s grace, our graduation ceremony went exceptionally well, with over 700 guests and two classes of graduates who were honored and celebrated for their awesome accomplishment!  

I have learned many things over the last seven years through my service at Nile Theological College. First, I have learned that I love learning, and that I love teaching. I have thoroughly enjoyed course preparation and being in the classroom with students. I have done everything in my power to show dignity to each student and to communicate love to them. I have always been prepared to teach, and I have prayed and trusted the Holy Spirit to lead me and to give me the mental and physical strength needed. At times I have had to be creative, especially when I was feeling physically weak. I would break the class into small groups and allow them to discuss questions amongst themselves with my attentive ear close at hand. I have also learned that I love being part of a learning community and being part of a team (faculty/staff). I have observed also that my presence and listening ear have been appreciated by the leaders of the institution. On that note, I often found myself as a peacemaker, seeking to be a voice of calm and care for the various parties who did not see things in the same way. I have enjoyed being a pastoral presence to colleagues and students, which has included leading in chapel and student devotions.

Stepping away from Nile Theological College has been one of the hardest things I have done in a very long time. Truly, it is the end of an era. At the end of the seventh semester of our seniors in May, I almost broke down in tears as I told my students that this would be my final semester teaching at the college. Even now, I miss my students and I have missed being part of the faculty. Yet, I know it was the right time to step away and that God is revealing His plan. I pray God’s blessings upon NTC, upon her leaders, upon all the students, faculty and staff. May God use NTC as a place where servant leaders continue to be trained and formed to effectively minister God’s love and grace to people who are suffering.

On a related note, Kristi and I will be transitioning from our role in South Sudan next year as our current term comes to an end in June 2025. We feel that God is leading us in a new direction, and we hope and pray to continue serving on the great continent of Africa. We welcome your prayers during this season of discernment and transition and as we continue to stay engaged in ministry with our partners in South Sudan.

We want to again thank you for your unswerving commitment to us through prayer and financial gifts. We could not be in South Sudan without you! May God bless you during these uncertain, anxious times, and may the Spirit of God come upon us all, that we may fully lean into the goodness and mercy of our gracious and loving God, expressed most perfectly in the Person of Jesus Christ (John 12: 44 – 45).

With Gratitude!

Bob and Kristi