1st Cohort of the MTEL Programme reflect on their experiences at Mindolo Ecumenical Institute
In 2024, 10 young African Theologians were admitted to the Master of theology Degree in Ecumenical leadership offered by the AACC in collaboration with St. Paul’s University and Mindolo Ecumenical Institute. One year later, nine of these who successfully walked the one-year journey ecumenical and leadership formation met to share their joys, experiences and plans for the future as they prepared to return to their sending communities. The graduates were joined by their Dean and the Dean of Students, Joshua and Timothy school of theology at St Paul’s university, Rev. Dr. Julius Githinji and the AACC Executive Secretary for theology and interfaith relations, Fr. Dr. John Njoroge as they responded to a couple of questions presented to them by AACC communication department as narrated below.
Life at Mindolo
In their sharing, Rev Agnes Zulu Munayani, Rev. Avalla Ohimbe Julilate, Rev. Jackson Simon, Rev. Skonje Ntanadazo, Rev Oladapo Akintaju, Rev. Gatebuka David and Mr. Geoffrey Ahuna Muganizi provided an insight into the students’ life at Mindolo. While acknowledging that the programme is very intensive, exhausting and demanding due to its condensed schedule, it helped them discover their hidden strengths and ability to adapt to different cultural backgrounds and work settings. For them, teamwork and the ability to appreciate each other’s uniqueness, gifts and cultural background significantly contributed to their success as a team.
The role of home church accompaniment in the student’s life at Mindolo
Much as each of the students reported having received some sort of support from their home church, the level of this support varied from student to students. To some like Rev. Athanase Ibyimana, the Church went as far as funding their travels, upkeep and providing continuous psychosocial support, to some like Rev. Victoire Wamunyu, the home church was very present in their lives through regular phone call, and emails providing care, and monitoring progress.
For others, the only support received from their churches was a recommendation letter. One of such students noted that receiving no accompaniment from his church beyond the recommendation letter made him realize the value and need for every church to offer emotional support and accompaniment to its people who travel out of the country for studies or any other programmes.
“Once I return home, I am going to purse the formulation and implementation of policies for supporting and accompanying church members undergoing training and those we send abroad to represent our church in various programmes so that they do not experience the negative emotions I have been experiencing missing the accompaniment of my church.” He noted.
The role of MTEL in Africa’s Sustainable development
While affirming the student’s perspectives, Dr. Julius expressed his excitement about the ecumenical leadership program, emphasizing its potential to foster unity and peace in Africa. He highlighted the program's unique nature, combining academic and ecumenical elements, and its potential to produce faith leaders whose character and competence can lead us to the Africa We Want.
Father John Njoroge added that the program's ecumenical nature and its focus on producing leaders with integrity and vision are key to its success. He also emphasized the program's potential to raise a generation of young theologians who can spearhead the positive transformation of the Church in Africa and globally.
A glimpse into the Future: What next for the Grandaunts?
It was very inspiring to watch and listen to the students as they shared their plans for the future with excitement and an obvious sense of fulfillment. Athanase expressed his desire to contribute to his church and make them see the value of their investment in him. Valentine shared his plans to put his learnings into practice and become a voice for peace and climate change in his community. David expressed his intention to educate people about ecumenism and lead initiatives fostering Christian unity and religious tolerance workshops. Agnes was already on fire to inspire girls to pursue their dreams and get into spaces of influence. She was already looking for an opportunity to pursue a PHD in ecumenism.
As the students bid farewell to the dreams nurturing environment of Mindolo Ecumenical Institute that served as their home for twelve months, the institute, and its two companions in this task of nurturing transformative ecumenical leaders (AACC and St. Paul’s University) were also getting set to receive the 2nd Cohort of the MTEL programme.
In the Photo: 1st Cohort of the MTEL Students at MEF
