A special church service to pass out eight graduands from the International Bible College (IBC) of Assemblies of God Church in Italy (African Community) was held in the Italian northern city Reggio Emilia.

It was the 6th Graduation Day ceremony since the Church established the College some 10 years ago and as in previous similar events more than 15 branches of the Church from different cities came together to worship and be part of the memorable day. The school which goes in session in the month of August each year is affiliated with Mid Ghana Bible College and also accredited to Assemblies of God in Church in Italy (Italian version) and exists to provide a thorough Bible instruction and training to prepare Christian workers, Pastors, Evangelists and Church Leaders for effective service in Italy, the rest of Europe and the entire world. Students are taken through more than 30 subjects, among them are: Personal Evangelism, Life of Christ, Christian Education, Homiletics, Church Planting, Pentecostal Truth, Pastorial Theology, Comparative Religion, Principles of Teaching and Computing.

The eight new graduands who rolled out of the College under the name ‘Endtime Harvesters’ were: Frederick Teye Kabu (from Mount Horeb Prayer Ministry at Verona), Stephen Kojo Owusu Toku (Trinity Assemblies of God Church at Mariana – Mantova) Evans Johnson (New Life Pentecostal Ministry International at Castel Franco), Sampson Baafi Opoku (Winners Assemblies of God Church in Milan), Happiness Udora Nneji Nwosu (Bethel Assemblies of God – Verona), Comfort Aryeetey Donkor (Jesus is Lord Assemblies of God in Bologna), Delidah Ofori Monney (Christ Centered Ministry International in Bergamo) and Johnson Kwabena Owusu (Resurrection Power and Living Bread Ministry International at Pordenone) After receiving their certificate and getting handshakes from the academic staff and the Church Pastors, they walked off the platform and were welcomed by their spouse and church members with a bouquet. The service was marked with a long stretch of gospel songs characteristically served ‘hot’ by the Church’s national choir superbly backed by a group of young dynamic instrumentalists and the new graduands filled with joy and joined by some of the congregation excitedly danced to glorify God. Stephen Toku said at the end of the service their 4 years studies at the College has given him a new lease of life and is going out with new ideas he didn’t have before to work for the Ministry of God. “It’s was an intensive 34 subjects course, tough but we dedicated ourselves for it and happy to have come out successfully,” he noted. Also ecstatic was the Leader of the Class, Happiness Udora Nneji Nwosu, who commended the academic staff of the school for their exemplary leadership qualities and teaching capabilties. “It’s a great feeling going through the course and I urge aspiring church leaders and all who want to work for the Ministry of God to enroll in the school and get the benefits,” she pointed out.

The Class Leader during the service narrated the challenges that the class faced whilst on the course. “The Class of 2011 is made up of 3 women and 5 men – 4 are Assemblies of God Church members and the other 4 from different denominations. We are grateful to have finished our 4-year diploma course in Pastorial studies. Inspite of our denominational differences we were able to cooperate and unite together in love as brothers and sisters in one mighty family of God,” she said. The difficult moments, she mentioned, was waking up as early as 5 a.m to prepare for morning devotion at 7 a.m of which they must not be late. “Secondly, some of us were not used to long class hours as such it caused a lot of strain on us during the first year at school as sometimes the day’s programme ends at 10 p.m, “ she added. Consequently, she also pointed out, the Class of 2011(Endtime Harvesters) has prepared themselves in response to the harvest call because it’s the heart beat of God. “We are fully aware of the difficulties involve in the Ministry but with the stuff we have received from our seasoned lecturers coupled with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will do great exploits for the Lord. For our work will be rewarded only in accordance with our intention or motives.” The Speaker of the day’s programme, Rev. Joe Amanfu (Field Director of the Church) charged the new graduands to preach the Word of God and not to be ashamed of the Good News of Christ. “It’s God’s powerful method of bringing all who believed it to heaven. The entire world is looking up to you, remember you have been called to serve not to be served,” he cautioned them.

Rev. Amanfu also urged them not to be frightened for God who called them is faithful and just. “He will bring help, only look up to Him. You have been sent into world like lambs among wolves, be alert and remember to face your enemies not with aggression but with love and gentleness,” he told them.

At the service were lecturers of the College - Rev. Solomon King (Principal of the College – who came from Ghana), Rev. James D. Kessler (Dean of the College - resident in the Netherlands) and Rev. Patrick Boakye who is also the National Secretary and pastors a branch of the Church in Pordenone. Also present were Rev. Daniel Adu Boahene (Vice Field Director), Rev. Roland Aggrey Jnr. (National Treasurer), Pastor Noble Ofori Asante, Pastor Padmore Manu, Rev. Elijah Obeng, Deacon Mark Acheampong (who are the four Board of Governors of the College), Rev. Ralph Ekow Yawson, Rev. Stephen Antwi Manu, Rev. J.B. Donkor (Regional Superintendents) together with a host of Pastors and Departmental Leaders of the Church branches in Italy.

(IBC Contact: Tel. 0039.059.909094 Address: Italy Bible College – Via U. Foscolo 12 – 41030 Bomporto – Modena, Italy. e-mail: joeamanfu@yahoo.com) - Reggie Tagoe in Reggio Emilia, Italy. (rtagoe@live.com)