Strategic Nigerian seminary is one of a few graduate level programs in the country

Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (JETSN) in Jos, Nigeria, was founded in 1990 by the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA), one of the largest Protestant denominations in the country, to meet the growing need for theologically trained church leaders. Led by a Nigerian administration and a teaching staff who are mainly Africans with doctoral degrees, JETSN is a very strategic partner for Africa, as students receive quality training at one of the only graduate level programs in the country.

Some of the greatest challenges facing the African Church are the lack of suitable qualified clergy, falling spiritual standards and increased poverty. JETSN offers various programs to meet the Church’s needs, including Diplomas; Bachelor degrees, Masters of Divinity and Theology; and the new PhD program, which is looking to expand into Theology and Intercultural Studies. The seminary also equips teachers at primary and secondary schools through lower-level programs in Christian Religious Knowledge. In addition, the seminary conducts seminars in churches; offers one year postgraduate programs in theology that attract lay professional leaders; and has extension programs in different parts of the country to take formal training to those not able to attend JETSN due to distance.

Many of JETSN’s 3,000+ graduates are ordained pastors or faculty at theological institutions. The Nigerian Church is growing dynamically within the most populous African nation, despite religious conflicts and violence between Muslims in the north and Christians in the south.

PhD student and OC faculty scholarship recipient Ishaku Bulus Kubgak is writing his dissertation on the prevalence of violence and religious conflicts in Africa and how the Church should respond to persecution. Outside of his studies, Ishaku teaches Hebrew grammar at JETSN and engages in youth ministry and counseling in his local church. “I have discovered that the skills I have acquired from my studies have helped me greatly in counseling sessions, teaching of Biblical Hebrew and development of the younger generation.”