The graduation and commissioning ceremony was held at the GPI grounds along Kairaba Avenue. Pastors and bishops from various Dioceses as well parents and relatives of the participants witnessed the event.
Speaking at the occasion, Father James Paul of Christ Church Parish, Serrekunda, said the Christian Church in the 21st century is no longer obliged to defend itself because the church is out and about actively evangelising.
He said: “There are now more than ever before both in language and illustration people who have well understood their faith and are willing to let it go out from their heart the joy and enthusiasm and love.
“The challenge I want to put before the graduates is to not only believe in God; instead they should believe that God believes in them. Evangelisation is proclaiming the love of God. They learn by doing and they have succeeded in completing the theoretical parts and they are well armed for the practical part.”
Also speaking, Augustina Ugbana, coordinator of the training programme, said: “The participants will be organising their vigil and going on their evangelisation. The training does not stop there. We will be coming up with another batch and we urge everyone to take part. The programme is for everybody because evangelisation works for everybody and I thank all those who participated in the programme as well as those who supported the programme.”
For his part, Father Peter Lopez, director of GPI, described the day as historic for his institution.
He added: “For the past six months, these men and women have been in for the word of God and they are being sent back to their parishes. Let us give our conferring best wishes to these men and women for their journey ahead of the evangelisation mission of this diocese.”
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