The graduates with others during the 25th commencement service of Oriental Theological College held at Centre Baptist Church, Yangli on April 15.
Launches first M.Div prog in Eastern Nagaland; Offers free admission for first M.Div Batch
Tuensang, April 15 (MExN): The 25th commencement service of Oriental Theological College (OTC) was held at Centre Baptist Church, Yangli on April 15. The programme was attended by church leaders, faculty members, students, parents and well-wishers.
Addressing the gathering, T Kirithong Sangtam, Chairman, Board of Directors, OTC announced that OTC will be launching the “first-ever” Master of Divinity (M.Div) programme in Eastern Nagaland, starting from the academic year 2025–26. The first batch of M.Div students will be given free admission as a special gesture, he added.
He also announced that OTC has set up a fully digital library with over 48,000 books, making it one of the best-equipped libraries in the region. Two new teachers will be appointed by June 2025 to strengthen the faculty team.
He assured that OTC students will receive equal rights and opportunities like students in any other college. The Board of Directors thanked all the donors who have supported and helped the college grow.
The commencement address was delivered by Dr Alem P Sangtam, Associate Pastor of Sangtam Baptist Church, Dimapur. He spoke on the topic “Higher calling is a Holy calling.”
He encouraged the graduates by sharing the story of Moses from the Bible. Dr Alem said that Moses was not perfect, and even made excuses when God called him. But God still chose him to lead the people of Israel from the wilderness to the Promised Land. He reminded the graduates that just like Moses, they too have received a higher calling from God. He advised them to be obedient, humble, faithful, and courageous as they begin their journey into ministry, further studies, or other fields. He said, “The same God who helped Moses will help you too.”
The conferring of diplomas was done by Dr C Chemtingla Sangtam, Principal of OTC, and presented by L Hopichum, Academic Dean. The Academic Dean also presented awards to outstanding students.
The Act of Dedication was led by Rev Y Imtiba, Executive Secretary of USBLA. The Graduating Class of 2025 sang a Song of Commitment, dedicating themselves to serve God and others.
Earlier, the programme was led by Thangsela, lecturer at OTC with invocation by Yangthsingli, Pastor of Chare Town Baptist Lithro, Scripture readings were taken from the Bible by M Liyangpi, Lecturer of Old Testament, and Mushirhülü, Lecturer of New Testament. The B.Th II students presented a beautiful message in song which encouraged the gathering. The programme ended with a closing prayer by Throngethsing, Youth Secretary of USBLA.
After the main event, Rev Y Imtiba also dedicated the newly completed second floor of the OTC Girls’ Hostel.
