114 students successfully completed their studies at the third most populous theological institution in Hungary. On July 8, the held a Pünkösdi Teológiai Főiskola 28th annual graduation ceremony. The participants on the occasion approx. 500 people celebrated the success of the graduates together.
This year we were able to hand out the 896th diploma, so next year we can celebrate together with the thousandth student. About all diplomas obtained since the first graduation ceremony (1995): of the 896 graduates, 491 students received a theology diploma, of which 244 received a pastor's degree. About the last ten years: 257 students obtained a BA or MA theology degree, among them 83 people graduated as pastors, and 26 people spent an additional year in a pastoral practice in one of the churches, with which they obtained professional qualifications as theological pastors. The numbers also show that PTF, as a training institution, is working hard to ensure that the Pentecostal congregations have prepared leaders and staff. In addition, it continuously renews its training courses and broadens its training palette in order to ensure that Christian professionals, representing Christian values, carry out commendable work even in the performance of public ecclesiastical tasks.
The theme of the 2023 school year end celebration was "For His Glory". The event was held at the Lurdy Conference Center. On the occasion led by Alex Seidel, the rector's (Paul Gracza) and the Vice-Chancellor (Ungvári Csaba), the president of the MPE (Tamás Földesi) made the speechhirdet service. The musical inserts were selected from the details of the partita in E Major by Zsófia Fóris. Out of the 29 nominated theses, 7 received the best thesis award. The student speeches were given by Daniella S. Nagy on behalf of the BA and MA students, Andrea Weinecker on behalf of the Family Counselor students, György Kollár on behalf of the students of the coaching courses, and Júlia Eszter Novák on behalf of the students of the Pastoral Psychology courses.
A touching moment of the occasion was the farewell of Botond Rozgonyi, assistant professor, former head of the Department of Systematic Theology and Church History. After the presentation of the commemorative plaque, the audience gave a long, standing ovation to the highly valued college lecturer.
Details from the vice-chancellor's speech:
Our first goal was to make it so community experiencewith you, which will bring life-long changes to you and to us. To create encounters with each other and with Jesus Christ that go beyond religious platitudes. (...) We suffered the biggest test in creating a community experience, since the students who graduated from the two- and three-year courses experienced all the hardships of the quarantine during their studies. We tried to do everything we could to ensure that the quality of education was minimally compromised and that there was also the opportunity to practice community. Thank you for persevering!
The second goal is to be knowledge let us convey to you, which, although it respects and applies traditional values, it honestly faces the challenges of today and helps us find vital, fulfilling answers. Knowledge that teaches humility. We wanted to shape the ability of dialogue based on mutual respect.
Thirdly, it is Hite we wanted to nurture in you, which goes beyond the confession of religious truths and the blathering of church clichés. Instead, he forms Christ himself when he speaks hirwe help, coach and guide families. In this case, the Christ of faith reveals himself in real form where we work, serve or simply exist.
So we wanted to experience community, knowledge and faith with you. Our goal was for all of this to become a life-shaping experience for both sides of the department. Pál in the words of the apostle, we wanted to be the good fragrance of Christ to you for the glory of God. If you experienced this and it soaked you in, then pass it on! For His glory!