First joint graduation for Evangel & AGTS
Evangel University and its seminary will see 517 degrees conferred this spring at the first joint graduation ceremony on Friday, May 4, 2018.
The 60th Annual Commencement ceremony for Evangel will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the James River Church auditorium in Ozark, Mo. The speaker will be the Rev. Doug Clay, newly-elected general superintendent of the Assemblies of God.
The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary of Evangel University will celebrate its 45th Annual Commencement as a part of the same ceremony. The two schools were consolidated in 2013.
The top five bachelor-level majors graduating from Evangel this year are: Psychology, Elementary Education, Management, Biology, and Biblical Studies.
“Each year as I look out at our graduates, surrounded by their family, friends, and faculty, I am reminded that each graduate represents a distinct story and journey to completing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree,” said Dr. Carol Taylor, president. “Their stories are inspiring, and we celebrate their many achievements at this year’s commencement.”
More than 4,000 family and friends from around the world will gather on Friday to celebrate these students.
From Evangel, there will be 464 graduates earning 11 doctoral, 335 bachelor’s, 72 master’s, and 46 associate’s degrees — of which, 40 are from EU’s James River College campus.
From AGTS, there will be 53 degrees conferred, of which 24 are doctoral degrees and 29 are master’s degrees.
The entire graduation ceremony will be live-streamed at https://www.evangel.edu/commencement/
Evangel University, which includes AGTS, is a comprehensive Christian university committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to serve the church and society globally. Evangel serves more than 2,100 students from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries, offering 65 undergraduate majors and 17 master’s and doctoral degrees.
Rev. Doug Clay, speaker
“We are particularly honored to have our General Superintendent Doug Clay as this year’s commencement speaker,” said President Taylor. “His passion for seeing men and women equipped for effective service, along with his personal wisdom and ministry, will inspire all those gathered at this year’s graduation.”
Doug Clay was elected chief executive officer of the General Council of the Assemblies of God at the 57th General Council in August, 2017.
“Graduation is a defining moment,” said Clay. “My prayer is that those graduating would steward well both the investment they’ve made in themselves and their future, as well as the sacrifices made by their loved ones to get them to this point.
“May they realize the tremendous responsibility accompanying this achievement — to remember their greatness is not determined by how many people serve them, but how many people they serve.”
As general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, USA, part of the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, Clay is a member of the denomination’s Executive Leadership Team and Executive Presbytery.
The church has more than 13,000 congregations in the United States with over three million adherents. The U.S. Assemblies of God is part of a larger World Assemblies of God Fellowship with a membership of over 68 million.
Prior to his present position, Clay served the church as its general treasurer for nine years. He was superintendent of the Ohio District from 2004-2008, and pastored Calvary Assembly of God in Toledo, Ohio, from 1997-2004. Clay has also served as the Assemblies of God national youth director (1995-1997), Ohio District youth director (1989-1995) and as a youth pastor in Ohio and Iowa. He graduated from Central Bible College in 1985.
Clay has a passionate love for the local church; he is a church health enthusiast, and he effectively equips leaders to grow in their calling. Clay is the author of Ordered Steps and Dreaming in 3D.
He and his wife, Gail, have two grown daughters, two sons-in-law and five grandchildren.
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