SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS) will celebrate its 44th Annual Commencement Celebration on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at 10 a.m.
The ceremonies will be held in the Robert H. Spence Chapel at Evangel University, 1111 N. Glenstone, Springfield, Mo. The public is invited to attend.
Fifty-three scholars will earn degrees from AGTS this spring — three Ph.D.s, one Doctor of Applied Intercultural Studies and 16 Doctor of Ministry degrees, along with 14 Master of Divinity and 19 Master of Arts degrees.
Candidates are from 21 states, ranging from New Jersey to California, and five foreign countries: England, Mexico, The Netherlands, Panama and Tanzania.
This is the second commencement under the leadership of President Mark A. Hausfeld.
“I have heard it said many times, ‘There is nothing like an AGTS graduation,’” said Dr. Hausfeld. “Why? It is because we celebrate the graduation of servant leaders who are multiplying the Kingdom of God as theologians, pastors, missionaries and para-church leaders.”
The 2017 theme is “For I know the plans I have for you,” based on Jeremiah 29:11.
“What an exciting time to participate with women and men who are fulfilling the call of God with excellence, by graduating to revitalize the Church and evangelize the world, in the power of the Holy Spirit, in tandem with an excellent education,” said Dr. Hausfeld.
Pre-graduation events
Doctoral candidates and their work will be honored during a series of public events on Thursday, May 4, including an Intercultural Doctoral Studies Investiture at 10:30 a.m., a Doctor of Ministry Symposium at 12:30 p.m., and a Symposium Celebration Service at 2 p.m.
The public is invited to attend these events as well.
The Commencement Ceremony, Intercultural Doctoral Studies Investiture and Doctor of Ministry Symposium will be streamed live at agts.edu.
Graduate speakers
This year’s commencement will highlight three 2017 degree candidates, their stories and their vision for the future.
- Yisrael Vincent, earning a Masters of Divinity, currently serves as associate pastor of young adults at Evangel Temple in Springfield, Mo.
- Paul Kazim, earning a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies, serves as the Assemblies of God World Missions area director for Mexico.
- Shannon Polk, earning a Doctor of Ministry, is an attorney with Polk Legal, PLLC. She serves as a consultant with Leadership Solutions, LLC, and as a ministry assistant to the pastor at Riverside Tabernacle in Flint, Mich.
About AGTS and Evangel University
AGTS serves the larger Pentecostal and Evangelical traditions with 21st-century leadership for the Church and its mission. AGTS is accredited by The Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. and Canada.
As an embedded seminary, AGTS with Evangel University serves more than 2,100 students from all 50 states and numerous countries, offering 65 undergraduate majors and 17 master’s and doctoral degrees.
The 59th Annual Commencement Ceremony for Evangel will be held on Friday, May 5, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. in the James River Church auditorium in Ozark, Mo. More than 4,000 family and friends from around the world will celebrate more than 500 graduates earning associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees at that time.
This year’s commencement speaker will be Hal Donaldson, co-founder and president of Convoy of Hope, a faith-based, non-profit organization that leads humanitarian initiatives across the United States and around the world.
For more information about AGTS go to www.agts.edu; and for more about Evangel, visit www.evangel.edu.
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• The EU website includes a detailed schedule of Evangel & AGTS Commencement Week activities.
• Evangel University 2017 Commencement press release