Pastor Gene Throop, director of Calvary Ministries Outreach International, Bristow, Indiana, attended the graduation ceremonies at Calvary Ministries Bible College. Speaking of the five Sudanese graduates he said, "I feel like there’s a dynamo in a couple of those guys, especially. They all are just really nice people. Really committed. They certainly have proven that to us."

Over 1,500 people were present to see a class of 27 graduate. A delegation from Nairobi from the Presbyterian Church of Sudan also attended the graduation, and the leader of the delegation spoke briefly. He was very pleased with the school and hopes that more Sudanese can attend. There are photos of the graduation on Calvary Ministries Outreach's website: http://www.cmointernational.org/2003_graduation.htm.

SSFI sent certificates of appreciation for each of the students and for the school.

The five pastors that SSFI sponsored for the three-year training program were everything SSFI had hoped for--and more. Pastor Throop is pleased with the attitude and dedication of the five pastors. (One pastor has a desire to someday start a Bible college in southern Sudan.) Pastor Throop says, "I don’t think anybody who contributed wasted a penny on those men. They put in some long, hard hours learning subjects in a language that was not their native language."

When the Sudanese arrived at CMBC, they had only the clothes on their back. One man did not even have shoes on his feet. Providing for the pastor’s most basic needs caused many unanticipated expenses. In fact, all of their personal effects ultimately had to be purchased by the College. To help, the Sudanese students took jobs on campus—this work was in addition to their studies.

In comparison to their classmates, the Sudanese started college with a deficit. They did not have the basic Bible knowledge that we in the US often take for granted. Also their English language skills were insufficient. It was evident immediately that the Sudanese would have difficulty with their studies and might not be able to finish the program. But their Kenyan and Tanzanian classmates, on their own initiative, tutored the Sudanese to improve their Bible knowledge, English, and study skills. By the second term, it was clear that the Sudanese would succeed.

SSFI is grateful to Pastor Gene Throop and Calvary Ministries Outreach International, Inc., the administration, faculty, and staff of Calvary Ministries Bible College, the congregation of the First United Presbyterian Church, DePere, Wisconsin, and each of the many individuals across the United States who gave generously to help make this graduation day possible. We can’t thank them enough.