Paynesville – Liberia’s renowned religious scholar, Rev. Olu Q. Menjay has inspired graduates of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary (LBTS) to be resourceful and serve as agents of change to their communities.
Rev. Dr. Menjay currently serves as the outgoing President of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention (LBMEC).
As President of the LBMEC, Dr. Menjay is a Visitor to the LBTS and an ex-officio member of the Institution’s Board of Trustees.
Speaking at the 37th commencement convocation of LBTS on Sunday, Rev. Menjay called on the graduates to “never quit from serving, learning and teaching.
He urged them to “grow where you are planted.”
He said: “Use your theological education to transform lives and serve God and humanity with humility and love while promoting God’s peace, justice and human rights for all.”
“We further urge you graduates to never quit from serving, learning and teaching while living in a world with so much needs.”
The Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary was embroiled in a US$240,000 lawsuit that led to the closure of the institution twice.
However, after decisive actions taken by the institution’s Board of Trustees, the money was paid and the institution was saved.
Dr. Menjay thanked the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Deacon Aaron G. Marshall for leading the fight in saving the institution and stated that as he is about to end his tenure of president of LBMEC shortly, he is leaving the LBTS better than he it was.
“The LBTS was at the verge of closure by the court of law because of a lawsuit against the institution. Today, we are very grateful to God and the leadership of LBTS for their strategic hard work in addressing these daunting challenges,” he averred.
The 2019 Commencement Speaker, Rev. David K. Hinson called on the graduates to be true representation of the gospel and the institution.
Rev. Hinson, an American Baptist prelate, who is a mentor of Dr. Menjay said he was delighted to be in Liberia, a country that he has long wished to visit.
Meanwhile, several personalities including one of Liberia’s foremost female lawyers, Cllr. Pearl Brown Bull was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by the institution for her service to her countrymen, humanity and the institution.
Others include Rev. Henry Grant Peabody, Rev. David K. Hinson, Ophelia Eliza Hoff, Deacon Aaron G. Marshall, Rev. Olu Q. Menjay and Hal J. Wilkinson.
This year’s graduation marks the last to be held under the tenures of LBTS’ President, Rev. Dr. Terry Henry, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Seminary, Deacon Aaron G. Marshall and the President of LBMEC, Dr. Menjay.
Chairman Marshall thanked Dr. Henry and the entire board for the sacrifice and level of cooperation, service and dedication to the Seminary.
The President of the LBTS, Dr. Terry L. Henry challenged the graduates to continue promoting the Seminary and “take the advice of our Lord who told his disciples to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves.”
In his emotional farewell address, he noted that it has been an honor meeting the students and to serve as the seventh president of the institution.
“Touching lives with each of you has been well worth the journeys to and from the United States. I love each of you dearly and I pray the memories we have shared will always be in your hearts,” Dr. Henry told to graduates.