Students Celebrate Graduation at WSTH
Master of Arts in Religion Program cohort
Students in the Master of Arts in Religion Program at the Polish College of Theology and Humanities celebrated their graduation.
A graduation ceremony for the Master of Arts in Religion Program, offered in cooperation with Andrews University, took place at the Polish College of Theology and Humanities (WSTH) in Podkowa Leśna, Poland.
Opening the ceremony, Adam Grześkowiak, rector of WSTH, highlighted the remarkably international character of the group. Participants represented Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Ukraine, the Philippines, Zimbabwe and Bulgaria. “This is not just a statistic. This is Adventism,” he said, referring to the international nature of the Seventh-day Adventist Church community.
David Nõmmik, president of the Baltic Union Conference, emphasized, “A diploma marks the completion of a programme, but it should never mark the end of learning and growth.” He added, “The knowledge you have gained, the questions you have wrestled with, and your theological reflections are not just for yourselves. They are gifts you take back to your congregations, conferences, and ministries.”
Jiří Moskala, dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews, served as keynote speaker. He congratulated the students, emphasizing the importance of the partnership between Andrews University, WSTH and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Poland and the Baltic countries.
His address was based on the promise found in Isaiah 41:13. “Our God is the God of the impossible. He can lead you, help you, and carry you through the challenges that lie ahead,” Moskala said. He emphasised that the biblical promise encompasses the whole of human experience: the past, present and future remain in God’s hands.
Jarosław Dzięgielewski, president of the Polish Union Conference, also addressed the graduates. He shared that launching the Andrews University program in Podkowa Leśna has been one of the church’s most significant educational initiatives in Poland in recent years. However, he emphasised that the most important outcome of theological education should not be the academic qualification itself, affirming, “What is exciting about theology is that it allows us to know God better.”
During the ceremony, graduates received commemorative documents and small gifts from Andrews University. Łukasz Karauda provided the musical accompaniment, performing, among other pieces, “Amazing Grace.” The gathering concluded with a prayer of dedication for the graduates and their future ministry.
Łukasz Romanowski, who coordinated the program on behalf of WSTH, reflected on the group’s four-year journey. In 2022, 23 students began their studies. “By God's grace, we did not lose a single student along the way. In fact, we gained one,” he said.
Romanowski also shared, “Completing this programme brings great joy, but it is also the result of a tremendous amount of hard work.” he said. “Classes had to be conducted in three languages—English, Polish, and Russian—while we also had to overcome cultural barriers and learn to understand one another.”
“What makes me especially happy is that God brought everything together. Not only were we able to complete the entire programme, but friendships were formed and wonderful memories were created,” Romanowski added. Several future educational initiatives are being prepared by WSTH, including a new cohort of Andrews University students.
Tomasz Żelazko, a member of the graduating class, emphasised that studying at Andrews University has given him a fresh perspective on the Seventh-day Adventist Church as well as new tools for evangelistic and pastoral ministry. “My studies broadened my horizons and inspired me to continue serving God and the church, helping prepare people for the soon return of Jesus. Most importantly, however, they brought me closer to God and His Word. I gained a deeper understanding of biblical teachings and Adventist beliefs,” he said.
PR
pr@andrews.edu
