TBC goes the distance for African grads

By AMY DAVIS
TENNESSEE BIBLE COLLEGE

COOKEVILLE—Far, far from the rolling, green hills of Tennessee, a trio of African Bible scholars was recently honored in a special graduation ceremony with a Cookeville connection. As graduates of Tennessee Bible College through its distance learning program, Webby Kenabanyama, Godfrey Pitika and Joseph Andson Tembo had earned bachelor's degrees in religious education — but were unable to attend the official commencement exercise on June 15 in Cookeville.

David Hill, left, and Ronald D. Gilbert, right, both of Tennessee Bible College in Cookeville, congratulate the college's new distance learning graduates from Africa during commencement exercises in Livingstone, Zambia. They are, from left, Webby Kenabanyama, Godfrey Pitika and Joseph Tembo. The men earned bachelor's degrees in religious education.

Instead, TBC went the distance — right to their own hometown of Livingstone, Zambia.

With Aug. 5 set aside as their special night, the three men donned caps and gowns and were joined by family members and friends at the Zambia School of Biblical Studies (where Kenabanyama and Pitika are instructors) for a graduation ceremony officiated by Cookeville's Ronald D. Gilbert, director of missions at Tennessee Bible College.

It was the third year in a row that Gilbert had bestowed TBC credentials in Zambia. Last year's ceremony recognized Amos Simuliye. In 2005, Peter Masiya was the honoree, as well as the first in the world to earn a degree through TBC's distance learning program. Both are instructors at the Zambia school, in addition to Kenabanyama and Pitika. All ZSOBS staff members are now TBC grads.

"There was a lot of excitement this year because we had three graduates," Gilbert said. "We've never had three to graduate at one time, and the men were really looking forward to it. Family members were coming up and hugging them. They were really proud of their relatives for graduating."

As part of his work with TBC, Gilbert has been making the annual pilgrimage to Zambia since the early 1990s, aiding the Africans in various ways. In addition to officiating the graduation ceremony, he took part in various religious functions, including two primitive brush arbor meetings. He also taught a course at ZSOBS, as did David Hill, also of TBC, who went along with Gilbert for this year's mission trip. Hill's daughter, Mallory, went as well.

Why hold a special ceremony just for the African graduates?

"So they can be a part of it," Gilbert said. "There's no way they could come to Cookeville and be a part of the graduation. Even if they could their families wouldn't get to, so this is just something special for them and their families." 

And Gilbert is in Africa each year anyway, so it's an opportune time.

"It's a happy time and quite an accomplishment for them to have completed their degree by distance learning," he said.

TBC's distance learning program began in 2000 as a way for students to earn a college degree from home at their own pace. The majority of TBC's students are enrolled in distance learning, having never set foot on the campus. Approximately 15 states and 11 countries are represented, and students correspond via mail, e-mail and phone calls and complete assignments at their own pace. They can earn a bachelor's degree in religious education, master's and doctorate degrees in theology, a two-year preaching diploma or just take individual refresher courses.

"TBC has helped me to be a better servant of the Lord and also a good family man," said Kenabanyama, who in addition to his work at ZSOBS, preaches at Highland Church of Christ in Livingstone. "My Bible knowledge has greatly increased."

Upon receiving his degree from TBC, he said he feels "honored and empowered with the word of God."

He added, "My plans are to acquire as much as I can of God's word that I need to be equipped for the work. The more knowledge I acquire will be the benefits of the ZSOBS and the church in Zambia."

Pitika, who also preaches at the Highland church, said his TBC studies helped him "put into practice what I acquired as a Christian and also help the church."

How does it feel to be a TBC grad?

"It feels good," Pitika said. "It is good for one to associate himself with faithful teachers of God's word."

He added, "My dreams were to further my studies in Bible, and this came true when I was enrolled at TBC."

But the TBC journey isn't over for these new grads.

"These guys are still working," Gilbert said. "They're working on their master's degree, and they're excited about that."

For more information about Tennessee Bible College, call (931)526-2616, e-mail tbc@tn-biblecollege.edu or visit the Web site, www.tn-biblecollege.edu.