By Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
This year’s McKinstry Midwest College of Theology’s Spring Commencement ceremony was much bigger than usual – so big in fact that it was moved to another location. The commencement was held not in Bishop Pat McKinstry’s Worship Center, as usual, but in Compassion at Calvary which has a larger sanctuary.
However, even the spacious Compassion at Calvary was not quite large enough as the overflow crowd of friends and family and congregants were barely able to squeeze into the space.
One reason for the impressive turnout is the fact that there were more graduates than ever this year – 38 in all – receiving associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees. The other reason for the overflow crowd is that one of the doctorate recipients was none other than the pastor of Compassion at Calvary himself, Bishop Chaz Boez.
The MMCT, notes Bishop McKinstry, pastor of the Worship Center, is accredited through the Midwest College of Theology. The MCT, headquartered in Missouri, has affiliates in 28 states and 16 foreign lands, according to founder and president Don Jones, DMin, who was present at Compassion for the commencement and also to honor Bishop McKinstry who now serves on the executive board of MCT.
The commencement opened with a Message in Dance by Teria Quinn, followed by scripture readings by Nia Johnson and Clarence Nedd.
After the welcome by Terracina Johnson, one of the bachelor degree candidates, Bishop Rodney Thomas, wheelchair bound because of the health issues he has suffered during the last several years even as he was completing the College of Theology course, expressed his gratitude to God for enabling him to succeed in his academic quest. “I thank all of you for praying,” he said to his audience and recalled his own prayers to God, “to help me finish.”
A surprise speaker at the commencement ceremony was Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, who was on hand to support Rev. William Lucas, a doctorate recipient who is also the chaplain for the Toledo Police Department.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow,” the mayor said quoting Mahatma Gandhi. “Learn as if you were to live forever.”
Then the doctoral graduates all had a chance to address their fellow graduates and the audience in general for a few minutes.
“The ministry is not just about the inside of the church,” said Fonda Royster, one of the graduates. “Ministry happens when you feed the hungry; ministry happens when you clothe the unhoused; ministry happens when you advocate for people who feel forgotten and choose compassion over judgment.”
Ten graduates received associate degrees along with 11 bachelors, five masters and 12 doctorates. Mark Williams, EdD, and Suzette Cowell, ThD, presented the degrees and Chris Byrd closed the ceremony with the MMCT theme song.
