The Institute for G.O.D. celebrates 32 Graduates

Today the Institute celebrated 32 graduates from Institute programs (certifications, undergraduate, and graduate), with 150 friends and family joining us to celebrate in person. Institute Alumni and Board Members graciously lent a hand to staff to make this year's ceremony--the only graduation we've hosted since the pandemic--markedly special. 

Institute Academic Dean Jeffrey Sherrod welcomed the crowd, focused attendees in prayer, and was emotionally moved with gratitude over the work of God in the lives of the graduates.

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Our Academic Dean and emcee, Jeffrey Sherrod, opened the ceremony remarking on God's promise to Abraham to bless him so that he could be a blessing to all nations (Gen. 12:1). The blessing, he reminded everyone in attendance, is not material gain. The blessing has always been about God's presence in his Word to give direction and illumination for others. "Though our world feels increasingly dark, it is a pretty amazing thing to know that there are these pockets of hope that go out into that dark world anytime God illuminates someone with his Word," Sherrod said. He invited attendees to see every individual who walked across our stage as "a pocket of hope and light, spreading God's illumination in a dark world." Sherrod then led the attendees in prayer for our college, our graduates, and the future of bible colleges in America. Guests then joined in worship, led by a band of graduates: Leafa Vagatai, John Nyago, Anna Jones, and Rachel Mena. 

A graduation tribute video was then featured, created by one of our certificate earners, Tristan Swang. The video showcases the kind of skills our students develop during their Institute education. 

High-performing students Maxwell Alvarez and Leah Sherrod shared speeches about their Institute experience, charging their fellow graduates to live out all they have learned.  

Leah Sherrod made some specific proclamations, reminding fellow graduates of who they are: 

"We are students of God's Word: 
Who remain humble and meek. 
Who keep their ears tuned to hear his voice, even when the world is loud, but his voice is quiet.
Who sit at Jesus' feet, because we can never graduate beyond our need for his instruction." 

Leah Sherrod came to The Institute after high school and had several concentrated years of learning before entering into marriage and having children. She wrapped up her few remaining classes after having kids, with the same hunger and excellence that earned her Magna Cum Laude.

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Leah prayed that her fellow alumni would never grow weary of doing good. She prayed that they would continue to grow in their devotion to him, "applying the multitudes of lessons that we learned at the Institute for G.O.D., we live our lives seeking the approval of God, not man. Remembering his call and our commitment. Channeling the magnitude of his mission and our role in it as sons and daughters of God and seeing that smile on his face, spreading across the sky, beaming, absolutely beaming, like the sunrise of a new day."

Many in attendance wiped tears from their eyes after the student speeches, as Founder and President Gregg Garner delivered a stellar commencement speech. In the address, he covered the miraculous work of God to "finish our eyes" -- helping us to see from above, to see the things he sees. He rejoiced that these graduates are, like the man in John 9, no longer blind, they see! 

President Garner challenged the audience to look at the fruit in their lives. "Follow them around for a whole week, 24 hours a day -- I guarantee you will be blessed. You won't find perfect people, but you'll find people who know how to walk in the light, who in their weakness know that strength is perfected because they're not ashamed of the fact that we need God, and that his mercy and grace is such an incredible gift." 

As a college, we are very proud of our graduates. As President Garner highlighted, these graduates are amazing human beings, and we give glory to God for his masterful work in their lives. Likewise, we are very proud to be able to share these statistics: 

Every graduate has received a job offer in a field related to their scope of study at the Institute. 

Every graduate is committed to serving on the mission field. 

Every one of them graduated from our college free of debt. 

Above each of those things, President Garner boasted in one: "The thing you have that no one can take away, the thing Jeremiah the prophet asked God for, is the Word of God written on your hearts." Noting his final statement would sound a bit funny after all of their hard work, Garner concluded: "That process of having the Word of God written on your hearts ... has now begun." 

Glory be to God!

Below is a list of our graduates. 

The Institute is unique in receiving a large number of transfer students and many students who come to The Institute after already receiving an undergraduate degree elsewhere. We deemed it appropriate to share their initial degrees as well to give proper context.

Congratulations to the following individuals who have received a Theology and Ministry Certification from The Institute for G.O.D.:

Grace Aaseby

Kristin Bennecker - Kristin also has a degree in Missions from Northwest University and a Childbirth Education Certification from the Institute for G.O.D.  

Tori Roufs - Tori also holds a Childbirth Education Certification from the Institute for G.O.D. 

Scott Sherrod -  Scott has a degree from Columbia International University. 

Corey Streeter

Kristin Streeter - Kristin has an Associates of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Watkins College of Art and Design. She also holds a Childbirth Education Certification from the Institute for G.O.D. 

Tristan Swang

Congratulations to the following individuals who have received an Undergraduate Degree from The Institute for G.O.D.: 

1. Brianne Aaseby - Bachelors of Biblical Studies and Community Development (Spring '20)

2. Anna Alvarez - Bachelors of Community Development (Fall '19).
   Anna also has a Biblical Studies Degree from the Institute for G.O.D. (Spring ‘18).

3. Maxwell Alvarez - Bachelors of Biblical Studies (Spring '21) - Cum Laude

4. Megan Cameron - Bachelors of Community Development (Spring '20)

5. Darbie Cook - Bachelors of Biblical Studies (Spring '21)

6. Ethan Harris - Bachelors of Biblical Studies and Community Development (Spring '20)

7. Brittany Hernandez - Bachelors in Community Development (Spring '20) - Magna Cum Laude.
   Brittany also has a Biblical Studies degree from the Institute for G.O.D. (Spring ‘18)

8. Anna Jones - Bachelors of Biblical Studies (Spring '20).
   Anna also has a Bachelors in Fashion Design and Merchandising from the International Academy of Design and Technology.

9. Elizabeth Kagay - Bachelors of Community Development (Fall '20) - Cum Laude.
   Liz also has a BS in Psychology from Point Loma Nazarene University and a Masters in Social Work from San Diego State University. She also has her Master's License in Social Work.

10. Heather Maute - Bachelors of Biblical Studies (Spring '21) - Cum Laude

11. Amanda McAllister - Bachelors of Biblical Studies (Spring '21)

12. Ryan McAllister - Bachelors of Biblical Studies (Spring '21) - Cum Laude

13. Josephine Milliron - Bachelors of Biblical Studies (Spring '21) Cum Laude.
    Josie also holds a degree in Business Management and Visual Art from Northwest University.

14. John Nyago - Bachelors of Biblical Studies (Spring '20).
    John also has a BA in Business Administration from Uganda Christian University.

15. Jameson Parker - Bachelors of Biblical Studies and Community Development (Spring '21) - Cum Laude

16. Matthew Parker - Bachelors of Biblical Studies (Spring '19).
    Matthew also holds a BA in Bible from Moody Bible Institute.

17. Leah Sherrod - Bachelors of Biblical Studies - Magna Cum Laude (Spring '19), Community Development (Fall '19) -- Magna Cum Laude

18. Kara (Hadley) Simmons - Biblical Studies (Fall '19) Community Development (Spring '20). Kara also holds a degree in Sociology from Anderson University.

19. Maria Swang - Bachelors of Biblical Studies and Community Development (Spring '19).

20. Keith Turner - Bachelors of Biblical Studies (Spring '19).
    Keith also holds a BA in Philosophy from Lipscomb University.

21. Leafa Vagatai - Bachelors of Biblical Studies (Spring '21)

22. Laura Voight - Bachelors of Community Development (Spring '20).
    Laura also holds a Bachelors in Biblical Studies from the Institute (2015).

23. Tori Webb - Bachelors of Biblical Studies, (Fall '18) - Cum Laude

24. Laura Young - Bachelors of Biblical Studies (Spring '19) - Cum Laude.
    Laura also holds a BA in Communications, Journalism, and Broadcasting from Liberty University.

Congratulations to the first graduates from the Institute for G.O.D. Masters Program:

1. Rachel Mena Master of Theological Studies (Spring ‘19). Rachel holds a bachelors in Biblical Studies and Missiology from The Institute for G.O.D. (‘08).

2. Elizabeth Johnson Master of Missiology (Spring ‘20). Betsy holds a bachelors in Biblical Studies and Missiology from The Institute for G.O.D. (‘10).

Congratulations Graduates!