It was a historic day for Chapman International College (CIC) when its Indianapolis Center held its first graduation ceremony 23 July 2022 at Indy Southside Church of the Nazarene in Indiana, USA. Ten Myanmar students received their Diploma of Ministry degree.

Ray McCrary, lead pastor of Indy Southside Church and coordinator for the CIC Indianapolis Center, was overjoyed as he welcomed guests, candidates’ families, friends, and members of faith communities who were present at the event.

Indianapolis District Superintendent Brian Wangler gave the commencement address, speaking enthusiastically on “the call” from Isaiah 50. He closed his message with a challenge to all the graduates, “You are where you are by divine appointment … so set your hearts where God is leading you.”

Mark Eugenio, CIC chancellor, had the opportunity and privilege to attend the occasion and physically confer the graduates’ diploma. Using Psalms 37:23, he charged the graduates, “The Lord delights in every detail no matter how big or small. So, with all of life and ministry decisions, wholeheartedly recognize His guidance and wisdom and lean upon the perfect guidance of the Word of God.”

“These 10 graduates are the first students, first finishers on this historic first commencement program at our Indianapolis Center,” Eugenio said. “We look forward to having more.”

CIC’s mobile education program was initiated more than five years ago by visionary individuals who have a passion for reaching the Burmese people. Those leaders, including McCrary, Steve Rhoades, pastor of The Point Church & Community Center; Ron Blake, former Indianapolis district superintendent; Zo Zum, Myanmar pastor, and Bill Kwon, former CIC chancellor, believed that offering ministerial programs in the Burmese language would lead to the transformation of Burmese communities in the USA.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific