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BA ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION REGIONAL GATHERING
Highlight from the PA Gathering!
IMPACT OF OUR PAST, AND A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
You are invited to attend the Bible Academy Alumni Association Gathering!
Dear former teachers, staff, students, and friends of the Bible Academy,
Greetings: I hope my message finds you well. I am Zenebe Abebe, a beneficiary of the education and overall program of the Mennonite activities in Ethiopia, including the Bible Academy.
The benefits and growth opportunities offered to me and others who went through the Bible Academy are numerous. We feel very indebted and have decided to give back in reciprocity. We have established an alumni association to start a school modeled after the Bible Academy.
The Alumni in Addis Ababa obtained legal status for the Alumni Association in July 2019. They have an Executive Committee and a General Assembly, and the alumni in the United States have been actively meeting through the years. Finally, we have formed a Link Board of BA Alumni registered as 501 C3 NFP CORP in the State of Indiana. The NFP CORP board of nine individuals is committed and intends to open a boarding high school in the city (Adama) Nazareth, Ethiopia. I serve on the board, and I am designated to serve as the Director of Development.
Our mission is reflective of the Bible Academy’s rich tradition to carry on the legacy of Chester Wenger (founder of the Bible Academy) as the driving force. We are grateful to all the missionaries, the Mission Boards, and the Mennonite Central Committee, along with Ethiopian teachers and support staff, that helped us be anchored in a value-based education.
As most of you know, Ato Negash Kebede was the longest-serving director at the time the school was nationalized by the Derg in 1982. He currently chairs the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association in Addis Ababa. This summer, Ato Negash is planning to join me at our gathering on Saturday, July 26, to give an update on some of the recent developments and the regional government’s promise of land so we can build a high school in (Nazareth) Adama.
We will continue to facilitate time for alumni and former teachers and friends of BA to connect with each other and to rekindle our commitment. We are reaching out to small focus groups and creating a more cohesive and transparent environment. God willing, we want to make a difference in the lives of many youths in Ethiopia.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, July 26, at Landis Homes and sharing with you more details about the humble beginning of BA and where we are today.
Please RSVP by clicking on the “Register” button above or via email at zenebea8@gmail.
Agenda
9:00 AM
Meet and greet over coffee and donuts. Welcome Guests & Registration (Tony, Zenebe, Hyiwot & Solomon and other board members attending the meeting.)
9:30–10:00 AM
Introduction: Your name and your connection to BA. 1 minute only—everyone (Zed Wondimu, Board Member, Facilitator)
10:10-10:40 AM Opening prayer/devotion followed by sharing a story. Pastor Hyiwot Teshome: 15-MINUTE BREAK
11:00 AM
Our past, and a vision for the future a PowerPoint presentation – Zenebe Abebe
Q&A. Tony Mehari (board member & Secretary – Facilitator)
11:45 AM
Personal Reflection – Shawle Wehibe and Genet Begashaw (A board member)
12:15 PM
LUNCH BREAK
1:15 PM
Current update from Ethiopia; Ato Negash Kebede. Q&A – (Facilitator – Genet Begashaw board member)
2:00 PM
Personal Reflection: Mr. Harold Leaman (former BA teacher) and – Haig Antranikian (Board member) 15 MINUTES BREAK
3: 30 PM
The takeaways from our conversation. – Where do we go from here? How can you be part of this vision? (Solomon, Ato Negash, Tony, and Zenebe)
5:00 PM – Adjourn
5:15 PM – All are invited to Ethiopian Dinner. (Courtesy of Assefa & Grace Haile, Hyiwot & Yeketnesh Teshome, and Shawle Wehibe)