WATS Celebrates Twenty Years of History

Celebrating 20 Years of Blessings in Africa

We give praise to God that the long-awaited Twentieth Anniversary Celebrations for WATS proved highly successful. Thousands came to share in these historic events under the Big Tent which was raised on campus. Check out these highlights of the events of that historic week:

  • Tuesday, May 19th : We conducted a seven-hour think tank bringing together thirty participants encompassing all segments of WATS stakeholders—discussing our past, present and future. This was the beginning of a periodic institutional evaluation and re-tooling that will continue in July. The opening session was moderated by the founder, Dr. Gary S. Maxey, while the follow-up sessions planned for July will be moderated by Dr. Edward L. Beaver. Contributions were made very freely, and the input of our returning residential doctorate holders—William Udotong, Acha Goris and Emmanuel Ogunyemi—were especially helpful and insightful.
  • Wednesday, May 20th - Friday, May 22nd : The Power of the African-American Pulpit preaching conference under the BIG TOP. Dr. Ralph Douglas West (Church Without Walls, Houston), Dr. Maurice Watson (Beulahland Bible Church, Macon, Georgia), and Dr. Sola Aworinde (WATS adjunct preaching faculty, Lagos) led us through three very powerful days of lecturing and preaching. Several hundred pastors participated from all over Nigeria. Although we did not have the full attendance expected, these three days were an unqualified success.
  • Friday, May 22nd : Historic meetings occurred:
    1. The WATS Governing Council met, and as its most important item of business finalized the election of the next WATS provost, Pastor William Udotong.
    2. The annual meeting of WATS alumni was successfully conducted.
  • Saturday, May 23rd : A Triple Header:
    1. Graduation of 115 WATS students
    2. Cutting of the WATS birthday cake, celebrating 20 years of service to Nigeria
    3. Awarding of honorary doctorates to seven recipients

  Dr. Gary S. Maxey, DMiss, Acting Provost   Rev. David Njoku, Deputy Provost  
  Dr. Gary S. Maxey   Rev. David Njoku  
  Founder and Executive Director   Deputy Provost  
  EM: GMAfrica@aol.com   Tel: 01-898-1676  



More About WATS

WATS serves one of the fastest-growing segments of the Christian Church in the world, and it focuses squarely on the two greatest needs of the African Church: leadership development and discipleship of believers. We offer a Diploma in Theology, two BA programs, four Masters programs and hopefully starting in 2010 a Doctor of Ministry program. And, as our mission statement notes, we have a very focused purpose: "To train men and women for holy living, for carrying the Gospel to the unreached, and for catalyzing national spiritual awakening."

At West Africa Theological Seminary our primary focus is on spiritual formation, although our commitment to strong academic standards is also widely known. Those who are looking for a quick degree or who are not interested in humbly developing a closer walk with God are encouraged to look elsewhere. But if you want to take a journey with us to greater effectiveness in Christian leadership, greater faithfulness in rightly dividing the Word of Truth, and a deeper commitment to godly living, WELCOME! We would love to hear from you and we would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.