West Africa
Theological Seminary

Testimonial

"Jesus believed in wholistic ministry. He taught, he preached, he healed, he fed multitudes, and he challenged the status quo. He delivered captives in distress. He cured human need . . . So, this event is a symbolic act which proclaims the Lord's jubilee to a continent so very deeply in need of what God can do."

Dr. William Sillings

New Provost at WATS

West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS) is pleased to announce that Pastor William Udotong has been elected as the new provost of West Africa Theological Seminary, with immediate effect. The announcement was made at the twentieth anniversary celebrations of WATS, on Saturday, May 23, 2009, by the founder, Dr. Gary S. Maxey, following action by the WATS Governing Council the previous day. The announcement was met with cheers and jubilation by the more than 2,500 people present for the celebration.

For the past twenty-one months WATS has been guided by an interim two-person team of Rev. David Njoku, Deputy Provost, and Dr. Gary Maxey, as Acting Provost. With the election of Pastor Udotong, there will be a transition period of several months as the newly-elected provost completes his doctoral dissertation at Asbury Theological Seminary, in Kentucky, USA. During this period Pastor Udotong will continue to reside in the US, but will be visiting the WATS campus on a regular basis.

William Udotong is a native of Akwa Ibom State. He is married to Victoria Udotong, and they have five children:

• Grace Aneikanabasi, 12
• Goodness Aniediabasi, 10
• Esther Nkechi, 7
• Blessing Chidinma, 5
• Jeremiah William, 3

Pastor Udotong joined the WATS staff in 1994, after earning the BA in Religious Education from the University of Uyo (1989), and the Master of Arts in Educational Guidance and Counseling from the University of Port Harcourt (1994). He took graduate courses in counseling from Liberty University (USA), and completed the Masters of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2006. He is currently completing his dissertation for the Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary, USA.

Pastor Udotong comes to the office of WATS provost with a broad range of teaching, administrative and pastoral experience. He served as a lecturer at WATS from 1994 until his departure to the US for further studies in 2004. In addition, he has served WATS as Dean of Student Affairs, Academic Dean, and Vice Provost for Spiritual Formation. Throughout his tenure at WATS he has also remained very active in various capacities as a pastor of the Deeper Life Bible Church of Nigeria. He is also a member of the International Fellowship of Bible Churches of the USA.

William Udotong is highly respected within the WATS community, and is a man with both the education and the spiritual maturity to lead WATS into its second twenty years with strength. Our prayers are with him, and also with Rev. Njoku and Dr. Maxey, during this time of transition.