Athanasius School of Ministry Celebrates Successes
In January 2002, Senior Pastor Acklan Quarrie began training lay leaders in the Bronxwood International Church of God and other neighboring churches in the greater New York City area by using the School of Ministry courses. He named the new school Athanasius School of Ministry. By the end of that first semester, 23 students had completed the first two courses.
Since that time, over 50 students from different area congregations have completed all 20 School of Ministry courses. The training and preparation of these lay ministers have produced a steady growth in church membership, in one of the toughest areas of greater New York City. True Life Church of God Pastor Hixford Allen (D.Min., Pentecostal Theological Seminary) has greatly assisted in the direction of the school. In June 2014, an Alumni Association was formed and has been very active in the promotion and enhancement of the school.
In 2015, eighteen students from different congregations participated in classes, and on June 28, 2015, the eleventh graduation ceremony of the Athanasius School of Ministry was celebrated. State Overseer Andrew Binda was the commencement speaker, and five students were awarded their CIMS certificates.
Pastor Quarrie’s best advice to CIMS students:
• Don’t just go through the course; let the course go through you.
• Don’t study just to pass the test; study to be better Christians.
• The test is your friend, not your enemy; it is just another tool for learning.
J. David Stephens, D.D., Assistant General Overseer and Executive Director of the Division of Education said, “Pastor Quarrie is to be commended for his long-range vision for equipping the saints and for his long-term commitment to this congregation and to this city.”
