Orissa Christian Theological College celebrates 25th Anniversary

On 23rd November 2018, Orissa Christian Theological College (OCTC) reached an important milestone: completion of 25 years of its ministry.  30 of its alumni and  around  50 guests from different Churches of   Berhampur and Chhatarpur  gathered  in the College Chapel  for a thanks giving service, thanking God  for His faithfulness for the past 25 years. The celebration was conducted by Heads of member churches of   Utkal Christian Council (a regional council of the NCCI),  the management of OCTC , Faculty and students of OCTC. 
The presence of  Ms.   Constanze  Annen  ( Secretary EMW )  and Dr. Michael Biel  ( Head of the EMW Department of Theological  Studies)  added   joy to the festive mood of  the people . On their arrival they were welcomed warmly, and led by the students dancing to tribal music along with the national guests, in procession to the Administrative block  for unveiling the memorabilia plaque of Silver Jubilee . 
 
At the Thanksgiving Service, Dr. Jagat Ranjan Santra, the Principal of the college,  welcomed every body present, making  special mention of the presence of  alumnae of the College and their commitment to the College being engaged in the service of God’s people for which they  were prepared by the College .  Rt.Rev. Surendra Kumar Nanda,  Vice-Chairman of OCTC, presided over the meeting. The  Most Rev. Dhirendra  Kumar Mohanty ( CNI) was present to speak on the theme of Silver Jubilee ” You are epistles of Christ – written with the Spirit of living God. ” 2 Cor 3:3. Students and guests alike were  blessed  by  his message who said,   “We, and specially  OCTC students, are the epistle of Christ for  our  area. We should  strive to show  people   God’s  love for them.”

Our overseas guests expressed their appreciation  for the well constructed buildings  and exhorted the students, staff and the management to make best use of the  facility available .
 
 Ms. Ennen said that she has great desire to see more number of faculty  members and students,  and committed  combined effort of partner Churches in Utkal Christian Council  for the growth of OCTC. Dr.Biel  brought greetings from EMW  and  wished the college to have a good library with increased number of books .
 
Students sang the theme song composed by Mr Samuel Patro,  ” JAGATA  AGARE JIBANA AMAR KHOLA CHITHI  PRABHUNKARA .”
 
Greetings  from the Chairman OCTC ,Rt Rev. Ashis Pal  written from Geneva was read out  by Rev. Annupama Hial ( Faculty ) . The Secretary of  UCC read out the greetings of the General Secretary of NCCI,  Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad who  wished  the Students  to be more aware of  the present situation, needs, and struggles of the unprivileged groups and the meaning of Christ’s saving grace  for our Country .  She also read out greetings from Rev. Dr Santanu Patro, the Registrar of the Senate of Serampore College,  wishing   the College  to be a standard centre of  training  for committed  students . 
 A brief story  of  the college  of 25 years  was shared by Rev. Subas Kusum Turuk who remembered the past  principals ,the contribution of UCC through late Bishop J K Mohanty and Moderator  DK Mohanty  and elders of Churches in the Dioceses of Cuttack, Sambalpur, Phulbani , JEL Church and GEL Church . 
 
On behalf  of the family members of  Late Bishop J K Mohanty,  it was declared that  they have started Bp J K Mohanty circle of friends for OCTC in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack . His niece Dr. Arati P Mishra and eldest son Bibhu Prasad Mohanty  are coordinators in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. His brother’s son Isaac Victor Mohanty will coordinate the Circle in Berhampur  to raise Rs. 60,000  per year  to provide scholarships for three students in OCTC from 2019 . The Principal  thanked the family for their concern for OCTC .
Students  made the meeting lively by their Choreography . The Faculty and the Alumni were felicitated  with Jubilee Mementos. A  Jubilee calendar  was given  to Churches as  promotional  material.  Some of the Alumni  came forward to  extend greetings and reminiscences of their days in OCTC.   On behalf of  the Churches, Rev. Ujjwal Satman, the Dean of Malkangiri  Deanery ,  the past Treasurer of UCC Sri Sukant Patro, UCC Treasurer  Sri Pradip Hudson  and the  Treasurer of Diocese of Cuttack Sri Prasant Kumar Sahu  brought greetings and blessed the College.  
    
The Vice Chairman of the college Rt, Rev Surendra Kumar Nanda in his concluding remarks exhorted the Churches to make more committed efforts to lead OCTC towards a BD college for the benefit of  Odisha Christian community . He  remarked  that the  celebration of silver jubilee has strengthened  the united  spirit of the Churches in Utkal Christian Council . 
 
After vote of thanks proposed by Rev Bijay Nayak,  prayer and benediction was offered by the Most Rev. D K Mohanty , Singing,   “Shine Jesus Shine”  every one with a lighted candle in hand proceeded to the ground  were fire works  by the students filled the air with jubilations .  Every one joined the fellowship dinner arranged by the students .  From  2.30 pm to 7.30 pm  Mrs  Jyotsna Santra and Mrs  Sucheta Mohanty  kept open a tea and snacks  stall  in the College ground . It was a great convenience  and fulfilled the need of  evening tea and snacks for the guests and visitors . 
  
All  glory be to God. Let OCTC  be the Concern of the Community of Churches  in and out side Odisha.
Mrs. Jyotsna Rani Patro
Secretary, UCC
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