Nine residents of San Quentin received Christian studies certificates from Gateway Seminary under the North Bay School of Theology. This prepares them to facilitate Christian Ministry.
The commencement ceremony was celebrated in Chapel B for the nine “sacrificial lambs,” said Reverend Jackson Saekow, one of the theology program instructors. The graduates will continue Christ’s work of preaching “the kingdom good news” to the incarcerated and beyond, Saekow added. The program curriculum is based on the Christian teachings of Jesus Christ.
The graduates Kojo Clutchette, Peterson W. Fontes, Daniel Gomez Sr., Tommie Keith Hall, Ramiro Jimenez Ororio, Gustavo Monroy, Oscar Reyes, Jose Luis Ramos, and Guillermo S. Valencia, walked in with their caps and gowns in late July accompanied by a tune played by the residents’ Greater Good Ensemble Band.
It was a festive moment for family members and program instructors, including Dr. Warren Haynes, Director of the Advanced Program.
“He is in prison and people don’t expect anyone to grow in the way of the Lord,” said Terri Hall, mother of graduate Tommie Hall. “At an early age he learned, but went astray. God has brought him back and now he is graduating. God is not through with him yet — this is a proud moment for both of us parents.”
Gateway is a worldwide program and is available in 15 different languages. The outreach is for the general public and all communities, according to Haynes.
“You never know that God is all you need until that’s all you have,” said Haynes. “Once students graduate, we have seen that 95% of the graduates are faithful and stay rooted in the ministries and with their ministers.”
Haynes quoted John 14:27 in his speech to the graduates.
“I am leaving you with a gift: peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
Graduate Clutchette earned his Christian Ministries Diploma after completing an additional eight courses in Christian theology.
“Before I met Christ, my life was a mess,” Clutchette said, “Something was missing. I would see people come out of church with unexplainable joy. That’s what helped me change my life. I wanted to find that joy in life … Besides theology, I learned to be a good husband and father.”
Graduate Guillermo S. Valencia gave his testimony in Spanish.
“What really moves me in life is when someone does something good for me. It’s my Celestial Father who is God, who has done this for me,” said Valencia.
Valencia’s wife and son were in attendance for the graduation.
“We are proud of my husband; my heart is full of happiness,” said Micheline Valencia. “We are happy for him — studying the Bible has been good for him. We couldn’t be happier for his accomplishment.”
Rev. Saekow gave the Welcome and Invocation; Rev. Cornell Swain performed the Scripture Reading and Prayer, and Haynes delivered the Academic Achievement Awards.
“I feel very happy and appreciative with God,” Maria Reyes, mother of graduate Oscar Reyes, said. “I see him more dedicated to the Lord. The biblical truth has changed my son.”
Joel Natividad, SQ resident and member of the Greater Good Ensemble Band, performed a solo song. The ceremony continued with “Charge to the Candidates,” delivered by Rev. Bob Lawler, and was finalized by the Benediction and Faculty Blessing given by Rev. Miguel Rodriguez.
“I fell in love with the ministry here in prison. God is here,” said Lawler, who has been volunteering for seven years. “The students begin uncertain about their faith [and become] very knowledgeable with their faith. I’m confident that these guys are future pastors for the population.”
