The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Ogbomoso is not only a place of faith and learning but also a place of collaboration; a melting pot of various personalities, callings specialisations, nationalities and investments to the glory of God. The age long investments continue to serve as a blessing. From time to time, there are partners and collaborators who visit and visit again. Thus, it was a great joy to have Prof. John Jusu visit the NBTS again, this time on behalf of Mesa Global.

Trained originally as a chemist, a science educator; then as a Christian educator and eventually as theological educator; Sierra-Leonia-born Prof. John Jusu was pioneer Dean of Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST), now known as African International University (AIU), Kenya. While still attending to doctoral studies and supervision at the institution; he served as Overseas Council International’s Director for Africa and currently serves with Mesa Global. Mesa Global is a ‘marriage’, a voluntary purposive coming together of the former organisations known as Overseas Council International and United World Mission. They agreed to fuse as one instead of running two organisations with many of the same people on both Boards. ‘Mesa’, as he explained is a Spanish word for table. The organisation brings resources together at the table and shares among all so that Acts 2:44 – 45 & 4:34 – 35 can be reenacted in Christian theological institutions in our times.

Prof. Jusu (fondly referred to as JJ) delivered greetings from Scholar Leaders, Cornerstone, Co-Workers and other organisations who work with theological institutions.  Prof. JJ worshipped with NBTS community in her daily chapel worship, addressed the community and also had a meeting with the core leaders of the Seminary.

On this visit, he commended NBTS for progress and action based on past observations, trainings and discussions; listened to the leadership, shared what Mesa Global does and shared other opportunities for collaboration. Mesa Global partners with institutions to refer institutions for scholarships, carries out Board governance training, regional training (non-formal theological education), etc to name a few. Prof. John Jusu emphasised the focus of Mesa Global as building flourishing institutions, not individuals because the institutions will in turn produce the flourishing individuals.

True to his nature to leave a charge and keep institutions on their toes, focused on their raison d’état; Prof. Jusu left his charge with NBTS. He charged NBTS to continue to flourish because the churches will flourish when the institutions that produce ministers flourish and to be like the water from the altar in the temple in Ezekiel 47. The water from the altar increases in power and becomes a source of healing and life for all creatures that come in touch with it. Riding on the wave of the contextualized chapel message on the ‘Macedonian Call’ by Rev. Johnson Elewode and the President, Rev. Prof. S. Ola Ayankeye’s emphasis on individuals being a source of blessing to others; Prof. Jusu charged sponsored students to encourage their sponsors to increase their involvement so as to help others who are not as endowed as they are. ‘Don’t kill your mission and vision on the altar of sustainability. Don’t drop admission standards! . . .Your sustainability must sustain and NOT kill your vision and mission and also meet your core values;’ he charged the NBTS leadership. Prof. Jusu is visiting sister theological institutions in Nigeria as he continues to serve the Lord in Africa and around the world. It was indeed a great privilege to have Prof. Jusu and we look forward to more opportunities of collaboration to the glory of God.

Olusola Ayo-Obiremi,
Deputy President Advancement
For NBTS Advancement Office