The week of July 27 – 31, 2026 was a week of learning and interacting through a seminar and conferences for intending 2027 June graduates of the modular programmes in The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS) Ogbomoso. The Bivocational and Multi Pastoral Staff Conferences, at the instance of the Ministerial Training Board and the good work of NBTS leadership, have been a regular feature for intending graduates for about six years now. The July 2026 edition moved a step higher with the addition of the Theology of Work Seminar. This seminar has held heretofore as a formal class, as part of the orientation package for new staff and as a retraining opportunity for faculty and staff at different times. This year in May, at the instance of the Administrative Council under the leadership of Prof. S. Ola Ayankeye, Theology of Work was added to the pre-graduation experiences of would-be graduates of NBTS at all levels of study. The residential students Women’s Training Centre students and staff enjoyed the privilege on April 10, residential students on May 18 and the modular students enjoyed theirs on Monday, July 27, 2026.

Theology of Work was first introduced to NBTS as a seminar by Dr Dotun Reju, representing Bakke Institute. It focuses on God as Worker number one, who has created people in His image to work; making them His ‘apprentices’. Work is a blessing, a God-given assignment – not a curse, and should be done with joy. Facilitators for the Theology of Work Seminar were the president himself, Prof. S. Ola. Ayankeye; the Deputy President Advancement, Prof. Olusola Ayo-Obiremi; the Chaplain, Rev. Dr Olaide Ajeigbe; the Distance Learning Coordinator, Dr Ben Akano; the Acting Public Relations Officer, Dr ’Gbenga Adebayo; the Accreditation Officer, Dr Ayobami Ayanyinka; the immediate past Director of Student Affairs, Dr Esther Odunlami; and Head of Department, Age Grade and Family Education, Dr Oluwakemi Omotunde.

Topics covered included ‘God Works’, ‘Biblical Theology of Work’, ‘Worldviews at Work’, ‘Soul-Sapping Struggles in the Workplace’, ‘Fruits of Workplace Spirituality’ and ‘Joy at Work’. There was also a time for participants to rate themselves and their work. The seminar achieved the acronym WORK, which Prof. Olusola Ayo-Obiremi gave as the purpose at the beginning Participants W – worshipped God, O- observed from the Bible and various teachings what work should be like, R- related with one another and with the facilitators and K -keep learning, even till date. There were about 48 student participants onsite and about eleven others online. Participants rated the seminar highly and look forward to having churches, Associations and Conferences partner with NBTS to ensure that Theology of Work extends to them, to ‘high places’ and the grassroots as well. All were challenged to follow up on things learned and to serve God joyfully as they work wherever God sends them.

Olusola Ayo-Obiremi

for NBTS Advancement Centre