13 October 2026 | Podkowa Leśna, Poland [Daniel Kluska with tedNEWS]
Twenty-four students have completed a four-year Master of Arts in Religion programme offered by Andrews University in cooperation with the Polish College of Theology and Humanities (WSTH). Their completion was marked at a ceremony on Sunday, 27 September 2026, at WSTH in Podkowa Leśna, Poland. Representatives of Andrews University, church leaders and WSTH joined the students for the occasion.
The programme began in 2022, and as speakers emphasised during the ceremony, it was not only an academic experience but also a lesson in perseverance. For four years, many students balanced their studies with professional responsibilities, pastoral ministry, church leadership roles and family life.
Opening the ceremony, Adam Grześkowiak, WSTH’s rector, highlighted the group’s international character. The cohort brought together students from diverse international backgrounds, with connections to Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Ukraine, the Philippines, Zimbabwe and Bulgaria.
“This is not just a statistic. This is Adventism,” he said, referring to the international nature of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He also acknowledged the many evenings, weekends and days off the students had devoted to their studies.
A degree does not mark the end of learning
Professor Jiří Moskala, Dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, congratulated the students and emphasised the partnership between Andrews University, WSTH and the Polish Union Conference (PUC) and Baltic Union Conference (BAUC).
“In English, we call graduation ‘commencement’. This means that something is beginning, not ending. Yes, you are completing your studies, but in reality, your academic life is just beginning,” he said, encouraging graduates to continue their academic development, including through doctoral studies.
David Nõmmik, BAUC president, echoed this sentiment. “A diploma marks the completion of a programme, but it should never mark the end of learning and growth,” he said. “The knowledge you have gained, the questions you have wrestled with, and your theological reflections are not just for yourselves. They are gifts you take back to your congregations, conferences, and ministries.”
He added that the church needs leaders who can listen, think critically and communicate the Gospel to people living in a rapidly changing world.
Knowledge that equips us to serve better
Jarosław Dzięgielewski, PUC president, recalled that launching the Andrews University programme in Podkowa Leśna had been one of the church’s most significant educational initiatives in Poland in recent years. He emphasised that the most important outcome of theological education should not be the academic qualification itself. “What is exciting about theology is that it allows us to know God better,” he said.
He added that gaining knowledge should better prepare people for ministry and make them “a better woman, a better man, a better sister, and a better brother to those around them”.
From 23 students to 24
Łukasz Romanowski, the programme coordinator, reflected on the group’s four-year journey. In 2022, 23 students began their studies. “By God’s grace, we did not lose a single student along the way. In fact, we gained one,” he said.
As a result, 24 students completed the programme, taking part in 19 courses and more than a dozen study sessions held both in person and online.
Romanowski also acknowledged the sacrifices involved in academic development, often shared by students’ loved ones. “Life brings victories, but those victories always come at a cost. To achieve something, we must also be willing to sacrifice something,” he said, thanking the students’ families for their patience and support.
“Do not fear; I will help you”
In his address based on Isaiah 41:13, Moskala reminded the students that the road ahead would bring difficulties and uncertainty. “Our God is the God of the impossible. He can lead you, help you, and carry you through the challenges that lie ahead,” Moskala said.
He also shared a personal testimony. As a teenager, he struggled with a severe stutter and could not imagine becoming a pastor or teacher. During that period, the promise from Isaiah became one of the most important biblical passages in his life. “I don’t know how it happened, but that problem was taken away from me. Today, I am an international speaker. God has been so good to me. And God is good to you as well,” he said.
Tomasz Żelazko, one of the students, said studying at Andrews University had given him a fresh perspective on the Adventist Church’s mission, history, theology and development, as well as new tools for evangelistic and pastoral ministry. “My studies broadened my horizons and inspired me to continue serving God and the Church, helping prepare people for the soon return of Jesus. Most importantly, however, they brought me closer to God and His Word. I gained a deeper understanding of biblical teachings and Adventist beliefs,” he said. He thanked God, the lecturers, and everyone who made his studies possible.
During the ceremony, students received commemorative documents and small gifts from Andrews University. Łukasz Karauda provided musical accompaniment, including a performance of Amazing Grace. The gathering concluded with a prayer dedicating the students and their future ministry.
Behind the scenes
Romanowski also reflected on the work involved in delivering the four-year course. “Completing this programme brings great joy, but it is also the result of a tremendous amount of hard work. From the very beginning, the diversity of the group was a major challenge,” he said. The students’ varied backgrounds meant that classes were conducted in English, Polish and Russian.
Behind every study session were dozens of hours of preparation. The work included arranging in-person and online classes, coordinating schedules, communicating with lecturers, preparing syllabuses and organising transport, accommodation and meals.
“What makes me especially happy is that God brought everything together. Not only were we able to complete the entire programme, but friendships were formed, and wonderful memories were created,” Romanowski said, acknowledging the support of the WSTH team.
Reflecting on what he had learned from coordinating the programme, Romanowski said: “Today, as I look ahead to new challenges, I have greater trust and faith that, with God’s help, they can be accomplished. God delights in demonstrating His power where human strength is limited.”
WSTH is preparing another Andrews University MA in Religion cohort, though it has not yet confirmed a start date. A media and communication programme, developed in cooperation with Southern Adventist University, is scheduled to begin in January 2027. Those interested in either programme can visit wsth.pl or contact Łukasz Romanowski at [email protected].
[Photos: Agnieszka Kasprowicz-Kluska and Emily Nyambane]
