Mennonite Bible School in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, is celebrating 41 graduates and a new name.

Formerly Bethany Bible School, the institution changed its name on May 31.

Graduation ceremonies took place Nov. 6 in Mthatha, with 11 students completing the one- or two-year curriculum. At MBS’s Elliotdale branch, 12 people graduated Nov. 13, and the Lusikisiki branch celebrated 18 graduates Nov. 19.

“We end 2021 on a very high note,” said Reuben Mgodeli, the school’s coordinator since 2014. “The spirit of the Lord was moving among all of us.”

Many more students participated for part of the year but were unable to complete all the requirements for graduation due to pandemic complications. Mgodeli said these students will swell the graduation numbers next year.

“Like other institutions in South Africa, MBS lost members due to COVID-19 and lockdown for the whole of 2020,” he said. “Some of our people passed away, and a lot of them had to drop out, but the Lord has been faithful to us.”

Mennonite Bible School changed its name during a national registration process.

“I felt the Holy Spirit led me to rename the school, because Mennonites invested in this work,” Mgodeli said. “They worked hard and faithfully in doing the work of the Lord. This is a kairos [time] when things can return to their rightful places.”

Mgodeli believes students will be more willing to enroll in MBS now that it is registered with the government.

The South African government didn’t want to have anything to do with Mennonites in the early days when Mennonites were working to dismantle apartheid.

“Now, the South African government is granting a certificate that [permits an entity with] the name ‘Mennonite’ to operate freely,” he said.

MBS began in Mthatha and has provided biblical education and leadership training for African-Initiated Churches since 1982. In recent years, the Bible school has established branches in Elliotdale and Lusikisiki. MBS anticipates the opening of a fourth branch in Port St. John’s early next year.

During the Elliotdale graduation ceremonies, a delegation from Mqanduli petitioned Mgodeli to establish an MBS branch in their locality. They said they have 32 prospective students eagerly waiting to deepen their knowledge of God’s Word.