Pilipo Miriye
Encyclopedia
Pilipo Miriye was the first Evangelical missionary from Papua New Guinea
to the country of Nigeria
, West Africa. Under his ministry, Miriye was involved with his missionary colleagues in founding the Wesley International Bible College in 1989 in the Imo State
of Nigeria. The College was later moved to the capitol city of Nigeria and renamed to West African Theological Seminary (WATS).
Today, WATS is Nigeria's largest nondenominational seminary, and is located in the heart of Lagos
, the largest black city in the world. Nigeria, with 160 million people, is the geographic hub of Africa. It embraces 40 percent the English-speaking Christian population of the African continent. WATS serves one of the fastest-growing segments of the Christian Church in the world, and it focuses on the two greatest needs of the African Church: leadership development and discipleship of believers. They offer a Diploma in Theology, two BA programs, four Masters programs
and starting in 2007 the Doctor of Ministry
program. And, as their mission statement notes, they have a very focused purpose: To train men and women for holy living, for carrying the Gospel
to the unreached, and for catalyzing national spiritual awakening.
Miriye also planted churches in Nigeria and taught in the college for a three year period. His wife Glopa and five children, Wesley, Rueben, Flexon, Daisy and Rex were also there with him. Miriye holds a BRE in Education from God's Bible School and College
, USA and a MA in Education from Azusa Pacific University
.
Currently, Miriye serves as the Missions Director for Papua New Guinea Bible Church. Miriye also lectures at Pacific Bible College
and is the Campus Pastor.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
to the country of Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, West Africa. Under his ministry, Miriye was involved with his missionary colleagues in founding the Wesley International Bible College in 1989 in the Imo State
Imo State
Imo State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria and lies to the south of Nigeria with Owerri as its capital and largest city.-History:Imo State came into existence in 1976 along with other new states created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad, having been...
of Nigeria. The College was later moved to the capitol city of Nigeria and renamed to West African Theological Seminary (WATS).
Today, WATS is Nigeria's largest nondenominational seminary, and is located in the heart of Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, the largest black city in the world. Nigeria, with 160 million people, is the geographic hub of Africa. It embraces 40 percent the English-speaking Christian population of the African continent. WATS serves one of the fastest-growing segments of the Christian Church in the world, and it focuses on the two greatest needs of the African Church: leadership development and discipleship of believers. They offer a Diploma in Theology, two BA programs, four Masters programs
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
and starting in 2007 the Doctor of Ministry
Doctor of Ministry
The Doctor of Ministry degree is, according to The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada , a doctoral level degree oriented toward ministerial leadership often in an area of applied theology, such as missions, evangelism, church leadership, pastoral psychology or the...
program. And, as their mission statement notes, they have a very focused purpose: To train men and women for holy living, for carrying the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
to the unreached, and for catalyzing national spiritual awakening.
Miriye also planted churches in Nigeria and taught in the college for a three year period. His wife Glopa and five children, Wesley, Rueben, Flexon, Daisy and Rex were also there with him. Miriye holds a BRE in Education from God's Bible School and College
God's Bible School and College
God's Bible School and College is a non-denominational Bible college in Cincinnati, Ohio, founded in 1900.- Overview :Originally known as God’s Bible School, the college was founded by Martin Wells Knapp in 1900. It began as a diploma course, devoted almost exclusively to the study of the Bible and...
, USA and a MA in Education from Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University is a private, inter-denominational, evangelical Christian university located near Los Angeles in suburban Azusa, California. It was founded in 1899, with classes opening on March 3, 1900 in Whittier, California. It began offering degrees in 1939...
.
Currently, Miriye serves as the Missions Director for Papua New Guinea Bible Church. Miriye also lectures at Pacific Bible College
Point Loma Nazarene University
Point Loma Nazarene University is a Christian liberal arts college. Its main campus is located on the Point Loma oceanfront in San Diego, California. It was founded in 1902 as a Bible college by the Church of the Nazarene.-History:...
and is the Campus Pastor.