Brian Edwards waited eight years for Saturday.
Edwards, who serves as minister of marriage and family at Woodstream Church in Mitchellville, started taking classes at Washington Bible College in 2001 with the intention of acquiring a master’s degree in Christian counseling and discipleship.
And Saturday morning, along with 115 classmates, Edwards finally graduated from the Lanham college.
The commencement was held at Riverdale Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro.
‘‘It’s been a long time coming,” said Edwards, a Bowie resident. ‘‘It took me a long time to get it and I’m glad it’s done now.”
The college awarded Master of Divinity degrees, Master of Theology degrees, Master of Arts degrees in biblical studies, Bachelor of Arts degrees, Associate of Arts degrees, biblical studies certificates and Christian counseling certificates during the ceremony.
Robert Evans, a graduate of Washington Bible College and former president of Bible Centered Ministries International, an evangelical missionary organization, served as the commencement speaker.
According to its Web site, the college is ‘‘an evangelical Christian, multi-denominational, and multi-ethnic educational community dedicated to preparing men and women for local and worldwide service to God and humanity.”
The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, a group recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, according to its Web site.Ê
‘‘I’m overwhelmed by the demonstration of dedication and commitment of our students,” College President Larry Mercer said. ‘‘I’m so impressed with what they were able to accomplish. I’m really excited about what happened here [Saturday]. It’s like an adrenaline shot for me.”
Class valedictorian Mark Tanious graduated with a Master of Divinity degree. The Lanham resident said he planned to take on a pastor position at a church in the Washington, D.C. area and focus on community outreach.
‘‘My desire is to do not only preaching but also outreach in the community,” said Tanious.
Lanham resident Robert Bryan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He said he also planned to stay in the area and become a youth pastor.
‘‘I’m definitely excited about graduating,” Bryan said. ‘‘I’m excited it’s over with and I’m looking forward to working now.”
Kerley Perminio Most, a native of Brazil, graduated from the college with a Master of Arts degree in Christian counseling and discipleship. She said she was glad to have graduated.
‘‘It feels wonderful,” Perminio Most said. ‘‘It’s like coming to the end of this great ride. It was a fun ride and I feel wiser now.”
E-mail Jonathan Stein at jstein@gazette.net.
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