Seeing Christ Through a Student’s Eyes
March 9, 2026
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ,
Every so often I am really struck by reading something that one of my students has submitted for an assignment. When that happens and I am encouraged to see what they are thinking, how they are growing and maturing, and how we can be impacting them for future ministry to God’s people and the world, and if the assignment is short enough, I like to share it with you all so that you also can see the impact being made on their lives and be encouraged by your brothers and sisters in Kenya. In this case, I would like to share something one of my Basic Theology students wrote. The assignment was to write their own doctrinal statement on Christology. One of my students, who is actually from Burundi, wrote this heartfelt, simple but deep, doctrinal statement on Christ. I am including it here unedited and so grammatically it needs a lot of work. English is not this student’s first, second or third language but I wanted you to get the full force of it exactly how he wrote it.
Christology for me is not just a lesson in class but it is the center of what I believe about Jesus Christ and my salvation. I believe that Jesus is eternal Son of God not created not beginning but He was with the Father before all things like it says in (John 1:1) and also in (Colossians 1:16) that all things was made through Him. This makes me understand that Christ is not only prophet or teacher but He is God in nature same essence with the Father but different person.
I also believe that this eternal Son become flesh and entered in human history this is
incarnation and it is very deep mystery for me because God who is holy and powerful choose to limit Himself and take human body like Philippians 2:6 to 8 explain. He was fully God and fully man not half God and half man but two natures in one person. This is important because if He was not God His sacrifice cannot save the whole world and if He was not man He cannot represent us before God.In His humanity Jesus feel hunger pain sadness and even temptation but He did not sin like Hebrews 4:15 says. I believe His obedience in all His life is part of my righteousness because where Adam failed Christ succeed this is why Romans 5 show that through one man sin enter and through one man righteousness come. I believe His miracles was sign of His divine authority and also showing that Kingdom of God is present.
About the cross I believe it was substitutionary atonement meaning He die in my place taking my punishment like Isaiah 53:5 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 show. This is very personal for me because I know my sins deserve judgement but Christ satisfy the justice of God and show love at same time. The resurrection is proof that Father accept His sacrifice and that death has no more power like 1 Corinthians 15 explain. If Christ did not rise our faith is empty but because He rise I have living hope.
Now I believe Christ is exalted at right hand of God interceding for believers like Hebrews 7:25 say He is my high priest and mediator between God and man according to 1 Timothy 2:5 I also believe He will return physically and visibly to judge and to reign like Acts 1:11 and Revelation 19 teach. This doctrine shape how I live because if Christ is Lord then my life must submit to Him in holiness mission and love. Christology for me is not only doctrine but reality that change my heart and future.
Christology for me is not just a lesson in class but it is the center of what I believe about Jesus Christ and my salvation. I believe that Jesus is eternal Son of God not created not beginning but He was with the Father before all things like it says in (John 1:1) and also in (Colossians 1:16) that all things was made through Him. This makes me understand that Christ is not only prophet or teacher but He is God in nature same essence with the Father but different person.
I also believe that this eternal Son become flesh and entered in human history this is
incarnation and it is very deep mystery for me because God who is holy and powerful choose to limit Himself and take human body like Philippians 2:6 to 8 explain. He was fully God and fully man not half God and half man but two natures in one person. This is important because if He was not God His sacrifice cannot save the whole world and if He was not man He cannot represent us before God.
In His humanity Jesus feel hunger pain sadness and even temptation but He did not sin like Hebrews 4:15 says. I believe His obedience in all His life is part of my righteousness because where Adam failed Christ succeed this is why Romans 5 show that through one man sin enter and through one man righteousness come. I believe His miracles was sign of His divine authority and also showing that Kingdom of God is present.
About the cross I believe it was substitutionary atonement meaning He die in my place taking my punishment like Isaiah 53:5 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 show. This is very personal for me because I know my sins deserve judgement but Christ satisfy the justice of God and show love at same time. The resurrection is proof that Father accept His sacrifice and that death has no more power like 1 Corinthians 15 explain. If Christ did not rise our faith is empty but because He rise I have living hope.
Now I believe Christ is exalted at right hand of God interceding for believers like Hebrews 7:25 say He is my high priest and mediator between God and man according to 1 Timothy 2:5 I also believe He will return physically and visibly to judge and to reign like Acts 1:11 and Revelation 19 teach. This doctrine shape how I live because if Christ is Lord then my life must submit to Him in holiness mission and love. Christology for me is not only doctrine but reality that change my heart and future.
Amen, my beloved student. You understand much about Jesus even if your English writing is not so good. But, hey, neither is mine, and I pray that you minister this teaching and doctrine about Christ to your people in Burundi and see many of them turning to Jesus and entering into His kingdom.
Blessings to all,
Roger, Julie, & Chloe
Contact Info:
Roger & Julie Tate
Moffat Bible College
P.O. Box 70
Kijabe, Kenya 00220
rojuta@gmail.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
Read more
Recovering from Surgery; New Term Started
January 10, 2025
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ,
First, let me give you all an update on Julie and her health. If you remember, Julie had to be rushed to the emergency room last month and, after being admitted to the hospital, ended up having surgery to remove her gall bladder. She came home a couple days later and spent the majority of December recovering from her surgery and from having an organ removed. She is recovering nicely, although with Chloe around she wasn’t able to rest as much as we would have liked (Chloe can be a little demanding). Anyway, Julie is mostly recovered from her surgery. I don’t think she is experiencing any more pain, but she still is getting tired quickly so she’s not quite at 100%. But we thank God for watching over her and that she is almost back to full strength. Thank you all for your prayers.
In other news, we have started a new term at the school. I am still the Finance Manager of the school. I find this position challenging because most students constantly struggle to pay their fees. To a westerner, their fees are small, but to them, their fees are large and overwhelming. As Finance Manager I have to balance helping these beloved students stay in school and continue their Bible education with also ensuring that they pay their fees. It is definitely stressful for both them and me. To date, I have never made a student leave the school because they couldn’t pay their fees. God has always helped us to together come up with a plan to cover their fees. This term has been a bit different, though.
Way too many students are not able to pay and it is causing me a lot of grief and heartache. I stress over and over to them that my goal for them is to mightily serve the Kingdom of Christ and God’s people. How can they do that if they drop out of school because of finances? God, please help us.
In Class news, I am teaching Pauline Epistles and Basic Theology 1. Pauline Epistles is a new class for me to teach but what a joy and privilege to teach these beloved students the things that Paul taught his first century churches and believers. Basic Theology is a course I have taught before. Why teach these students theology? It is not just to fill their young minds with information even though Peter did say to “grow in the grace and KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18) and Paul instructed Titus to “teach sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).
Blessings to all,
Roger, Julie, & Chloe
CONTACT INFO
Roger & Julie Tate
Moffat Bible College
P.O. Box 70
Kijabe, Kenya 00220
rojuta@gmail.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
Read more
