Erskine encounters in Rwanda: ‘the odds don’t seem to matter much’

When a news update about the first Global Diploma in Theological and Christian Leadership graduation in Rwanda was emailed to Erskine alumni and friends, it reached Casey Hughes ’14, who has been teaching at an international school in Rwanda for seven years with her husband Eric Spolstra. Casey’s reaction was something like “What in the world? There are Erskine people here in Rwanda?” She contacted Director of Global Theological Education Martha Margaret Cotten ’97, ’20 (Sem.) using the email address listed in the story.

“I wrote her back and we had them over for dinner,” Martha Margaret recalls. “We reminisced about all things Erskine—climbing the towers, Drs. Haldeman and Edwards, and sweet friendships we each made during our four years in Due West.”

This unlikely meet-up, across the world from Due West, is an example of Erskine’s “Expanding Reach,” one of the four “pillars” of Erskine’s strategic plan, introduced by President Dr. Steve Adamson. 

Another Erskine alumni encounter in Rwanda occurred just a few weeks after the Cottens’ dinner with Casey and Eric. Martha Margaret and her husband, World Witness missionary and adjunct professor for the Global Diploma Program Sam Cotten ’95 hosted Director of Seminary Admissions and Church Relations Kyle Sims ’93, ’10 (Sem.), his wife Kelly Counts Sims ’95, and Board of Trustees Secretary Margaret Kiser ’02, ’05 (Sem.).

Kyle Sims taught Old Testament and did some preaching during that visit to Rwanda. “Margaret and my wife Kelly led teacher training at the Nyabihu Christian School on how to incorporate faith in learning and also led a three-day seminar on Christian Education for local churches,” he reports. “These will be ongoing projects that they will continue to lead and expand.”

He notes that the Nyabihu school was founded by Reach the Children of Rwanda International (RCRI), which was founded by Benjamin Musuhukye ’05, a graduate of Erskine Seminary.

“Working together in Rwanda with other Erskine graduates is like working with family,” Kyle says. “One of the great things about being an Erskine alum is that no matter if I am preaching in South Carolina or visiting Rwanda, there is an instant connection you make when you meet another Erskine alum.”

Sam and Martha Margaret introduced Kyle, Kelly and Margaret to Casey and Eric. That made six Erskine alumni plus an Erskine spouse “coming together over a shared vision for missions, education, and the global church!” Martha Margaret says.

The unexpected “Erskine reunions” in Rwanda have been meaningful for all the participants. “This fun, ‘against the odds’ encounter filled me with awe. The chances of meeting other Erskine graduates in Rwanda have to be tiny,” Martha Margaret admits. “But then again, when God is at work and people are following his calling, the odds don’t seem to matter much at all.”

The Global Diploma in Theological and Christian Leadership was created through a partnership between Erskine Theological Seminary and World Witness, a missions agency of the ARP Church.

Pictured at top, from left, are Sam Cotten, Kyle Sims, Margaret Kiser, Kelly Sims, Casey Hughes, and Martha Margaret Cotten.