International Theological Education Ministries, Inc.

Dr. Joseph Hall, ITEM Board Director and Professor, Teaching Trip to Riga, Latvia

This young seminary in Riga, Latvia, appears poised, with God’s good providence, for bringing biblical reformation to the entire Baltic region: Lithuania, Belarus, Estonia, and even possibly Finland and Sweden. It’s a relatively new seminary, established by ITEM with the help of Dr. George Van Groningen, which has seen steady increase in both interest and attendance. Located in Riga, the capital of Latvia, the seminary has already been of significant benefit to both Latvians and Lithuanians, with promises of a wider influence in the future. Is this a grandiose dream? Not at all, with God’s blessings and the continuous pool of some of the finest Reformed professors, largely with doctorates, who have taught at BRTS for over a decade.

The goals of International Theological Educational Ministries (hereafter, ITEM), in Riga and elsewhere, are basically twofold: first, the provision of excellent Reformed on-site theological training for nationals in their own country. Second, ITEM trains nationals in Reformed theology in order that they may both teach and plant churches in their country. ITEM’s desire and plan for BRTS is that the nationals themselves will be both teachers and administrators and, eventually, self-supporting.

It has been my distinct privilege to teach Church History on-site at BRTS on three separate occasions. Currently, I am offering a video repeat of one of the courses accompanied by some live international electronic hookup. While video teaching leaves something to be desired, it appears to be working rather well as a pilot course. The Latvian students are both a joy and challenge to teach. Most understand English well, freeing up the professor in speaking, and they are quick to apprehend the information conveyed. Teaching these students has been one of the highlights of my teaching career. I might add that BRTS now has one of the finest area Reformed libraries, graciously provided by the Lord, and in which I have been privileged to have a small part in building.

What does a day teaching in Riga look like? Because most of the students work during the day or are pastors, or university students, they must of necessity gain their training in the evening. Classes are held from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. A typical class size in Riga is about twelve to fifteen men and a few ladies, mainly Latvians and Lithuanians, with a few Russians. The men preparing for ministry are very diligent and sacrificial in giving themselves in this effort for six months of the year. The instruction is in English, and for those not understanding it, there is an interpreter able to translate into Latvian or Russian, the latter of which all can understand. There is simultaneous translation which allows the professor full range of continuous lecturing. Exams are given at the conclusion of the lecturing period, usually two weeks, and for the students who know only their native language, translation assistance is given for their exams, in both taking and grading.

What will be the future of BRTS? Again, with God’s good providence, with continued excellent teaching, good administration, and both the prayers and funding of our faithful supporters, there is every reason to think the seminary will continue, as it has for the past decade, to be a blessing for many in the Baltic region. We ask your continued support in both prayers and funding of ITEM for this and other works. Without them, the works like this one cannot exist.

 

Simon Kistemaker, Professor of New Testament Emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary, Teaching Trip to Latvia

Dr. Larry Stout came to Latvia in 1991 at the time when the country gained its freedom from Soviet occupation. He noticed a need for spiritual revival and theological education in that part of the world. He dreamed about opening a theological seminary in the capital city of Riga and after a few years talked about his dream with Dr. Gerard Van Groningen, whose expertise in starting and developing a theological seminary were well known in various places around the globe: Geelong, Australia and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

ITEM developed a plan using Dr. Van Groningen’s model in part to establish a regional theological seminary. Professors from the United States will come to teach for short periods of time. ITEM works in cooperation with professors attempting to raise funds to cover the necessary expenses of transportation, accommodations and the rental fees for office and classroom facilities, etc. ITEM contacted prospective faculty members serving in Presbyterian and Reformed theological seminaries to travel to Riga and offer specific courses in their fields of study. In 1998 Van Groningen was among the first professors to teach in Riga. ITEM also promoted this fledgling seminary then called Riga Reformed Theological Seminary by asking in the USA professors of New Testament, Old Testament, Systematic Theology, Church History, and Missions to travel to Riga and teach for one or two weeks at a time. Mr. Artis Celmins, a native Latvian, filled the post of a long-term administrator.

I had the privilege of teaching at the Riga seminary offering a course on the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Epistles of Peter to seven or eight students who took it for credit and a few others who came in as auditors. Much to my surprise I noticed that I could lecture in English and the students were able to understand me. One or two students needed the help of a translator. I asked why the students were sufficiently advanced in understanding English. I was told that upon liberation in 1991 the younger generation realized that to get ahead in the world at large they had to learn English, and they did.

Once again, in 2003, I was asked to return to Riga and present a course on the Book of Revelation. The enrollment had increased and many of the students I met two years earlier were continuing their education.
There was progress and further development also in regard to building a functional library. But the greatest advance was when Artis Celmins approached the administration of the University of Latvia and asked them if their students would be interested in taking courses at the seminary. If they were, then the question of accreditation could be pursued. If university students would receive academic credit on a provisional basis, could accreditation also be extended to all the registered seminary students? The answer to both questions was affirmative.

The university was willing to extend credit on a provisional basis for a two-year term to the students taking seminary courses. Because of this arrangement, the enrollment at the seminary increased. Also, the Board of the seminary decided on a name change. Instead of calling the seminary Riga Reformed Theological Seminary, the Board broadened the appeal by naming the school Baltic Reformed Theological Seminary. This was a step in the right direction, for now students from other parts of that region could apply for admission. Indeed, one student came from Lithuania and three from Sweden.

Another advance took place recently – and that was a relocation of the seminary itself. Instead of renting space near the apartment that provided accommodations for visiting professors, the newly named BRTS now has its office and classroom in a Reformed Church building located in the downtown area. The church building dates back to the early 1700s and was owned by the Reformed people of Riga. But in the Soviet era the building was used for other purposes, including a restaurant. When liberation came about 15 years ago, the city government gave the building to the Lutheran Church. Fortunately, the seminary Board has been able to make an agreement with the Lutherans to rent part of it.

I returned once more in December 2005 and offered a one-week course on the Gospel of Matthew and one on the Book of Acts the following week. The enrollment of registered students reached 16 with 9 auditors. The class room was full. And by all indications, the seminary experiences steady growth on a solid foundation.

The Lord has blessed BRTS in numerous ways. I pray that in faith and prayer the members of the Board and the administration, the students, as well as supporters look to God for the continued growth of the school and gradual development to the glory of His name.

 

Stephen Estock, Associate Pastor at the Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, MO, Teaching Trip to Latvia

It was March and I was excited about my new call to be the Minister of Adult Nurture at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church. I was looking forward to the teaching opportunities that I would have, especially being located so close to Covenant Theological Seminary. Little did I know that the opportunities would come so quickly.

On my very first day of work before I had unpacked, our senior pastor called in to his office and told me to call Gerard Van Groningen and it was he who asked me to teach a class in Riga, Latvia. It is hard to say "No" to Dr. Van Groningen and I didn't. I taught homiletics and thoroughly enjoyed it. As plans fell into place, I realized that I was experiencing a number of "firsts". It was my first trip overseas as a pastor, my first time teaching with a translator, my first time preaching with a translator, my first time preaching in a church building that was older than my country. The list could go on and on.

The entire experience was very enriching. I learned much about myself and the spread of the gospel throughout Central and Eastern Europe. I really enjoyed the students of the seminary and greatly respect the work they continue to do for the Lord. My family has enjoyed the pictures and stories of my trip. When some of the BRTS students visited St. Louis for some courses at the seminary, we were able to spend some time with them seeing the sights of St. Louis. My boys still talk about the time they met pastors from Latvia. The whole experience not only opened my eyes to the work of God around the world, but it has also broadened the horizons of my family.

When I accepted the call to serve at the Kirk of the Hills, my desire was to grow in my knowledge and experience so that I could be a better pastor. I never would have guessed that God would begin answering my prayer on the very first day. My experience with God's servants in Riga was very special. I am eager to see what God will do with the men He is raising up to serve in Central and Eastern Europe. I am humbled by their commitment and their faith. I was privileged to play a small role in the work God is doing.

 

Dr. Hans F. Bayer (New Testament Professor at Covenant Theological Seminary), Teaching trip to Riga, Latvia

1. General report:
From May 21-30, I taught a 27.5 h course on "Hermeneutics and Exegesis" at Balric Reformed Theological Seminary in Riga, Latvia. Additionally, I gave a 3h lecture (May 24) to pastors and church workers in Vilnius, Lithuania (Lithuanian Evangelical Reformed Church), a 90-minute lecture (May 26) at Latvia University in Riga (2 university students and 4 BRTS students attended; exam week...), and preached twice on Sunday, May 25 (Alvis Sauka's Reformed Church and Malcom Firth's International Baptist Church).

I took 28 books, purchased by ITEM, for my course and for an upcoming summer 2003 CTS ACCESS course. Attendance at the BRTS course ranged from 20 to 25. I had additional personal meetings with Artis, Ungars, and Alvis; in Vilnius I had lunch with Algimantas Kvedaravicius, senior pastor of a Reformed Church in Vilnius. Through the arrangement of Alvis Sauka, I also had lunch with Prof. Juris Calitis (Ph.D. Harvard), dean of the faculty of theology at Latvia University, Riga. Eleven students took the final (oral) examination on May 30. They will also write a 10-page response paper to K. Vanhoozer's "Is there Meaning in this Text?"

2. Impressions:
The students were very motivated and engaged. The group as a whole is now much more homogenous and academically prepared than during my previous two visits. Artis and Nikolai are doing a fine and dedicated job in running the day-to-day affairs of the growing seminary. Artis is happy that the administrative-clerical responsibilities now rest on Nikolai's shoulders. Artis is thus able to tend to his own responsibilities and studies. BRTS' contacts to the Lithuanian Evangelical Reformed Church are very much appreciated, and two of their main pastors attended my class with great interest.

The four CTS-ACCESS students remain very motivated, and at least three of them still plan to pursue doctoral studies at Latvia University in Riga following their successful completion of the ACCESS M.A. at CTS in St. Louis. In due time, they should form the indigenous core-faculty of BRTS.

The seminary is taking shape and should continue to pursue contacts with the Lithuanian Evangelical Reformed Church. Further contacts with Latvia University and Luther Academy in Riga will widen its witness to thoughtful biblical faith and reformed confession in the context of liberal and Lutheran academia, respectively. In our personal meeting, the dean of the faculty of divinity at Latvia University, Prof. Juris Calitis, sounded very open to the idea for me to give future lectures at the University. In summary, I believe BRTS is developing in a very strategic place and time as it provides Biblical-theological training in the Baltic region. However, it should not do its important work in isolation, but rather seek contacts of cooperation or contribution.