International Theological Education Ministries, Inc.

Picture: Dr. Gerard Van Groningen teaching a class entitled “Wholeheartedly Reformed” at Baltic States Theological Seminary.

ITEM Professors share Their Experience:

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few…”
“…therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Here are some of the quotes from ITEM professors/pastors who went to teach at seminaries and Bible schools in the various locations of the former Soviet Block:

“There are huge needs in the realms of theological education, general Christian education, and publications across Central and Eastern Europe. The challenge is to communicate the opportunity to a large group of supporters and a team of educators who will carry out the work. Supporters need to hear a combination of vision, need, and stories of individuals.

I think that Europe is really the Dark Continent with regard to the gospel, and that the reason for the secularization of Europe which led to the current resistance to the gospel is closely tied to the loss of a historically Protestant academic voice and witness in Europe. The vision has to be more than training a few pastors; it has to be to make classical Protestantism a viable intellectual and spiritual option for millions, which includes a lot of theological education. I am praying for a new Reformation in Europe, and I have already invested a lot of years in working toward that goal. "

Thomas K. Johnson, Lithuania Teaching Trip

“I believe the main concern was problems people are having that are associated with the Church. Out of this and the discussion concerning Church Discipline of members, I was asked next about Church membership and what makes you a member or not. There was a gentleman there who is active in the Church but not a member and he was curious. This got into quite a lot of information concerning the doctrine of the Church, the privileges and protection of Church Membership and eventually into authority in general.”

“Today I taught from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. A long exhausting day filled with the delights of studying God’s Word with people who desire to know Him better.”

Patrick Parham, Poland Teaching Trip

“One of the most exciting things since I last wrote was the inauguration of our new Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko. Her inaugural speech contained this astounding statement: "Before Ukraine can get on its feet, Ukrainians must first get on their knees." Rumors were circulating that she had become a believer during the campaign and recent events, including this statement, seem to confirm that. Other evidence is in the appointment of the only other office offered to her political party, the director of the SBU (successor to the KGB). She chose to give this slot to her most trusted friend and pastor, Alexander Turchynov. It is with a sense of irony that this Baptist pastor takes the reins of the arm of government that for nearly a century tried to rein in the church.”

Landro, Ukraine Teaching Trip

“In the midst of a society which lacks a focused ideology—a vacuum created with the demise of communism—a true and lasting ideology in Christ’s eternal kingdom invigorates the nationals with a purpose above and beyond the discouraging poverty and corruption of their land. Sergei, a student at Evangelical Reformed Seminary of Ukraine (ERSU), in his zeal to serve the Lord, had already planted a few churches, though having very little theological education. As he began studying at ERSU, he gained a whole new understanding of the Church, God and His Kingdom. Now Sergei is eager to use his passion for planting churches with a solid theological foundation.”

Rev. Rod Gorter, ITEM Missionary Professor from 1998 till 2007, Odessa, Ukraine

“I found students [at Romania Reformed Institute, Bucharest, Romania] engaging, eager to learn, and enthusiastically committed to Reformed, Covenantal, Presbyterian doctrine. They are warm, respectful, helpful, and also fun-loving. They quickly learned the concepts and the practical applications of the course on Hermeneutics and Homiletics that I taught for two weeks. They definitely require and desire more theological education, but they know their Bible and the Reformed faith. They definitely need more training in Christ-centered preaching and teaching, as it appears that most preaching/teaching throughout Romania and the former Soviet satellite countries appears to be legalistic, moralistic, and exemplary. These students have tasted the doctrines of grace, seen the damage legalism has done in many churches, and are eager to proclaim the gospel of grace in Romania and beyond.”

Rev. Will Hesterberg, Concord Presbyterian Church (PCA)

“The professors that I.T.E.M. sends have heard the call of God not to follow trends and cultural fancies but to abide in the Word. The widely accepted character of I.T.E.M.’s recruitment and emphasis tells the emerging church leaders that it all comes from and goes back to the Doctrine of the Word. That comforts me as an occasional instructor. I don’t have to hit a home run every time up to the plate. I can do my best in the context of playing small ball, knowing that the blessing of the team is greater than any one of its players. As long as I.T.E.M. continues to insist on classes grounded in the Word and solid exegesis on the part of those sent to teach, we are all part of a bigger program to encourage the re-emerging European Church to abide in the Word. That is a pretty significant niche that God has given to I.T.E.M. and its supporters. The ministry of I.T.E.M. fills a void in the emerging church of Eastern Europe. With the ministry of I.T.E.M. what blessing the Lord of the Church continues to pour out! You and I get the pleasure of being a vessel from which God pours the truth of His Word. What prayers and gifts might the Lord be prompting from us so that I.T.E.M. can continue to plant the historic Reformed standard in other church leader’s paths, here and abroad?”

Rev. Perry Tinklenberg, New Hope Christian Reformed Church (CRC)

As we move toward what He has found for us in the future, we ask again as we have asked in the past, that you join with us in the preparation of His Bride, His Church!

In His service and in yours we remain,
Dr. R. David Ludwick,
on behalf of ITEM staff, professors, volunteers and students.

Joshua 1:6-9