New Opportunities
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Kiev Christian University
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Bible Institute/College
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Eastern Ukrainian Theological Seminary
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Odessa
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Great Potential

New Opportunities
New opportunities have been proposed in Ukraine whereby we might partner in the provision of Reformed theological faculty for as many as 41 different institutions throughout Ukraine, beginning with Kiev Christian University, and planting a new Bible college approximately 8 miles outside of Kiev and from there expanding as rapidly as He leads!

Our staff continues to answer inquiries as more hear of this mission work and seek opportunities to meet their own missions mandates and leadings. If you know of any person who may be qualified to teach – even your pastors! – please, forward their names and contacts and we will be pleased to respond. The fields are ripe for the harvest and the workers are few… This does not mean that our Lord is pleading because He cannot get His work done, it means there is room for YOU!

Kiev Christian University
It presents opportunities to teach theology at the university level in the faculty of theology. Students are bright, engaging, and tend to be in preparation for ministry, rather than academia exclusively.

Funds needed include round trip tickets and local transportation, accommodations, meals – approximately $3,000 per term. Translators are provided locally.

Bible Institute/College
Bible Institute/College is located just outside of Kiev (about eight miles). It has twenty to thirty students, primarily preparing for ministry, as part of the All-Ukrainian Evangelical Christians/Baptist Union program. They are eager to acquire a Christian world and life view theology and stand out as having substantially memorized numerous Scripture passages. This tradition is echoing times of persecution when the Bible was had to get by and under penalty of a ten year imprisonment, so that Scripture memorization was a way of safely passing on of God's Word.

A start up projection on initial expenses for organization, administrator, etc., amounts to $1,500-2,000.Once operational, funds needed include round trip tickets and local transportation, accommodations, meals – approximately $2,500 per term. Translators are provided locally.

Eastern Ukrainian Theological Seminary (Donetsk)
For the past several years ITEM’s work in Donetsk, Ukraine, has been prominently featured in ITEM newsletters. From a small beginning, that ministry became the major work of ITEM in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Regular readers of “newsITEMs” are aware of the strategic ministry ITEM has had in Donetsk in partnership with the All-Ukrainian Union of Associations of Evangelical Christians/Baptists. The highlights of the Donetsk ministry have also been featured. Dozens of Pastors, Ruling Elders and Seminary professors from the United States and elsewhere, including Brazil and Canada, have had the privilege of teaching in Donetsk. These “missionary” professors have been truly touched as they have touched the lives of hundreds of believers directly and for generations to come.

Working alongside the largest evangelical denomination in Ukraine, ITEM was able to establish a strong Reformed teaching ministry in the Donetsk Regional Theological College and the Eastern Ukrainian Theological Seminary. These two schools, along with satellite schools in rural areas and correspondence students, comprise the largest, theological (non-Orthodox) training institution in Ukraine. Over 1000 students are currently enrolled in the programs offered by these schools (Bible Certificate, Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, lay training, correspondence courses, etc.). In addition, the semi-annual “Power in the Pulpit” preaching conferences, under the leadership of Dr. Joel Nederhood, have attracted thousands of pastors from all over Ukraine and even from Russia for a full week of training in preaching. Most of these men have had no formal Bible or theological education. The Lord has certainly been gracious and abundant in His blessings of His work through ITEM in Ukraine!

It is of special note that it has never been the intent of ITEM to have a permanent presence in any school with which it works. The stated goal has always been to train our graduates to be able to return to the schools to take over the teaching and administration requirements as well as the ministry. Initially, it was anticipated that it would take 18-20 years to arrive at the place where ITEM could finish its work in Donetsk having trained sufficiently Ukrainian pastors and teachers to take over the full responsibility. It now appears that the Lord has providentially accelerated this schedule!

Looking back over the years of ITEM’s involvement in Donetsk, there is much to celebrate and much for which to give thanks to the Lord. He has indeed done amazing things over these years. A vibrant theological college and seminary grew where none existed before. Hundreds of students (most of whom are pastors) have been trained in the Reformed Faith and are preaching and teaching these truths to their congregations. Dozens of new churches have been planted by students from these schools. Plans are being made to plant the first Reformed/ Presbyterian church in Donetsk region. Solid Reformed theological books have been translated and more are in process. And all of this has happened in a country that suffered under the iron boot of atheistic communism for over 70 years! The Lord has indeed done
wonderful things in Donetsk and we pray He will continue to do so.

Each of us who have been to Donetsk can speak for ourselves. We are sure that our sentiments express the feelings of every professor that has had the privilege of teaching in Donetsk. It has been a life-changing experience. To be able to stand in the shadow of Lenin (literally!) and preach and teach the gospel openly and freely in a satellite country of the former Soviet Union is something that few of us could have imagined only 10-15 years ago.

“On each of my four trips to Donetsk, I have been touched deeply by the love and faith of the Ukrainian believers, challenged by their commitment to Christ and His word, and humbled by the Lord for the privilege of serving Him there”. (Rev. Scott Churnock, St. Louis, MO)

“It is truly difficult to determine who has learned and benefited the most from the teaching opportunities at DRTC – the professor or the students. I discovered the definitions of commitment and contentment, of exemplifying and enjoying the Lord, and of sacrifice and service to the Lord through these students.” (Rev. Will Hesterberg, Waterloo, IL)

“Teaching in Donetsk, Ukraine was a life-changing experience for me. The little that the people have materially is overshadowed by their rich culture and even more, by how much they give and share with each other and with us in Christ. I’ll never forget the widows, and other ‘heroes of the faith’, kneeling on a hard floor in a little village building with no electricity, pouring out their hearts to God with earnest tears and abiding smiles. I will always remember the once persecutor of the church who held my hands and with broken English, looked me in the eyes and said, ‘You preach, thank you, I see God’. In the presence of such testimonies of His grace, I couldn't help but see God in Christ too.” (Professor Zachary Eswine, Covenant Theological Seminary)

ITEM is now in the process of locating other ministry opportunities in the Ukraine and within other countries of the former Soviet Union. The work in Donetsk gives us confidence and assurance that our Lord is truly “able to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.”

To our brothers and sisters in Donetsk, we give them the continued assurance of our prayers and abiding love. With the Apostle Paul we say, “by His Grace, until we share further opportunities to co-labor with you, individually or collectively, we now commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Odessa
In contrast to working undercover in a German warehouse smuggling Bibles in 1979, Rev. Rod Gorter (CRC), ITEM's own missionary from 1998 till 2007, and his family have been openly distributing and teaching the life-changing truth of God’s Word in the former Soviet Union (FSU) for almost six years. Living in Odessa, Ukraine, his ministry has centered on leadership training. Besides teaching in Ukraine (primarily at the Evangelical Reformed Seminary of Ukraine in Odessa--ERSU), he’s had opportunity to teach on behalf of ITEM in Riga, Latvia and two locations in Russia (St. Petersburg and Tyumen, Siberia). His ministry likewise involved ongoing discipleship of national leaders as they serve in their churches. Since Rev. Gorter's return to the United States, Alister Torrens took responsibilities of ITEM full-time missionary in Ukraine.

One typical characteristic of national leaders that excites Rev. Gorter is their enthusiastic search for answers—theological and practical. Their hunger for God’s Word and its real-life application to people, is genuine and deep-rooted. Education and reading have been high values in the FSU for many years. Good literature is eagerly received and read. Ethical, social and spiritual issues are pondered deeply - even more so now by young believers in the churches. Questions asked in the classroom and interpersonally delve far deeper than the superficial, as they seek answers to the meaning of life, the nature of mankind, foundations for ethical choices, etc. This is simultaneously stimulating and challenging. This characteristic of people highlights the need for solid and relevant theological education in the former Soviet Union, and particularly for church leaders as they guide the emerging churches as the transforming light of their nation.

Another exciting characteristic of national church leaders is their eagerness to do ministry. As they are equipped and trained for their calling, they typically invest themselves fully and sacrificially in the church’s life and ministry.

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 in ERSU, in his zeal to serve the Lord, had already planted a few churches with another denomination, though having very little theological education. As he began studying in 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.

Great Potential
As you can see, a potential for teaching opportunities at virtually every level exists in several locations and we are enthusiastic about passing this along to you as we hope to match your personal missions mandate, as well as your church’s, with the opportunities in the field.

As you are aware, we seek to serve in the countries where we work, not seeking to impress a Western paradigm on a non-compatible culture, but together to share information that will make obvious real needs and ways to meet them.

We look forward to seeing these works (the ones already in progress and the new ones) develop into strong schools of solid and Reformed theological training, as I solicit the prayers of God’s people to fill these opportunities efficiently and without delay, and on a long-term basis.

We look forward to laboring together, as there is room for more…! (Luke 10)
Remaining in His Service and in Yours,

International Theological Education Ministries, Inc.