Students for the Sake of the Truth

Students at SGA-sponsored Bible schools are eager to put the biblical truths they learn into ministry practice.

The Eternal Fruit of SGA-Sponsored Bible Schools

… for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever (2 John 1:2).

As with anything academic, it is easy to get caught up — and sometimes overwhelmed — by programs, numbers and statistics, and to lose sight of the real people and real stories involved. But the students at SGA-sponsored seminaries and Bible institutes across the lands of Russia are living stories and testimonies, and they’re eager to give glory to Christ for what He has done in their lives. Above all, they’ve dedicated their lives for the sake of the truth and the proclamation of the Gospel to their people. And the prayerful support of SGA partners is helping to make it all possible.

Odessa Theological Seminary — Community Outreach

At Odessa Theological Seminary in Ukraine, both alumni and students seized Christmas as an opportunity for ministry, putting the truths they learned into action. According to seminary president Vladimir Shemchishin, they joined the Ilyechovsk Baptist Church and walked through the streets in costumes resembling Herod’s soldiers. The youth of the church handed out invitations for the church’s presentation of the Christmas story, which was held at the City Park next to the church. Those who responded to the invitations were invited to submit prayer requests, which were read at Sunday worship at the church, and Dr. Shemchishin led a special time of prayer for these requests.

Earlier in the year, a group of full time students embarked on a ministry trip to the Ukrainian shipbuilding city of Nikolaev. While there, they ministered and encouraged the people at both the Central Church, and at Reconciliation Church — a new congregation that is being planted in the city. They were able to connect with zealous local youth to share their multi-cultural ministry experiences both at the seminary, and in other countries. It was a joy to the teams to be able to serve others, and to bring glory to the Lord in their labors.

A Book of Acts Example in a Muslim Land

The Muslim-dominated nations of Central Asia are very challenging, and sometimes dangerous places for evangelical ministry. But SGA-sponsored Bible institutes are having a quiet impact, according to the academic dean of one of these schools (name withheld for security purposes). He says the classes are more than helpful to the students, many of whom are already serving as pastors and leaders of small churches. The teachers were able to help students biblically address some of the concerns and difficulties they are facing in their local churches. “We made copies of the notes that SGA sent us and each student has his workbook. The classes were practical, and we spent much time in prayer that the Lord would use us in His ministry, and act through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. In our study, we turned more than once to the Antioch church as an example of a missionary center, sending the best missionaries for the work of evangelism. It was also a church with a big, sacrificial heart.” The students were very thankful that they could devote extended time studying some of the books of the Bible and some of the major biblical doctrines. The dean went on to send his thanks to SGA partners who give sacrificially to support SGA-sponsored schools, and for sending teachers who are dedicated to sound doctrine and biblical truth.

Minsk Theological Seminary President — Leading by Example

Pastor Leonid Mikhovich has served as president of the SGA-sponsored Minsk Theological Seminary for the past several years. As of this spring, he is also now serving as regional pastor for the Minsk area, overseeing approximately 60 churches in the region around the capital city of Belarus. SGA training coordinator Keenan Beere says that Leonid leads and shepherds by example. He is very committed to the students and their ministries even after they graduate. “It is not uncommon for Leonid to be out on the weekend preaching at a current or former student’s church. On his vacations, he often takes part in evangelistic meetings. It’s part of his overall biblical philosophy of life and ministry.”

Under Leonid Mikhovich’s leadership, Minsk Seminary has graduated nearly 800 students, with more than 430 of them being pastoral students. Earlier this year, they also inaugurated a three-year Biblical Counseling track to be taught by guest teachers from Baptist churches across Ukraine. Other courses of study offered at Minsk Seminary include Theology, Practical Ministry, Bible, Missionary and Evangelism, Music, and Christian Education.

These are only a few examples of the fruit of SGA-sponsored Bible training. More than just classes and textbooks, blackboards and lectures — these faithful schools and students are committed to the Gospel in their nations — nations where millions of people are still waiting to hear of Christ’s great love.