Two Decades of God’s Faithfulness

Almaty Bible Institute Celebrates 20 Years

My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples (John 15:8).

In last month’s InSight, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Irpen Biblical Seminary in Ukraine. This issue, we rejoice yet again as another SGA-sponsored school—Almaty Bible Institute in Kazakhstan—celebrates 20 years of preparing future pastors and church workers for lifetimes of fruitful ministry.

The founding of Almaty Bible Institute (ABI) dates back to August 1991. A group of pastors and Sunday school teachers from across Kazakhstan (plus a few others from Russia and Uzbekistan) gathered together in a conference and recognized the need for permanent Bible training courses. As was the case for all the former Soviet republics, Bible schools had not been allowed under communist rule. All that changed when the Soviet Union broke up in 1991. Shortly after the conference, initial classes at the new ABI were offered under the leadership of Pastor Viktor Zinchenko, Almaty’s first director. SGA partners began sending support to the new Bible school in 1992. For several years, classes were held at a local church building in Almaty, but eventually ABI was moved to a new building in September 1998. Construction of the excellent facility was made possible principally by the grants received from an SGA partner foundation.

SGA’s Dr. Roman Dechtiarenko (center) with his Almaty students.

In May 1994, ABI graduated its first class from the pastoral studies program and the second class of students was accepted. The new students came from throughout Kazakhstan and from other churches across the Central Asian republics. SGA’s Dr. Roman Dechtiarenko, adjunct professor, with regular teaching visits, became a cherished member of the faculty.

Dr. Oleg Korotky, a graduate of SGA’s Irpen Biblical Seminary in Kiev, followed Pastor Zinchenko as president of Almaty Bible Institute and served with excellence for eight years until his move to Israel in 2010. Oleg looks back on his tenure at ABI with fondness, and is thankful for what God has done through the years …

ABI’s graduates are a key factor in evangelizing central Asia.

The purpose of ABI is to develop students in three different directions — academically, spiritually, and practically, with the final purpose of influencing local churches in their ministry. The institute prepares ministers for the five Muslim republics of Central Asia, and its graduates and students are ministering through almost all of Central Asia. For example, about 35% of the pastors in Kazakhstan are graduates or students of ABI, and the number of pastors is growing. One of our graduates is the pastor of the biggest UECB church in Kazakhstan and in all of Central Asia. He is also one of the leaders of the Baptist Union in Kazakhstan, and this gives him the opportunity to strengthen many other churches in the country.

Before ABI began, no one could preach expository sermons, and Christians were unfamiliar with exegesis. There were a lot of problems with understanding Bible doctrines. Many churches were holding to certain traditions, not understanding that sometimes traditions are not consistent with the Scriptures. But our students started to teach local congregations Bible doctrines, and in so doing, strengthened many churches in their spiritual life and ministry. Many students became missionary pastors across Central Asia, with many new churches and small groups being planted. One of our graduates is from Uzbekistan, and he has a strong influence in his region there. Their church has around 800 members, yet largely meets in small groups. This underground church is carrying its ministry forward in a very strong Muslim environment.

ABI president Alexander Karyakov.

To date, Almaty Bible Institute has graduated more than 550 students, with 167 of them graduating from the pastoral program. Today, Pastor Alexander Karyakov, a graduate of SGA’s Odessa Theological Seminary, serves as president, and he believes the mission of ABI is as vital today as it was 20 years ago …

Our students come from all regions of Kazakhstan, as well as from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Some 70 percent of our graduating students are involved in evangelistic ministry, preaching and discipleship. The impact can be measured by the trust among churches in Central Asia for our spiritual and biblical education. We are a key source ensuring the proclamation of sound conservative biblical doctrines and evangelical Christianity. Many brothers and sisters from the rural provinces have access now to a quality biblical education. This definitely makes up for the lack of such training during the Soviet period when it was impossible.

We are thankful to the Lord for ABI, and for our faithful partners who have helped make its two decades of ministry possible. President Karyakov is looking forward with excitement to see what God will continue to do through ABI — a fountain of biblical truth for all of Central Asia.