SLAVIC GOSPEL ASSOCIATION

Innercircle Perspective

Jesus said . . . A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher (Luke 6:40).

First, I want to express deep appreciation for your faithfulness in prayer for our June 30th fiscal year-end, and for your help in meeting our substantial need. As I write, the final accounting has not yet been accomplished, but the results so far are encouraging. As our doors of opportunity are closing, it is you and our other precious partners in the Gospel who make all of our vital ministries possible.

I have recently returned from a tremendously exciting trip to Ukraine. It was an unplanned trip made necessary by the decision of our dear brother in Christ, Dr. Alexei Brinza, to step down from the leadership of Irpen Biblical Seminary. In 1991, he was chosen by the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of the Soviet Union to lead in the founding of this wonderful seminary that has produced 1,059 graduates, 95% of which are serving in local churches. Dr. Yakov Kuzmich Dukhonchenko — who was the leader of the UECB at the time — chose Pastor Brinza, then the pastor of Central Baptist Church in Zaporozhye and senior pastor for the whole state of Zaporozhye, because he had become known for his Isaiah 66:2 qualities.

This is the passage wherein God sets forth His standard for godliness. But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.

Dr. Dukhonchenko applied the teaching of Jesus in Luke 6:40. He wanted the president of the new seminary to be a man who would be a godly example to the faculty, staff, and to the students. For the next 17 years, Pastor Alexei Brinza instilled these vital qualities into the lives of the faculty, staff and students of Irpen Biblical Seminary. His faithfulness was recognized by The Master’s Seminary, which honored him by granting the Doctor of Divinity Degree.

On May 28, 2008, the Board of Trustees of Irpen Biblical Seminary reluctantly accepted the 76-year-old Dr. Brinza’s resignation as president, and joyfully granted his request that he be permitted to serve as the pastor of the seminary. He and his devoted wife of 50 years, Valentina, will continue to serve as counselors and encouragers to their beloved students. Dr. Igor Yaremchuk, who has served as the vice president of the seminary for ten years, was chosen as the new president.

The Lord saved Igor following his perilous Soviet Army tour as a helicopter gunman in the Afghanistan War. He became known for his faithful and gifted service to Christ in his local church, and in 1990 was chosen by church leaders to be brought to America for theological training. SGA sponsored his journey to America and his theological training at Moody Bible Institute, where he graduated with the M.A.B.S., and at Dallas Theological Seminary, where he completed the Master of Theology Degree. When he and his wife, Lena, returned to Ukraine, the Lord greatly blessed Igor’s ministry as a pastor, as a radio preacher, and as a traveling evangelist.

In 2006, Igor completed the Doctor of Ministry Degree in Expository Preaching at Dallas Theological Seminary. A zealous evangelist known for his humility and for sound biblical theology, Dr. Yaremchuk is eminently well qualified to lead Irpen Biblical Seminary forward for the glory of Christ and the blessing of His church in Ukraine. Please join us in prayer for Dr. Brinza in his new role as seminary pastor, and for Dr. Yaremchuk, as he seeks to build upon the strong Irpen Biblical Seminary foundation established by Dr. Brinza. Pray that God would enable Igor to sustain a godly example for the campus community, so that the students will continue to have teachers worthy of their emulation.