Dr. Larry Duncan
SGA Director of Bible Training

For many years now, SGA partners have helped support a fruitful Bible training effort across the former Soviet Union called the Antioch Initiative. It is designed to help train pastors and church workers who are unable to attend a seminary. It gives them a better understanding of sound doctrine and encourages effective church planting.

In May, SGA board member Brian Kult enjoyed a fruitful week teaching Biblical Counseling to our Uzbek brothers, helping them to be better equipped to understand and handle God’s Word. This Antioch course is a foundational track of study that helps attendees to grow in the understanding and use of the Scriptures in counseling. Pastor Shukhrat coordinated this time of study and sent his heartfelt thanks on behalf of the pastors. “Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ! Thank you for brother Brian! He has been a great blessing to us all! The session went very well. God worked in each one of us! The lessons were relevant and accurate for us.” Pastor Arkady, leader of the Baptist Union in Uzbekistan, added, “We sincerely thank you for Brian—the Bible counseling sessions went wonderfully. It was seamless, easy, and clear (blessed). He also interacted with our youth. The brothers send you their warmest regards.”

The role of SGA is vital to the further development of the training ministry in Uzbekistan. The pastors’ desire and vision is to reestablish seminary level training there.

Then in Georgia, Pastor John Ringo had a good start to his Antioch session on expository preaching. John noted that there were about 15 participating with 5-6 men in their 20s. This is such a blessing to have a solid group of younger men being trained as faithful expositors of God’s Word. Lord willing, they will be the future preachers and perhaps teachers in the nation of Georgia.

In addition, the first session of Antioch training has concluded in Khabarovsk, Russia. Approximately 58 men are participating, and this is unusually large for an Antioch session, but the men are truly hungry for further training. Thank you for praying, and please continue praying for these faithful students as God brings them to mind.