Ukrainian seminary rises up to serve former Soviet Union

Odessa Theological Seminary (OTS) in Ukraine was founded in 1989. Ukraine is home to one of Europe’s largest and fastest growing evangelical populations, which has grown markedly since Ukrainian independence in 1991. The fall of the former Soviet Union and the following years of rebuilding the social system left the Church with many and varied opportunities for ministry.

The seminary’s programs are focused on helping the local Church respond to contextual realities. Two of their programs could be called a direct answer to local needs: the Bachelor of Pastoral Ministry program used to educate current and prospective pastors and the Diploma in Evangelism program used to prepare church lay leaders for active involvement in evangelistic and church planting activities. OTS even started a sign language program to train students in reaching the deaf community.

The seminary is already involved in a consortium of distance learning. OTS plans to expand their program through new information technology and the development of short-time seminars for alumni, local pastors and lay people. With concern for global awareness and missions, the school of 790 graduates also recently started a program for Ukrainian students to be involved in Middle East missions.

Graduate Kamill Abdulaev is the Pastor of a small church he helped start with his ministry team in a fast-developing subdivision of Odessa. “I am very thankful to the Lord for my training at OTS,” he says, “for my knowledge of the Bible, church growth, missions…and self-study skills.” He’s also thankful for the OTS students who serve at the church through practical ministries. “Those students are a special blessing to us.”