Crown teaches an enhanced “Bible on Money” seminar in Moscow, Russia

The following article appeared in today’s Crown Europe Newsletter, edited by Christina Wolverton. “Anatoliy Musiuenko, National Director of Crown Ukraine, and Andrew Nedelchev visited Moscow, Russia between January 31 and February 3. They were invited to lead the conference from the Future Leadership Foundation and Moscow Baptist Seminary. They taught a full two-day “Bible on Money” enhanced course for students in the Master’s Program. There were 17 students- all of them pastors or church leaders- including Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, etc. Participants said they had never heard such a systematic and comprehensive overview before. One pastor stated, “I will definitely go back and teach that material to my church, the young people and children predominantly.” Another stated, “It is obvious that it has all been very well thought through and biblical texts have not been used out of their context.”

This is just a taste for the upcoming visit in November when a further enhanced version of this training will be offered to all 52 regional superintendents in the Russian Baptist Union, whose ministry reaches all 9 time zones of Russia.”

This past Monday and Tuesday, the Master’s level students at Moscow Seminary experienced The Bible on Money from Crown Financial.  Trainers were Anatoliy Musiyenko, director of Crown Ukraine, located in Kiev, Ukraine, and Andrew Nedelchev, program director for Crown Europe from Sofia, Bulgaria.

It was the privilege of the Future Leadership Foundation to host this event in order to teach biblical financial concepts to the emerging leaders of evangelical Eastern Europeans.

A large thank you to donors who support events like this that participants otherwise would not have. The global missions budget for Crown does not keep pace with the requests that even come through the Future Leadership Foundation so FLF brings a partnership to this that is absolutely vital to the future of Kingdom business worldwide.

Leonid Mikhovich, president of Minsk Seminary, and his wife Tatiana

These have been wonderful days of fellowship, friendship, learning, teaching, worshiping, and much much more.

Sunday saw worship experiences in two churches, Light of the Gospel and Bethlehem, as well as lunch with Minsk Seminary president, Leonid Mikhovich to talk about the ongoing work of the seminary, their vision and their needs.

On Monday, in the midst of meeting leaders about their work, and  taking care of details in registration here in Belarus, I was privileged to be invited to tea with the faculty and staff at the seminary as Leonid and Tatiana Mikhovich announced the coming of a baby into their family in February.

Jacob Timofeev, Vice President of Minsk Seminary and his wife, Tatiana were my gracious hosts in their home for supper last night. His words at the table are still ringing in my ears…”We only invite special friends to our table for a feast”. AND FEAST WE DID as friends, co-laborers with Christ, and pilgrims on the journey together. I have so much for which to be thankful.

May we all continue to extend the invitation to become friends of God around the world, to His glory, and the healing of the nations, as we look forward to a time of true thanksgiving.

There was an air of excitement and joy in the room as the students, faculty, administration, and guests of Minsk Theological raised their voices in singing “How Great Thou Art” [sung traditionally at each graduation].

The seventh graduating class at Minsk Theological Seminary

The seventh graduating class of 22 students of the Minsk Theological Seminary in Minsk, Belarus took place today. This is the first time that the seminary graduation was held in the chapel of the seminary - a part of the seminary that was made possible largely due to Missouri Baptist Foundation efforts.

John Jackson, FLF Secretary, speaking and Lera Nomenko, seminary librarian, interpreting

It was my distinct honor and priviledge to speak and sing at this historic graduation service at the invitation of Leonid Mikhovich, president of the seminary.

The student leader for this class was Alvian Rizhkof who is also the newly ordained pastor of the Baptist Church in Babriusk. During his address, Alvian indicated that the students has raised 10,000,000 BYR [$3659.00 USD] for the seminary.

Leonid Mikhovich, president of Minsk Theological Seminary and Alexander Firisiuk, past president of the UECB of Belarus

Other speakers at the service included Nickolai Sinkovets, president of the Baptist Union, Victor Krutko, trustee of the seminary, Alexander Firisiuk, past president of the Baptist Union, and a host of students and other faculty.

Giving gifts from FLF to graduates

A reception luncheon was held in the student cafe adjacent to the chapel, a facility that was also made available largely to Missouri Baptist Foundation funding.