M o s c o w – The Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists in Russia is streamlining its theological education. Its two Moscow institutions, the Theological Seminary and the Theological Institute, which offers courses by extension, have been merged. A new Rector has also been appointed: the Rev. Peter Mitskevich. The 48-year-old Mitskevich, a medical doctor, has also served as Vice-President of his church since 2002. He was now elected unanimously by the seminary’s Executive Committee. In Russia he is also widely known as a radio speaker. He has in the past served at the seminary as Dean and as Instructor for Systematic and Pastoral Theology.

Following his medical studies, Mitskevich studied theology in Moscow and Dallas, Texas. He was ordained in 1991. He states regarding the newest task: “I am excited about the great opportunity to serve my Lord and my nation Russia. The churches of Russia need pastors and teachers from our school. The people of Russia need the Lord.”

The new seminary has 223 students, 199 of whom are studying by extension. They study not only in Moscow, but also decentrally in Chelyabinsk (Ural), Kemerovo (Western Siberia), Chita (east of Baikal) and Noyabrsk (Northwestern Siberia). Additional campuses are in the offing: A new branch is to be opened this October in Leninsk-Kuznetsky (near Kemerovo) and in Rostov-on-Don next year. All schools offer Bachelors and Masters degrees.

This seminary is supported by the US-based Russian Leadership Ministries (RLM). It provides 90% of the support for students, the academic programme and the administration. RLM is headed by Ian Chapman of Edinburg, Virginia, a BWA-Vice President.

Founding Rector of the seminary was Alexander Kozynko, who served until last year. Long-time Institute Rector Vladimir Ryaguzov, also founding head of the Russian Evangelical Alliance, began a sabbatical year in October 2006.

The Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists has 1.300 congregations with an adult membership of roughly 78.000. Mitskevich will be officially installed on 25 September in Moscow.