Dr. Peter Mitskevich received his medical doctorate and then earned a master’s degree in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Peter’s extensive experience as a teacher, academic dean, and ordained pastor has provided the experience that aided him in becoming the president of Moscow Theological Seminary (MTS). Fellowship Bible Church has partnered with Peter since 2010.
Since 1993, MTS has been training local Christian leaders to bring the Gospel of Christ to their churches and communities throughout Russia. In addition to the main campus in Moscow, MTS currently includes 8 Regional Training Centers strategically located across population centers in Russia serving a current total of 498 students. Enrollment numbers have dropped recently due to wartime strains. Still, the seminary presses on knowing that both degreed and certificate programs in high-need areas such as pastoral studies, biblical counseling, youth ministry, church administration, and preaching will be needed by a hurting nation today more than ever. To date over 2,500 graduates of MTS are serving Russian churches and ministries.
The seminary serves a critical need as less than 1% of Russia’s 143 million people identify as evangelical Christians, and 90% of Russian communities are still without a Bible-teaching church in the area. The fall of communism in the early 1990’s ushered in new freedoms, yet economic struggles and religious oppression linger to this day. Challenges with the devastation of war, high unemployment, and ensuing social issues have been yielding a profound spiritual yearning. Many Russians, particularly the younger generations have deep spiritual questions. The Russian church seeks more trained leaders to address this hunger and biblical illiteracy. Most Russians lack a clear understanding of their need for Jesus Christ and repentance, nor do they know how to address their spiritual need.
The nature of Peter’s work presents many challenges: in addition to overseeing the seminary, its regional training centers, and leading the Russian Baptist Union, he is also frequently called in to interact with government officials. Most recently, the government audited the MTS library and confiscated no small number of Christian books and teaching materials they deemed offensive and “anti-Russian”. Other Christian leaders, including Peter, are having to spend time responding to government lawsuits for various and similar reasons, some of which have resulted in hefty fines, closures, or revoking of certifications. There are additional challenges such as internet connections being blocked at the school.
As Peter often prays, please join him in asking that God’s will be done, and that He would lead them in these challenging times as He has in the past; that the preaching of Jesus Christ would continue to grace Russia’s pulpits despite any obstacles.
