Global Partner
History of Involvement in Russia
Russia has changed a lot since Peter Mitskevich’s grandfather, Arthur, established correspondent Bible courses in the Soviet era amidst communist persecution and spent more than 10 years in prison for his Christian faith. Peter’s father, Valter, was fired from his job as a dentist after committing his life to the Lord and went on to serve as academic dean of this early Bible school. Yet during this emergence from nearly a century of secularized culture, the need for trained Christian leaders in Russia is greater than ever.
After having worked as a medical doctor, teacher, academic dean and ordained pastor, Peter became president of Moscow Theological Seminary—now called Theological Seminary of Moscow (TSM)—in 2007. With a master’s of theology from Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and a long history of Christian ministry, he has flourished in this role. Peter has brought a calm spirit, godly vision and a fierce passion for training Christian leaders to TSM.
Peter leads professors and students in establishing a new legacy of trained church leaders previously unseen in Russia. He says, “It’s exciting to serve and equip the next generation of church leaders for the 21st Century.” MTS is truly grateful to have such a competent, passionate leader with a long legacy of impacting Russia with the gospel.
Fellowship Bible Church has been thrilled to pray for Dr. Peter Mitskevich and TSM since 2010.
(information comes from the RLM website)
Biography
Peter began his spiritual pilgrimage at age 14 when he put his faith in Christ, fully aware of the dangers of making such a decision under Soviet rule. Years later, he became a medical doctor, but his professional life changed when he assisted the Gideon International Bible distribution ministry. People who received the Bible would ask Peter to help them understand Scripture, but he was not equipped to do so.
This motivated Peter to study at the Moscow Bible Institute, where he graduated in 1989. Sensing a need for deeper theological understanding, Peter and his wife, Tatiana, moved with their children to the United States so that he could study at Dallas Theological Seminary.
He received his Master of Theology degree in 1997. “My dream for Russia,” Peter says, “is that each town will have its own evangelical church, that each pastor will be theologically educated, that each church will have its own place of worship, and that each citizen of Russia will receive the Good News.”
(information comes from RLM site: Insight for Living: Russia)
Expenditures
Each year, we work with our global partners to refine how our involvement might support their essential ministry efforts and projects, and learn about their kingdom-advancement and ministry expansion dreams—if God would provide the means to make them happen.
Last year, God provided resources for our partners’ efforts from our Global Christmas giving. Our plenty, providing for their needs. We encourage you to pray and ask for the Lord’s leading in how your generosity can have an impact all around the world, all to the glory of God!
These funds will allow the largest of Moscow Theological Seminary regional training center, NCBI, to continue being a vital center for biblical education, pastoral training, church collaboration and equipping for Christian ministry in a region that is home to multiple Muslim people groups.
$12,000
MTS’s campus in Moscow is the cornerstone for building up church leaders across the country, and its ongoing health and support are essential. This campus helps pastors become more effective in preaching, teaching, evangelizing and making disciples, equipping nearly 50 students in Moscow and 500 additional church leaders across 11 time zones.
$20,000
Khabarovsk is 19 miles from the border with China. This city of nearly 600,000 is a major commercial center for the remote east of Russia, equipping church and ministry leaders from churches with Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian backgrounds. Students travel vast distances to these locations to study, fellowship, and be renewed in their ministry in cities across east Siberia. Because of its remote location, high costs and the need for MTS faculty to travel, the cost of operating this center is high.
$32,000
A recommendation has been made to hire additional Bible faculty, including an additional faculty member focused on the teaching and preaching of Old Testament and another focused exclusively on New Testament. Each of these new faculty positions will strengthen the ability of Russian pastors and leaders to teach and preach the Word of God with accuracy, power and effectiveness.
$18,000
NCBI is under harassment (including allegations that its wood floors and metal ceilings throughout the building are not up to fire code, and that the school is located too close to a cemetery), and local proceedings have been initiated to remove its license. As a result, it is expected to face additional legal expenses in the coming year: legal defense costs for court and administrative proceedings, licensing filings, and appeals.
$10,000
In the coming year, we hope to enhance and strengthen MTS’ distance learning efforts, providing stronger interactive online training programs.
$30,000
Contact Us
Email Rachel Box for more information on Dr. Peter Mitskevich, one of our partners in Russia.