RLM NEWS: Report from Moscow

RLM NEWS: Report from Moscow

In September there was a major gathering of the Moscow Theological Seminary Executive Board – with RLM members in attendance via Skype with an outstanding translation of the proceedings in English.

We opened with a timely devotional taken from Matthew 14 – Jesus’ miracle feeding the multitudes with just five loaves and two fish.

The focus of the gathering included reports on the impact of COVID 19, an update on licensing, the new Theological Seminary of Moscow registration, and the planning for the continued advancement of degree programs in Moscow and regional learning centers. Reports came from President Peter Mitskevich and Vice President reports from Gennady Sergienko, Alexey Markevich and Vladimir Pavlovski.

We at RLM celebrate the reality of our mission from the very beginning: Russians in Russia Leading Russians.

The session focussed on several KEY CHALLENGES:

  • Covid: has caused quarantine for many, the shift to virtual learning, and an 18% decline in enrollment for the current year.
  • Licensing affecting the granting of accredited degrees.
  • Loss of rental income due to coronavirus restrictions.
  • Increased governmental scrutiny – including the enforcement of building codes with respect to fire prevention.

MTS President Peter Mitskevich’s prognosis is direct: the situation is serious. He challenged the Board and RLM to continue to pray, in increase quality communication, and to utilize every legal means to defend our school. We are thankful for Dr. Mitskevich’s leadership.

RLM and MTS are working together to enhance the effectiveness of virtual and distance learning.

Work in our REGIONAL CENTERS continues: MTS sends teachers to Khabarovsk, Cheliabisk, Novokuznetsk, Noyabrsk, Rostov, NCBI, Golgotha church, Elabuga, Smolensk, Bryansk, Ryazan, Vologda.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Miskovitch read his opening statement: The Board, donors, and friends of Russian Leadership Ministries are very grateful to YOU for the faithful sacrificial service to prepare and equip new generation the leaders for the Russian Churches. We are pleased with the growth and development of your Board, faculty, and staff. We share in the pain of inspections, the loss of the educational license, and this season of a pandemic COVID 19; we ache in the shortages of Russian resources. Nevertheless, we at RLM are grateful to the Lord for YOU!

The challenges are great. But we serve a faithful God. As we bring these challenges to Him, we claim the promise that God’s work and God’s word will prevail!

POSTED Oct 13, 2020