The Mission School in Balti, North Moldova, has proved to be a strategic instrument in the work of God in that region. For 30 years dedicated men and women have been trained and equipped for Gospel ministry.
Pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and youth workers have all passed through the school. The variety and scope of the ministries of former students is truly amazing and a cause for great thanksgiving to God. There have been times when we have wondered how long this Mission School would continue, but God is still using it for His own purposes and glory.
VISION
The overall vision of the Mission School in Balti remains the same – to equip national believers to reach their own people with the Gospel.
After doing this for 30 years it might seem that the need for such training has diminished. However, Peter Mihalchiuk, SGA’s regional Coordinator and director of the Mission School would beg to differ. Recently, he stressed the need for this ministry to continue. Explaining the current context he said:
‘In Moldova we are at the point where the generations are changing in ministry. We used to have spiritually strong leaders who started their ministry during the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, many of them have passed away and they have passed their ministry to us.
The new times [mean] people have access to information on the internet which can produce lots of questions and challenges. And so we need preachers who know the scriptures well, who know scientific and historical facts, and who can preach effectively and faithfully. The strategy of our School is to keep the spirit of faithfulness and devotion that we had with [previous] ministers, but alongside that, we want to give our students wisdom and knowledge so that they can be effective instruments in the hands of our Lord.’
GRADUATION
An important milestone in the life of the Mission School was reached on the 3rd December 2021 when the 14th group of students graduated from their studies. Despite huge challenges brought about by the pandemic, 24 students received their diplomas during a graduation service marked with an attitude of worship and thanksgiving.
Throughout the day, the fellowship was sweet and the expressions of appreciation from the students were heart–warming.
One student, Vladimir Toporets, shared:
‘I am responsible for ministry in 3 churches. Last year we started working in 5 more villages where there are no believers. I really needed the knowledge, fellowship, and spiritual growth [that came with my time in the school]. I am so busy in my ministry;
the great danger is I do not give enough time for personal spiritual growth.’
Another student, Valeriy Koserik, said:
‘Before attending the School, I had the desire to preach but I didn’t have the instruments and methods to do it properly. But the school equipped me … There is a lack of preachers and ministers in our area … and I travel to neighbouring villages (to preach).’
All these graduates need our continued prayers as they enter the harvest field where labourers are greatly needed.
FUTURE
At the time of writing, the 15th group of students have commenced their studies. This is naturally a time of excitement and anticipation, but also a time when prayer is needed. Peter explains this need when he says:
‘We need to pray for the new students, because experience has shown their two years of study is going to be a spiritual battle. Satan does not like the fact that we are preparing spiritually strong ministers and workers in this place … I become a pastor for each of them. I try to protect them as much as I can, and I would love to have all the students finish their education and become ministers of the Gospel. So, we must pray about this. We need to understand that we don’t battle to give knowledge, no we battle to make them real ministers and servants of the Lord.’
We give God alone the glory for what He has done and continues to do through this Mission School.
We commend this strategic ministry to your prayers as we seek God’s special blessing on these dedicated Gospel workers.