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Rooted in the Word
Training Workers in Moldova
Earlier this year 26 students gathered to begin their studies at the Mission School in Bălți, Moldova. Each of them has enrolled with a clear purpose to be better equipped for faithful, Christ-centred ministry.
The need for solid Biblical training remains as urgent as ever. We and our national partners believe those who serve in the church and seek to reach others with the Gospel must be firmly grounded in Scripture. As a result, this programme of study is not about mere academic knowledge or earning a recognised diploma. Rather, it is designed to shape servants of Christ whose thinking, character and ministries are rooted in the Word of God. Our conviction is clear; the Bible must be central to all Christian ministry. For this reason training leaders remains a core ministry of SGA as we seek to strengthen the Church through well-prepared, Biblically equipped workers.
Every student is already active in service and among the group are pastors, missionaries, youth and children’s workers. They are preaching, discipling, leading congregations, organising outreach and caring for believers week by week. Therefore their studies will not take place in isolation from ministry. Instead, what they learn will immediately strengthen and enrich the work they are already doing.
Over the next two years they will study under the wise leadership of Peter Mihalchiuk, who will do far more than organise the logistics of the Mission School. He will also mentor them, encourage them, and help them apply their studies to the realities of Gospel ministry. With his experience he knows the churches need faithful, mature workers who handle God’s Word carefully and serve His people with wisdom and humility.
Sasha is one of the new students. He pastors a church in Ukraine and travels to Moldova for each teaching session. In addition to serving his own congregation, he works as a missionary-evangelist in another church and oversees two evangelists in a third village. Though his responsibilities are significant, he recognises the need to deepen his theological understanding so his ministry remains grounded in the Gospel.
Alexandria’s ministry focuses on the next generation. She serves in youth and young adult work in her church, and helps co-ordinate and run day camps in village churches across Northern Moldova. Many of these small fellowships would struggle to organise such outreach alone, but Alexandria and her team help them reach children and families in their communities.
Day camps have proven to be an effective means for sharing the Gospel. The commitment of time and resources is significant, but Alexandria explains why she is dedicated to this work:
‘The most important thing is to tell the children about God and for them to know that God loves them. Many children come from families where they don’t know what love is. We can show them love only through God. That’s why I have come to this Mission School. I want to know the Bible better. It is very important for me to tell children about God using the Bible.’
As they continue their two years of study in Bălți, please pray for God’s blessing on each of these 26 students. Pray they will grow in knowledge, faith and character, and be thoroughly equipped for the ministry God has called them to.