On Sunday, January 20th, Blessing Church in Angarsk, Irkutsk region, Siberia, greeted 41 graduates of Angarsk branch of the Moscow Theological Institute at the Graduation Ceremony.
41 graduates studied for four years to become Bachelors of Christian ministry. And four more graduates received diplomas of Christian Ministers. This is a very significant addition to the structure of the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostal Union) in Irkutsk and Krasnoyarsk regions, Buryatia and Yakutia Republics.
One of the graduates said, «A pastor with a diploma is not the same as a pastor without a diploma.» Our churches are in need of knowledgeable, skilled ministers. Indeed, a minister, with university training has a lot more credibility in the eyes of people with whom he has to interact in the course of his activities. In addition, no one doubts the practical benefits of such training. The knowledge that was received, and, most importantly, the ability to apply it, raise the level of ministry to a significantly higher level. It is the understanding of this makes the studies at the Institute highly popular among ministers for the past eight years.
Qualified teachers and professors, well-written curriculum and well-organized educational process are the components of quality training and obtaining all necessary knowledge and skills. MTI has always been known for it, and Angarsk branch keeps the standards high.
The Graduation Ceremony started with a welcome address to the students from the MTI Academic Dean Pavel Onufriychuk. Branch director Jean-Marc Vasiliev and deputy Head Bishop of the Pentecostal Union in the Siberian Federal District, Bishop Anatoly Boyarchuk also addressed them with congratulatory words. They thanked graduates for their faithfulness to God, for the work and for their devotion to ministry. They wished the graduates to continue the learning process as they serve God and people, and to preach the Gospel.
In response, graduates thanked their teachers and professors for their hard labor and love.
We wish Angarsk branch of the MTI, its faculty, staff and students further fruitful work in God's field and God's great blessings, as well as many new students who are hungry for knowledge and passionate for the Lord.
The Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith
