College News
January 2010
Preaching Training Enthusiastically Received
A pastor preaches after a week of intense training for 12 pastors and 18 students training for missionary service at the Eurasian College in Kazan, Tatarstan.
Pastors travelled hundreds of kilometres from all over Tatarstan, in low temperatures (typically -20 degrees C) on snow-ploughed roads, in order to be at the conference. They had to work hard when they arrived, learning three aspects of sermon preparation:
Understanding the meaning of a text: Associate Pastor of Faith & Life Church in Kazan, Seva Sarandov taught this material, helping the preachers to identify the main idea of any given Bible passage, rather than preach the ideas the words or ideas that the verses trigger in the preachers’ minds.
The message of the book of Acts: After shovelling snow for a day to free his car from snow in Devon to drive to Heathrow, Graham Herbert (photo below with interpreter Alfia) arrived in Kazan to teach the theme of the spread of the gospel from the book of Acts. It was exciting material that encouraged the church-planters in their endeavours, and gave them an understanding of Acts that will inform their preaching in coming months.
Graham Herbert teaches from the book of Acts
Preaching to the heart: I (Tim McMahon) taught the late-afternoon session each day. We considered how to preach the message of grace from every biblical text in a way that addresses the hearts and changes the lives of our hearers. Despite tiredness after a long day’s work, the students and pastors were highly motivated to engage with this issue, and saw how the most common method adopted by Russian preachers for applying God’s Word to the lives of hearers (stressing just the moral imperatives in a text) can undermine the Bible’s overall message of grace to which each text contributes. I gave some sample sermons so the pastors could experience being captivated by the grace of Christ, and see how this can motivate profound change. I was pleased to see the pastors wrestle with changing their approach in the workgroup sessions, and to hear them trying to preach grace in their practice sermons at the end of the week.
Some play, not just work!
Pastors and teachers having dinner together
Conferences such as this provide an important opportunity for much needed fellowship between pastors doing gospel ministry in difficult contexts. Graham and I shared in meals and conversations (through interpreters!) that continued long into the night after we left (photo with pastors). The students training at the College were able to hear directly from pastors what church planting ministry is like over the long term, as some of the pastors have been labouring for more than 15 years. All were spurred on to serve!
Prayer needs
Mission News
December 2009
Church helps community and changes lives
Eurasian College graduate Radik G serving in DERBYSHKI shares with great joy of the district officials changing their attitude to the church and allowing them to use the town’s “Culture House” for meetings, including evangelistic events. This came about because of the good work the church did during the summer among children.
Children attending a Derbyshki church event
Radik also shares of the tragic home-life of some children due to alcoholism of parents, and the refuge that church members and the church children’s work provides. Two 14 year old girls went to summer camp because of the church’s ministry, have professed Christ, and are now growing in the Lord. The church is gearing up for a number of evangelistic Christmas events, and ask for our prayers.
Prayer needs
Bearing fruit in the Crimea
Misha G serving in THE CRIMEA relates a remarkable opportunity he had to explain the gospel to five leaders of another faith, and dispel their preconceptions about Christianity. The meeting went so well that the men wish to have further meetings!
People are interested in the library books even in cold weather
Despite the cold weather, educated people are expressing interest in the library Misha and Nikolai run. God’s word proclaimed and Christian lives of integrity are having an impact in the Crimea!
Prayer needs
College News
November 2009
Principal at work
College Principal Feodor outside the College entrance
Eurasian Missionary College Principal Feodor has been helping the Central Asian students make the journey over the border into KAZAKHSTAN to renew their 3-month Russian entry visas. Feodor has been helping one of the Central Asian college students and his wife to resettle in their homeland where the student hopes to juggle his field ministry with further college studies by correspondence.
Prayer needs
College News
October 2009
Graduates committed to Christ-centred preaching that engages the heart
Graduates at lunch with Tim McMahon during training week
10 graduates serving in various states in Russia, the Cauacasus, and Central Asia, worked hard with me (Tim McMahon) learning how Christ is the fulfilment of every part of Scripture and of all that God requires and desires of us in relationship with Him. We saw how revealing this when we preach from the Bible will move our hearers’ hearts to desire to love and serve Christ despite all our failings and inadaequacies. I preached an example sermon and showed how I prepared it. The graduates then prepared sermons from various parts of Scripture to “learn by doing”. It was encouraging for me to see them “get it”, and be excited by how preparing and preaching this way is far more effective at motivating change in their hearers than the usual approach prevalent in the region where pastors pressure their congregations to obey.
Russian students conduct mission this week
Students preparing puppets with teacher David Pannabecker
The full-time residential students are in the middle of their three-week “practice” where they help a church-planter in Tatarstan establish a church. The Russian students head to the city of Alexeevsky today to join Eugene, a previous College graduate, and will help him run a contact event – a children’s coomunity football event. Eugene’s service in the city, along with the Youth Mission Teams that have cleaned the streets in the city in last few summers, has won the support of the deputy mayor, who will attend the event! The students will also put on evangelistic puppet shows later this week with the skills they learned from guest teacher David Pannabecker at the end of September.
Central Asian students travel to Kazakhstan for visa renewals
Due to the tight restrictions on the College’s operations by the Russian government, today the Central Asian students left with College Principal Feodor Dzuba to drive the 600 mile return journey to the Kazakhstan border so that they can renew their visas for another 3 months.
Students with new Central Asian contacts they met through sport
THANK GOD for the 5 Tajik men the students have made contact with in the first week of their practice helping College mentor Aslan plant a church to reach Central Asians living in Kazan.
Prayer needs
College News
August 2009
Bumper crop of students for 2009-2010 academic year!
12 of the 20 applicants who have applied to train full-time at Eurasian College from September 2009
Bucking the trend of declining enrolments in Bible colleges and seminaries throughout the region, Eurasian College has been inundated with applicants for the forthcoming full-time residential one-year missionary training programme beginning September 2009. Applicants come from various "-stans" in Central Asia, as well as the Caucasus, Moldova, Tatarstan and one from Moscow.
All the applicants have heard about the College from previous graduates or from visits by College staff in the last academic year. The ministries of previous College graduates have been the commending factor of the College's training for many of the applicants.
Some want to train at EMC to become church-planters afterwards, others want to become better equipped for ministry in their present churches. Such a number wanting to get better equipped for gospel ministry is great news for building the Kingdom of God.
Sponsor a Student
You or your church can partner in equipping these gospel servants by participating in our "Sponsor a Student" programme. Click here to go to our Giving page for further details.
Mission News
July 2009
Summer Children and Youth Camps
Children at a summer camp last year
On 2nd July the first of three children and youth camps to be held over the summer began. If all the camps go ahead as planned, over 200 children will hear the Good News of salvation by Jesus Christ over the summer and enjoy the care of committed Christian leaders for 10-15 days on each camp. The Association of churches that organise the camps are having to legally defend the remaining 15 years of the 25 year lease they have on the campsite land. A court hearing is set for 13 July. Please pray that all the camps will run this summer without external interference, and that the Association's right to use the land in years to come will be upheld.
Summer Youth Mission Teams
Clean streets, clean towns, clean hearts T-shirt
In July teams of youth have gone to a number of cities in Tatarstan to assist the church-planters working in them to serve their cities by cleaning the streets. The team members where T-shirts with the slogan "Clean streets, clean towns, clean hearts" (see photo). Their unpaid community service inevitably arouses interest among people who live in the towns in which they serve, and often draws approval from the city administration. Contacts are made which the church-planter can follow through after the mission. The mission team members get a taste of missionary service which can lead to future commitment to mission in their adult life.
(UK) Keswick 11-17 July
If you are going to the first week of the Keswick Convention in the Lake District in July, why not come and say hello to me at the Earthworks exhibition? I would love to chat and bring you up-to-date on more sensitive news that I cannot put on this website.
Eurasian Ministries exhibit
Prayer needs
College News
June 2009
Camping and Teaching by the Volga
Graduates and Tim discussing the Bible at camp
In June I (Tim McMahon) had a fruitful time teaching 15 College graduates serving variously in Russia, the Caucasus and two Central Asian countries. For a week we looked together at the theme of perseverance in gospel ministry from the book of Hebrews. This was a particularly special time because we spent the week camping under canvas on the banks of the Volga River. This time "in Nature" (as our Russian brothers and sisters affectionately call it) was very special, as it gave these hard-working servants of the Lord a chance to be refreshed spiritually and physically, sharing fellowship with one another and praying for each other's ministries. I was privileged to spur them on to continued service, trusting the Lord Jesus for help and strength.
The realities of life and ministry
An Evening class on Ecclesiastes
The following week I taught the evening course students in Kazan from the book of Ecclesiastes. This biblical book, maybe more than any other, explains why life and ministry can be so frustrating, yet it also spurs us on to live in faithful service of our Creator even when everything does not make sense. During this week I especially enjoyed the company of another UK pastor who taught the graduates about spiritual reformation from the book of Nehemiah. He too experienced the hurly-burly of ministry in Russia, hearing of some mild persecution and exciting answers to prayer. All the students went back to their ministries enthused to continue in faithful service of their Lord despite difficulties in ministry.
UK News
April 2009
College Founder awarded Doctorate!
College founder Insur Shamgunov and his doctoral thesis
In March Eurasian College founder Insur Shamgunov was awarded his doctorate by Oxford University! He completed his field-based research “Listening to the voice of the graduate: An analysis of professional practice and training for ministry in Central Asia” in under four years – a new record for this type of thesis in the Education faculty at Oxford University. We are now arranging translation of his thesis into Russian and distribution to Christian training institutions in Russia and Central Asia so that it can inform missionary and pastor training in the region for decades to come. If you wish, you can download his 300 page thesis - click here. Be warned, this is a 3 MB PDF file!
New Word Alive 4-9 April
If you are going to the New Word Alive Christian festival in Wales in the secomd week of April, why not say hello to me at the Exhibition stands? Below is a photo from last year. I would love to chat and bring you up-to-date on more sensitive news that I cannot put on this website.
Tim McMahon at New Word Alive in 2008
Prayer needs
Email Tim McMahon for more detailed information about these and other items
tim.mcmahon@eurasian-ministries.orgCollege News
February 2009
From 19 to 24 January, pastors, missionaries and preachers from all over Tatarstan gathered at the College for preaching training seminars run by Langham Partnership (John Stott's preacher training organisation). The these was preaching the book of Revelation. UK pastors David McCahon and Peter Comont led the sessions. Insur Shamgunov also taught!
Training to Preach from the Book of Revelation
Pastors discussing sermon preparation
During the week the participants listened to lectures and worked in groups to learn how to structure and prepare a sermon. On the weekend they had an opportunity to preach their sermon on the set passage from the book of Revelation. The seminar atmosphere helped us to better master the skills needed for preparing a sermon and to see the typical mistakes to avoid. Many of the pastors have received good material for a series of sermons to take back to their churches. Some of them have started to preach on the book of Revelation already! In the “Revival” Church at Nizhnekamsk two sermons on Revelation were preached on a single Sunday.
The seminar also included teaching on the themes of “Integrity in the life of the pastor” and ”The emotional involvement of people in our churches”. This provided the opportunity for preachers to reflect on their spiritual lives and to share experiences about the lives of people in their churches. Many of the pastors are isolated and minister in difficult places. The last seminar was of great encouragement to them. I thank you for your participation and prayers for the ministry in Tatarstan.
Intensive training in another city
Students in Nizhnekamsk working together to learn an Old Testament timeline
For a week in February, a record number of students came to Tim McMahon's Old Testament Survey course in Nizhnekamsk. There were between 15 and 20 students every night, from a wide range of ages and backgrounds. The group included an elderly married couple, a mother with her teenage daughter, and men and women of widely varying educational backgrounds. The material taught was interactive in nature, requiring the students to work in groups to place cards in their correct order on a timeline made of tape on the floor (see photo). That the majority of students came back four nights in a row, most after a full day at work, is testimony to their hunger to learn.
Prayer needs
College News
January 2009
The first month of 2009 will be very busy in events at the College. We will be running or hosting training seminars every week in January. Please pray that God’s people are equipped through them!
5-9 January Events
Ministry for the deaf at Faith and Life church, Kazan
From 5 to 9 January there will be seminars for ministry to the deaf and hard of hearing people. This idea was suggested by a group of deaf persons in our church "Faith and Life", and they then organised the whole event. Deaf persons are invited to the seminars with teachers from Moscow. They shall be glad to see other deaf brothers and sisters from different cities and churches.
At the same time as these seminars are being run in Kazan, Tim McMahon will be teaching an the New Testament Survey course to evening students in the city of Bugulma, to the far SE of Tatarstan. This is a keen group of students who want to make the most of the New Year holiday period to learn God's Word.
Some of the Bugulma class during a tea break. Interestingly, the group is mainly men.
12-19 January
From 12 to 19 January there will be the first week of a two week course on preaching for the evening course students in Kazan. Former College staff member Vasily Makarov will teach the course. He is now serving as a preaching Elder at his church in the city of Chelney.
Vasily - Preaching course teacher
19-24 January
From 19 to 24 January we invite to the College pastors, missionaries and preachers from all over Tatarstan. Langham Partnership (John Stott's preacher training organisation) will run preaching training seminars especially for these workers at the coal-face of evangelism in this nation.. The theme of the seminars will be: "Preaching on the book of Revelation", with Pastor Peter Comont from the UK, assisted by Insur Shamgunov.
Peter Comont teaching at the inaugural preaching seminars in March 2008
Prayer needs
College News
November 2008
Evening Training in Tatarstan
Bugulma class
In September and October, the evening education programme continued with New Testament and Old Testament Survey courses being taught in Kazan, Nizhnekamsk and Bugulma. Students in the evening courses were very glad to continue in their second year of training.
Refreshment for Missionary Graduates
At the end of October and the beginning of November we had the six-monthly session of our Bachelor of Missions programme. Our graduates from Russia and Central Asia were all able to come for it. It was especially joyful to see brothers from one particularly persecuted country. They are now suffering very strong persecution. The police watch almost every house where believing people gather. For them the chance to study in Kazan is like a long breath of “fresh air” during their persecutions.
Graduates fellowshipping at the College
Prayer needs
College News
September 2008
South Ossetia – help to refugees
Not so long ago we witnessed the military conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia. This is the third instance of armed conflict between the two sides since November 1989. Almost 70 % of people from South Ossetia have been compelled to move to North Ossetia. Local Christian churches and organizations in North Ossetia give humanitarian aid to the refugees, but so much is needed that they simply do not have enough people to take supplies and meals to the refugees. So we sent two Radiks to help! Radik Gabdrakhmanov – a graduate of the college who is both pastor of the church in Derbyshki and a part-time college employee, and Radik Karabaev – also a graduate of the college and a missionary. They drove 1,200 miles by car from Kazan to the South Ossetian city of Vladikavkaz to assist the aid efforts.
Radik G distributing aid
The first thing that struck them was how little the refugees had. They were glad to receive even children's toys, and talked about receiving shampoos, clothes and meals. Many people are open to the Gospel and listen gladly. An example was an elderly woman who did not speak Russian. It was difficult to communicate with her but when the Radiks presented a New Testament to her in the Ossetic language, she was delighted. She began to read it immediately, and said it was the best “aid” she had received!
Radik K distributing aid
Visit to Beslan
Our team also visited the city of Beslan for one day. During the terrorist capture of a school there in 2004, 335 people perished, 156 of whom were children. Not far from this place of tragedy a cemetery has been built. While the team was visiting this cemetery, they met an elderly man. He told them he was an evangelical Christian and that he had lost 6 grandsons in the tragedy. He said all of them had attended Sunday School. Later Radik Gabdrakhmanov said that was the heaviest day of the entire trip.
Radik K at Beslan Cemetery
From mid-November Radik Karabaev will do a year’s missionary service in Ossetia. We ask you to pray for his ministry there.
Prayer needs
College News
July 2008
Summer Mission
Youth Mission Team
Every year together with the Association of Christian Evangelical Free Churches, a Youth Missionary Team is organised. It is made up of young people in teams of 5-10. Over the course of two weeks they are engaged in social work in a city where a new church has been created. This year we had nearly 30 people - youth from the churches of Tatarstan and Moldova, as well as our students and graduates of the college. Before a field trip a teacher from the college lead them in training. They could refresh their understanding of the Gospel and mission, and also to get better acquainted with one other. Participants of the project had time to tell each other about themselves and to spend time praying before they went out.
The cities they visited were small, typically with a population of 20-50,000 people. Usually in such cities people consider the evangelical church to be a sect. By doing social work the church is shown in a different light. Wearing special T-shirts with the logo “Clean city, Clean hearts”, the teams cleaned the streets of the city. They swept pavements, cut bushes and lawns, painted various structures and were engaged in other dirty work. Small groups of youth with bright T-shirts and caps in the streets of the city certainly drew the attention of passers-by. It provided opportunities to tell the gospel.
Missionary Camp on an island
The other opportunity for participation in a short-term missionary trip was undertaken in extreme conditions: in the middle of the river with use of boats, tents and the special equipment needed for life on an island.
Landing on the island
It was the project of local Baptist churches in which one of the College staff took part as the teacher, with students and graduates of the college and parishioners from the church. The first three days on the island were training days. There were classes for different categories of people: a class for new coverts was held by leaders from the Baptist churches; and a class for missionaries and mentors was conducted me, the teacher from the college. The missionaries learned practical skills for evangelism among the particular groups of people we were likely to meet in the city. The class for mentors had similar training. There were many tests, practical tasks, group discussions to strengthen relationships and to help everyone work more effectively in a team. Also there was time for games of football and volleyball and evening discussions around a campfire.
Training on the island
But the most important thing happened on days 4 and 5 of the camp. After three days of training the campers had to evangelise on the streets of a city with a population of nearly 120,000 people and that was also a centre for gambling in the region. You could tell the campers were nervous about the forthcoming event, but it all went very well. The boat came on the appointed day and transported the equipment and people from the island to the coast near the city. It was similar to a sea landing which has put a ship ashore for the evangelisation of a people.
Evangelism in the street
In the city there were 5 places where the missionaries broke into small groups with a guitar and Christian books on a table. One of places was in the city market. People were interested, but they were afraid to approach. They initially went to the trading tents as though to buy something, but then approached the Christians. After two days of street evangelism we had found 15 people who were interested in studying the Bible further. The leaders of the Baptist churches are continuing dialogue with them. We are praying that a new church will be planted in this city.
Prayer needs
College News
May 2008
Unusual Practicums with Unexpected Results!
A Missionary College is unthinkable without a practical training programme in evangelism.We had a field trip to Layeeshevo. It’s a town with the population of 15,000 40 km from Kazan. Our students did street evangelism and distributed invitations to do a correspondence Bible study. To some of them this was quite extreme but we saw 1 person accept Jesus during our street evangelism and around 4,000 people received the invitations to join the Bible study correspondence course.
Puppetry training at the College
We also arranged another practicum. In early May a puppet show team came and organized a seminar for volunteers from the College and local churches. They taught for several evenings and then did their puppet shows at orphanages, churches and outdoors in some playgrounds. It was a good opportunity for the students to learn new skills in class and participate in evangelistic events with the puppet team. During one of the shows at a playground we were opposed by one of the community leaders – he didn’t allow us to do a puppet show in this particular place. There were about 15 children there, but we had to pack up and go to another playground. To our surprise, this unpleasant move turned out to be great. In that other place nobody opposed us. People were happy to hear the Gospel story and we had about 50 kids attending.
Summer Practicum and Youth Training Planned
Our students are going to have another opportunity for a practicum this summer. It’s going to be a short mission trip. The biggest obstacle for local practicums is the lack of time – our evening program students either have full-time jobs or study somewhere else. They have a desire to participate in our practicums but they don’t always have the opportunity to do so since they often have to work when we have the practicum. Please pray for the summer practicum, for all of our students to have the opportunity to go on this short mission trip. We’re also planning to take part in training youth teams for short-term trips to cities in Tatarstan this summer.
Students on practice with the Puppetry team
The end of May and early June will be full of activities. In these weeks we organize a course for our graduates in Russia, Northern Caucasus and Central Asia within the Bachelor of Missiology program. It is taking two weeks in May 19th -31st.Please pray that the students will have good time for refreshing, encouragement and continue in this program successfully. They will take two courses. First is Missiology second is Teaching and Learning for Impact.
Prayer needs
College News
March 2008
Preaching Seminar
In the middle of January a preaching seminar for local pastors and leaders was held. The speaker was Peter Comont from the UK. Over 20 pastors and leaders came to participate.
During the week they studied how to prepare sermons from 1 Corinthians. They also discussed the teaching with each other in small groups. At the end of week they had good materials on hand for preaching in their own churches.
A practical task in he preaching seminar
Another benefit was that participants decided to start a “Preacher’s club”. The pastors decided that they needed regular meetings twice a month to discuss their own sermons with each other. Some pastors were so inspired that they decided to start clubs in their own churches! In these ways they are giving themselves every opportunity to grow in their preaching, and giving others in their churches a chance to start preaching.
We plan to have the same seminars in summer and autumn 2008. We are really thankful for your prayers and participation in holding the seminar for pastors and leaders. Please keep praying for preachers to develop in their preaching skills and so help the church to grow in Tatarstan.
Mentoring and Practice on the evening course
During the last two months an evening course was held in Bugulma, Kazan and Nizhnikamsk. In our college we provide not only academic knowledge and theology, but mentoring and practice. We involved students in different small groups for spiritual growth and molding of character. Students come to a prayer group, a group for studying the Bible, and a discussion group about different biblical topics. Some students come to a group on co-dependency. Also the teachers of college have started a personal meeting with students for prayers and reading the Bible.
We believe that education must include three elements: knowledge, mentoring and practice. They need to work together for better fruit. For example, students in Bugulma doing the Leadership course were required to do a practical task. We asked each of them to write the story of their life. In the beginning they were confuse and did not understand how it would help them be good leaders. But when they started to share their stories with each other were surprised. Although they had been in church together for many years, they knew nothing about each other’s testimonies. They learnt that leadership begins with relationship. It inspired the students to develop much deeper relationships with each other.
Students working together
At the end of March we plan to run a practice mission with the evening students in three towns near Kazan. The population of these towns is 10,000-20,000 people, but none of them have evangelical churches.
Prayer needs
College News
February 2008
College Founder steps aside
College founder Insur Shamgunov
For the past few years College founder Insur Shamgunov has been doing Doctoral studies at Oxford University in the UK. The death of his youngest son, Amir, 20 months old, in December 2006 raised many issues for the Shamgunov family, and brought with it health problems. After much deliberation and prayer, Insur concluded that it would be best for his family and the College if he stepped out of the role of Principal so that he can concentrate on his and his family's recovery for as long as is needed. Though saddened by the necessity of this decision, the College Board and Staff see the wisdom of his action, and committed themselves to pray for the Shamgunov family. The staff were aware of the possibility of Insur's departure and had been praying for guidance. This led to a proposal being made at a special Board meeting called on 21st February 2008 to address the gap left by Insur's departure.
New Principal Appointed
The Board appoints Feodor as Principal
The Board appointed Feodor Dzuba as the new Principal of the Eurasian College. Feodor has worked as the College Administrator since the early years of the College's establishment. Ukrainian by birth, he met Insur while studying for ministry at the Christian University in St. Petersburg, before going to be Pastor of a church in Nizhnekamsk. He later joined Insur to help train workers for Tatarstan and Central Asia. He is thoroughly committed to the vision of the College, and has engaged in many battles over the years to enable the College to continue its ministry. He has the respect of the other staff members and the Board. We are confident his desire to lead the College and his ready acceptance by the rest of the staff are God's work to continue the development of this important ministry.
Prayer needs
College News
January 2008
Evening Course in Bugulma
A few days ago despite a very cold weather (-20-25 degrees Celsius) in Bugulma we finished the second evening course.
Bugulma is one of the smaller cities in Tatarstan with the population of 100 thousand people. The first evangelical church was planted there in 1994. The church didn’t have their own building, and for several years they had to meet in believer’s homes. They managed to build their own place only in 2004. The church isn’t big, it’s only about 40 people but in spite of the small numbers they already sent out two families to plant new churches. One couple planted a small church in Aznakayevo. Another family served in China and now are planting a church in Blagoveschensk which is a city near the Russian border with China, and continue to work among the Chinese living in Russia.
Class in Bugulma
When we first came to Bugulma to recruit students for the new program there wasn’t one person willing to come. As we found out later, most people in the church wanted to study but didn’t know whether they would be able to keep their jobs and study at the same time. That’s why we asked you to pray about the program. Now there are 13 students enrolled and a few just sitting in on the lectures. They completed the second evening course successfully.
Class in Bugulma
It makes me very happy to see these students in class. I recall my own time at a Christian college. We lived in a comfortable dormitory, had a good cafeteria, large classrooms, a library and a lot of Christian fellowship. But life on the campus is a little unreal and artificial. Our students in Bugulma have to do without a campus life, and face real life problems. Almost all of them have difficulties in their families; some of them are former prisoners and drug addicts.
Their co-workers reject their faith and say their church is a “sect”. Most of our students have health and financial problems, too. But in spite of it they all have a heart for the church and love God. I’m very glad to see how the courses they’re getting help them to find answers to everyday questions. They are learning to solve their marital and financial problems, know God and keep on serving and worshipping Him.
Prayer needs for Bugulma students and their church
We would also like you to keep praying about a preaching seminar for pastors that will take place on January 14th-18th. We are expecting 20 – 30 pastors from different churches. Some pastors do not confirm participation in studying. We know that this seminar will be helpful for pastors in preaching. Pray about more pastors in a classroom.
College News
December 2007
Excellent Course Run!
In December students in the city of Nizhnekamsk studied a course on Leadership, and the students in Kazan, a course on Hermeneutics (interpreting the Bible). This course in particular opened the eyes of many of the students to a whole new way of understanding the Scriptures. In the majority of evangelical churches in Russia there is no understanding of the concept of the expository sermon. Preachers and people in church interpret the Bible allegorically, using clever reasoning to draw out meaning from texts. Although their interpretations remain within the limits of evangelical doctrine, they are usually far from the primary understanding of the text. After this course on Hermeneutics, one of the students told me with surprise: “I did not know that it is possible to read the Bible with such pleasure and interest!” Though the subject remains one of the most difficult, all the students passed.
Artur, Hermeneutics Lecturer
Expository Preaching Seminars
In the middle of January (14-18), Peter Comont from John Stott’s UK organization “Langham Partnership” will lead seminars on preparing sermons. Three such seminars are planned, with all pastors and preachers in Kazan invited. Please pray for the successful running of these seminars, that pastors come to recognize the importance of the expository sermon for growing healthy local churches.
Peter Comont
Prayer needs
College News
November 2007
Training now in 3 cities!
Difficult - but interesting"! So could be described the feelings of students after their instruction in the evening program at Nizhnikamsk and Bugulma.
A few weeks ago the first session of study was held in these two cities. Right now there are 54 students from 8 different churches, in 3 different cities (Kazan, Nizhnikamsk and Bugulma) in the evening program. In the course of this year they will study Hermeneutics, Leadership and Discipleship, and also a New Testament Survey. The next study session will be held at the end of November and the beginning ot December.
One of the two Kazan classes
At the end of October a bi-annual session of the "Bachelor of Missiology" program was held for two weeks. Some of our graduates serving in Central Asia, Northern Caucuses and Tatarstan came. The students studied an overview of the Old and New Testaments.
The graduates at work doing a group exercise on biblical chronology
Prayer needs
College News
September 2007
2007-2008 College Staff
All the members of the staff team this year continue serving from last year. They are Esenia (front left) our secretary; Hadizhat and Inna (front middle), mentors for the female students; Fedor (right), administrator; Radik (back middle right), IT; Denis (back middle left), acting principal; and Artur (back left), academic dean.
2007-2008 Staff team
Evening Program begins!
In spring of this year we decided not to run a fulltime yearlong course and instead to start an evening one. It may have seemed a backwards step; however in time things have turned out for the better. It seems people involved in ministry in churches are wanting to serve better and know the Scriptures better.
Although it's not always possible to leave work to go and study full-time at a college for a year, in churches it is not always possible to receive a good biblical education.
We had doubts as to just how effective our evening program would be. But as one of our local pastors said recently, "We have waited a long time for a program like this". And he wasn't wrong. 34 students have already enrolled from the churches of Kazan. We didn't expect so many! Our desks and chairs only accommodate up to 15 students. We have divided the students into 2 groups, so that everyone who wants to can study.
Entrance exam at Kazan
We also plan to start the evening program in 3 other towns in Tatarstan. In one of those towns, Nizhnikamsk, 15 people have already sat their exams and enrolled in the course.
Class at Nizhnekamsk
Prayer needs
College News
June 2007
Graduation 2007
Graduation was a day of celebration for hard work complete, and anticipation of daunting ministry ahead.
2007 Graduates
Please pray for setting up of one particular ministry over the next few months. The first is Radik’s ministry: he will begin work among the Kreshan Tatars – Tatars who submitted (under duress) to baptism into the Russian Orthodox Church during Ivan the Terrible’s reign in the 16th century. Radik will be supervised by Rustam (pictured below looking at Radik’s certificate), who is an experienced worker among the Tatars. It is exciting to have a College graduate reaching this people group!
Rustram looking at Radik's diploma
Plans for next Academic Year
In June the staff met with Insur Shamgunov, the College Principal, who had travelled to Tatarstan en route to Oxford from his doctoral research field studies in Kazahkstan. The staff team planned the coming academic year, and presented to the Board with a proposal to restructure the delivery of the formal teaching component of the College courses to evenings and Saturdays, thus making it possible for many, many more people to train for church-planting ministry in Tatarstan. The courses will be repeated in two other major cities as well as Kazan, so increasing the College's reach to be fed with students from churches serving population regions that include 50% of Tatarstan's population! The College distinctives of mentoring and staff involvement in students’ practical ministry will remain unchanged.
Insur speaking with Board Member Edik
Prayer needs
College News
January 2007
Our newest arrival
3 weeks ago a baby was born to Artur, our Academic Director, and his wife, Dasha. For more than 8 years they have been praying for a child, and at last God has answered their prayers by giving them a baby boy! Mother and child are well, and the family is adjusting well to their new circumstances.
Our newest arrival
The students return
After their holidays, our students have returned with renewed vigour to apply themselves to their studies. Recently we have been introducing them to new territory in Old Testament Studies, Leadership and Pastoral Care.
Careforce teaching
In the week they have just completed, the students were joined by people from around Tatarstan. A couple from Careforce Australia introduced students and visitors to material which enabled them to understand themselves better, and be better equipped to help others.
Practical
Our most recent practicum was also something a little different. As you know at EMC we strive to form the character of our students using both practical and theoretical input. To give our students maximum opportunity to taste various ministries for some of the time we sent them out to sample different meetings, churches and outreach activities from all over our republic. Accompanied by their mentors, the students went out in groups of 3 or 4 to observe and participate in some of the better ministries we know of in our part of the world.
Answered Prayer
Prayer needs
See NEWSLETTERS page for more detailed information about these and other items
College News
November 2006
Students return from Practice
Our students have returned from their first practice, in two locations. Both missions were busy and interesting. They have helped the church-planters in both towns with their work, and have provided the students with valuable experience in a missionary context. “God did not operate as we expected!” were the words of the students.
Map of Tatarstan showing Alexeevsky and Aznakaevo
Evangelism in Alexeevsky
In the town of Alexeevsky, where last year’s graduate Zhenya Mishagin and his family are seeking to plant the first evangelical church, it was difficult to find accommodation for the mission team. The students lived with the Mishagins for the first four days – much to the delight of their two children! It also gave the team opportunities to get to know their hosts’ neighbours, as well as other people in the local community. The City Administrator would not permit the students to openly evangelise, but gave them the address of two grandmothers whom he said “would not give in to your religious propaganda”, but who needed help making repairs to their apartment. So the students went and made the repairs, and spoke to them about God. As it turned out, these grandmothers (88 and 90 years old) were very open to conversation about God.
Discussing faith over tea
Evangelism in Aznakaevo
A second team of students went to the town of Aznakaevo, where they joined Rafis Nabiullin, one of the earliest graduates of the College, and his family in their church-planting work. They met Moslems at two Islamic schools in the city, and arranged to have a debate in the mosque. Unfortunately the mosque officials cancelled at the last minute. This did not deter the team, and they continued to share with numerous friends of Rafis, as well as distributing booklets in the streets of the city.
Distributing tracts
Evangelism in Kazan
Due to visa constraints, Norlan, our only Uzbek student this year, was compelled to conduct his practical experience in Kazan. His efforts resulted in three persons now investigating the claims of Christ! He will continue to followed them up and has put them in touch with the main church in Kazan, Faith and Life.
Prayer needs
College News
October 2006
Practice begins
The students are now doing their first session of practical training. This is the first practical for them and as such is likely to be difficult. New places, new people and three weeks of joint life and service.
Prayer needs
Bachelor of Missions
At the start of December we plan to hold the next session of the Bachelor of Missions programme in Tatarstan. Two courses will be run: “Theology of the New Testament”, taught by Tim McMahon from Eurasian Ministries UK, and “Marriage and Family”, led by Dr. Tim Edwards from Oxford University. We will be inviting Tatarstan believers to the “Marriage and Family” course.
Prayer needs
New Student
We have accepted a new student into the College. She is from the Northern Caucasus. Because of extreme pressure from her relations she took the decision to flee her family. She is now on practice with the other students (more details to follow).
Prayer needs
Northern Caucasus
College News
September 2006
New Academic Year begins!
Our college has begun a new academic year. Nine students were initially accepted for training, with a tenth joining a few weeks into term (see below). Among our new students there are Tatars, Russians, and an Uzbek. They have already got acquainted and are now studying and living together.
2006-07 Class
Our mentors have determined which of the students they will disciple this year. We are also searching for a new place for practice this year. Pray, please, for a place for the practice, for the mentors and for the students. Pray that close, relationships develop between them.
Our littlest student!
The wife of our Uzbek student, Norlan, has not arrived in Kazan yet. She is awaiting the arrival of her passport in Uzbekistan to allow her to travel abroad. Norlan is looking after their 3 year old daughter in Kazan – she misses her mother very much! The little girl has already become the general favourite of the students and staff, and praise God she feels very confident in the College environment.
Our littlest student!
This year we plan to lead some seminars for College graduates from previous years in different regions, as well as 2 sessions for students of the Bachelor program in Tatarstan. Also we plan to invite pastors and members from Tatarstan churches to the most interesting sessions. We have decided to unite the program of Bachelor Missiology in Tajikistan and Tatarstan and to invite to Kazan our graduates who actively are engaged in service and wish to continue study.
College News
June 2006
Defending the Gospel
A student defends his thesis
The last two months of the College academic year required much hard work by the students as they prepared thesis work on topics of their choosing. Typically these related to issues they would be facing when they enter the mission field, such as “Presenting the Gospel effectively in a Muslim context”, “The place of music in the corporate worship of the church”, and “Translating the Bible into the Tatar language”. The students then had to present and defend their theses before all the students and staff. This context is made deliberately adversarial to sharpen their skills in presenting in a hostile environment. The students were glad when their “vivas” were over, but also grateful for this last test before being thrust into the mission field.
Graduation day
2006 College Students and Staff
Graduation Day is always a high point in College life, as students receive recognition for their hard work over the past nine months, and are commissioned for their future ministries. It was particularly special this year as it was the first year graduation was held in our own building. The students invited along their friends, and one student’s Mum travelled for many days all the way from the Caucases to share in her daughter’s special day. It was a very joyous time; everybody had a part to play – students, teachers and visitors.
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Student graduating
Staff visit the Caucases
After the students left, Dennis and Vasily went to their second trip to Caucases. They took part in the conference on Christian education in Muslim regions. It was a very beneficial trip as they made many good contacts with the local ministers and presented to them the work of the College. Thank you for your prayers for this important trip.
Staff Trip to Tajikistan
Denis, Khadijat and Vasily are planning to visit Tajikistan in the beginning of July. They are planning to visit several towns – Dushanbe, Kolhozabad and Kulyab – the places where our graduates work. Their first goal is the continuation of mentoring of the students, providing fellowship and support in their ministry. The second goal is meeting with the local pastors and recruiting new students for the coming academic year.
Prayer needsCollege News
April 2006
Field Placements
Getting to know the locals in Chistopol
Usually each of our field placements follow a similar pattern. In the first practicum our students make friends with non-believers and then in the following practica build on their relationships to create opportunities for evangelism. However in the first practicum in Chistopol, our student Zarif befriended a local nonbeliever, and in the course of the time there built up the relationship and prayed for him. And in that practicum God answered his prayer - his friend came to Christ.
Zarif between two friends from Chistopol
In Aksubaevo, as we have already written, our students came up against some difficulties with the police. For a whole day they were held at the police station and interrogated in different rooms. God often uses different situations to open new doors for the Gospel. We want to tell you of one interesting conversation that one of our students had with the police. She was very tired and upset and so asked the policeman why they were treating them this way. The policeman answered, "It is God who is giving you a trial to test how you are able to endure it. Besides, if this hadn't have happened, how could we then have heard about God"? It was amazing to hear these words from the mouth of an unbeliever. Praise God that the situation was resolved and the students were able to stay to the end of the practicum in Aksubaevo. For the remainder of their time they were able to evangelise both the children's home and the school.
The Bachelor Program
At the end of March in Kazan we held our regular session of the Bachelor program for graduates from Russia and Uzbekistan. Graduates undertook two courses: "A godly view of finances" and "A study of an Old Testament book, the Psalms". To each student, God revealed something new during this time. We were really excited to see our graduates once again and to have the opportunity of fellowshipping with them and encouraging them.
A trip to the Caucuses
Map: Kabardino-Balkaria & North Ossetia
Denis and Vasya - lecturers at our College - went for a week to the Caucuses, to Kabardino-Balkar and Ossetia. In Nalchik (capital of Kabardino-Balkar) they ran a seminar for several churches on working with people in their region. After that they went for two days to the town of Vladikavkas in Northern Ossetia to visit and encourage our graduates Roma and Daniel, who live there.
Prayer needs
College News
February 2006
Field Placements
From the 11th to 27th of January, we again went out with our students on their field placements (practica). Within 2 days of arriving, however, freezing cold conditions set in. Locals said that over the last 25 years they could not remember such severe frost (-38 deg. C.). As a result, the students weren't able to carry out all of the events they had planned, and were quite disappointed. We stayed in the house and studied the Scriptures together, prayed and told each other the story of our lives. It really drew us all together!
Playing games with the locals!
During the time of the practicum, something quite scary happened. The house we were renting, burnt down! Praise God - no one was hurt. And as always, God had his own plan - the frightened landlady became much more open to hearing the Gospel, and of our prayers for her.
Aftermath of the fire
There was yet another blessing from God: one of the students from Tajikistan had a severe reaction to the cold, which caused her to swell up. The doctors told us that the cold climate didn't suit her. We started to pray, thinking that if in the course of a week she didn't improve, then we would have to send her home. But praise God - the swelling went down and she is now able to finish her studies.
College Registration
As we have said before, we are in the process of trying to get the College registered as an educational institution in its own right. Our Administrator, Fedor Grigorovich, had already collected all the documentation necessary for this when we were in our old premises. But now, as a result of our move (for which we continue to praise God!), we have to once again collect the necessary documents to receive our license. Please do pray with us about this process.
New Premises in Use!
Recovery Ministry Training
A team of Australians joined us last week to teach us about recovery ministry. Using material developed in Australia and now available in Russian, they taught for a week on how to run teaching and small groups to help people find healing from past abuse - a much needed course in this part of the world.
Recovery Ministry course attendees
College News
December 2005
New Premises for the Eurasian Missionary College
With support from EMUK, EMUS and other partners the Eurasian Missionary College have acquired their own premises. The new building is more spacious and convenient than that previously rented and means that the college has a more secure future in the area. Work is currently underway refitting the premises with all the necessary equipment and furniture.
Moving out of the old rented premises
Field Placements
Usually each of our field placements follow a similar pattern. In the first practicum our students make friends with non-believers and then in the following practica build on their relationships to create opportunities for evangelism. However in the first practicum in Chistopol, our student Zarif befriended a local nonbeliever, and in the course of the time there built up the relationship and prayed for him. And in that practicum God answered his prayer - his friend came to Christ.
Getting to know the locals in Chistopol
Field Placements
The first of our field placements (practica) this year has taken place. The students were divided into teams. One team went to the town of
Aksubaevo, the other to a town called Chistopol. As usual, the mentors were with the students only for the first ten days.
The placements were very challenging in many respects but also very successful in preaching the gospel and providing valuable experience for the students.
More information on the placements can be read in the EMC newsletter
A youth meeting in Christopol
Bachelor of Missiology Programme Progressing Well in Tajikistan
While students were on their practica, mentors from the College (Vasya, Denis and Hadezhat) travelled to Tajikistan, to teach units of the Bachelor's program to correspondence students there. There were 10 students at the classes. Denis and Vasya taught courses on Homiletics of the Old Testament and on Spiritual Formation. The program was conducted at a centre where the mentors and students lived together for ten days. This meant that there was the opportunity for time after the lessons for fellowship with the students, and to meet with them one on one.
Sad News for the Shamgunov Family
Just before Christmas, the family of the College Director, Insur Shamgunov, received some sad news. Their youngest son Amir, still a baby, became extremely ill. Local doctors were unable to help and so
the whole family were flown to England were a diagnosis was made. Insur has provided us with the following information about Amirs condition:
Lena, Amir and Insur
"Dear friends!
First of all I would like to thank you who have been praying for our son Amir during these difficult weeks. Two days ago he was finally diagnosed at John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford and now we are quite sure of what is wrong with his health. Unfortunately, the news is not good. He has a very serious and rare progressive metabolic disorder called Glutaric Aciduria Type I. Many die from this disease in their childhood, others become mentally and physically disabled. The nature of the disease is that it is not curable; the medicines may only help to slow down its progress. Any cold, flu or other illness can trigger the disease and cause what is called a metabolic crisis, which can lead to palsy, coma or death, if not given urgent and competent medical help. Our family has to come to terms with this. Please, pray for us to have strength to face every day and go on. Please, also pray that we have the humility and serenity to accept what God's will is for us in this situation.
Yours in Christ, Insur and Lena"
College News
September 2005
New Students and Staff
On September 23rd, our student selection committee finished its work. We were greatly surprised at the ratio of brothers to sisters: 8 sisters to 5 brothers! The primary reason we are able to take on such a quantity of girls is because a new mentor named Inna has joined our team, replacing Alexander who served with us last year. We were praying for the capacity to train more women, and God has taken care of our need.
2005-06 Academic Year Students & Staff
Students from Unreached People Groups!
It is very encouraging for us that God continues to gradually open doors to new areas. This year we have students from three new areas in Tajikistan, and a student named Albina from Kabardino-Balkar - a republic with a population of 800,000 in the North Caucasus. Kabardino-Balkar is in the heart of the North Caucasus region which is being pressed to become a single Islamist state. Operation World describes North Caucuses people as "some of the least-reached on earth", and calls on its readers to "pray for open doors and favourable conditions for Christians to reside and witness." Albina's presence at the College this year is part of the answer to those prayers!
Camp "Ryabinushka"
The day after enrolment, we and the students went out together to a recreation centre, to get to know each other more closely. Compared to previous years, the students this year are very sociable and open, so we didn't need to make any special efforts to create conditions for a convivial atmosphere. In the evening we built a big campfire, and the mentors shared about their own lives, answering questions from the students. Each of the mentors carefully observed the students, to inform their choices in the next few weeks when they choose students for whom they will be personally responsible to mentor for the rest of the year.
Students and staff at camp
College News
June 2005
Open House at Eurasian Missionary College
In May, the College had an "open house" for Pastors from Tajikistan and the Northern Caucuses. The visiting Pastors learnt about the work of college and were told of the vision and plans for the future of the EMC in a video presentation. The Pastors remembered the trips by EMC students and staff to Axubaevo where practical work as part of the College training is regularly undertaken. The visitors prayed together with the students, shared new ideas and their Christian experience. They were impressed with the work of EMC, and have since decided to direct students to the college in the 2005-2006 academic year.
Presenting the work of the EMC
Students Complete Their Final Practice!
The final practice for the academic year took place at the end of May in Menzelinsk. Students, tutors and other members of EMC staff took part in a few days of active evangelism, running and participating in a concert and a puppet show at an orphanage as well as taking part in worship at the host church.
Final Practice!
The Graduation party
One more academic year has ended at EMC. Graduation was held on 4 June, after the presentation of diplomas. Pastors from different cities in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States attended to bless and hearten the young missionaries. Graduates then immediately left to go on to their ministries.
One student had this to say of his time at the college.
"I'll never forget this college. I've understood here in the right way what is a successful Christian, and that it is important for growth in the Christian life to have a mentor. Thanks to the teachers and mentors as I now know what is missionary work and what it means to belong to a missionary team. Thanks everyone, who works in this college!" - Graduate Bahtiyor.
Items For Prayer
Please pray for:
College News
March 2005
Practical Missionary Experience for EMC Students
The current EMC Students have had the opportunity to practise what they have learned in the classroom and gain valuable missionary experience. Small groups of students were sent out into different areas of Tatarstan to engage in practical missionary work. The students held small Bible study groups, prayer meetings and preached in the streets.
Student Ministry
Injured students recovering - but more prayer needed!
The two students who were involved in a road accident in December are recovering from their injuries. Zarif has practically recovered from his injuries and in the first week of April doctors are planning to remove the plaster from his leg. They expect that he will not need any more medical supervision. Sadly there have been complications with Vanya's injuries. The bones in his left leg were not knitting together well and the wound on his right leg started to fester. He was taken back into hospital for some urgent treatment. He is recovering well but must stay in the hospital for at least another couple of weeks.
We thank everyone for your continued support.
Artur with Vanya and Zarif
Insur Seeks Opportunities to Study Part Time From Russia
Insur's studies at Oxford are progressing well and he hopes to return to Russia in the Summer and continue to study on a part time basis. However, the Faculty of Theology at Oxford have decided that it will not be possible for Insur to undertake the remainder of his studies as a part time international student. Insur still plans to return to his responsibilities at the Eurasian Missionary College whilst studying part time and is currently considering his options.
Please pray that God will make His will clear to Insur about his future studies
Items For Prayer
Please pray for:
College News
February 2005
We value your prayers for Insur, the College staff, and Tim McMahon, as they in their respective areas of endeavour seek to establish a long-term and expanding ministry of raising-up, training, and supporting church-planters in Russia and Central Asia.
D.Phil Studies In Future?
Insur Shamgunov
Insur Shamgunov, Principal of Eurasian Missionary College, is doing his second term of the Master of Studies course at
Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. Successful completion of this course will enable Insur to progress the D. Phil.
programme - a qualification that would help establish EMC as a legitimate educational institution in the Russian government's eyes.
Insur asks for prayer that the way will be made clear for him in the next few years to fulfil the D. Phil. requirements at
Oxford while still performing his responsibilities as Principal of EMC.
College Continues as Normal
Artur Shakurov, EMC Acting Principal
Meanwhile in Kazan, the College staff, led by Acting Principal Artur Shakurov, have been successfully administering the one year full-time course with ten students. Despite a near tragedy in December (see newsletter), the students have participated in a short-term mission helping a church-planter, and completed courses in cross-cultural communication, evangelism using the Gospel of Mark, the growth of the Early Church from the Book of Acts, and creative communication using puppetry - among other subjects. A varied diet indeed!
Tim McMahon's Work
Tim McMahon Lecturing at
EMC in September 2004
Tim McMahon has been active in four major areas of responsibility.
College News
January 2005
Students may be Prevented from Attending the College by Legislative Changes to the Russian Visa System
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Map of Russia and
Central Asia showing Tajikistan
The Russian and Tajikistan governments have decided to prevent free travel across their border with one another. This will mean that students coming from Tajikistan will have to apply for a visa to study at the college. Obtaining student visas has been made difficult as the Russian government has been refusing to recognise the EMC as a legitimate educational institution despite the legal efforts of the EMC over the past few years.
This change in legislation may mean that current Tajik students will be deported. Much prayer is needed to ask for God's help to prevent this from happening and to get the EMC onto a firmer legal standing.
Insur Progressing Well With His D.Phil at Oxford
Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
Insur is enjoying his studies at Oxford University and has successfully completed his first semester. Although the doctorate is academically challenging Insur is finding that his time at Oxford is being particularly rewarding. As part of Wycliff Hall, an evangelical college of the university, Insur has the opportunity to learn from evangelical scholars such as Alister McGrath and David Wenham. As well as equipping Insur for his life of ministry it is also a time of great refreshment.
"This year is like a sabbatical year for me - I do not teach but am being taught."
Currently Insur is trying to make arrangements to return to Kazan and his work at the EMC whilst continuing to study for the remainder of the doctorate part time. Please join us in prayer that it will be possible for Insur to complete his studies in this way so that he can return to his primary role at the college.
Near Tragedy for Two EMC Students
Two EMC students were involved in a terrible road accident in December. Mercifully both young men survived the accident and by God's grace
are receiving the medical attention that they need to help them to make good recoveries from their injuries.
Read more about God's mercy and His wonderful provision for the young men in the December issue of the EMC newsletter click here