Mike Manna, director of YMI’s EurAsia ministry, recently sent in this report about youth ministry training in Ukraine:
At the end of January, we hosted our first Youth Ministry Alumni Advisory Council meeting. This was a huge dream of mine. I am not sure what our youth ministry graduates would say they enjoyed most in our 2 days together — maybe the bowling (most of them had never bowled before) or the 3D IMAX theater movie (first time for everyone) or the video conference call with Youth Ministry International’s director, Randy Smith.
If you look at our photos online (click here), you will see our group in 3D glasses to watch the “International Space Station” movie. There were a lot of parallels between the Russian and America cooperation in the space station movie and our partnership in Ukraine to train youth pastors at the seminary.
But our purpose to gather was much more than just for fellowship. I am continuing the process of “passing the baton” to my Ukrainian students.
Here are some of the leadership development steps we have been part of in the past 7 years:
- Establish the National Center of Youth Minstry in Ukraine (2002)
- First year of Bachelors-level youth ministry courses translated and taught (2004)
- Four-year Bachelors Degree in Youth Ministry translated and taught (2007)
- First Ukrainian students graduate with Bachelors degree in Youth Ministry (2007)
- First Ukrainian satellite school of Youth Ministry begins (2007)
- First Ukrainian with Youth Ministry Bachelors Degree co-teaches class at Kyiv Theological Seminary (2008) – click here to see the video
- First Ukrainian Youth Ministry Advisory Council Meeting (2009)
We are not sure of the timing of our future steps. We are learning as we go, but we are excited for the progress. I do know that 3 of our graduates will co-teach classes with me this year in Kiev. I also know that next year Vasya Ostriy will be teaching one of our classes next year alone, since he has recently received his Masters Degree.
We are so thankful for your part in these dreams being fulfilled. Youth pastors are getting trained and teenagers are coming to Christ. Your prayers and financial support are making this possible.
