Black Sea Theological Seminary - Sept. 2026

BGCC held our fifth class in Georgia this month. The vision God gave me was to establish a graduate-level program in this non-Muslim nation. We would invite evangelical pastors and leaders from the surrounding nations to come for one week of intensive education. We would fund and staff this solely with BGCC professors and donors.

We hold the classes at a Baptist church camp where we study, worship, eat and stay together in a tranquil setting in the hills of Georgia. We teach in English, and there is live translation into four languages as students listen on headphones.

It is very encouraging to see how God is building this program. This session, we had our highest attendance so far - 55 students from Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, South Korea, Tajikistan, UAE and the USA. 

Many of these pastors are in Muslim-majority areas and face persecution. One pastor at our school from Azerbaijan reported how a regularly scheduled church service was broken up by the religious police. Many were arrested. The pastor was forced to stand for over 12 hours in the police station while enduring interrogation. At last, they were all released. Bibles and other materials were confiscated. 

The Russian pastors who attended serve in Muslim-majority communities. One pastor from Dagest-n was shot and killed outside his church 6 years ago. Now his son is trying to lead the church but is facing attacks. 

Each student is so grateful for the opportunity to study and grow as a pastor. They have not been able to learn in a structured program with good evangelical  Baptist theology.

The Great Commission is evangelism, baptism, and then teaching obedience to our Lord’s commands. BSTS has a vital role in training pastors who will take the teaching home to their churches. I believe that strong doctrine grows believers so they will be active in evangelism. 

I am thankful for our BGCC personnel who have come to teach - Bernard Mukwavi, Jeremy Olfert, Bill Danyluk, Michael Fast, Joao Boechat and me. Evan Brooks, Ian Smith and Craig Thiessen are planning to teach in 2027. And much gratitude for our churches and individual donors who have supported us in prayer and finances.