It is interesting to know what the BTCP students think about the program and how they would evaluate the benefits of the BTCP program for their ministry and life. A group of students that graduated the BTCP in Penza in 1998 was asked the questions that follow below and you can read the answers of some of them.
If you get excited reading their answers, please, feel free to contact BTCP to get more information!
Questions:
- How has BTCP impacted you?
- How has BTCP qualified you for ministry?
- How has BTCP qualified or effected you spiritually? personally?
- How has BTCP broadened your theological foundation?
- How has BTCP improved your teaching and preaching?
- Write a brief personal testimony.
- A letter of recommendation regarding the impact of the BTCP ministry.
ANSWERS:
- Aleksey Makarov, pastor of Serdobsk Baptist Church, Penza region
- Peter Ulyankin, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Penza
- Aleksandr Boleev, Pastor of Nizhny Lomov Baptist Church, Penza region
- Igor Tomak, Pastor of Lunino Baptist Church, Penza region
- Peter Prosanov, Pastor of Gorodishche Baptist Church, Penza region
- Peter Eremin, deacon of the Revival Baptist Church of Penza
- Sergey Hramov, Pastor of the Hope Bible Church, Saransk
- Nikoly Agapov, missionary of Good News Bible Church, Penza-19
- Aleksey Mishin, Senior Pastor of Good News Bible Church of Penza-19, Penza region, BTCP Director of Russia
- Vasily Dmitrievsky, missionary, Global Missions Fellowship
1. Akeksey Makarov, pastor of Serdobsk Baptist Church, Penza region
I. I liked very much that the whole
material has a clear structure. Therefore the process of studying went smoothly and easily
for me.
II. It inspired me to start Bible classes in my church and Bible
study groups as well.
III. I began to pay more attention to reading and studying the
Bible deeper. Personally I was able to put in order my family life.
IV. I have a primary theological education and BTCP was a good
improvement to that. BTCP has very, very good material and I am glad that I was able to
study it.
V. Great improvement. Now people say that they learn the Bible
not the stories when they are listening to me.
VI. BTCP has a very good program. I am so glad I study at BTCP.
BTCP opened for me many important truths and improved my vision for the local church. I
have been studying all the time in class, doing all the assignments because it was all so
interesting for me. I believe that I will use the manuals in the future as well long after
the course is officially finished.
VII. Dear Pastor!
BTCP - is a great program and I recommend to you to start to
study at BTCP along with your co-workers. This will help you all to serve the people and
to God and will become a real blessing for your church.
Aleksey Makarov, Pastor
2. Peter Ulyankin, pastor
of the First Baptist of Penza
I. I understood many things better, i.e.
we need to hold not to human stories and wisdom but to the Bible and God's principles.
II. BTCP enriched my knowledge of the Scripture.
III. BTCP made me awake in my spiritual walk with the Lord,
including family sphere of my life.
IV. BTCP helps to study the Bible deeper and
systematically.
V. I have learnt and stared to use the methods of
expository preaching which I never knew before. I was doing discipleship in some extent
all the time but that was not enough. Therefore I will do more discipleship with help of
the methods I was taught at the BTCP courses.
VI. I did not want to study at first because I had retired
from the position of the Regional Superintendent of Penza region and I am 67 now. But when
I saw that BTCP is such an interesting, important and needed course I continued and
finished 9 courses already.
VII. Dear Pastor, Brother in Christ,
In the church that the Lord has entrusted to you, please,
try to organize studying of those who want to work fruitfully for God including various
ministries of your church. Bible Training Center for Pastors (BTCP) is a great tool for
that.
The manuals of the course are good and you can get them
easily from the BTCP. The classes can be organized in your own church building with a
group of students. You could study a course for 2 weeks and then after a 3-4 week break to
study next course. The whole program has 10 courses based on the seminary program so you
could study the whole BTCP course for less than 2 years.
You and your church will be blessed.
Love in Christ,
Peter Ulyankin, pastor
3. Akeksandr Boleev,
pastor of Nizhny Lomov Baptist Church, Penza region
I. I am grateful to the Lord for
the opportunity to study at BTCP because I was able to see better all the depth and width
of the Scripture.
II. The method of "Observation, Interpretation
and Application" helped me a great deal to study and teach the Word in my church. It
helps me in my ministry as a pastor.
III. I became stronger in understanding of the truth that
life under leadership of the Holy Spirit and in fellowship with God is victorious life of
a Christian, in full obedience and trust to God.
IV. I started to understand better Bible doctrines about
God, His Person, and incarnation. I have finally understood correctly many places of the
Scripture.
V. I learnt how to find key words in the text and the main
idea in a passage. I think it is very important because our preaching is built on these.
My preaching became much better because now I can see main idea clearly and I can teach it
from the Word showing the truth from the passage to my people.
VI. BTCP in Penza had a good schedule. I want especially
mention good preparation of the teachers, their desire to explain clearly and well.
Material in the manuals is very good. I have gained so much for me personally especially
from courses 1 and 4. I know now how to study the Word and how to preach it effectively.
Praise God for that! Thank you brothers for your work that made it possible to have such
BTCP in Penza. May God bless you in your work.
VII. Dear Pastor,
I am a pastor from Russia. My name is Aleksandr
Vasilyevich Boleev. Using this opportunity I would like to share with you good news about
BTCP. BTCP is so effective for you personally and for the leaders in your church. What did
I gain studying at BTCP?
First of all I was able to see all the depth of the Holy
Scriptures and to learn the methods of systematic study of the Bible, i.e. observation,
interpretation and application. I have learnt better Bible doctrines about God, Trinity,
Man and Salvation. Now I know how to prepare a message to preach at church so people would
see God's Word as a tool to change their lives for the Lord. BTCP is a great tool to raise
new pastors as well.
Love in Him,
Aleksandr Boleev, Pastor
4. Igor Tomak, pastor of Lunino Baptist Church, Penza region
I. BTCP course helped me to see the main
thought in the material taught. The assignments in the end of each lesson help to grasp
the material better and develop logical thinking.
II. As a pastor I understood deeply for myself biblical
principles of my ministry. Moreover, I realized one of the main purposes of a pastor - to
raise and equip the disciples teaching them what I know myself. 7 course "Church
ministry/administration/education" helped to form a vision on the church ministry and
realize the priorities of my ministry.
III. BTCP helped me personally in the Bible study. Courses
1,2,3 develop a right approach to interpretation and application of God's Word. I had
never given so mush attention before to application of spiritual truths in my personal
life. The knowledge of the Bible gives the results only if applied to real life
situations.
IV. BTCP gave me a chance to understand all theological
doctrines better. For example, I have never thought before about nature of Christ as 100%
man and 100% God. The BTCP program gives a clear system of theological doctrines.
V. After BTCP course on biblical preaching I was able to
learn how to prepare an expository message around the main truth and with needed
application. That was my first realization of how useful it is to preach the Word not just
to preach for sake of preaching. I try to preach only expository messages now.
VI. I think that organization of our classes was good.
Methodology of the lessons helped to make the lessons effective and productive because I
was able to understand and remember material being taught.
VII. Dear Brother,
If you see a need in effective ministry and in a
right usage if your knowledge and experience, then BTCP is for you. You will see how BTCP
will direct your ministry to the aim that God is putting before you.
I recommend you using BTCP in your church.
May God bless you.
Igor Tomak, Pastor from Russia
5. Peter Prosanov, pastor of Gorodishche Baptist Church, Penza region
I. Wonderful! I have opened for
myself a lot of great and useful information.
II. BTCP gave me so much through the material in the
manuals. It is neat that I can keep the books and use them all the time in the ministry.
III. I have learnt so much from the Bible because of BTCP
and from the Church history. It strengthened me as a Christian.
IV. I did not have any theological foundation in the past
so BTCP became such a foundation for me. What a blessing!
V. I have learnt how to prepare a good expository message.
VI. I think BTCP is a wonderful approach to the teaching
and it is so available to the students.
VII. Dear Pastor,
Peace into you! I would like to recommend BTCP program to
you and to your leaders at the church.
The course manuals are Bible-based, so clear and
understandable. Each course gives valuable material and teaches not only theory but
prepares the student for practical ministry to the people in the church.
I personally was able to learn how to prepare and deliver
an expository message, how to observe the Bible passage, to interpret it correctly and
apply to the lives of the people and my life as well. In other words, now I know how to
preach well and effectively.
I am so grateful to the Lord for the possibility to
study at BTCP because I have learnt so much to edify myself and the church that God
entrusted me.
In His Love,
Peter Prosanov, Pastor
6. Peter Eremin, deacon of the Revival Baptist Church of Penza
I. BTCP helps to study the Bible deeper
and systematically.
II. Studying at BTCP I understood how important and serious it is
to be a God's servant.
III. I learnt the Bible much deeper that influenced greatly on my
spiritual growth that I can see in my life, church life and personal life.
IV. BTCP strengthened and deepened my theological knowledge in a
great extent.
V. Thanks to BTCP I understand now how to prepare a biblical
message and how to deliver it to the people at church. Knowledge from BTCP helps me to
teach others, i.e. teach the 2:7 course.
VI. I am very glad that BTCP was opened in Penza and I have an
opportunity to study here. The classes go in God's Spirit. The classes are well organized
and systematically based. I got a lot of understanding in many areas of the ministry and
the Bible because of BTCP. Material is given very well, it is put in a good order, and it
is simple to grasp.
VII. Brother in Christ,
I strongly recommend you to study at BTCP. It is hard
to express in words how greatly these classes helped me in spiritual growth as a Christian
and in building me up as a church minister. Material in the manuals is given and explained
in a wonderful way. This is the best program I ever saw in my life.
May God bless you to study at BTCP.
Peter Eremin, deacon
7. Sergey Hramov, pastor of the Hope Bible Church, Saransk
I. At BTCP I realized that I have to do
something in the life! But one cannot do anything if there is no knowledge about how to do
it. It is possible to know but do not do anything anyway. At BTCP I understood that to do
something means to bring the Gospel to the people. This is my holy duty before God and
people. 2 Tim.2:2.
II. I began to use methods and principles that I have
learned at BTCP.
III. My priorities in life have been changed because of
BTCP: now it is God, family, church, work, and other people. I have a responsibility to
use and share the knowledge that I got. This is what I am doing in small groups.
IV. I did not have any theological foundation but gained so
much from the BTCP manuals and from the discussions and fellowship with other brothers.
V. I understand an importance of using examples and
repetitions in teaching and preaching for the people to remember better what was said.
VI. It is hard to get a theological education in our
disturbed and difficult time. I am glad to study at BTCP in our group. I like teaching and
teachers. If I would not be able to study somewhere else in the future then the BTCP
course will be the solid foundation till the end of my life.
VII. Dear Pastor,
If you have a church, please, give your ministers and
leaders practical theological education today. Then tomorrow no wolf will be able to still
a lamb from your flock, and ministry of your church will be one that the Lord wants it to
see. God opened His will to us in the Scriptures but to apply the Scripture correctly we
should study how to do so. BTCP is a great tool for that. 2 Timothy 2:2.
Sergey Hramov, Pastor of the Hope Bible Church of Saransk,
Russia
8. Nikoly Agapov, missionary of Good New Bible Church. Penza-19
I. BTCP impacted me to study the Word
deeper and see more valuable details in it. I learned to respect opinions of other people.
II. Thanks to BTCP I got rich and good knowledge.
III. BTCP strengthened my faith and inspired me.
IV. In fact, BTCP has opened theology for me.
V. Because of BTCP I have learned how to give a Biblical
message. BTCP encouraged me to study the works of other theologians and Bible teachers.
VI. I am grateful to the Lord that we were able to benefit
from such a systematic and clear teaching. I am grateful to all people who made it
possible for me to study at the BTCP. We have been studying in warm brotherhood atmosphere
with love to each other. All students were serious about their responsibilities. All have
followed the set order.
VII. Dear Pastor,
If you want to see your church knowing the Word and
understanding the issues of church history as well as theological issues, if you want to
see your members teaching sound doctrine, then I would say that BTCP is the best and most
needed course that we have in our days.
BTCP will help to you and to your church to be united in
your faith, to have a good system of teaching of your church that is missing at almost
every church, I think. Christ Himself wants us to study the Word well.
I am cordially grateful to Pastor Mel for His care for us.
May God bless all who have prepared the course manuals and who brought them to us to use
and to apply.
In His Grace,
Nikoly Agapov, Good News Bible
Church of Penza-19, Russia
9. Aleksey Mishin, Senior Pastor of Good New Bible Church. Penza-19, BTCP Director of Russia
I. BTCP increased and systematized
my knowledge. I was able to learn how to find the main truth from the Bible passage. BTCP
changed my thinking regarding the church ministry: I know now the difference between
ethnically traditional and principal ministries of the church. Now I see that it is
important not to hold ethnic and denominational tradition but God's principles from the
Bible. BTCP gave me the confidence in my knowledge and put me on the solid theological
foundation.
II. I changed my thinking regarding the church ministry. I
realized that it is not enough to have only one message on Sunday at the church -
systematized teaching of a church is what needed. BTCP has given me a purpose in the
ministry - multiplication of the church. It also has given to me knowledge and patience to
reach the purpose.
III. I have started to think more often about application
of the biblical truth in my own life. BTCP gave me a desire to move forward and do not
stay on one place. I give more time now to study the Bible. I have become stronger in my
faith and understanding of purpose of my life.
IV. BTCP taught me to have a critical and more careful
approach to a doctrine. I am so grateful for the principles and methods of Bible study. It
helped me in seeing better the difference between God's commandments and principles. Only
from BTCP I have learnt that church will not enter the Tribulation period although some
details from eschatology are still not clear for me.
V. I have learnt to use systematic approach for message
preparations for preaching. Expository message is the main key in preaching because it
leads to a practical application. My preaching and teaching became more clear and
understandable.
VI. BTCP gives clear and systematized knowledge. It
strengthens a logical thinking, encourages further learning of the Bible. The course is
rather full with valuable material.
VII. Dear Pastor,
BTCP is condensed and well prepared program of theological
education. The program includes 10 courses that are directed
on practical equipping of a pastor for the ministry. BTCP is crucial because it gives
fundamental foundation for all spheres of pastor's ministry and life.
First course of the BTCP program is "Bible
Study Methods/Interpretation". It gives practical skills in observation,
interpretation and application of the Bible. These skills help in the rest of the courses
and are strengthened by them.
System of questions and assignments develops logical
thinking, and discussions in the class encourage learning and understanding the Scripture
and its practical application. Discussions on controversial issues also develop memory and
orientation in theology.
Course 6 "Personal Spiritual/Pastoral ministry"
and course 7 "Church Ministry/ Administration/Education" give to a
pastor a vision for the ministry and organize him better for the work. Course 8 "Teaching
Principles and Methods" prepares for the teaching of the church and gives many
methods of effective and practical approaches.
BTCP helps to a pastor revise his ministry and have a new
look on his purpose.
Aleksey Alekseyevich Mishin,
Senior Pastor of the Good News
Bible Church, BTCP Director of Russia
10. Vasily Dmitirevsky, missionary with Global Missions Fellowship
I. BTCP showed to me how to know Christ
better and make Him known better to the people. I became a better student of the Bible
because of being a BTCP student.
II. BTCP has given to me a theological foundation that I
missed for 5 years after becoming a Christian. Now I can stand strong on the Bible sharing
the Good News of Jesus Christ and teaching the Word to the believers. BTCP helped me to
understand church planting deeper and have a vision for new churches in Russia.
III. BTCP helped me spiritually to be rooted in the Word,
observe, interpret and apply the Bible passages in accordance with their real meaning not
with what it may seem to be. Personally I understood a value of the family in God's plan.
IV. I did not have any theological foundation for 5 years
after I became a Christian. I understood the need and prayed for such foundation. BTCP was
a God's answer on my prayers because I was able to learn the Bible doctrines, sound
teaching and many practical methods to apply. Now I have a solid theological foundation to
continue the ministry.
V. I understood better how to preach and teach clearly.
Reaching people, teaching them the Word and equipping them to teach others became much
stronger in my ministry because of BTCP.
VI. BTCP was an answer on many prayers to God that had been
lifted up for 5 years. Being on a mission work with extensive travel schedule it was hard
to find time, opportunities and institution to get a sound theological education. BTCP
became the answer on that time conflict! Due to flexible BTCP schedule I was able to go on
5-6 short-term church planting mission trips annually and at the same time to study with a
group of local pastors/ministers at BTCP. It is hard to think of something better than
BTCP! As soon as I finish BTCP course I will be looking for the opportunities to teach
BTCP course myself to other pastors on a regular basis.
VII. Dear Pastor,
BTCP is a wonderful program that will help you to build up
your church through your ministers. BTCP will build you up as well spiritually and
personally when you study the Word systematically, in its depth and fullness. BTCP will
provide all the materials for you.
I would recommend you to get together a group of the
pastors/ministers you know and start BTCP in your church. You will have a great time with
your brothers and with God's Word! After you finish this wonderful course you will be able
to teach it to other pastors and ministers.
May God bless you to use BTCP for His glory,
Vasily,
GMF Missionary in
Russia
Jan 15, 1999
