Ukranian Institute of Ministry Begins!

The first session of the Ukrainian Institute of Ministry was held in Kiev on January 15-25, 2010. Besides the two official Seminar sessions of four days and three days respectively, Gordon Ferguson met with the main staff leadership group in Kiev twice and also once with their small group leaders.

Additionally, Gordon spoke to two of the four Regions of the Kiev Church of Christ on the Sunday that he wasn’t teaching an Institute course.

The more official part of the program consisted of a four day Seminar for the Ministry Track students on the subject of “Sound Doctrine and Church Discipline.” A four lesson version of this material was taught in Hawaii during a teaching day there, entitled “Developing a Biblically Balanced View of God,” and is available from Illumination Publishers International (IPI) as a DVD video set. Of course, the four day version was much more in-depth by design. For this course, 50 ministry staff students attended from the Ukraine, and 4 from Latvia and Russia.

Following this course, a three-day course entitled “Spirituality Development” was held for the non-staff Shepherding Track students. They are enrolled in the Institute primarily to develop as leaders in their present roles, but also to prepare for other roles in the future. Prayerfully God will raise some of the 24 couples to serve as elder couples in the future.

The enthusiasm of students in both Tracks of the Institute was nothing short of amazing. Gordon and Theresa will be going back to Kiev in April for three weeks, during which time the next two courses will be taught (“Old Testament Survey” for the Shepherding Track students and “Homiletics” for the Ministry Track students). Additionally, if all of the translations can be done by then, Gordon also plans to conduct a Dynamic Marriage Facilitator Training Seminar as well. Finally, we also have a teaching day scheduled for the whole Kiev church on the subject of “Romans.” With Theresa accompanying Gordon this time, she will also have some special opportunities to work with the women there. A special part of the plan is for Shawn and Lena Wooten, dear friends and fellow workers in God’s Kingdom, to get some special discipling times with the Fergusons.

Following are a few quotes that were sent in by those who p

articipated in the first courses of the Institute. These will help you understand the great hearts of the people in Eurasia and how anxious they are to learn and grow in spiritual leadership. It will also help you understand why Gordon feels so amazingly blessed to work with training programs like this one and the very similar one in Asia (Click Asia-Pacific Leadership Academy).

“It was so exciting! It was so important for me to hear what Gordon was teaching. The lesson about having the fear of God along with the right motivation was very needed. We really need to do what God says, but at the same time our motivation – our attitude – is very important so that we would do everything for him out of love and with faith. I truly admire Gordon, the way he is fired up for God at age 67! He inspires me with his commitment and great love for God and His Word!”

Jenya Ursol, Teen Ministry Leader, Kiev, Ukraine, Track 1

“The topic of the first session was very useful for me and my wife. Even during the preparation for the classes – reading articles – we had a chance to think deeper about the ways to transform our minds

and views of different things. In particular the article “Motivation: Guilt or Grace?” made a big impact on us. We were so happy to be able to learn from Gordon coming to Kiev and to be able to ask him questions about the ministry. Probably the most important thing was that all we learned from Gordon we could put into practice right away in our ministry in our church. Thank you very much for this deep and practical teaching!”

Jenya & Ira Pashkov, Lviv, Ukraine, Track 1

“I am grateful to God for the chance to listen to the teaching from a really mature disciple of Jesus. For the chance to renew my relationship with God, to refresh my understanding, because that had gotten stale some way. It was so inspiring to hear how Gordon was sharing about the Word of God, about his wife Theresa and his friends. It was important to me to get convicted once again that I shouldn’t focus on where I am at now. What matters is where I want to be! There is no limit for the Kingdom dreams and it is very inspiring!”

Mikhael Martynchuk, Kiev – 14 years in Christ, father of 3 –2 of which are disciples. Track 2

“The teaching from Gordon turned my view of God completely. One

moment it even seemed that for 14 years in Christ I have not come to know God. I know that we will never comprehend God’s grace even if we try. But I was sure that I knew something about my Creator about his love for people. Now I see that I know nothing… Though my prayers sometimes were zealous even to the point of pride, I let myself make conditions to God. Listening to Gordon, I understood something about myself as well. I realized what a selfish person I am! Everything I’ve got – my husband, children, place to live, my friends and the church – is all because of God’s grace. Not because of my deeds: I couldn’t earn a tenth of it all. He did more than any person could imagine – he gave up his Son (not even just a son – Himself!) Because in John 10:30 Jesus says that God and He are One. What I can do is to express my gratitude for this hope to Christ for the rest of my life and to help other people to get that hope. Thank you, Gordon, for the revolution in my heart!”

Olga Martynchuk, Kiev – 14 years in Christ mother of 3 – 2 of them are disciples. Track 2

“It was a great time that helped me to take a look at God, at myself and at my relationship with Creator in a new way. At first I thought it would be a good time to be kicked-off towards the right walk with God. But I was wrong, I saw not God who was pushing me towards heaven so I would finally drag myself in, but a priceless treasure in Heaven that I desire to run to myself and to show the way to others. I could see Father who wants for us to focus on Jesus and not on ourselves, not to be prideful and materialistic. Thank you for that time.”

Igor Ustuzhanin, Kiev – 17 years in Christ, Track 2

“Ever go to a cafe and order a salad… and in your mind when you ordered it … it was this little bowl, with just a few leaves and some green things that you never really know what they are called? Then the waiter brings out a plate just a few inches larger than the table you are sitting at, and the salad towers high a little like the Rocky Mountains? And you think: This is so much more than I thought I ordered! Well, that describes my 12 days with Gordon Ferguson! I thought a few greens and some blue cheese was what I needed! I got the meal of a lifetime!

This month we have started a month of “Repentance” in the Kiev Church (Thank you, Ed Anton – for letting God use you in such a great way!) God used Gordon as a prophet to not only bring great teaching – but strong discipling, the kind that brings great refreshment and hope! I am thankful for the Ferguson family, and for the ministry they share together. Pray for us to clean our plate, and not miss any of the teaching that we have received! For more info from Gordon Ferguson, see his website: http://gftm.org/

Thank you Gordon – and Happy Anniversary!!!”

Shawn Wooten, European Evangelist Trainer

posted by Jerry Maday, Worcester, MA