Russian seminaries merge, appoint new president

Mitskevich, a medical doctor, was ordained to the Christian ministry in 1991, and has been vice president of the Russian Baptist Union since 2002, a union of more than 1,500 churches and over 80,000 members. He previously served as academic dean of the MTS and has taught systematic theology and pastoral leadership, among other courses.

The new rector was influenced in his early years by Christian parents and grandparents in communist Russia. His grandfather was jailed for more than 10 years for his Christian faith, while his father, Valter Mitskevich, lost his job as a dentist after he converted to Christianity. The 48 year old Peter Mitskevich made his own personal commitment to Christ when he was 14 years old.

 
Peter Mitskevich, new rector
of the Moscow Theological
Seminary

The graduate of Moscow Medical University studied at the Moscow Bible Institute upon his call to the Christian ministry. He furthered his studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Texas, USA, and is also a trained counselor and church planter. He is host of the Christian radio broadcast, Insight for Living, via TransWorldRadio.

 “I am excited about the great opportunity to serve my Lord and my nation Russia. The churches of Russia need pastors and teachers from our school. The people of Russia need the Lord,” Mitskevich said in response to his appointment.

 
Students at the Moscow Theological Seminary

Courses are offered in Pastoral Ministry and Christian Education, and students can earn bachelors and masters degrees.

The Russian seminary is run in collaboration with Russian Leadership Ministries (RLM) in the United States, which provides 90 percent support for students, the academic program, as well as the administration of the school. Ian Chapman, a Baptist World Alliance vice president and chairman of the BWA Promotion and Development Committee, is chairman and president of RLM.

Mitskevich has been married to Tatiana, a civil engineer, for 23 years, and they have five children.

A service of Installation and Dedication for the new rector will be held on September 25 at a meeting of the MTS Board of Trustees in Moscow.

(June 29, 2007)

© Baptist World Alliance