Kiev, Ukraine

On February 20-23, Dr. Jonathan Burnham visited the capital of Ukraine, Kiev. During his visit, he held a special meeting with our potential strategic partners – representatives of Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary (UBTS), which is located in the heart of the Western Ukraine, the ancient city of Lviv.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Yaroslav Pyz (President of UBTS), pastor Alexander Savich (Academic Dean of UBTS) and pastor Mykola Romanyuk (member of the Board of Trustees of UBTS and senior pastor of Irpin Bible Church).

During the meeting, Dr. Burnham had a chance to learn about the ministry of UBTS with its commitment to mentoring future church leaders, led the discussion about the implementation of BMI training programs and materials in UBTS and regional Bible colleges.

Russia and Belarus

Following Encountering Christ for the Northern European States, Dr. Burnham and Dr. Sorokun stayed in Minks for four extra days to conduct a special vision casting meeting with our Ministry Partners from Belarus and Russia. The leaders met in the beautiful Minsk Theological Seminary.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Leonid Mikhovich (Secretary General of the Baptist Union of Belarus and the President of Minsk Theological Seminary), Pastor Sergey Drozd (BMI representative in Belarus and the Vice President of Minsk Theological Seminary), and Dr. Eugene Bakhmutsky (former Vice President of the Baptist Union of Russia).

During the meeting the leaders had in-depth discussions of the entire curriculum of BMI, and of BTMP in particular. Dr. Burnham explained the mechanism of successful implementation of BTMP in Bible seminaries and colleges, and lead the brothers through a deep study of Seven Steps of Christian Living.

Such a meeting resulted in an extended partnership of BMI with Bible seminaries of Belarus and Russia.

Kharkov, Ukraine

Following the time in Minsk, Belarus, Dr. Burnham and Dr. Sorokun traveled to Ukraine to conduct a number of strategic meetings.

Their time in Ukraine began in Dr. Sorokun’s home town and the site of BMI Training Center, Kharkov, Ukraine. Dr. Burnham met with the Superintendent of the Baptist Union of the Kharkov Region, pastor Gennady Pilipenko. During the cordial meeting the pastors shared their vision on the development of mentorship multiplication movement in the city of Kharkov. Pastor Pilipenko extended an invitation to Dr. Burnham to visit Kharkov frequently with his training events.

Dr. Burnham was also able to meet with pastor Rui Tien, pastor of the Chinese church. Pastor Rui Tien is being personally disciple by Dr. Sorokun and continues to implement BMI curriculum in Chinese churches throughout Ukraine.

Pastor Vitaliy and Nadia Morokhovets will represent BMI as key trainers on Seven Steps of Christian Living and Women’s Ministry and Mentoring Program. Pastor Vitaliy is the Director of Kharkov Regional Bible College. His wife Nadia is the director of Women’s Ministries for the Kharkov Region. She and Vitaliy will be training our materials in both Ukraine and Belarus.

Dr. Burnham also visited and preached at Grace church led by pastor Dmitry Goncharov, and New Hope Church – the international congregation lead by Dr. Sorokun.