Dear friends,

It is my joy to announce that BMTS has been institutionally accredited for the next 3 years and our theology and mission curriculum for the next 7 years. The international committee found our teaching, learning, and curriculum to meet the standards of international higher applied education. The committee wished to see more applied research, publications, and generally more visibility in society. These are the areas we have already committed to work on.

-Külli Tõniste
BMTS Rector

(RE)FOCUS

This year I took some violin lessons. This was a new thing for me. I have never held a violin in my hands before. I had only admired how great it sounds when played by professionals. My first efforts on violin did not sound great. Sometimes it was hard to recognize a decent sound between the scraching sounds. Some days I doubted if I can learn, I wondered if it was worth trying. The teacher kept telling me what was wrong. The hold, the bow, the position of my fingers. Well, this I already knew. But I did not know how the correct looked like or felt.

“Please tell me if I do something right and then I will try to do more of that!” I asked. And so she agreed. She spent more time describing the correct way and why it was the correct way. And it worked! By focusing on the right way I was able to do it more and more. Now I can play a simple tune. But more importantly, I have the joy and desire to practice.

It helps us at the seminary when we hear what we are doing well. We would like to do even more of it. Please do let us know when we hit the right notes. We would like to do it even more. We want to develop in the right direction.

Proverbs 16:24

STUDENTS

collaborative work in a Church Planting course.

In the coming school year, tuition will increase and there will be fees for some administrative activities. Unfortunately, learning and teaching have expenses. We want to continue to make education available for everyone who senses God’s call to ministry. For that reason, we will continue to offer discounts to applicants who are active in their home church during their studies. We want to find a solution that suits every student. The necessary information is up on the seminary website. We are also asking congregations to support your students during their studies with prayers and financially and also offer them opportunities to serve in the congregation. We believe that the best theological education happens in the synergy of classroom learning and practical ministry during the studies. Practice is the only way to truly bring forth potential and talents in each student.

FACULTY & STAFF

In March Kaja Rüütel celebrated her birthday. Many blessings to Kaja! We really appreciate your talents in English translation and your heart for ministry.

Dynamic professors Carol and Brent Weaver were a blessing for our students.

We had a privilege to welcome OMS missionaries Brent and Carol Weaver, as our visiting faculty. They taught about Church Growth and our students were very excited. Carol also preached a deep message in Chapel based on a biblical lament which touched so many hearts. We are grateful to God for our partnership with OMS.

ALUMNI

Bishops Ago Lilleorg, Märt Vähi and BMTS Alumni Alur Õunpuu

Our 2018 graduate Alur Õunpuu was ordained bishop of the Estonian Christian Pentecostal Church. As a student, Alur always lifted up and encouraged other students. At the night before his ordination, Alur shared that before God he would prefer to be guilty of being too generous than being too strict. We know Alur to be a humble, friendly person with a servants heart. Now he is an even greater blessing to Estonian church. We wish God’s guidance to Alur in this great responsibility.

RELATIONSHIPS

The Seminary had a very special privilege to host visitors from Fairview UMC, Maryville, Tennessee. Faithful Men visited Methodists in Latvia and Estonia. The choir performed in Paide UMC where our student Kristina Lepik and our graduate Eivin Toodo are pastors. They also sang at Tallinn New Prison where seminary graduate Allan Kroll is chaplain. Pastor Mickey Rainwater and worship leader Wesley Rouse shared their experiences in designing wholistic worship services with pastors of Estonian UMC at the What Would Wesley Preach pastor’s continued education training in Pärnu.

You can hear the Faithful Men singing spontaneously to restaurant workers:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1bTn8uhWE2P8LpYJZFL-I5lZZsjJPGbf7
This is how great they sounded at Tallinn UMC acoustic church:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1n5xF9c5gVCGJFj0kYVynqCENVphDfQKp

Faithful Men leading worship in Paide UMC.

BMTS has a great working relationship with the Estonian Christian Pentecostal Church Next Step Bible School program. There are currently 9 students in Next Step Bible school. Students will a receive certificate for 1 year of studies.

Külli Tõniste taught a course in Soteriology at ECPC Next Step Bible School.

SPONSORS

New textbooks in theology, biblical studies, apologetics, methodism, preaching and worship. Thank you!

We have so much to be grateful for. Faculty and students are excited about good quality English textbooks added to our library collection. Thanks to our trustee JD Landis for your initiative in this donation.

BMTS website Estonian site has now added a more convenient PayPal option for regular support using credit card.
https://www.emkts.ee/index.php/et/annetused

Advance through umcmission.org has recently changed its website layout. Here is the link to BMTS project for your convenience.
https://advance.umcmission.org/p-275-baltic-methodist-theological-seminary-scholarships.aspx

The seminary has doubled its development fund in March thanks to staff and faculty donations. Every donation from our own people is “Yes” and “Amen” to the work that we are doing. We want to see the work that God began throguh the seminary 25 years ago to continue to bear good fruit. Thanks be to God.