From Külli Tõniste BMTS Rector

FOCUS

I have always liked altar paintings. I have long admired large images of Jesus on the cross, or scenes of his life, resurrection or final judgment. Altar paintings are sometimes old-fashioned. But they serve one important function: THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE. There is something about permanent images in a transient, changing world. Permanent images help us to focus on something important.

BMTS holds a worship service and two prayer times every week during study sessions. The blank white wall in our chapel always bothered me. The wall is no longer empty! There is an image of Jesus reaching out to the world and creation (fish) being drawn to Him. It is a visual invitation to worship. It speaks about God who reaches out to our world, offers his hand to rescue us from sin, and to unite us to Father. Water and fire are images of the Holy Spirit. We do not worship the image, but the image helps us to worship.

This painting is a gift from Christian artist Ain Vares. We are so glad to have him as a seminary student this year. Thank you!

Ain Vares painted “Unity in Diversity” based on 1Cor 12:12-13. It was painted before live audience at evangelical event Hope for Europe. This painting captures well our seminary where people of different backgrounds study together and where our focus is theology and mission. You can see more Ain-s art at Ainvaresart.com.

SPONSORS

This is a special season of Thanksgiving. I am so grateful for this year. We have been blessed in many ways. God has seen us through. I am truly grateful for opportunity to serve with so many wonderful and generous people who spend freely and joyfully their time, talent and treasure for ministry.

We thank CHURCHES that have given to Scholarship fund in 2019:
Asbury UMC
Bartlesville First Church
Bluefield First UMC
Broadway UMC
Chapelwood UMC
Due West UMC
First Board Street UMC
First UMC of Ardmore
First UMC of Sevierville
First UMC Peoria
Fountain City UMC
Harve DeGrace UMC
Hyde Park UMC
Jonesville UMC
Kern Memorial UMC
Metropolitan UMC
Midland First UMC
Ooltewah UMC
Panther Springs UMC
Ridgedale UMC
Trinity UMC

This list is based on Oct 31st. If your church has supported this year but is not listed, let us know. If a gift was made in Dec 2018, but it reached us in Jan 2019 these would be listed here.

Some of you have partnered with us for almost 25 years! Some have become partners this year. If you or your church has a story to share with me about how our relationship started, I would be interested to hear.

We also thank all INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS. As some of you prefer anonymity, so I will not include personal names.

We are happy to announce that several donors are issuing a match challenge! They are inspiring us to double their combined contribution of $10,000 so together we raise at least $20,000! To meet the challenge, funds must be received by December 20th. Because we know you value the work of the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary, you are someone we are personally approaching for support. Please help us achieve our goals and double the impact of your gift at the same time!

Click here to see the letter of invitation and HOW TO GIVE

FACULTY AND STAFF

All of our faculty are hard working and very special, but I would like to brag about a few of them this month.

Taavet Hindrek Taimla has been saying “yes” to many opportunities. He started a men’s prayer breakfast at Tallinn Methodist church. There are 30+ men praying. He was also presenting in India recently and also shared a spiritual formation message with some doctors and nurses in Tallinn. Taavet and Douglas Childress promoted BMTS at Global Leadership Summit.

Dean Mark Nelson was teaching at an evening bible college organized by free churches. With his wife Livia, he leads a special Saturday bible study in Rakvere which Taavi Hollman had a hand in organizing and Mark also aired on Christian family radio program.

Please pray for our faculty who are frequently volunteering and go beyond their assignments and reach out in ministry to churches and society. Many are grateful for their joyful service but we pray that they do not burn out.

In November we wish happy birthday to Maiu Mäevere, our librarian-treasurer!

STUDENTS

I am so grateful for the students we have. They bring many talents to our school, this year I hear a lot of music and prayer. Students desire to live out their call, they are always willing to serve, preach, share their testimonies, encourage each other. That on top of all their studies. I am inspired by them every day!

ALUMNI

We have many talented alumni, but sometimes I capture some in news. Congratulations to our 2002 graduate Jaanus Kangur, who was voted to be “2019 Best Educator”. Jaanus often provides training and consultations on a variety of topics: negotiations, conflict prevention, public speaking, etc. I saw him most recently at a training event for chaplains. Keep up the good work!

GIVE

Donations to BMTS can be made through the Advance using website:

advance.umcmission.org

To find us search for Europe, Education, Estonia, Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary Scholarships

Advance # 15021B

Or use this link:

https://advance.umcmission.org/p-275-baltic-methodist-theological-seminary-scholarships.aspx