Seminary Students Reflect On Experiences

A Great Influence Upon Me

Irina Vasina

My Name is Irina Vasina. I came to study at the Theological Seminary with a deep desire to know God and deepen my faith. The main motivation for my admission was to understand the Word of God better and expand my spiritual knowledge. I wanted to learn more about how to apply this knowledge in daily life and in service to others.

The curriculum offered by the seminary promised to give me the necessary tools and practical skills to do so.

The seminary became a place where I could see the truth and gain clarity in many aspects of spiritual life. God’s presence was felt in the classrooms, worship services, and conversations with teachers. God filled me with new understanding and inspired me to serve.

I am grateful to the seminary for many things. First of all, I am grateful for the team of teachers who pass on their knowledge and experience with deep devotion. Their teaching style and spiritual guidance had a great influence on me. I am also grateful for the opportunity to learn and interact with such dedicated and sincere fellow students. Bible study, sharing, and spiritual discussions have been a source of inspiration and growth for me.

Through my training in seminary, I realized that ministry is not only about fulfilling duties but also about finding opportunities for development and growth. Seminary has helped me broaden my horizons and see new ways to serve more effectively. I learned to identify my strengths and use them in the ministry, as well as overcome my limitations and develop new skills. Now, I feel more confident and motivated, ready to take on more responsibility and strive to achieve new results.

Overall, studying at the Theological Seminary was an unforgettable and transformative experience for me. I am deeply grateful to God for the opportunity to study here and for everything He has done in my life in this process!

Learning To Serve As Called

Maria Dyuryagina

My Name is Maria Dyuryagina. I was born to parents who had just converted to Christ. They were on fire for Him, served much and were full of strength. I grew up in such an atmosphere and this fire was transferred to me. At the age of 4, I decided to become a follower of Christ.

At the age of 13, after graduating from Sunday school in the church, I decided to go to serve in the children’s ministry. Both of my parents were in this ministry, so I felt there was nowhere else for me to go. I didn’t consider it my calling at the time. However, the more time passed, the more I saw the Lord’s way in my life. He opened new doors for me and showed me where he sees me and what he expects from my ministry. At the age of 18, I started thinking about working with teenagers. At the age of 20, after completing a youth ministry leadership course, I entered a new phase and field of service for me. In the same year, I heard a call from God: “Do you want to serve these young hearts? These are special hearts for Me; you need to learn to serve them.”

Thus began my path in the seminary. I enrolled and, full of enthusiasm, began to study. It turned out to be a difficult and sometimes even thorny path. Around the beginning of the second semester, with tears in my eyes, I decided for myself that I could no longer. I decided to leave the seminary altogether. Everything fell out of my hands, spiritually and emotionally it was difficult, internally I felt broken. After making this decision, I had a dream. In a dream, I was sitting in a seminary auditorium, and another student approached me with whom we had never communicated. He said: “You must finish your studies.” He repeated these words over and over until I woke up. At that moment, it became clear that I could not leave. The Lord wanted me to walk this path from beginning to end.

God changed me throughout the journey, worked with my heart and character. It seems that I came to study as an ambitious, but still very little girl, who did not understand where she was going. Now I am a little more mature, understanding and able to achieve my goals together with God.

I especially and passionately fell in love with the subject of “spiritual development”, which allowed me to look at myself, Scripture and even God from a different angle. The seminary taught me to think more broadly through the different subjects and topics covered. I am infinitely grateful to the seminary for teachers who are not only competent in the matter of teaching but who are also strong in character, steadfast in faith, and with such loving hearts. Seminary gave me good friends and knowledge that I can and will apply in the ministry of my beloved teenagers and opened the door to various opportunities.

This part of my life changed me forever (I want to believe that only for the better), and I will always remember this time with warmth.

Building A Future

Students and staff of the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary gather on the first day of the 2023-2024 school year

Your gift will help sustain the legacy of generosity that has placed the BMTS at the forefront of preparing a new generation of Christian leaders in Estonia and beyond. Make a gift on BMTS Giving Day…every gift will both celebrate the past thirty years and lead us into the future God has planned for the school.

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