Taavi and Naatan Hollman – From the Beginning

Taavi Hollman (graduated from BMTS in 2000)

I have been involved with BMTS since its very beginning. From 1994 to 2000, I was a student and graduated in June 2000. Later, I returned to the Seminary to teach courses on church growth and evangelism, and also served as the Seminary chaplain.

In 2005, after being elected District Superintendent, I joined the Board of Trustees and continued also teaching. When I concluded my term as Superintendent in June of 2018, Bishop Christian Alsted invited me to serve as assistant to the newly elected rector, Külli Tõniste. I held this position until July 2023, when I was asked to step in as interim rector. This role lasted until August 2024, after which I resumed my position as assistant—this time to the new rector, Laur Lilleoja.

In total, I have been connected to the Seminary for nearly its entire existence—almost 31 years.

I am deeply grateful to God for the inspiration, teaching, sense of belonging, and many other blessings the Seminary has provided over the years. I am thankful for the teachers I’ve had the privilege to learn from and work alongside.

I also thank God for His calling on my life and the opportunity to serve in pastoral ministry throughout these years. I was ordained as a deacon in 1992 and as an elder in 2000. While serving in various roles at the Seminary, I have always remained active in pastoral ministry— first as a youth pastor (1992–2005), then as District Superintendent (2005–2018), and since 2019, as pastor of a local church in Rakvere.

I am especially thankful for the opportunity to serve those whom God is drawing to Himself and to help them grow as disciples of Jesus. In June 2024, we held a beautiful outdoor baptism service in the Valgejõgi River, where I with the help of pastor Vitali Baranov (Graduated BMTS in 2015) baptized three new believers. During 2024–2025, I have been preparing a new group for baptism, with 6–7 people currently awaiting the sacrament.

Naatan Hollman (graduated from BMTS in 2000)

I am deeply grateful to my wife, Merle, and my family, who have been a great support to me throughout my ministry. I also thank God for our son, Naatan, who graduated from the Seminary in June 2025.

Thank you for your support and for helping bring this great story to life!

I came to study at BMTS because I had a deep longing in my life to grow and develop spiritually. I had just finished high school after 12 years of studying everything else, and I felt it was time to deepen my knowledge of God. I also had some questions for which I came to the seminary seeking answers. During my studies, God has changed me significantly and helped me grow spiritually. I have moved forward in discovering my calling and have had the opportunity to practice various forms of ministry. The seminary has helped me learn to listen to God’s voice
and to trust Him in every situation. I am most grateful that the seminary has given me practical tools to support both my own and others’ spiritual formation. I am also very thankful for the seminary community – the supportive faculty and fellow students have been a great encouragement. I especially remember the prayer partners with whom I have prayed and shared life’s burdens over the years.

The greatest “aha moment” for me was realizing that God not only sends us out but is Himself on a mission, inviting us to join Him. God’s call can begin right where I already am. I have learned that theology is not just an academic discipline, but a means through which God wants to shape our character and way of life. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to study at the EMK Theological Seminary. In recent years, I have primarily focused on working with youth. I have been a member of the Youth Council of the Estonian Methodist Church for nearly five years (since 2021) and have been actively involved in organizing various youth events. I have led a youth camp and organized a 9-month spiritual growth course for youth leaders called Kasvulava (“Growth Platform” or “Greenhouse”).

My heart is especially drawn to the development of youth leaders, aiming to prevent burnout among those serving in ministry. Starting this autumn, I will take on the responsibility of chairing the Youth Council of the Methodist Church.

In addition to youth ministry, I have also preached in congregations and help organize monthly morning prayers at the Police Department. I have also been involved in prayer group activities in schools across Estonia (as part of the international movement New Generation), where I have supported both new and already established prayer groups.