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20 years of God’s Faithfulness
One of SGA’s partners in Central Asia is celebrating 20 years of God’s faithfulness. The Almaty Bible Institute (ABI) is the largest Bible Seminary in Central Asia and seeks to provide theological training for men and women throughout the region.
Its founding dates back to a conference in August 1991 when a group of pastors and Sunday School teachers from across Kazakhstan (plus a few others from Russia and Uzbekistan) gathered together and recognized the need for permanent Bible training courses. As was the case for all the former Soviet Republics, Bible Schools had not been allowed under Communist rule. However, all that changed when the Soviet Union broke up in 1991. Shortly after the conference, initial classes at the new ABI were offered under the leadership of Pastor Viktor Zinchenko, Almaty’s first director.
Dr. Oleg Korotky, who was the second director of the Institute writes, ‘The purpose of ABI is to develop students in three different directions — academically, spiritually, and practically, with the final purpose of influencing local churches in their ministry. The institute prepares ministers for the five Muslim republics of Central Asia, and its graduates and students are ministering through almost all of Central Asia. For example, about 35% of the pastors in Kazakhstan are graduates or students of ABI, and the number of pastors is growing. One of our graduates is the pastor of the biggest Baptist church in Kazakhstan and in all of Central Asia. He is also one of the leaders of the Baptist Union in Kazakhstan, and this gives him the opportunity to strengthen many other churches in the country.
Before ABI began, no one could preach expository sermons, and Christians were unfamiliar with exegesis. There were a lot of problems with understanding Bible doctrines. Many churches were holding to certain traditions, not understanding that sometimes traditions are not consistent with the Scriptures. But our students started to teach local congregations Bible doctrines, and in so doing, strengthened many churches in their spiritual life and ministry. Many students became missionary pastors across Central Asia, with many new churches and small groups being planted. One of our graduates is from Uzbekistan, and he has a strong influence in his region there. Their church has around 800 members, yet largely meets in small groups. This underground church is carrying its ministry forward in a very strong Muslim environment.
To date more than 550 students have graduated from Almaty Bible Institute, 167 of these from the pastoral programme. Today, Pastor Alexander Karyakov, who is sponsored under SGA’s Leadership Support programme, serves as president. He believes the mission of ABI is as vital today as it was 20 years ago. He writes
‘Our students come from all regions of Kazakhstan, as well as from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Some 70 percent of our graduating students are involved in evangelistic ministry, preaching and discipleship. The impact can be measured by the trust among churches in Central Asia for our spiritual and biblical education. We are a key source ensuring the proclamation of sound conservative biblical doctrines and evangelical Christianity. Many brothers and sisters from the rural provinces have access now to a quality biblical education. This definitely makes up for the lack of such training during the Soviet period when it was impossible.’
We are thankful to the Lord for ABI, and ask that you continue to pray that the Lord will use it as He raises up men and women for Gospel ministry throughout Central Asia.
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