Challenges in Ministry

The Almaty Bible Institute, Kazakstan

The leadership of the Institute’s Director, Oleg Korotki is quiet and wise. He is undoubtedly the godly influence behind the good progress made. Oleg is supported in his work by his wife Svetlana who shares the sacrifices which they make as a family to live and work in the missionary situation of Almaty.

Svetlana has a particular concern for children and has committed herself to a Gospel witness among them. Three years ago the mix of people in her Bible class was only Kazak and Russian but it now also includes Turks, Chechens, Uigars and Kurds. This new mix brings significant challenges, not least in understanding the Muslim background of the children.

Their own children are active in Christian service. The boys, Illia (20 years old) and Vladimir (19) are in the middle of a nine month English and Biblical Studies Course at the Prague Baptist Theological Seminary. On their return Illia will marry Valentina at the Institute in September. This will be a great joy. Both Illia and Vladimir will be involved in youth work and Vladimir will preach. They hope to continue their English Studies and in the future offer themselves within the Institute as translators. They have two sisters, Natasha and Angelina. Natasha is studying music at the Christian Musical Academy in Moscow where she has three more years of the four year course to complete. Angelina is still at school and is a great comfort to her mother with the other three children away.

Oleg and Svetlana are members of the six hundred strong Second Baptist Church which has at least twenty people groups. This is a new challenge as well. They have noticed that evangelism and discipleship is much harder now than a few years ago. They were used to many conversions each year but now it is a handful. Added to this is the depressing and permanent feature of growing numbers of members seeking a better life in other countries.

Oleg speaks of three challenges which the Institute faces.

• First, he is concerned about student numbers. It is sometimes a financial impossibility for potential pastors and church planters to personally finance and attend the Institute and even if this problem were to be overcome not all the good men are given the blessing and support of their church pastors. There is a resistance from some of the older men and pastors to theological education of any kind; they are fearful of theological diversity and a training which enables students to step beyond what they have been capable of. Oleg is aware that these attitudes will have to change and he has a role in providing the necessary information which will help.
  
• Secondly, the Institute owns its buildings but not the actual land. At any moment the local authorities could demand it back. Oleg wants to buy the land and needs both the good favour of the authorities to do so and the money with which to make the purchase.
  
• Thirdly, the Institute must seek to provide excellent study facilities including an extensive library and computer suite. At present the library is very modest and cannot provide the resources for higher degree work. The cost to upgrade the library is not within the budget of the Institute.

The Evangelical believers in Kazakstan want to plant hundreds more churches over the next ten years. These churches will need trained pastor-teachers. The Almaty Bible Institute, under the direction of Oleg Korotki, has a vital, urgent and strategic part to play.