Eastern Europe
As INSTE (Institute of Theology By Extension) Director for Europe, I have the privilege of witnessing many people from many cultures growing in their Christian walk, following God’s call into leadership, and seeing the Church strengthened. When I was appointed as an Open Bible missionary and came to Eastern Europe in 1999 to begin the INSTE program in both Hungarian and Russian, I didn’t know how rewarding and at the same time how challenging this would be. First I learned Hungarian, and coordinated the translation of INSTE into Hungarian and started INSTE in Hungary. When that segment was passed along to another missionary, I moved to Ukraine and repeated the process in the Russian language, and then into the Ukrainian language. We have completely translated the INSTE materials in both the Russian and Ukrainian languages – all 28 books – enabling students in Ukraine to study in their preferred language. I travel many miles promoting the INSTE program, speaking to pastors interested in using INSTE in their churches. Over the years INSTE in Ukraine has had over 1,800 students in the program in churches that ranges from very conservative to very charismatic. The translation of INSTE Level One into Romanian is completed but I continue to travel to Romania to train and encourage the national leadership. We are now pursuing contacts in Russia for INSTE, too, praying for God’s person and time. The process of translating INSTE into an unnamed Central Asian language has now begun and soon pilot groups will begin with that people-group. Christian Education on the mission field is my passion! I love the languages, working cross-culturally, coordinating translation teams, setting up systems for operating, training leaders, making books, visiting groups, assisting group leaders, and promoting INSTE. INSTE fits me to a tee! The privilege is mine to go and make disciples in the nations with INSTE and Open Bible. |
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