Scholarship Candidates
Read What these men are Saying after attending
our Spring 2025 INtensive Course in Turkey
Konstantine Savichev from Siberia
3rd Yr Student Konstantine with wife Alyona & their 3 children
My name is Konstantin and I am pastor of the Evangelical Church "Our Church" in Novokuznetsk, Siberia. In 2022, I began studying at HopeRussia Seminary. Here are some the things I've learned that have had a profound impact on my ministry:
1. I've learned that Reformed pastors carefully study the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, and consider them to be one whole. I did not know about the history of the Reformation before, but now I understand how important it is in the pastor's ministry, especially in preaching.
2. The Reformers believed that a minister should manage his home well, take care of his family and love his loved ones. I realized that children are also part of God's people, and the requirement for an elder in 1 Timothy 3 is "one who manages his own house well, keeping his children in obedience with all honesty". This helped me realize that I need to take care of my family not only for myself but also for the health of the church.
3. I've learned about the Presbyterian model of church governance. We now have a five-member spiritual board in our church and we try to follow this model.
In order to continue studying and helping the church, I need a study scholarship for my family, as studying takes a lot of time.
Sergey Konshin also from Siberia
1st Year Student Sergey Konshin & wife Yulia
My name is Sergey Konshin. My wife (Yulia) and I have two children, Timothy (12) and Daria (5). HopeRussia Seminary has been a real blessing for me. I have been serving in the church for 20 years, and my understanding of Scripture, church life, and liturgy has always been based on the tradition of our evangelical denomination. I have long wanted to see Scripture through ta more ancient lens, connected to a historical heritage, what Blake calls “the historical church”.
I have come to better understand the church in its historical context in the Reformation. Each intensive course gives me food for thought, which I share with parishioners. Many doctrinal issues have become clearer. In this last course on the atonement I for the first time have assurance of salvation based on passages like:
Heb 10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
I like the theology of the reformers, and we already apply elements of the Reformed tradition in our liturgy, such as repeating the Apostle’s creed.
If the Lord provides me with a scholarship, it will give me more time to me focus on my studies without worrying about supporting my family as I plant our church.
