Academic Dean’s Blog

Mike Manna, our Youth Ministry Program Director, features his current youth ministry students who are enrolled in studies this academic year.

You can download this poster (PDF) from his website.

Technorati Tags: youth_ministry, ncym, seminary, kts, manna

This list can be made of any things, persons, countries, issues, songs, movies, books you name it. And here is top number list of churches. The Church Report latest online issue informs us about 50 Most Influential Churches in North America.

Well, what if we have list of TOP 50 or 100 or 10 top churches in the world! That would be something! But until someone makes such a list we are left to enjoy the information on just one part of the world. And that’s ok. I wish I could read something about my country. Wait a second! Can I make one? I am interested how those guys do it. If I am familiar with the methodology maybe I could do it myself or with a research team? Well, the first step as I see it is to search for a top-something-list already available in Ukraine before going in the direction of researching and compiling one. Although producing such top-something-list can draw an attention to the authors/publishers. Sounds like an idea. But first things must be kept first.

By the way, The Church Report also released in Jan 06: 50 Most Influential Christians in America and in May 06: Top 20 Youth Ministers.

Lists like those can not be found in Ukraine. If they are available, I will let you know.

Each country has its unique blend of culture. Each local church has her unique traits. Sometimes those traits can be discouraging but positive influence should not be excluded from view. An evangelical church in a capital of the country, this fact can not in itself secure the church to be an example and model for ministry. Sometimes you need to go somewhere else to learn sound models and see biblically driven ministries. I am glad that our seminary faculty look everywhere for faithful believers and minister to them in various ministry environments. In his resent ministry update "They Call Him Youth Pastor" Mike Manna, NCYM Director, shares the joys of discoveries he experienced during his recent ministry trip to Western Ukraine. I let him speak now,

The last week of May, Judy and I with our translator, Lena, went to Western Ukraine. Specifically, the cities of Lutsk (population: 200,000) and Rivne (pop.: 250,000). I have six students in the area, so I wanted to meet with them and their mentors as well as visit some of their youth groups. It was so encouraging. God is using our youth ministry training, and I received some evidence of it.

Sasha, one of our freshman students at the seminary, is the youth pastor at the Fimiam ("Fragrance") Church in Lutsk. Did you see what I wrote? "Youth Pastor!" This is amazing for me. I have never seen a Baptist Church in Ukraine call their youth leader – a Youth Pastor! This has been one of our goals, and I was so excited to see this young church doing the right thing. This church has seen their need for more than just a youth Sunday school teacher. The church is also supporting him with a small salary which is very unusual since many pastors are not even paid by their churches in Ukraine.

Indeed unusual situation for denominational church in Ukraine. For a bigger picture read Mike's another newsletter "Stories About Youth Leaders' Trials" this one can tell you of other less promising Ukrainain examples of youth ministries.

I am especially glad that positive things happen somewhere else in Ukraine, not just in the capital city. It's promising and I keep my eyes open, longing to see God’s leading hand and church’s obedient response. I pray for my own heart to be soft, meek and willing to follow his plans. My prayer also goes further for my family, my colleagues, my church, and my country. Please, join me with your prayers.

Mike Manna, Director of NCYM, Ukraine, conducted research of Ukrainian youth. His findings are available on his page for Ukrainian Culture Research. Particularly, his paper Ukrainian Youth Culture Study can be a helpful insight for anyone who is interested in youth of Slavic Countries. The paper is at the bottom of the list of articles.