News from UPF Archives - Page 4 of 5

New Classrooms Ready – Just in Time!

It would have been nearly impossible for UBTS to meet the social distancing requirements for in-person classes if the new Academic Building had not been available. Praise God for His perfect timing!

UBTS first envisioned expanding its academic facilities in 2016. God led them to the current location for a new campus and inspired a fresh vision for growth and impact. Then God moved faithful donors to generously provide the $2.4 million to begin the building project.

The two floors and classrooms in the new Academic Building created by phase one renovations were critically important to manage safe operations in the Fall 2020 Semester. These new spaces, combined with the creative use of other available areas, allowed UBTS to continue to teach and mentor hundreds of students in-person in L’viv, while following all COVID-19 protocols.

Take a tour of the new facility in this video and see the dramatic progress that has been made towards transforming an old, unoccupied building into a thriving academic hub. Envision with us additional classrooms, kitchen and dining facilities, a library, and chapel – spacious, inviting places where UBTS students will be educated, equipped, and inspired! Imagine the Kingdom impact that students using this unique building will bring to churches and communities throughout Ukraine and beyond!

In the immediate term, completing construction in the unfinished areas will reduce COVID-19 rental costs, streamline operations, and provide greater opportunities for fellowship and connection among UBTS students, faculty, and staff. And when pandemic restrictions are lifted, UBTS also will be poised for an exciting new season of growth and impact.

Progress on the New Academic Building Continues

News from UPF

Amazing! That’s the word UBTS supporters are using to describe the progress that’s been made in recent months on the new academic building. Improvements to date include:
• Addition of two floors and a full basement to the original two-story building
• Restored and expanded interior rooms
• Utility upgrades
• Replacement of all windows and doors
• Refacing the exterior for a clean, modern look

The first two floors of the building will be available for use in September for student instruction. With these improvements complete, the excavation and foundation work for Phase Two of the building project has begun.

This incredible progress in the face of the pandemic would not have been possible without God’s protection and His provision through significant gifts from many UPF supporters who made generous and timely investment in the move of God in Ukraine.

UBTS Prepares for In-Person Classes

News from UPF

The Ukrainian government has instituted a Color-Code Program for cities and regions to indicate specific protocols for Covid-19 prevention. Codes vary from Red (most restrictive), to Orange, Yellow, and Green (least restrictive). The government monitors infection rates and implements more restrictive measures if the infection rate rises in a specific city or region.

Approximately 70% of UBTS students live within 4-5 hours drive time from L’viv, with about 30% traveling to the Seminary by train or bus. While the government is now allowing public transportation throughout the country, busses or trains cannot stop to take on or drop off passengers in a Code Red area.

Color codes are either left as-is or reassigned each Monday. L’viv is currently listed as Code Orange, which will enable UBTS to operate as described here, with specified precautions (i.e. wearing masks, sanitizing, etc.). If the Color Code for L’viv changed to Red, in-person classes at UBTS would not be allowed and all classes would be offered online.

UBTS has developed protocols that both meet and exceed government requirements. Returning students are assigned to one of four cohort groups; each stable group will meet, dine, and sleep in separate locations.

There will be no interactions between students in different stable groups.
Faculty members will undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.
Students will be monitored daily for temperature and other flu-like symptoms.
Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be asked to return home.
If an ill student cannot return home, care will be provided at a hospital in L’viv.

In this video, UBTS President Slavik Pyzh shares a message of hope and encouragement as he reflects on how the new school year will begin.

UPF Board President Reflects on Recent Trip to UBTS

News from UPF

UPF Board President Joe Privott recently returned from a trip to Ukraine where he visited the Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary (UBTS) and conferred with educators and leaders there.

“I am truly in awe of what God is doing at UBTS,” noted Joe. “Growth and opportunity abound everywhere you look.”

In particular, Joe noted the record number of students enrolling at UBTS from throughout Ukraine. Many are drawn by the mentoring program and technology that helps them maximize every teaching and learning opportunity. He also observed the renovation and construction activity at the seminary’s new academic building. UPF spearheaded a capital campaign to support this expansion of facilities, raising over $2.5 million during the first 18 months.

“UBTS is no longer a struggling start-up. It has become an established, innovative Baptist seminary that is fulfilling a critical need to equip church leaders with the skills and spiritual values that will guide Ukraine’s future,” observes Joe. “What a blessing that God allows people like us – from nearly 6,000 miles away – to support the learning and growth of UBTS students and, through them, to impact hundreds of churches and communities throughout Ukraine and beyond.”

Adds Joe, “The outstanding financial and spiritual support of UPF donors and friends has helped to make all of these achievements possible. May God continue to guide and bless this tremendous work and may we always give Him the glory!”