Students Describe the UBTS Experience

The experience of students attending UBTS is far removed from typical undergraduate education in the United States. Each UBTS degree or certificate program enrolls a cohort group of students who attend classes together in L’viv for one week and then return home to continue their studies and field work for five weeks. They continue this back-and-forth cycle from September to the following May.

The spacious classrooms in the new Academic Building, faculty mentoring, and other resources make the UBTS learning experience positive and productive. But securing transportation, meals, and accommodations has become a significant challenge through ongoing waves of COVID-19 infection and restrictions.

Public transportation requires proof of vaccination or a daily COVID test costing the equivalent of $10. Pre-packaged meals are prepared in a small kitchen in the old building and delivered to the new building for students to pick up and eat wherever they can find a place to sit. The nearby hostels, formerly used to house students, are closed. This leaves students with very limited and expensive options for accommodations during their stay in L’viv.

Despite these obstacles, students are eager to attend. UBTS projects enrollment will reach more than 2,000 by 2023 – with cohort groups numbering 250 students each. This affirms the need to complete the Multipurpose Chapel building as soon as possible.

In these videos, two new UBTS students explain why they chose to study at UBTS and their hopes for the future. 

 

UBTS Women’s Program is Flourishing!

With women comprising more than 60% of church congregations in Ukraine, UBTS recognized the importance of providing them with specialized Biblical studies and training. In addition to the Women’s Ministry BA degree program, the School of Mentoring and Coaching certificate program prepares students to help others reach their potential as they serve in churches and missional organizations throughout Eastern Europe.

In this video, Olena Dub, co-director of the Women’s Program, talks about the program’s exciting growth and impact.

Live Sound Musical Movement Sponsors Songwriting Competition

The Live Sound Musical Movement is an initiative of the UBTS Department of Worship & Music. The program recently sponsored a Christian songwriting contest that received 130 entries from 45 locations. The winning song writer, Vitaliy Linevych, says, “God gave me the song … the Lord uses it to humble my heart and to remind me again and again that the Gospel is not about me, or my faithfulness, or my power – but about Him, about His immutability and power, about His steadfastness and faithfulness.”

Watch Vitaliy perform his song.

Archangel Gabriel Christmas Project

The Archangel Gabriel Christmas Grant – UBTS sponsored a contest to fund service projects organized by students and staff. This video features the five winning projects selected from 43 entries.

 

Learning & Fellowship in the Pandemic

For the Spring 2020 semester, all UBTS students attended classes online. No in-person instruction was allowed. While this format allowed more time for virtual mentoring, the loss of personal contact with the UBTS faculty, mentors, classmates and friends was acutely felt.

With the return of in-person classes in the Fall semester – conducted in “bubble” cohorts with social distancing and other safety measures – students reaped many benefits. In this video, two students describe why they value in-person learning and fellowship and the impact of their studies on them personally and in their churches.

How the COVID-19 Quarantine Has Impacted UBTS Students

As a result of the COVID-19 and quarantine measures instituted by the government of Ukraine, UBTS moved all of its classes and mentoring programs to an online format for Spring 2020. In this video, two students share how they have adapted to this new learning platform and the blessings they have found within the new format.

Khrystyna Moskalyk is a student in the Women’s Ministry Program at UBTS. She leads teaching and fellowship meetings for girls and women in her church and offers personal counseling.

Taras Stolarchiuk is a student in the UBTS Church Planting program. He leads a church home group and leads a ministry to men with alcohol and drug addictions. His goal is to open a rehab center for the men he serves.

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UBTS Choir Celebrates Easter!

The UBTS Choir – including current students, graduates, and teachers – collaborated to create an inspiring performance that celebrates the joy of Easter in the midst of a global pandemic. The goal of the project was to share best wishes for a Happy Easter, unite different generations of students, and encourage participants and viewers to worship.

The original song was written by Victor Dubovenko, head of the UBTS International Mission Program, and arranged by Volodymyr Khlysta, head of the UBTS Music Ministry. Participants recorded their musical contributions independently, which were then edited into a final performance by Yuri Kovalisko.

Enjoy and be blessed!

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Students Flee Eastern Ukraine War Zone with Determination to Return

Imagine living in a War Zone where open hostility to the Christian faith is expressed through violence against people and property. Where the “new normal” is an atmosphere of fear, deprivation, and mistrust. Where it seems the rest of the world – and maybe even God – has forgotten about you and moved on to other, more pressing issues.

That’s the reality for thousands of Ukrainians who live in the Eastern Ukraine War Zone. A year after the hostilities began, half a million people from the area were homeless; today Christian persecution in the War Zone is widespread. Many have fled, becoming refugees in their own homeland.

Thankfully, there are Ukrainian Christians from the Zone who imagine a better way – a way of hope, reconciliation, and peace. Some have undertaken an arduous journey to attend UBTS, located in Western Ukraine, in preparation for the time they can return home to minister to their broken communities.

Strengthened by the Gospel message, all UBTS-trained students and graduates are equipped to encourage and disciple family members, friends, and other refugees.  They model leadership, integrity, and accountability in the midst of confusion and corruption. They share Christ’s love with people hungry for acceptance and stability.

There is great risk in this commitment – as well as an even greater reward. The following video demonstrates the powerful impact of a church planted in Lviv, by UBTS faculty and students from the War Zone. It shows them ministering to refugees from the War Zone and, in the process, changing the life of a young man who is now attending UBTS. It is a vivid affirmation of Joseph’s bold declaration to his brothers in Genesis 50:20: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” The “Evil” that separatists meant against churches throughout the War Zone has transformed to “GOOD” for countless more people within and beyond the War Zone for generations to come.

Ukraine Partnership Foundation Overcome

Students Overcome Travel Challenges to Attend UBTS

UBTS utilizes a Cohort System of instruction for students pursuing the four-year Bachelor’s degree and Diploma programs. These students leave families and jobs, travel to Lviv for one week of on-campus study, then return home for five weeks, then return to UBTS.

Currently, this process is repeated six times a year, or three times in each semester. As noted above, students come to UBTS from throughout Ukraine, including the Eastern War Zone. Train travel from Eastern Ukraine can exceed 24 hours one-way and out-of-pocket expenses are substantial.

Watch UBTS Students Describe Their Travel

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Ukraine’s Women Encouraged and Sustained by UBTS Women’s Ministry

The women of Ukraine are daughters, wives, mothers, and friends – much like other women all around the world. They share the same desires – to be safe, loved and appreciated; raise healthy children; and find meaningful ways to contribute to other people’s lives that will, in turn, bring joy and purpose to their own lives. Adding to their day-to-day financial and emotional strain is a hovering sense of uncertainty from the ever-present shadows of an uncertain economy, disintegrating families, and war in the East. These women need encouragement and fellowship with other women who understand. The Women’s Ministry Program at UBTS is designed to meet this growing need.

The women who attend UBTS have traveled many different paths to faith. A few were raised in evangelical Christian homes, but most found faith in a non-Christian environment at a desperate time in their lives. Some are partners with their husbands in service to their churches and communities. Most have spouses who are either indifferent or hostile toward Christians. All have open hearts and are dedicated to serving women and children through a wide variety of ministries.

And these students and graduates from the UBTS Women’s Ministry Program are having an impact! They bring hope, friendship, and salvation to women of all ages as they learn about and experience God’s love. Young women, in particular, are eager to learn about God’s purpose for their lives and his design for marriage and family life.

Sasha Furmanchuk is a UBTS student and mentor in the Women’s Ministry Program. She has a compelling vision for how churches can help care for Ukraine’s 71,000 orphans; help them experience God’s love; and grow into healthy, independent adults. You can meet Sasha and learn more about her ministry in the following video.