Merry Christmas to our dear partners!
UBIās fall semester has come to an end and now our students are enjoying a month-long break from their studies. They have worked hard, many in very challenging conditions, and we are proud of them.
And even though the staff will certainly take time off around the holiday, the work of the institute continues. Our teachers have classes to plan, there is office work that needs to be done, and our humanitarian aid work never stops.
New Term and New Guest Teachers
Our last couple of months included wonderful courses like Acts, Practical Evangelism, Fundamental Theology, and Christian Home (which included units on marriage, raising children, and managing finances). Our students were also challenged with an introductory course in biblical Greek.
UBIās fall semester has come to an end and now our students are enjoying a month-long break from their studies. They have worked hard, many in very challenging conditions, and we are proud of them.
And even though the staff will certainly take time off around the holiday, the work of the institute continues. Our teachers have classes to plan, there is office work that needs to be done, and our humanitarian aid work never stops.
New Term and New Guest Teachers
Our last couple of months included wonderful courses like Acts, Practical Evangelism, Fundamental Theology, and Christian Home (which included units on marriage, raising children, and managing finances). Our students were also challenged with an introductory course in biblical Greek.
As always, our classes were taught on Zoom by both Ukrainians and Americans. This fall, we had three new guest teachers connect with us. Jarod Williams, a minister and Sunset graduate from Millington, Tennessee, taught the students Daniel+Ezekiel. Daniel Smith, a minister and counselor from Surprise, Arizona, taught Christian Counseling. Stas Kuropiatnikov, a minister to the Lviv Church of Christ, taught Hebrews. The classes were very well received by our students and we were glad to have these men join us.
Upcoming Internship Program
Our second-year students will be finishing their studies at UBI mid-February. These students will be the first to complete our 18-month program since its redesign in 2023. This change was made partly to incorporate an optional six-month internship for those graduates who are interested and able to spend focused time putting into practice the many things they learned in the classroom.
Upcoming Internship Program
Our second-year students will be finishing their studies at UBI mid-February. These students will be the first to complete our 18-month program since its redesign in 2023. This change was made partly to incorporate an optional six-month internship for those graduates who are interested and able to spend focused time putting into practice the many things they learned in the classroom.
The pilot program will begin on March 1st. The eligible students will continue with us through a guided internship. We are currently communicating with leaders from each of their home congregations to create a custom plan that will be a true help to those churches. In addition to their ministry there, they will maintain connections with UBI through schedule keeping, reading assignments, support calls, and possibly will take another course or two online.
Helping us coordinate and facilitate this new program is Sergei Denishik, a graduate of UBI and current minister in the city of Poltava. He and his family are displaced themselves and work hard to bless the church and those around them. We are glad to welcome Sergei to our staff.
Please be praying about this exciting new program. There is much to do before it begins, and we know weāll learn a lot from this first attempt. We believe it will be a blessing to both the students and the churches. It is a new level of UBIās mission to train confident and faithful disciples.
A Word From Our Students
After recently hearing very positive comments from our students about their time at UBI, I asked a few to share with you how they have been blessed. Our partnership together is changing lives and growing the kingdom!
Please be praying about this exciting new program. There is much to do before it begins, and we know weāll learn a lot from this first attempt. We believe it will be a blessing to both the students and the churches. It is a new level of UBIās mission to train confident and faithful disciples.
"Studying has influenced my life in such a way that I have started to study the Scriptures more deeply. If before I just read it, now I do not just read and memorize something, but also delve deep into the Word of God! It also influenced my personal relationship with Him, and itās helped me realize the importance of that relationship, namely daily personal fellowship with the Lord!" āTanya
"I am grateful to the Lord our God that He brought me first to the congregation of the Church of Christ in Poznyaki by His blessing and guidance. Then after my repentance and baptism, it was His will to bring me to UBI. UBI is a fantastic family, a group of highly professional teachers, a friendly team. Studying at UBIā receiving this high quality level of knowledgeāI have become a more spiritual person. I began to interpret and understand the Holy Scriptures more deeply and correctly. An inner power has awakened in me, prompting me to share my knowledge with people, telling about the teachings and covenant of Jesus Christ our Lord. I am grateful to the UBI leadership for the healthy, family environment with our brothers and sisters, and for the opportunity to become a more spiritual Christian. I am thankful to the Lord our God for His teachings, discernment, support, and blessings. Please keep and strengthen UBI so that as many people as possible may become Christiansāthat they may become witnesses of Jesus Christ. Amen!" āIgor
"When I started UBI, I could not have imagined how blessed my studies at this institute would be. So many of the questions regarding spiritual growth that had been bothering me for many years have become clear to me in the past months. I understand that there is still a lot of work ahead, for which the teachers have laid a solid foundation. But the greatest blessing was not even the answers, but that thanks to my studies at the institute, the Bible has become a daily topic of conversation in our family. So much so that it made my husband realize that he too wanted to be a true Christian and follow the example of Jesus Christ, the loving and just Son of God. Now our whole family is saved. And my daughter and husband, in turn, are now dreaming of studying at the UBI in the future" āSvitlana
Svitlana and her daughter became Christians when they found the church in Warsaw near the beginning of the war (where one of our graduates, Yuriy Taran, is serving). They returned to their home around the time Svitlana began UBI. We rejoiced with her just two weeks ago when she shared that her husband had obeyed the gospel!
Until next timeā¦
Each member of our staff feels so honored to do what we do. It is a blessing to participate in this work and especially at this time. And we couldnāt do it without you.
Each member of our staff feels so honored to do what we do. It is a blessing to participate in this work and especially at this time. And we couldnāt do it without you.
We are so grateful for your commitment and support. UBI could not do what it does without your partnership. Our staff, our students, and thousands of displaced Ukrainians reached every month rely on your prayers and your donations.
We are currently looking for more partners to help us continue to train disciples in Ukraine and beyond as we grow in new and powerful ways. If you know any individuals or churches who are looking for far-reaching and transformative ministries to sponsor, please forward this update to them. All donations can be sent to Sunset International Bible Institute, and you can give online here. (Choose āBranch Assistanceā from the drop-down menu and note āUBIā in the Partner School field.)
Praise God for you, friends! Have a merry Christmas with friends and family. May you and your churches be an extra special blessing to those around you during this season.
Very sincerely,
Brandon Price
