Dear Friends,

Warm Christian greetings from Russia! Although our flight from Los Angeles to Moscow was well anticipated, it was sad and difficult for us to bid farewell to our family, especially to our little grandchildren, Peter and Sara. Peter did not want to give us his usual good-bye hug. He wanted to come with us. Also, our son John and his wife Agnes are expecting their first baby in mid-November, and we are sad to miss this exciting family event.

During our flight, I began thinking about our missionary journey: from Korea to the United States, from America to Malawi, from Malawi to Russia. First of all, it was amazing to realize that we would be going to Russia, a place that we had never dreamed of going! We were taught throughout our childhood and young adult life that Russia was nothing but the center of Communism and evil power in the world. As the plane was approaching the Moscow international airport, I had a mixed feeling: excitement on the one hand, nervousness on the other.

Three days after arrival we were able to find a suitable apartment to rent. Since the Moscow Theological Presbyterian Academy, where we now work, is going to move to a new facility soon, we decided to rent our apartment near the new location, which is only two Metro stations away. In order to reach the current place we must ride the Metro for about an hour. Just across the street from our apartment are both a Korean restaurant and a McDonald’s. We are getting used to riding the excellent Metro (subway system) in this city. We once again realize how we Americans are spoiled by too many conveniences and addicted to driving our own cars.

Joe began to teach at the Academy two weeks after arrival. The Academy was founded nine years ago by Mr. Heung Rae Lee, an elder from the Presbyterian Church in Korea. He was appointed as a missionary to Russia by the Presbyterian Church of Korea and is now the chairman of the Academy board. He thinks the most effective way to spread the Christian gospel in the new Russia is to train Russian-speaking people in theology. Mr. Lee has dedicated his personal resources toward this purpose and has also facilitated support from Presbyterian churches in Korea. While he is in charge of development and funding of the Academy, its academic affairs are led by Dr. Chang Whan Park, 76-years-old and well-known New Testament scholar in Korea. Until Joe arrived, Dr. Park had been the only full-time professor of the Academy. All other teaching has been accomplished through visiting scholars from both Korea and the U.S. Each visiting professor usually teaches two to three weeks. The Academy is shortly expecting another full-time faculty member from the States, at which time three full-time faculty members will take charge of teaching, along with several part-time local teachers. Hannah is going to be the first full-time librarian at the Academy.

Dr. Herman C. Waetjen, emeritus New Testament professor of San Francisco Theological Seminary, has taught twice at this Academy. He recently wrote an article for the SFTS magazine, Chimes:

In the nine years of its existence the Moscow Presbyterian Theological Academy, under the presidency of Dr. Chang Whan Park, has graduated more than 100 students for the ministry of several denominations: Baptist, Pentecostal, and Presbyterian. Some of the graduates are second and third generation Korean Russians, but most of them are Russians. Sixty-nine of them are pastors of Presbyterian churches and have constituted the first Presbytery in Russia. There is a Presbyterian Church in Russia! Thanks to the ministry of the Moscow Presbyterian Theological Academy.

A total of 197 students are enrolled this year for various academic programs: seven for the two-year master’s of theology program, 29 for the three-year master’s of divinity program, 44 for the four-year bachelor of theology program, 69 for the five-year pastors continuing education program, and 48 for the high-ranking Russian military officers evening class. Because most of the Protestant pastors (mainly Baptist and Pentecostal) had been working underground during the Communist era without any proper theological training, they needed an opportunity for formal theological training. The Academy opened the military officers class to prepare graduates to work as Christian lay leaders. It is a new and bold venture. We do pray that this program becomes a mustard seed in the Russian military.

We find theological education in Russia a big challenge and an exciting ministry. Students are so sincere and serious about learning theology. All the students are on a full scholarship, provided by the supporting churches and individuals in Korea and the States. One major project, aside from securing the scholarship fund, is translating theological textbooks into Russian. Most major theological textbooks are not yet published in Russian except a few ultra-conservative ones! We would like to translate at least one book for each theological subject into Russian for the students. Most students lack knowledge of foreign languages. They rely on the translator’s indirect interpretation from the Korean-speaking or English-speaking professor’s lecture.

This is our first update from Moscow. We promise to bring more updates to you in near future. In the meantime, we hope that this brings our seasonal greetings to you all who mean a lot to us and are always in our fond memory and prayers. May God keep you, your family, and your work abundantly blessed throughout the year. Happy Holiday!

Love and Peace in Christ

Joe & Hannah Kang