| In 1991, Dr. Gerhard Krodel and
his wife Joan Krodel began to write letters to Lutherans in the
United States, requesting them to support the establishment of a
theological seminary for ELCROS. Their effort bore fruit. The old
seminary building was purchased again and restored for theological
training for students from Russia and other former countries of
the Soviet Union. There are almost a thousand scattered Lutheran
congregations reviving in those countries, and they are in great
need of trained pastors. As you may imagine, most of those congregations
are not yet financially self-supporting.
On July 7, 2001, the second group of students (three men and
three women), who had begun in 1998, graduated from this seminary.
Currently there are ten students (four women and six men) in their
first year and five each of second and third year. The seminary
admits new students every two years. All the students live in
the seminary building. Their daily life begins with a morning
prayer service at 8:30. Classes begin at 9:00. Including Joe,
there are five full-time professors. You can see that the ratio
of students and professors has great potential for quality training.
Joe thinks that this kind of theological education should be a
model for theological training in the Russian context. At the
moment, a new student dormitory and faculty housing, including
more classrooms, are under construction, with financial support
from congregations in the U.S.
Joe is currently teaching theology of the Old Testament and the
fourth Gospel. He has never taught OT theology before and finds
it very challenging. As the seminary has a licensed Russian librarian,
Hannah's work as librarian is very limited. So she is going to
continue her Russian language study while doing her ministry through
the home. We have been very warmly welcome by our partners here
at the seminary and do feel at home indeed. We promise you to
bring more exciting news as we integrate ourselves into this wonderful
theological community.
May the Lord keep you, your family, and your ministry healthy
and fruitful! We also wish you peace and love from Jesus, our
redeemer and liberator!
Yours Fraternally,
Joe & Hannah Kang
The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 94
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