Annual Conference is More than a Business Meeting

In a recent conversation with a lay person from another denomination, I asked the question, “So, how would you compare your church today to what it was a year ago?” After a short pause, her answer was, “Oh, about the same.”

I must admit that I was not particularly surprised about her response, as I hear it time and time again. Being established members of established churches, it is easy for us to fall into the “routine” of doing church that we slowly drift away from joy of being the Church. Especially when we are consumed with everything from the order of worship to meetings and ministries being on strict schedules, our world view can become constrained to tunnel vision by all of the “tasks” of doing church.

So, I asked, “Have you lost members during the past year?” “Yes,” she replied. “Have you gained any members?” “Yes.” “Has anything significant changed in the community surrounding your church?” “A new housing complex opened,” she said. I continued with several other questions, until she said, “I think you are about to make a point, aren’t you?”

“It seems that your mission field, your resources, and your possibilities may have constantly changed without you even realizing it.”

For many of us, the Church is in suspended animation, as we wait for some form of legislation to tell us where we should go next. Micah 6:8 informs us about next steps, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

The current fragility of a great number of our congregations, when combined with the hindrances of the pandemic and the stagnation of ministries while awaiting GC2024, just might leave congregations ineffective beyond 2024. What can congregations do to prepare for whatever the future of the United Methodist Church holds?

I am excited about the opportunities that our upcoming Annual Conference gathering will give us to realize the urgencies that persist in our mission fields TODAY. I pray that clergy and lay attendees will return to their congregations with renewed energy and the desire to revitalize, create, and expand their missional footprints and be the Church where and when it is needed…here and now!

I ask all who attend Annual Conference to participate in the excursions, take photos, ask questions, and make notes. Look and see if you are inspired to seek out opportunities for justice and mercy ministries while at McAllen. Exchange ideas and form alliances with others as you seek and offer resources for the greater good.

Annual Conference is not merely a business meeting. It is an opportunity to build up the Body of Christ in this mission field we call the Rio Texas Annual Conference. I hope to see you there!

Ralph Thompson
Conference Lay Leader

Edna First UMC Hosts Mid-Winter Retreat for Community

God placed an idea into one faithful servant about Edna First UMC hosting our own Mid-Winter retreat around 2018. We have youth active in athletics. With Friday night basketball games, especially away games, it would be too late when they returned to Edna. The families drove four hours before Mid-Winter church staff received the youth members for the retreat. As an experiment, we hosted our first Mid-Winter retreat in January 2019 with God’s help and the help of the congregation. We invited youth from the community and nearby towns to participate. We have had approximately 30 youth register each year. 

Brackenridge Park is 12 minutes south of Edna. It includes a historic church to worship, cabins to sleep in, facilities to cook and eat, as well as gathering spaces. It has plenty of space to run around, basketball and volleyball courts, space for "capture the flag" or scavenger hunts, and more. The Brackenridge Park staff have been great over the years.  

The church was able to keep the registration fee low-cost by hosting nearby; donating snacks; members providing meals; grants from Formosa Plastics Religious Trust; and church members donating time, talent, and treasure (prayer, plan, preparation, t-shirt design, set up, decorate, registration, worship prep & practice, small group leaders, games leader, cook, clean up, undecorate, pack up, lay speaker to preach on Sunday so the pastor could be at Mid-Winter, etc.). Brackenridge Park is far enough away to feel like we are away making it easier to connect with God, and close enough to send someone to retrieve items from the church campus or purchase items from H-E-B in town. 

We have been blessed for God to be at work through our labor, discipline, and generosity that youth and adults have grown closer to God. Dr. Tanya Campen asked me to write a summary about this experience these last four years that it may inspire or encourage other churches to dream, follow through on God’s prompting, and increase awareness of possibilities that may be closer than you realize. 

Grace & Peace, 

Rev. Kelli Williamson 

First UMC Edna 

Clergy Convocation 2022 Slideshow

TCN Transforms Loaves & Fishes at Universal City UMC

Since incorporating some of the practices and tools learned through Transformational Communities Network (TCN) Trainings, Rev. Cynthia Engstrom, pastor of Universal City United Methodist Church, is seeing a renewed energy active in the congregation. Members are saying, “There is a spark! There’s a buzz!” 

Sara Holland, coordinator for Universal City’s TCN team, appreciates that the TCN approach of building on what you have and making small, incremental changes that will lead to deeper community engagement and connection.

Building upon a pre-COVID Wednesday night supper, the Universal City TCN team launched Summer Suppers. The old Wednesday night suppers catered to church members; which a modest attendance of 25 people. It required reservations and fees for dinner. Opportunities to work in the kitchen were restricted to a handful of volunteers who had performed this function for years.

The TCN team sparked the imagination of the church by asking, “how can we adapt this inward focused dinner to become a time that welcomes the community?” Could the congregation re-energize and invite more people to participate through their acts of service? 

The Summer Suppers has taken off with over 100 people in attendance. Families from the community are attending.  The local firefighters are attending. The staff from the local library are attending and helping to invite others. New volunteers are serving with a sense of excitement. New connections are being made. No reservations are needed. No fee is required.

Holland said that there was some angst within the church as these changes were being discussed. Where would the money come from? How would the program break even? Holland and the TCN team invited the congregation to embrace the changes with a “loaves and fishes” vision.   

Rev. Engstrom says, “The reshaped Wednesday dinners were an experiment. The experiment has turned into a regular event that reminds the congregation how to believe in possibility. It is changing every conversation we are having, even at the Governance Board. I recommend TCN to all churches everywhere!”

Holland says that the Summer Suppers has also had a ripple effect on the community. Strangers at the grocery store are recognizing the Summer Supper t-shirts and striking up conversations with church members. More neighborhood youth are finding their way to the church campus, even if it is just to sneak a soda. 

Rev. Engstrom and Holland agree, “We see all of this as an opportunity!”  Where the church once saw scarcity, they now see and trust in God’s abundance. “God just keeps handing us opportunities to connect with our community,” says Rev. Engstrom. 

What’s next? Through the new connections made, the Universal City TCN team sees an opportunity for the church to provide a community art studio. The team is just at the beginning of repurposing an existing church space for the community’s use.

Once again, this TCN team is building on what the church already has and making small, incremental changes that will open more and more opportunities for ministry and connection to the community.

If you’d like to hear directly from Sara Holland, please watch this video talking about the Summer Suppers.

If you’d like to learn more about how your church could get involved with the Transformational Communities Network, please contact Abel Vega at avega@riotexas.org / 210.421.9588.

Justice For All Immigrants - October 28 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

JFAI Executive Director Manne Favor explains the legal immigration services now available at El Parian Avenida Business Center across from the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.

Justice for All Immigrants is an affiliate of the Justice For Our Neighbors network. Justice For All Immigrants provides low-income individuals and families with affordable, high-quality immigration legal services while engaging in immigration education and advocacy.

JFAI provides Know-Your-Rights training to help immigrants understand their basic rights under U.S. law, educate our community about the value of immigration, and advocate for compassionate immigration reform.

Free and low cost legal services are available thanks to the financial support JFAI receives from individual donations and grants.

Las Misiones Churches Distribute Backpacks

Coker UMC

This year, under the leadership of lay leaders Lori Armstrong, Linda Nolder, and others from our Coker Food Pantry and outreach teams, Coker United Methodist Church safely and successfully distributed 720 backpacks to our clients' children and other students in the community. Each was prayed over. Clients, students, and teachers were all invited back to the Coker campus on Aug 15th for the blessing of the backpacks. The Pastors and the worship teams offered a special time of prayer and blessings over everyone in the congregation before students and teachers were invited to receive individual prayer and get a special backpack tag! After the blessing of the backpacks- Coker hosted a Coker Park Cook-Out and back to school bash with worship leader Holly Tucker (as heard on “The Voice”), BBQ, Ice Cream and water-fun to beat the heat. It was a wonderful way to reach out and gather in. 

We are very thankful for all the monetary contributions and the volunteers that helped to make all of this possible. 

St. Paul UMC

The Young Adult and Adult Ministry at St. Paul UMC, San Antonio coordinated a Back-to-School Supply Drive. Members and friends coordinated over 110 backpacks with school supplies given to students at Herff and Bowden Elementary Schools, St. Paul Church students and homeless children. Their generosity will positively impact the lives of these students.

Epworth UMC

Epworth United Methodist Church, Methodist Health Ministries and community partners worked together to donate 175 backpacks on Saturday, July 31st.

The backpack distribution was scheduled in the church parking lot as a safe drive thru event.

The United Methodist Women and the Girl Scouts Troop #133 assembled all 175 backpacks. 

Christ UMC, Stockdale

Our blessing of the backpacks at Christ UMC Stockdale involved all students, teachers, and staff to come forward and kneel/stand at the altar. Both kids and adults brought their bags! The pastor prayed for them, and the church gave each a backpack tag. It was a special moment. 

Oxford UMC

Oxford United Methodist Church, San Antonio distributed 170 completely filled backpacks to McDermott elementary school which is in the Northside Independent School District. This is the school closest to our church. As always, we were blessed to be a blessing.

Bulverde UMC

Children’s Center Los Ninos and Bulverde UMC joined to bless our community with back to school items on Saturday, August 21. Backpacks, school supplies, clothes, socks and more were distributed. God’s provision allowed us to bless all who came through the drive through and to pray with each family. 

Ressurection UMC

Resurrection UMC provided 72 backpacks for kids who attended Camp Agape, a camp for the children of incarcerated parents which was held June 25-27 at Knott Creek Falls Campground. We partnered with Prison Fellowship, Still Water Camps, FUMC Boerne and Mt Zion First Baptist Church to create Camp Agape. There were nine children from Resurrection UMC who participated.

Others

Westlawn UMC distributed 140 backpacks with school supplies

St. Andrew’s UMC, San Antonio distributed 150 backpacks for Wiltshire Elementary school

El Divino Salvador UMC, San Antonio distributed 150 backpacks to Woodlawn Academy and Women’s Leadership Academy. Watch their video of the back to school event

University UMC, San Antonio assembled and distributed about 380 backpacks full of school supplies to students Pre-K through High School.

First UMC Cotulla gave 301 backpacks with back-to-school supply kits.

Coker UMC, San Antonio distributed 280+ backpacks at our Back to School Drive-Thru event.

River Baptism of College Students

By Rev. Todd Salmi - United Campus Ministry at Texas State

This Easter Season, the United Campus Ministry at Texas State baptized two college students in the San Marcos River. Young adults also reaffirmed their Baptismal promise to care and nurture one another in the love of Christ.  See more at https://www.ucmtxstate.org/news/river-baptisms

For more than 50 years, the United Campus Ministry at Texas State has partnered with The United Methodist Church to welcome all students in the love of Christ. To connect a student with this ministry, or make a donation in support of college ministry, please contact Rev. Todd Salmi (todd@ucmtxstate.org) and visit www.ucmtxstate.org.

Ps. If you have any specific suggestions on how we can connect with churches and graduating high school seniors coming to Texas State, please let me know. We’d love to welcome them with some free SWAG and connect our students to answer any questions they might have. Let me know if you have any ideas.

Ministry Spotlight: 2021 Appalachian Trail Chaplain Chris Estus

Chris “Bone Spur” Estus has been accepted as an Appalachian Trail Chaplain, a ministry of the Holston Conference UMC. He will start his six-month, 2,193-mile journey in May starting at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to Mount Katahdin, Maine and “flip-flop” back down to Springer Mountain, Georgia.

Chris Estus started his ministry in July 1999 with a call to fellowship of those interested in the biblical roots of the 12-step movement. Alamo Heights UMC later adopted his unique ministry in 2011 and he became the Director of Recovery Ministries for the church.

Pastor Scott Heare invited Chris to a study tour of Israel later that year. This was Chris’ introduction to long trail hiking. They hiked from the northern Galilee to the southern part of Negev desert over two weeks. During that journey, they climbed the Qumran Mount Arben and Masada National Park.

Since then, Chris has hiked Big Bend National Park and the Colorado trail in multiple segments.

Chris’ new “physically daunting” backpack journey will be documented with daily videos on the Appalachian Trail Chaplain Facebook and website.

“I wasn’t sure where I was going to hike next after my 2020 trip to Colorado. Out of the blue my sponsor called and said I ought to hike the Appalachian Trail next to carry the good news. I was skeptical,” said Chris. “Then I was looking at my Facebook feed one day, and up pops a post that said the Appalachian Trail Chaplaincy was accepting applications for 2021. The first requirement was familiarity with recovery ministry and Wesleyan theology. Every other requirement fit me perfectly. I saw it as a call and said ‘I can’t not do it.”

Chris will start slowly at 10-12 miles per day at two miles an hour. He hopes to increase his pace after the first month.

“If you are starting to hike, start slowly and set reasonable daily mileage goals with an average speed. Walking this trail will give me an opportunity to listen to and speak into the lives of people affected by substance abuse disorder.”

Read more: UMC Names Its Ninth Appalachian Trail Chaplain

UMCOR Sunday 2021

March 14, 2021

Please support UMCOR Sunday generously. The Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Ministry has responded to various disasters over the years, be it fires, floods, hurricanes, the recent winter storm crisis, or asylum-seeking migrants arriving at the border. Rio Texas has benefited greatly from your local church’s financial support for UMCOR. We have received abundantly from UMCOR, in the form grants, support for the work of case management, construction recovery, and for fulfilling unmet needs as well as hygiene kits. To learn more about the work of UMCOR, go to UMCOR Sunday Overview & United Methodists: UMCOR's "Feet on the Ground".

Texas Severe Winter Storms Response Program

The Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Ministry is establishing a program to partner with local churches as they assist vulnerable families impacted by the Texas Severe Winter Storms of the week of February 11, 2021. Our objective is to support churches in providing financial support for unmet needs to families in their communities.

We seek to support churches who are recruiting volunteers, providing information and referrals to partner agencies, and offering hospitality within their facilities to these impacted households. In order to supplement these efforts, we can provide limited financial assistance, which local churches can offer to eligible families who request funds. The types of assistance include, but not limited to home repairs, temporary housing, replacement of damaged furniture and debris removal.

Homeowners wishing to apply for this program should contact their local Rio Texas Conference United Methodist Church.

District Superintendent Offices will send program information / application process and forms directly to local church pastors to begin offering this resource to those in communities served. Any questions or concerns regarding this program should be directed to Eugene Hileman, Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Coordinator at 210-557-8698 or aehileman@riotexas.org.

Transformational Communities Network Begins 5th Year

The Transformational Communities Network, formerly known as Transformational Communities of Praxis, begins its 5th year bringing together a cohort of four church / community teams: Chapel Hill UMC - San Antonio, Emanuel UMC - San Antonio, Schertz UMC, and Universal City UMC.

The program is designed for a church and community resident team to engage in the process and application of asset-based community development tools with the end goal of effecting measurable transformation within a given community. It is hoped that through this program, models of ministries applying community development principles and processes will emerge to serve as reference points and even teaching centers of spiritual transformation within the church and community.

The program’s vision is to see transformational communities, made up of local churches and community residents and partners, actively seeking shalom through learning, relationship-building, community development, and mutual support. Its mission is to build a network of transformational communities by equipping locally imbedded leaders with training and ongoing support for the work of shalom. 

Seeking the shalom, holistic peace, well-being, abundance of the community is our Biblical mandate as described in Jeremiah 29:7 – “But seek the shalom of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its shalom you will find your shalom.” Therefore, as the church engages its community, the ministries are called to be relational, mutual, and shared.  

The program works with the assumptions that: churches have a charge to seek the well-being their geographic communities, every person has gifts, talents, knowledge, and dreams to contribute and is of sacred worth, community change is complex and requires multi-sector collaboration, and every community has within its bounds the requisite assets for transformation.

Since 2017, thirteen churches have been trained in the Transformational Communities Network process: First UMC / Mission Border: Hope – Eagle Pass, First UMC / HOPE Outreach – Brackettville, Pollard Memorial UMC – San Antonio, Parker Lane UMC – Austin, University UMC – San Antonio, El Valle District Ministry Center – McAllen, First UMC / Poteet Ministerial Alliance – Poteet, First UMC – Portland, Bethel UMC – San Antonio, Gruene UMC, Trinity UMC – San Antonio, Evans Chapel UMC – Gonzalez, and Henson Chapel UMC – Gonzalez. 

Now having lived through a year within the realities of a pandemic, the program has evolved to teaching in a flipped classroom model and meeting via ZOOM for cohort discussed of lessons learned. After May and throughout the rest of 2021, the TCN teams will begin the process of discovering their communities more deeply through existing and new ministries and relationships working mutually to seek the shalom of their communities.     

To begin a conversation on exploring how your church might connect to the Transformational Communities Network, contact Abel Vega, program coordinator at avega@riotexas.org.

Join General Board of Global Ministries #stillinmission series!

The General Board of Global Ministries has been holding virtual itineration of missionaries over the last several months. As more information is provided on upcoming virtual itinerations, we will update this page accordingly. Please note that registration is REQUIRED and limited, please find links to register below.

EPISODE 26: January 7, 2021 1:00 PM EST/ 12:00 PM CST (Learn a little about the missionaries by clicking their names below.)

Andrew Fleming is serving as the Assistant Chaplain with Metropolitan Ministries in the United States.

German Gomez is serving as the Pastor with San Juan Ministries in the United States.

Mbwizu Ndjungu is serving as the Christian Education Ministry Coordinator with the Methodist Church of Central America Belize in Honduras.

Jae Choi is serving as the Missionary In Residence with Global Ministries in the United States.

During registration you will have the option to select which presentation you would like to attend.

Register here.

Want to hear recordings of previous meetings? Visit their vimeo channel.

Rio Texas Conference Mission Service & Justice Ministries - Connection Opportunities

November 2020

1. Transformational Communities Network www.tcnriotx.org program, formerly Transformational Communities of Praxis, is requesting Team Applications for the 2021 program cohort. The Information Sessions are scheduled on Fridays – November 20, December 18 - 2020, and January 8 - 2021 at 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm. Register for one of these sessions. DOWNLOAD Program Information and Team Application Team applications are due January 13, 2021. The program will begin February 5, 2021 with a team orientation session. Up to 5 teams will be selected for 2021 Transformational Communities Network class.

2. Rio Texas ERT’s Respond in Louisiana https://riotexasresponse.org/latest-news-1/2020/10/6/rio-texas-erts-respond-in-louisiana

3. Mission: Border Hope – Eagle Pass …serving asylum seekers again https://www.missionborderhope.org/

4. Global Mission Fellow - Open for Applications https://umcmission.org/global-mission-fellows/

5. Religion & Race Learning Opportunities

   1. https://gcorr.teachable.com/p/antiracism101   

   2. https://www.r2hub.org/courses-and-workbooks/p/implicit-bias-workbook

6. Harvest Sunday 2020 – Beginning November 1 throughout November… Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9hNRTdN-ro&feature=youtu.be Food Insecurity: https://map.feedingamerica.org/ 

7. Texas Border Collaboration Network November Webinar Tuesday, November 17 from 10:30am to 12Noon. This is the last webinar of 2020. The monthly webinar series will resume Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Register here: https://bit.ly/3jmThwU

8. Christian Community Development Network: Learning & Connection Session - Wednesday, November 18 from 10:30am to 12:00pm – Register here: https://bit.ly/2Tn5uqN  Moving from Charity to Justice & Wednesday, December 16 from 10:30am to 11:30am – Register here: https://bit.ly/3okqax

9. Global Ministries - #StillInMission Episode 25 - Thursday, November 19 at 11:00 AM EST / 10:00 AM Central. Registration: https://gbgm.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwsceitqjIvHNXfs7fUHGypHG4qQMV6cSpi  Want to hear recordings of previous meetings?  Visit our vimeo channel. Want to have a missionary join on of your events?  Click here!  New Episodes in 2021 – schedule forthcoming

10. U.M. ARMY LOCAL: Thanksgiving Weekend November 27-29, 2020 & Christmas December 27-30, 2020 https://www.umarmy.org/news/2020/may/um-army-re-imagined-due-covid-19

11. Global Ministries Missionary Presentation Monday, November 30 from 11:30am to 1:00pm. Our Conference Missionary, Rev. Emily Everett, will be presenting about serving as the International Partnership Promoter for Shade & Fresh Water in Brazil.  Register here: https://bit.ly/37E2uP0.

12. Church & Society - CALLED SEMINAR 2020: Conversations and Advocacy on Educational Equity via ZOOM. November 30 – December 1. Register: https://www.umcjustice.org/news-and-stories/called-seminar-2020-registration-1154

13. Border Sponsorship Forum – Tuesday December 1 at 5pm – 6:30 pm https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0PiR-1T9T06Ix9fAQRvyGQ. Meets monthly 1st Tuesday/month at 5:00pm via ZOOM

14. Mission Monthly Networking Session Thursday, December 3 from 10:45am to 12:00 noon. For ZOOM Connection information, contact Nicole Alabi at nicolea@riotexas.org.

15. Russia Initiative Webinar - December 9 at 10:00 am to 11:00 am Central – U.S. Register at https://bit.ly/2UoM7ya. Join the Moscow Theological Seminary in our celebration of Advent and preparation for Christmas in Russia. We'll share stories of faith and miracles, as you listen to sacred music from our Russian heritage.

Transformational Communities Network program - Requesting Team Applications for the 2021 Program Cohort

The Transformational Communities Network www.tcnriotx.org program, formerly Transformational Communities of Praxis,  is requesting Team Applications for the 2021 program cohort. As a congregation considers submitting a team application, three INFORMATION SESSIONS are provided as a time for an interested team to:

• share about their community engagement ministries,

• learn how the Transformational Communities Network program works and how the tools and process can enhance and transform their community engagement ministries, and

• answer any questions the interested team may have

The Information Sessions are scheduled on Fridays – November 20, December 18 - 2020, and January 8 - 2021 at 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm. Register for one of these sessions. DOWNLOAD Program Information and Team Application. Team applications are due January 13, 2021. The program will begin February 5, 2021 with a team orientation session. Up to 5 teams will be selected for 2021 Transformational Communities Network class.

The program is designed for a church and community resident team to begin the process or go deeper in the application of community development with the end goal in mind of effecting measurable transformation within a given community. It is hoped that through this program, models of ministries applying community development principles and processes will emerge to serve as reference points and even teaching centers of spiritual transformation within the church and community. The program’s Vision is to see Transformational Communities, made up of local churches and community residents and partners, actively seeking shalom through learning, relationship-building, community development, and mutual support. Its Mission is to build a network of transformational communities by equipping locally imbedded leaders with training and ongoing support for the work of shalom. 

Over a one-year period, participants will gain training, knowledge, and experience in the application of a theology of Shalom, asset-based community development [ABCD], facilitation techniques, action planning and application, identifying underlying contradictions and challenges within communities, while deepening their understanding of God’s will for their community. Training will be presented in an online format. Training includes online reflection conversations, and teaching webinar presentations. A member of the Transformational Communities Network Development Team is assigned to accompany each team on their transformational journey.

Thanks and blessings,

Transformational Communities Network - Development Team

Cynthia Engstrom

Mickey McCandless

Dionisio Salazar

Amy Moritz

Bob Clark

Abel Vega

Lance Freeman

Local Initiatives Grant 2021 sponsored by the Council of Bishops of the UMC

This grant is for local initiatives for ecumenical/interfaith ministries. The grant is annual and is for $1,000 to utilize in 2021.

Deadline to apply is September 14, 2020.

Link to application

Rio Texas Conference RUSSIA INITIATIVE: An Inspirational & Informative Webinar

Wednesday, July 22, 2020 via ZOOM

11:30 am U.S. Central / 7:30 pm Moscow

Click Here To Register

Moscow Theological Seminary newsletter

The Rio Texas Conference RUSSIA INITIATIVE invites you to join this inspirational and informative webinar via ZOOM. During this session, you hear about the origins of our connection to the United Methodist Church of Russia and Moscow Theological Seminary. We will hear testimony from seminary students as the seminary approaches 25 years of development, growth, and producing critical leadership for the church in Russia and beyond.

For more information about the RTC RUSSIA INITIATIVE, contact Cindy Stone at stonecj12@gmail.com. Your gifts to RTC ADVANCE #2038 supports the ministries of the United Methodist Church in Vologda, District Superintendent travel funds, and Moscow Theological Seminary student scholarships.

Cindy Stone - Moscow Theological Seminary Board Member; Chair, Russia / Eurasia Initiative, Rio Texas Conference

For many years, I have listened to stories of what brought these young people, not just young in age but also young in faith, to study at the Moscow Theological Seminary. One thing stands out. They knew in the deepest parts of their hearts that there had to be something more. Something that would give them hope as they all struggled with loss, some with addiction or abandonment, others who sought to be loved. They wanted answers, and through their search, they found God was the answer. Their faith and their faithful way of life has amazed and inspired me. In a culture where complete trust and openness are rare, they have learned to reach out and share with the sick, the poor, the orphaned, the homeless, the stranger. They are each other’s family, and I have been blessed beyond all imagination as they have welcomed me into it.

Sergei Nikolaev, PhD - President, Moscow Theological Seminary and E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism in Ruediger and Gerlinde Minor Chair

In 1991, God inspired a bold, dynamic vision among leaders of the United Methodist Church: restore the church in Russia and Eurasia and bring more people to God. This historical moment resulted from the dissolution of the former Soviet Union and opened doors that had been closed for more than 100 years. Broad-based support from generous Methodists and their churches in the United States generated not only a resurgence of Methodist Christianity across the Eurasian continent but also the establishment of a Methodist Seminary in the heart of Moscow. In 2022, the Moscow Theological Seminary will celebrate its 25th anniversary.

The 1997 graduating class—the first group—of Methodist seminarians included two students who would embody exceptional theological training and leadership skills. Following initial studies at the Moscow Seminary, these two men attended Methodist seminaries in America. One of them, Sergei Nikolaev, received a Doctor of Philosophy from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University; the other, Eduard Khegay, received a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Sergei now serves as president of the Moscow Seminary, and Eduard as bishop of Eurasia, the largest parish in the worldwide Methodist Connection.

In combination with their respective predecessors, these leader/scholars have been pivotal in helping the church in Russia and Eurasia grow from just a handful of congregations in 1991 to more than 100 today, across all 11 time zones. In a complementary way, the seminary’s innovative class scheduling, focus on solid biblical and theological education, and emphasis on vital spiritual formation have resulted in a student body of more than 90 students at this time. This population represents a larger student body than that of some American and all European seminaries. God certainly blesses His church in wondrous ways.

Elena Melnikova, D-Min - Vice President for Development and Administration, Moscow Theological Seminary

What is it that makes people seek to know God and be part of God’s work through this rather young religious education establishment? United Methodism in Russia is not mainstream. In many ways, it is counter-cultural for a society that still honors patriarchy and high church traditions associated with the Russian Orthodox Church. But it is very appealing, especially to the younger generation, because it brings new life and vigor, and because the Russian Methodist Church is about relationship rather than ritual. Russian Methodism has inherited good things from the Orthodox Church—mysticism and the spirituality of hearts strangely warmed—and went further to combine it with the Western simplicity of community and the Open Table.

Another thing that makes the Moscow Theological Seminary the desired place to be for many of its students is the supportive approach of women in ministry, be it an ordained ministry or lay leadership. The two vice-presidents of the Seminary hold the DMin from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. Elena Melnikova and Olga Kobzeva, both Moscow Seminary alumni, have a heart for empowering women, especially those who are still reluctant to use the power God has equipped them with for doing ministry in this world. The United Methodist Seminary in Moscow is the only place offering this level of education, where women can study for ministry if they decide to answer their call.

But the greatest asset and treasure of the Seminary is its people - staff and students alike. John Wesley once said: “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on Earth.”

And this is exactly what God is doing through the ministry of the Moscow Theological Seminary.