Today, UETS is a Christian higher education institution in Kyiv, Ukraine, accredited by the European Council for Theological Education and certified by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, which provides comprehensive training of church leaders from Ukraine, Central Asia and Eastern Europe in Theology, Counseling, Missions, Worship and Leadership.
As of today, UETS offers 25 programs, which include traditional bachelor’s and master’s programs, as well as shorter-term certification programs that meet both the acute wartime ministry needs and the high standards required by the Ukrainian government.
The unexpected religious freedom Christians in the former Soviet Union started enjoying immediately after its collapse brought about the need for competent ministers who would lead newly-planted churches. Following decades of persecution of believers, when theological education was unavailable, UETS started making its first successful steps towards systematic training of national church leaders and achieving its strategic development goals.
While developing its campus, the seminary offered new bachelor’s programs in Theology, Worship, Counseling, as well as a master’s program in Transformative Leadership. Its faculty, students and graduates embarked on mission trips, planted new churches, founded new ministries, and contributed to the conversion of new believers in Ukraine and neighboring countries.
UETS graduates expanded the geography of their mission field by going on short-term and long-term missions to India, Nepal, Kenya, the Faroe Islands and other countries to minister to unreached people groups. This period was also marked with campus renovations, learning environment innovations, substantial faculty development and publishing projects.
Despite challenges caused by COVID-19 limitations, UETS continued running its programs and providing training to UETS students. Online learning instruments were integrated into all programs. The seminary launched new satellite programs both in Ukraine, and abroad. A new program in counseling, which was launched in addition to the existing pastoral program, gave a strong impetus to the UETS presence in Central Asia, enabling the seminary to train and equip key church leaders and counselors from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.
A month after the Russian Federation started its unprovoked aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, UETS resumed its educational ministry online and launched a large-scale relief ministry. Due to the support of UETS partners, the seminary managed to rebuild its campus which had been severely damaged by six rockets as well as provide thousands of meals, firewood and wood stoves, generators, and Bibles to the elderly, disabled and others in need. In addition to its bachelor’s and master’s programs, the seminary offered short-term certification programs to meet the needs of the church and society in war-torn Ukraine. Also, UETS received government licensing, which, together with accreditation from the European Council for Theological Education, opened new ministry opportunities.
We envision a Ukraine where Christian values are implemented in all spheres of life and where UETS students and graduates play a significant role in reaching the unreached for Christ and healing their war-affected fellow citizens. To accomplish our vision, UETS will train and equip new pastors, worship leaders, counselors, chaplains, missionaries, Christian caregivers with relevant ministry skills and competencies to ensure the restoration of our suffering nation and making the Gospel accessible to the Ukrainian people.
To provide biblically grounded, contextually relevant, and practically oriented education that prepares men and women for effective ministry in the church, non-profits, and society.
