Ukrainian partner cooperates with four other OC schools in the country

Located in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv Christian University (KCU) was founded in 1993 when the Department of Religious Studies, affiliated with the Academy of Modern Knowledge, was opened in Obninsk, Russia. It became the Russian-American Christian Institute in 1994 and then moved to Kyiv in 1995 as the Ukrainian-American Christian University. It was officially registered as KCU in 1997.

The aim of KCU is to prepare highly qualified specialists in various fields based on a Gospel foundation. Combining detailed theological education with practical training, the university is careful to take into account the culture of Ukraine and the traditions of the Baptist movement within Ukraine.

The university offers a number of programs, including a Bachelor of Theology in Biblical Studies and Missions, Christian Foundations, Youth Leadership and Christian Journalism. Many of KCU’s 123 graduates are using their training to work as teachers, pastors, missionaries, youth leaders and church planters.

KCU cooperates with a number of Christian schools in the country to exchange teachers and participate in joint conferences. One unique partnership involves OC’s four other Ukrainian partners [DCU, OTS, UETS and ZBCS]. The five schools hold an annual theological forum that brings together presidents, staff, students, ministers and members of evangelical churches.

Faculty scholar Denis Kondyuk earned his Master of Theology degree with the help of an OC scholarship. He is a pastor of a small community and coordinates different church activities. “I believe my study has both theological and counseling value for the context I work in,” he says. “It gives me the potential to work in the context of urbanized society and reach the young people of Kyiv.”