Ilya and Angelika Okhotnikov @ Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow

Funeral of Nikolay Shenov, Izhevsk, Russia

2012-02-07T23:37:00.001+04:00

Greetings from Izhevsk, a city 700 miles to the East from Moscow. Today it was a beautiful sunny winter day with -22C (-8F) almost no wind and dry air. In the morning Angelika and I left Daniella at home of my (Ilya's) parents with Daniella's grandma Valentina (my mom) and my dad drove us to Angelika's parents' home. There Angelika's mom and younger sister with 2 more neighbors and us in 2 different cars drove to a funeral home. At the funeral home there was a group of some 15 men who used to work with Nikolay together. They were sad, as well as everyone else: neighbors, friends, relatives. We awaited outside until previous ceremony finished and entered the funeral home, which was just a single room with a big wooden Cross of the Russian Orthodox Church style and the open casket. Nikolay's body was well dressed in a suit that Dr. Buskey once gave Nikolay as a gift. Nikolay has never put it on, just on his last trip home. A week ago pastor Peter visited Nikolay and prayed with him, and Nikolay did pray out loud and at least with his mouth he did confess Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. We all have hope to meet Nikolay on the Day of Christ. At the funeral hose there was a silence. Men and women were remembering Nikolay. Nadezhda, Angelika, Svetlana have being emotional: who wasn't? Nikolay was a good hearted man. He liked under ice fishing very much. Pastor Peter and him had a common business to talk about. At the funeral home a Russian Orthodox priest served a liturgy: Svetlana felt to do the Russian Orthodox Church ceremony. All, but Angelika and I, Pastor Alexander Podobedov and Children's pastor Olga Frolova, partook in the ceremony by holding candles in their hands. The priest did the ceremony in the Old Slavic Language; only we, who knew the Scripture could hardly recognize Paul's and John's passages he quoted. The priest used laden that produced a smell unique to the Russian Orthodox Church services. The room was filled with it. Dimmed light, candles and mono singing of the priest were making many (including myself) tired from not understanding of the 'magic' wording and shaking of the laden’s smoke thing in his hand. After the service was over the priest did spoke Russian that everyone understood and gave a good liturgy summary and instructions on what to do next. Theology of praying the dead out of hell is one of the ROC's beliefs, which is hard to align with the Scripture.After the funeral was over the casket was closed and placed in a special bus that took us to the grace sight in some 20...30 minutes. There in the open field alone other graves we had the last word. A man from the factory spoke about Nikolay and shared with those around what a meek and good friend was he. I spoke from our Evangelical understanding of person's responsibility while living to make decision to follow Christ and tried to remember Nikolay and shared with everyone what is the real life that believers have (Christ Jesus) and how those who believe in His resurrection come from death to life when they die. After my words Svetlana allowed the casket to be placed down, every one took a little of soil and have thrown down to the casket. Workers have finished making a grave, placed a cross on top and a funeral flowers that you can see on the picture here.

After the ceremony everyone have been served Russian hot pirogi and hot tea, which was one of the traditions and very well in place coz the weather was COLD (-5F) -22C. The funeral bus took us to a cafeteria where those who wanted to remember Nikolay sat and ate funeral dinner, after which the ceremony of the day was finished.

Nikolay, Angelika's dad, passed away half an hour before we entered home...

2012-02-05T14:07:00.000+04:00

Nikolay Shinov has passed away half an hour before we arrived at his home this morning Feb. 5... We've taken a train from Moscow to Izhevsk yesterday - Feb. 4 - arrived this morning and were late... We hope to see him in Heaven, trusting God's mrecy. Nikolay was 61 and his 62nd birthday would be on Feb. 25, just in 20 days. He was the only child. His parents didn't provide much love and care. Nikolay worked at a factory in Izhevsk. He retiered due to a medical condition at 59, he had a cancer surgery 2 years ago exactly in January 2010. The picture on the right is taken in summer 2010. He lost lots of weight in the last 5 months. We were in Izhevsk in August 2011. Lower group picture was in August 2011. Pastor Peter Ovechkin has visited Nikolay about 10 days ago and prayed with him. Nikolay does not have many relatives. Funeral will be Feb. 7. Thank you for your prayers for all of us in Izhevsk...

2012-02-04T09:31:00.001+04:00

Nadezhda, Angelika's younger sister, says yesterday she and her mom relocated Nikolay from one place to another - he is very light about 70 lbs. Nadezhda writes he is still in his mind and asked have we arrived or not. We decided to travel Sunday early morning by car, or to take train tonight, so we'll be in Izhevsk tomorrow morning. Please, pray for Nikolay, us and the snowy road.This black and white picture of Nikolay is taken in his late teen years (mid 1960s) He worked as a Sander at one of the military factories in Izhevsk.

This is 2010. Behind Nikolay is his younger daughter and me when we visited them in Izhevsk with Daniella in June 2010.

2012-02-03T01:22:00.000+04:00

Dear friends, thank you for your prayers for Nikolay. He is still the same. No change. Yet he lives and untill he has a breath of life there is hope for salvation! Thank you from Angelika!This is Nikolay and Svetlana - Angelika's parents 1971, Izhevsk, USSR.

This was in Izhevsk last 2011 year.

This was in 2010:

2012-01-31T00:18:00.000+04:00

Nikolay is very weak. He cann't make it to the restroom. He ate last time on Jan. 18 and took water on Jan. 28. His wife is next to his bed. When pastor Peter came yesterday he talked with Nikolay about God, prayer, eternity. Nikolay listened, in Peter's question asking about prayer, Nikolay indicated he did not pray. Angelika and I hope he may be didn't know before pastor Peter came, but now, after the visit, Nikolay may started to address God? No one knows what kind of reality is shown to a person who loves his last days, hours... Angelika is on the way to recovery, still weak, but went outside today. Daniella has to go through 4 tests and visit her doctor before she is released from school medical leave of absence. Thank you for praying for us.In Him,I&A

Pastor Peter Ovechkin visited my father-in-law at home/

2012-01-30T00:10:00.002+04:00

Peter and his wife Ludmila

has visited Nikolay today - Sunday Jan.29. The visit was short. Nikolay didn't want to bee seen, but allwed Peter to come and fellowship. Nikolay does not like (he says so, I don't know what stage emptionally he is in? Nikolay does not share his emotions, just negative emotions he does share and always was) people visiting him. Peter talked with him and then prayed for Nikoaly.

I will learn more tomorrow when I call Peter. Nikolay stopped eating on Jan. 18 and the same day he stopped smoking. He smokes once in several days if he has enaught strngth to walk out to the bolkany. Angelika and I plan on traveling from Moscow to Izhevsk by the end of next week - Thursday - Feb. 2. Angelika has been in bed for the last 2-3 days with cold, that turned to be a flue, which transformed into a bronchitus. The treatment is going on well, just a metter of time. When she will feel like traveling we'll go. Probably by car - train is expensive! I got a flat tire yestarday when showing and shopping with Dr. Toddy Holeman

around Moscow. Daniella got over her "cold", the only health person in our family right now is I ;-) Anyway, we pray for Nikolay to trust his life in Lord's hands. Thank you for praying for him also.

Angelika's father In Izhevsk

2012-01-28T11:01:00.001+04:00

Dear Friends: Update on Nikolay - my father-in-law: he sleeps long hours, almost all day, all night, he doesn't eat, drinks little, gets light drug pain medicine that doesn't help. His wife - Svetlana - gives him injections. She says there is no place in him to give an injection -- For the last 2 days, a nurse came twice, ambulance was called upon once. They said, address a hospital. The hospital (cancer hospital) says, no room avalible, and if there would be, they would not hospitalize Nikolay - they can't help. In the West such people are placed in a hospis... Usually, Nikolay would smoke 5-7 times a day going out to a balkony in the condo where he and his wife with their younger daughter live. He stopped smoking. No alkohol, no sigarets... Please, keep him in prayer for a revelation of Christ and may his heart turn to God.

This picture of Nikolay has been taken in Summe 2009. He didn't have surgery at that time yet. The surgery was done in January 2010. It was too late. Nikolay's birthday is Feb. 25. He will be 64. .Angelika got sick before we learned about her dad's last days... We can't travel right now due to Angelika's sickness. Daniella got a cold also, but lighter version, while Angelika has been quite sick for the last 2 days. Pray for them also.Thank you...

2012-01-25T23:09:00.000+04:00

Angelika's dad is about to pass away...

We learned about this today - Jan. 25. He stopped eating on Jan. 18. Jan. 25 he stopped taking water or soup. Two years ago he had cancer surgery (stomach has been removed 99%). Early January '12 his wife (my mother-in-law) was told "they don't hospitalize such people like him" simply send them home to die... Nikolay is 700 miles away from us... Pray we would visit him before he dies, -- writing this is so hard... Nikolay is not saved, pray for his salvation and for accepting his own condition. THANK YOU

Divorce & Remmariage Counseling has started (Jan.23-27)

2012-01-24T08:23:00.000+04:00

Dr. Holeman has arrived in Moscow 3 days before the class in order to get adjusted well before the class starts. The weekend was dedicated to sight seeing, but also to prepare for the teaching. We visited Red Square. It is different in winter time compare to summer. Ice skating arena is right in the middle. (We didn't ice skate, no!) We also tried to purchase Bolshoi Theater tickets, but only Friday tickets were avalible, the day Dr. Holeman arrived.

That day wasn't the best to visit Bolshoi. Next day, Saturday Jan. 21, we visited Kremlin. Insdie the walls of original city limit - called Kremlin - there are at least 5 temples of Russian Orthodox Church. Every bit of every wall has been covered with a painting of a saint or a Bible character. Yet the buildings once been dedicated to worship God, currenntly are opened as a pice of culture.

Visiting the temples took us much of the day, yet by the evening Dr. Holeman and I went to a functioning temple of the Russian Orthodox Church - the central worship place of the Whole Russia - the Temple of Christ, the Savior.

Dr. Holeman and I visited Russian Orthodox Church Saturday evening worship service. It is much different! First, one has to stand through the liturgy. The service involves viewing the beauty of the inside of the temple, listening to the prayer singings, processions observation, smelling of the temple spices, crossing of yourselves and kneeling down (we didn't of course). Paintings and icons are all over the temple. Sorry, I don't have a picture to share: they don't allow to take pictures.

Yesterday, Jan. 23 the class has started. 20% of registered participants did not arrive, but we have a good group of 20 students who have come from Russia, Ukraine, and even from a baltic country of Estonia! The class starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Mo-Fri. Student are attentive, most of them have ministry at a locla church or plan to start one. Several who originally planned to take the class just for audit have enrolled into the program, after they realized that one class is not sufficient to fulfill their calling and ministerial emphasis.

We are video recording the class and trust the material will be very helpful to, first, prevent divorces, train couple in communication and conflict resolution skills. The overall program is composed of 14 classes with total 40 credit hours (over 500 hours of teaching in class time) resulting with theological (3), theoretical (5) and pratical traning (6), including Family Law in Russian Federation.Please, pray for promotion of the program within the Russian speaking coutries. Eurasian Theological Seminary is the only theological school that has such a traning: specifically in Family Counseling. What church has no people who have a family? Every church does! Every person within the church (with rare exception) either has come out of his parental family or has his\her own family. Most of our tentions and joys come due to family\relatives dnamics. Ministers are to be knowlegeble of marital and family relationship issues to assist church members more effectivley. Family counseling program is our applied theology program.Blessings to you, in Christ name!

Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow at Winter

Russian religious media about US presidential election

2012-01-18T23:15:00.000+04:00

Opponents of the nomination of a Mormon candidate for U.S. president place an Evangelist in opposition to him. http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=43788 Moscow. On January 16. INTERFAX - 150 leaders of the influential American evangelical Christians named one republican presidential candidate U.S. Senator and proclamer of Christian values, Rick Santorum. "It should be an alternative to another party election campaign - the former governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, Mormon, " - the newspaper "Kommersant" wrote on Monday. Influential conservative Republicans became the initiators of an emergency meeting of leaders of American evangelical organizations, held last weekend. They were extremely concerned about the strong leadership M. Romney in the fight for the right to represent the GOP in the presidential election of 2012. Father of seven P. Santorum is a devout Christian and is known as a staunch opponent of abortion and gay rights.

A J-Term @ Eurasian Seminary in Moscow with Dr. Holeman

2012-01-18T22:44:00.000+04:00

The week of January 23-27 will be a J-term in Family Ministry & Counseling program at Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow (ETSM) with Dr. Virginia Holeman from Asbury Seminary. The subject is "Counseling in case of Divorce & Remarriage". Russian protestant\evangelical\pentecostal churches are conservative in the matters of divorce and remarriage. However, often that conservatism neglects people who are in their life circumstances do need to be offered God's Grace and care. Every minister of the Word has some understanding of the Word, but of the soul of a person who goes through horrible life situations of divorce. Remarriage involves dynamics no one has been before. Every minister needs to know those before he\she starts counseling people in and outside the church. Dr. Holeman has been a visiting professor for ETSM since 2009. I was her student in 2001-2003. She is one of the best teachers I had at Asbury!

This picture is taken when Dr. Holeman was teaching the same class in Moscow in June 2009. This time she has come in January, to Moscow, Russia. January, Russia; January, Russia; January, Russia; January, Russia; January, Russia; January, Russia; January, Russia; January, Russia; January, Russia; January, Russia... Did you get cold already? :-D

Happy Russian OLD New Year to you!

2012-01-13T21:30:00.001+04:00

Did you know that Russians celebrate Christmas on Jan.7, not on Dec.25? Did you know that Russians also have a tradition (less than 100 years old) to celebrate (not an official national holiday) Old New Year over the night of Jan.13-14? It is exactly the celebration across Russia tonight. Both dual celebration are related to the Julian Calendar, not Gregorian. Julian calendar was used in Russia until 1918. When Bolsheviks (Communists) came into power in October (November - according to Gregorian Calendar) of 1917, in 2 months they lined up Russian calendar with the rest of Europe and the World. Yet the Russian Orthodox Church did not move their calendar, since one of the first Derees of the New Communist Goverment was a Decree of Separation Church and State. But a simple old calendar date remained in peoples of Russia, so they keep talking about it even 94 years later.Happy Russian OLD New Year to you!=ILYA=

Thank you for your prayers for flooding and for Daniella's recovery

2012-01-13T01:20:00.000+04:00

News & update: Thank you for praying about our flooding (cuts of the electricity and hot water) and for our daughter's healing. Neighbors have not been able to contact the owner for 3 days, neither those rentors of the above APT. Apartment has been opened in the presence of Police and Service Master today - Jan, 12, 12. Source of leakage has been identified and the water been cut of for th eabove APT. Now we no longer need to practice steeplechase: coxae and mops on the floor in the doorway were exactly like that Olympic athletic discipline :-) for three days. Three days passed. Thank God, only three days instead of 40 like in Noah's case (Gen. 7:12). But Noah did not have to repaint his seiling and walls and didn not have to re-do his flooring.

Daniella, our youngest daughter is recovering - no temperature, appetite has returned, she can not eat all things, those that are salty, fatty, fried, peppered, kapchenogo, canned, sweets, starchy foods (except crackers), milk, meat, well, etc. So Daniella eats crackers, porridge, and low fat vegetable sup, boiled veggies etc. only. Thank you again for your prayers, she is much better! PTL!!! Please continue to pray for the flood: THANK YOU all for your prayers!!! = OKHOTNIKOVs Family =

Prayer request

2012-01-10T05:38:00.000+04:00

The year starts very interesting! No electricity, no hot water, our daughter got food poison. So we have prayer requests: 18 hours ago my neighbors from above floor began to flood our condo. Water goes through the cracks of the floor on our walls and selling. Hot water has been turned off in the whole vertical pipe of the condo complex as soon as I realized we been flooded. Well, water got into the electrical part and even into the electrical box, thus we don't have electricity and as a consequence no ability to cook, or recharge cell phones, laptop etc. Neighbors rent their apartment to some Chinese people who do business in near by trading center. Chinese are gone for the new year celebration. Owners of the APARTMENT are secretive: they left no cell phone to no one around. We can't get the above APT opened to identify and stop the problem, so you may not hear from me for a while. Just keep us in your prayers so hat neighbors would be found and leakage would be stopped, so far water seems to be increasing. I hope we won't be without life support system for long. Tomorrow - January 10 - is the first business day in Russia after New Year and Christmas (Jan. 7) holidays. On top Daniella our 10 y.o. girl got food poison: so we have a sleepless night for 2 reasons: daughter's illness and cut of from electricity. Daniella vomited 3 times per night: we called the ambulance. You are the first to know about this. We are okay knowing that God has all things under control. Your prayers are much appreciated.

Pray that owners of the APT above would be contacted as soon as possible to stop the source of leakage. Second, for our daughter's recovery.

In Him,

ILYA OKHOTNIKOV

Russian Christmas Greetings from Moscow in Christ!

2011-12-17T23:35:00.000+04:00

Dear Friends! Wishing you in this season a very blessed and joyful Merry Christmas!

We reflect on Christ's birth in the season of Christmas expecting His birth! The expectation of His birth also urges us to expect (in this time) His 2nd coming! First time He was born and came as a baby boy. Some Russian Orthodox screw up and say, as if 'It was a very cold winter with lots of snow' :-D of course, Russia is famous for its snow and cold weather.

This December 70 years ago it was exactly the cold & wind that helped Russian military to defend their Mother-Land and stop Nazi’s troops right 10 miles away from the Red Square.

It was 1941. The WW-2 just began in June (22), 1941. God has made the coldest days ever. Russians were home. Right from the parade on Nov. 7,

they marched to the front line. Nazi’s forces were not ready for extreme cold. Russians were home they knew what it was.

Russian soldiers, officers and others were fighting against the enemy.

They were freeing people from bondage of death. My own grandfather has been in a concentration camp from 1941 (July) till he was freed by US military at the end of the war. He was freed, released, saved from death. He has been very grateful for the freedom. He is still alive.

He remembers how nice the US military treated Russian prisoners: fed them, gave clothes and provided good places for staying. They have given my grandfather a new life!

In the same manner: God has given His Son to free people from bondage of sin and death to give them new life. His birth has given light to the world, from that star, the light still lights in people's hearts. Those who follow the Light, have the Light in their life: everyone sees it.

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts about us in Russia as we keep on working to train ministers and church leaders who bring the light into people's hearts in the Russian speaking world! A special THANK YOU to those who have come to Russia and activley participated in His ministry over here in Moscow! Thank you to those who have not come, but supported the ministry and did not stop supporting in the hard times of economic colapses.

In 1998 The Seminary has started from zero. Russian speaking world experienced a great revival. 20 years ago it started. Many missionaries have come, and were gone after taking pictures and making videos. Today Russians left alone. No more interest from outside. No more prayers... Even if it sounds strange, yet it is true - many do not pray for Russia. Russian churches are left to struggle with their own hardships and difficulties.

Thank you for not quitting to pray for us as a family and for the Seminary family and for the Russian family as well.

Christ was not born in Russian winter. Christ was born to do away with winter in peoples' hearts and change the world by changing each person with His love.

A Very Merry Christmas from Russia with love!

ILYA, ANGELIKA & DANIELLA, (Polina).

Fall 2011 semester overview

2011-11-23T21:45:00.000+04:00

Wishing you a very blessed and joyful THANKSGIVING from Moscow! Sorry for being quiet for sooo long. It is truly a US celebration, Russian churches celebrate a Feast of the Harvest somewhere around the end of September beginning of October.

Let me quickly update you and give you a great report on a class we had at ETSM.

At the end of August the Seminary (www.etsmoscow.org) started its Fall 2011 semester. Since then I was traveling to Ukriane (3 times)

and within Russia 3 times

and Internationally (Singapore) 1 time for a Mission Conference on 4\14 Window (not 10\40, but 4\14 Window. The Seminary has had 7 classes and 3 more to go.

This week we have Religious Legislations class and in parallel a class on Old Testament Prophets.

I am promoting Family Counseling training program. The program has 13 1 week classes and train leaders in 3 dimentions: Theology, Theory, & Praxis. Many Russian speaking churches find it difficult to solve issues that do relate to marital & family dynamics. The program offers them a Christ-centered counsleing theology and exploration of main counseling theories.

A very brain stretching and theology challenging class called "Church, Child & Mission" was held at the Seminary between the Day of Reformation (Oct. 31) and the Day of National Unity (in Russia: Nov. 4), 2012.

Questions asked:
What is the Mission of a local church? It would be suggested: to make disciples, followers of Christ!
What is the most important theological age of a person? From what age do we start: 4, 7, 14, 21, 28?
Who starts: children workers at church or parents at home?
Who and how trains parents at the church: mothers and fathers?
How and who instructs, teaches and educates ministers at the local church?
What age a child becomes aware (not able to tell about it, but aware) of spiritual world?
How we should not fail the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:19-20)?

Dr. Dan Brewster (Compassion Int'l) has taught the class "Church, Child & Mission", and has made a significant impact in the minds and hearts of students at the Seminary. Church leaders, children workers, children ministers, youth pastors, senior pastors, rehab center pastors\leaders, even bishops have arrived from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine totaling 50 people in attendance for each of 5 days for 8 hours a day.

Here are some of the responses of those who took the class:

"I was inspired by hearing that one little child's faith is already the faith! In the same manner as small sunflower is the sunflower already, it will not become one in time, it's already is sunflower! I also was encouraged by hearing in class students' comments on how the Bible became alive and how others think the same way I do, so I understood and felt I AM NOT ALONE! There are other children ministers who think the same way I do!" Olga Frolova, Children Pastor.

"I got a confirmation in my spirit that our God is the GOD OF GENERATIONS. ... We need to let children come into our hearts, like Jesus did, I want to be like Him. I also like that we need to see a King in a boy, as God has seen King David in the boy David, as we need not to put rules on kids, but rather value each child, love and bless, to carry them by hand through hardships on their ways and to be a prophetic voice for them" Alexander Boichuk, Rehab Pastor.

"The Lord has shown me 2nd time importance of passing on the faith to not children, but grand children! It is shown in the words about God, Who is God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! Three generations! The responsibility lies on FATHERS." Svetlana Kargashinskaya, Family Counseling student.

"A simple encouragement of a child by an adult can generate a great leader in the future! I realized that children are not just our "future", they are our present!" Yuri Malofeev, Pastor.

"It's a mission strategy to care for children: when Elijah cared for the widow's son, she has recognized him being a prophet of God". Elena Mikhailova, 3rd year student.

"I was surprised to learn how strong does the Bible place an emphasis on disciplining children! In the past I didn't pay attention, but now the Bible became ALIVE as I look into the Word not from my point of view, but from God's! God loves children, but also talks about them more than 1500 times in the WORD!" Olga Scherbakova, 1st year student

Prior to teaching Dr. Brewster has preached 2 messages at 2 different churches in Moscow. Following the class Dr. Brewster held a conference with the same theme on Saturday Nov. 5. Following Sunday, the day of departure Dan has preached at a local church and left for the airport. He was surley busy in Moscow. Those eight days have been filled with much of groundbreaking, ice melting theological approaches to reading of the Scriptures, rethinking of church mission's strategies, aiming lower to rich the highest places in God! All through 'a child in the midts'.

Eurasian Theological Seminary thanks Compassion International for the blessing of this part of the world (Euraisa) with such a fresh and timely teaching, exposure of the Biblical truths about God's view of the child and His expectations of a local church in regard to its Mission and care for children.

In Him,

ILYA OKHOTNIKOV,
Euraisan Theological Seminary in Moscow
www.etsmoscow.org

2011-08-02T14:07:00.000+04:00

Greetings from Moscow, Russia!

Angelika and Daniella and I been to 28 days trip to Ukraine:
1st to Sevastopol city on Crimea peninsula in Ukraine (video of Sevastopol's preaching is here) for 3 weeks, where I served every Sunday in preaching\teaching and counseling on Family and Marriage. Great Church of God congregation! Excellent young pastor!

2nd to Poltava city(North-Eastern Ukraine) (bellow Russian text pictures from Poltava ministry Rhere). Poltava pastor asked me to come and give 3 days seminars, which turned to be in week long ministry: see all the pictures! Great time:
Friday evening 3 hours seminar for married couples & who so ever wished to come: on Family foundational principle of Triune God and shared what 10 areas of marital life influence joy and happiness in the relationships

Saturday all day: morning, afternoon with couples (on communication and conflict resolution training, practical application of Active Listening technique) and evening with youth group

Sunday morning: preaching for 1 hour as people got accustomed in the church, evening meeting with those interested in premarital counseling (youth again ;-)

Tuesday yet another fellowship and meeting with the church leadership. Excellent time! I am so grateful to the Lord for using us as a Family in His Kingdom in Russian speaking world!

For the last wek of July 2011 Angelika and I served at the Christian Camp organized by my local home church in Moscow "Father's House" Church of God. The camp targetted kids from 6 to 10. Prior to this last shift the camp served to kids from 11 to 15 and earlier from 16 to 20 years of age. To see how God changes chldren's hearts toward Him, to see kids giving their hearts to God at the end of the camp is the greatest reward of all short nights and difficulties of "camp life". See pictures of the Russian Christian Camp LIFE here.

Daniella our yongest daughter has given her heart to the Lord at the last service at the camp! Praise the Lord! She does not remember how did she do that at the age of 6 at home, so Angelika and I are so very grateful to the Lord she has councously done the step! Daniella just turned 10 last June.

Please, pray for our family as we travel from Moscow to Izhevsk 800 miles by car (again :-o ) so the car won't brkae, so that the Lord would serve people at the church where I will be preaching next Saturday - August 6 - we travel to Izhevsk Church of God. Photos of the church life are here WORSHIP sang by Izhevsk Church of God worship leader Masha Shakirova songs in Russian are here.

In His Word,

ILYA

Happy Independance Day from Russia!

2011-07-04T14:30:00.000+04:00

Greetings from Moscow, Russia via Sevastopol, Ukraine!

Congratulations to those who celebrate the legal separation of the 13 Colonies from Great Britain! Your history goes for quite years back! I read that in 1776 the Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence. Then they worked on the Declaration of Independence.

"Historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed."*

On July 4, 10 years ago Angelika Daniella and I were driving on the road moving our residence from Cleveland, TN to Wilmore, KY. How surprising it was to be welcomed by Wilmore community: as we were approaching on HWY 29 we were welcomed by huge, bright, stars of fireworks! Wow! What a great welcome! Glory to God & thanks be to Wilmore community :-D

Independence Day in Russia is a federal holiday, celebrated on June 12 (since 1991). Unlike the U.S., Russia did not fight for its independence; quite the opposite - on that day USSR (known as "Russia") has lost all of its territories that had been incorporated over 1,000 years. 1st Russian President Mr.Boris Yeltsin instituted Russian Independence Day on June 12. Yet Russians don't really celebrate it, since who became independent from whom\what is still unclear. A good analogy would be for Great Britain to celebrate the day when U.S. gained its independence.

Regardless of the reasons, Russians like the holiday, as it gives them a three-day weekend. According to a Russian law, if a federal holiday falls on a weekend, the next work day is off. Russia also has a way of announcing Friday to be a day off, when June 12 falls on Thursday, but next or previous Saturday is announced to be a business day so that three days would be grouped together. A great chance to catch up on gardening at the dachas, i.e. summer homes outside of cities!

Happy Independence Day(s)!!!

In Him,

Ilya Okhotnikov

_________________
*) Burnett, Edward Cody (1941). The Continental Congress. New York: W.W. Norton. pp. 191–96. ISBN 1104991853.
Warren, Charles (July 1945). "Fourth of July Myths". The William and Mary Quarterly. 3d 2 (3): 238–272.
"Top 5 Myths About the Fourth of July!". History News Network. George Mason University. June 30, 2001. http://hnn.us/articles/132.html. Retrieved June 28, 2009.

1+59 have graduated from Eurasian Seminary on May 21, 2011 in Moscow, Russia

2011-05-31T14:17:00.000+04:00

Greetings from Moscow!

10 days ago – on May 21, 2011 – Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow has had by far its largest graduation group since ETSM holds graduations!
After reading of the Word and worship the Regional Superintendant & the President of ETSM Dr. Thomas W. Rosson addressed the congregation of graduates and their relatives and friends. Then National Bishops for the Russian Church of God and for the Byelorussian Church of God and the National Director for Education of Ukrainian Church of God have given their word of greeting, encouraging and motivating graduates to keep on serving the Lord.

The main speaker at this Graduation Service was Dr. Samuel Solivan, Professor of Christian Theology at Professor of Theology at InterAmerican University. Dr. Solivan has been ETSM visiting faculty member since 1998. His personal testimony and high level of teaching combines theology and practical life and ministry. Students simply love him and appreciate his efforts to assist them in understanding Contemporary Theology, which would be relevant to their own ministerial context.

Following the main sermon a significant occasion took place: The National Bishop of the Byelorussian Church of God, Pastor Alexander Melukhov has been awarded a honorary Doctoral degree in Church ministry in recognition of 50 years of his ministry to God and people in USSR in the past and currently in Byelorussia. Pastor Melukhov is one of those ministers whom we all witness and say: he is a good pastor, rooted in the Word, encouraging to people, true to his calling in life. I’ve been to his church and country many times and can testify the fruit of ministry is great in Pastor Melukhov’s life!

Following the honorary doctoral degree 59 graduates have walked the stage and received either:
1.Diploma in Church Ministry, or
2.Diploma in Pastoral Ministry, or
3.Bachelor of Ministry degree, or
4.Bachelor of Theology degree!

The graduating class consists of
i. Ukrainians,
ii. Byelorussians and
iii. Russians who come from Central, Eastern, North-Western, Southern and Siberian regions.

Please, keep Eurasian Seminary in your prayers: may every student who comes to be trained for ministry be:
a)equipped not just in knowing the right doctrine (Orthodoxy), but also would be
b)formed into ministers according to God’s heart and upon graduation have Christ-like character (Orthopathy) and may they be
c) able to do His ministry (Orthopraxy) effectively and enthusiastically

On a personal note: Angelika, Daniella and I appreciate your support in prayers for us. Daniella (10 y.o.) graduated from 3rd class of the elementary school with excellent grades in all, but 2 classes and even got an annual award in her class of English Language. We are proud of her. Polina (17 y.o.) is still the same: not comprehending the world around her, with no communication signs -- We pray may the Lord God keep Polina in His hands and in one day call her home where she will be healed and placed healthy before us. Angelika and I appreciate your prayers for Polina and us very much.

Visit ETSM’s Facebook’s page for more pictures of the graduation here: http://www.facebook.com/etsmoscow?sk=wall

In His ministry,
Ilya & Angelika Okhotnikov

Great Patriotic War (WW-2) Victory Day May 9 celebrated in Russia click this link

2011-05-10T07:43:00.000+04:00

Greetings from Moscow! Happy Mothers' Day! Russia celebrates a historic day May 9. My grandfather is living, but not willing to share the war memories. He has written a story of his military life. Read the news bellow, click the title of this article to watch a video report from the Red Square (English).

Russia today: Russia is marking Victory Day - 66 years since Nazi Germany was defeated in World War II. Events of commemoration and celebration are taking place across the country, including a traditional grand military parade on Red Square.

The Moscow parade comes as largest-scale in Russian modern history, with a march of about 20,000 troops. The grand event was preceded by three night parade rehearsals and also a general rehearsal on Red Square.

The parade, which started at 10am Moscow time on Monday, consisted of marches, and a demonstration of military hardware, vehicles and aircraft.

This year, 106 units of military armory rolled over the main Moscow Square and five helicopters hovered over the spectators. Heavy military vehicles were wearing special tracks not to damage the cobblestones of Red Square.

Watch full video of the military parade in Moscow
Spectators had a chance to see modern Russian military machines, such as Tiger and BTR-80 armored vehicles, T-90 tanks, self-propelled artillery installations Msta-C, mobile missile launching systems "Topol-M" and many others military units.

For the first time in the history of the Victory Day parade, 200 officers from Russia's Space Corps joined in the march.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and many other country’s officials also attended the parade. Dmitry Medvedev addressed the veterans and participants of the military march and said that Russian people harbor a special, cherished attitude towards those who fought and won the war.
“We are proud of the people, who returned from war and, within a short period of time, raised the country from ruins, restored its industries and agriculture, were first to space, achieved great success in education, culture and science,” the Russian president said.

“Our duty is to keep the peace achieved as a result of the Victory,” he added.
The parade is the main display of Russia’s military forces. Military analyst Igor Khokhlov says Russia’s army is undergoing important changes.

“A massive military reform is now taking place and the basic idea is to have a smaller force, the head count is as about one million now in Russia, but the idea is to have a mobile, very effective [force],” Khokhlov says. “If the Russian army becomes smaller you have to thing about the quality. The army is reducing its head count from 1.1 million to almost 1 million. The number of contract soldiers is going to triple within a few years,” he adds.

Remembering Christ's suffering, His death and Glorious Resurrection

2011-04-22T07:59:00.000+04:00

Greetings from Moscow, Russia!

Russian Easter is on the same day this year as of the majority world! Remembering Christ's suffering, His death and Glorious Resurrection this week my wife Angelika and I wish you a refreshed renewal of Passover in your heart, life, and ministry! Jesus Christ, the true God and Eternal Life has concurred death, and we have overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of our testimony! (Rev.12:11)

In our spirit resonates a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night..." (Rev.12:10)

May this celebration of His Resurrection keep on resemble in you with a new power of the Holy Spirit!

In His Resurrection,

ILYA & ANGELIKA OKHOTNIKOV

Ressurection Sunday is coming next week to Russia

2011-04-17T23:52:00.000+04:00

Glorious Resurrection Day has been with many tears and passion, prayer and agony, temptation and tests of His obedience to the will of the Father. The week before the Lord Jesus Christ has entered Jerusalem. As the King. He has received the worship knowing the same people will be crucifying Him in a matter of days.

Remembering these days this historic event of the eternity we want to once again say THANK YOU for keeping us in your prayers. The Lord is near. All is good in His presence even when the storms of life and "human factor" try to kick us out. The Lord is our Shepord. He is the Rock of our salvation.

Ministry: The Spring Semester is going well: classes been taught and students receive as form the Lord! This semester is the 2nd semester when ETSM offers each class during 1 week in a J-term format, with the following week scheduled to be a self study week to do the home work. This format is excellent for pastors and church leaders who come from outside of Moscow. In the past (prior to the fall 2010) part time students (ministers) could come only 4 times a year, because ETSM could offer only 4 J-terms, or as we call them "Intensives". With the change to Modular format extension students can choose(!) what class they need\want to attend! They say it is excellent!

Family: all is well: the snow is almost gone from the streets. The grass is not yet green. Daniella finishes 3rd grade in Elementary class (of 4 total) at a Public School in Moscow and 3rd class at a Public Music School with Choir major (piano is an instrument she takes). Angelika does a great job on serving the Seminary as a volunteer in decorating events in the facility, for which everyone is thankful and amazed at first. It is not that I am bragging about Angelika's work, but I am glad she finds it fulfilling to do this part, which makes the atmosphere and a start of the day\week\month. Thank you, my dear wife, thank you, Angelika!

Some of our prayer needs:
1) Ministerial: pray for the future yet to be found Student Dean of the Seminary. I know there is that family or a person whom God has for us, but we need to locate the person and bring him up to our team.
2) For the Russian authorities so that they would not press so hard onto educational projects of evangelical churches. Currently if a church has no Russian Governmental License "to do education" such church cannot grant certificates upon graduation of the Bible School or Institute it has. This is due to Russian Orthodox Church "interests".
3) Keep on praying for our family: there are unspoken needs. Keep on praying, please.

Thank you!

In His Resurrection!
ilya & angelika okhotnikov
www.facebook.com/okhotnikov

Please, pray for me and those involved with funeral

2011-03-20T01:14:00.000+03:00

My grandmother Evdokiya passed away some 20 hours ago.

Моя бабушка (двоюродная) Евдокия Николаевна в СПб умерла часов 20 назад. Тётя моего отца, дружила крепко с отцом моего отца.

She lived in St.Pete, Russia. She was the next younger sister of my dad's father. I am to teach a course next week, students come from all over Russia. Please, pray for me and those involved with funeral: wisdom for what to do, when and how. Attached is her photo. Just turned 88 on Mar.14, 2011.

Мне преподавать на следующей неделе: студенты съезжаются ото всюду. Пожалуйста молитесь за меня и тех, кто организовывает похороны: мудрость, что делать, когда и как. 88 лет ей исполнилось 5 дней назад 14 марта 2011.

Spring has made it into Moscow.

2011-03-15T22:41:00.000+03:00

Well, well! It is Spring already! For 7 days the snow is melting. Soon rivers of the snowy waters will be streaming in Moscow. Ice staking will not be available any more! Daniella and I went out last Sunday after church to ice-skate and say: "Good bye, ice!" Watch another video that I recorded after my fall on ice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK05d923IB4 While it is fun to ice-skate, the Lord teaches us to not be afraid to ice-skate and even if one falls, to stand up and keep on going. I even got some poem in my mind. Strange: poetry isn't my strength. I was in mathematics, algebra, geometry, physics. I learned Greek through math and physics. But poetry. Is that the Spring's effect? Or, no! That is Spring's affect, Ah! :-O ;-D I got it now!

Anyway, watch the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-LLP8rLGBE
and read bellow after you saw me bumping the ice (falling) while ice-skating.

The ice may be melting,
The stones may come up.
But God is supporting
Your work by His blood.

You can't laying down,
When bumping through ice!
The call is so clear:
I paid for that price!

Stand up and keep going,
So many in sin,
They need to unveil
They need to begin
Repentance and calling
The name of Christ, God,
Who loves and forgoing
To shedding His blood.

Who tells them? Who shares
Good News of salvation?
Who stands and supports
When they stumble through life?
To train such a worker
Takes time and a system
To teach to assisting
Those needing the life.

This is what we do in Moscow: train national workers who go out and establish churches, strengthen existing churches that do the ministry of feeding the hungry, shaltering the homeless, adopting the children etc. Training a minister is that that "dramatic" compare to "feeding the hungry", but when you stop for a minute and think: such a minister that have been trained and equipped may start the ministry of adopting the homless kids, providing for the needy, but what is most important he\she will be able to not only serve the phisical needs, but introduce people to Jesus Christ and keep on assiting them through life when they fall or stamble through life. Therefore, I am saying that traning a minister is God's business and is more effective on th elong run, but less dramatic, gives less "buzz", less "feelings" of doing God's business, but it is really His business to teach those who are able to teach others. Stop! Where did I read that? (1Tim.4:6, 11; 2Tim.2:2)

Blessings to you and your family!
ILYA, ANGELIKA & DANIELLA

Freedom from slavery in Russia has taken place 150 years ago.

2011-03-03T22:38:00.000+03:00

These days, our country celebrates the momentous date and at the same time, the unfairly overlooked by society's attention. Exactly 150 years ago, in 1861 (February 19 Old Style, or March 3 according to the new, Gregorian calendar), the decree of Emperor Alexander II of Russia was abolished shameful, archaic and destructive for the entire state practice - serfdom (Slavery).

However, Russia did not comprehend the One Who truly redeems people from real slavery of sin and death. Russia turned (and still turns) to another type of slavery, but not outwardly, but inwardly. Russian Orthodox Church alone with their idea of 3rd Rome governance (according to Byzantine type) hopes to govern the country. Sad, at the same time good: we have lots of harvest to rip, arches to build, seeds to plant! Opportunities to preach have not come short! Abilities to strengthen and deepen Russian Christianity need to be exercise! Keep on praying for Russian Church leaders and pastors so that they may come to unity regardless of diversity of doctrines and organizational characteristics. May Russian Evangelical Christians come to be ONE to witness.

ILYA

January-February 2011 @ ETSM

2011-02-27T14:55:00.000+03:00

Greetings from frozen Moscow! Russia is a Northern country. You know that when by the end of February you still walk on ice and have 2 meters (7ft) of snow on the ground.

January is usually a "half of month" month, since official holidays do not end until January 10. The Seminary started its Spring 2011 semester with 2 important occasions. One was the visit of Euro-Asian Accrediting Association of Evangelical Schools. Another was Strategic Planning for ETSM regional development.

1. The visit of www.e-aaa.info team has become some what historic event: ETSM has been confirmed with FULL ACCREDITATION for Bachelor and Diploma level (total 4) programs. The most significant part of the accrediting process was that ETSM has switched all its academic paperwork and records to European educational standard. Additionally, some of ETSM's documents were taken by the EAAA's committee members as samples for their future visits to other schools.

2. Strategic planing for ETSM's regional development showed a very strong interest of churches in professional theological education. ETSM has 6 regional extensions in Russia (4), Ukraine (2) and Belorussia (2) and plans to open more extensions this 2011 year. Alexei Gorbachev and I just returned from a ThinkTank, which been held in Slavyansk, Ukraine. The ThinkTank was dedicated to the education of the Church of God in Ukraine. 2 days the Ukrainian National Bishop, Pastor Alexei Demidovich, Eastern Region Bishop, Pastor Valdimir Kovynev, Natinal Education Director for Ukraine Eberhard Dudszus and regional education coordinators from Ukraine spent time in fellowship, dialogue and discussion of strategic plans for making education a priority in the development of the Church of God in Ukraine. The meeting has been very positive and insightful!

February 2011 is almost gone! ETSM has held its own Board of Directors' meeting followed by the meeting of the National Church of God Board. The progress of Church of God development is evident. There is a lot of room for potential growth and education naturally becomes one of the main streams of it.

Also in mid February ETSM has opened its doors for a meeting of 18 Evangelical Association leaders of those denominations that have been united under the umbrella of ROSHVE (www.cef.ru) Russian United Fellowship of Christians of Evangelical Faith. All the leaders of associations were able to see where our students study, live and serve.

Since the beginning of the Spring Semester 2011 ETSM had several classes taught by Church of God Bishops Alexender Utyakov (History of Evangelical movement and History of the Church of God), Valeriy Gaidaichuk (Doctrine-2). Mikhael Kovbanuk taught classes of OT Survey and Synoptic Gospels. I taught a class in Marital Counseling track of "Family Systems Counseling."

March 2011 is dedicated to students' practical ministry. They all are divided in teams of 2 or 3 and travel to churches with the 3 goals in mind: 1st: to minister and receive ministry, 2nd to get to know the Church of God out there, 3rd to give their own testimony of why God urged them to come to study at ETSM? Upon their return students will have 2 more classes in March: Greek-1 (A.L.Gorbachev), Research and writing (T.M.Gorbacheva).

March 2011 has 2 more classes in Marital Counseling program: one class is on Enrich instrument (marital counseling) and 2nd class is Counseling Relations: Process of Skills-2 taught by pastor R.I.Nadyuk, Ph.D.

Also, please, check www.facebook.com/etsmoscow - it is a Facebook page for ETSM. Lick "Like" button there, please!

We thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers and ask to specifically pray for new enrolment of this year: may God bring those whom He wants to be trained at ETSM both: full time and part time.

In Him,
ILYA OKHOTNIKOV

on each Feb.23 Russia celebrates a National Holiday: HomeLand Defender's Da

2011-02-22T22:56:00.000+03:00

Tomorrow - February 23 - Russia celebrates a National Holiday: Home Land Defender's Day. It is like Father's day, but without "discrimination" of those who don't have children: all men nation wide are honored. In kinder gardens, pre-schools, schools, universities, at work and home ALL men will get a greeting word\gift from their ladies. That is a way to recognize and wish (a blessing in Christian circles) a good thing to every man\boy for they are potential defenders of the country.

In 2 weeks there will be International Women's Day (March 8) wish is the same, but toward women, not just mothers (all though it is celebrated in the same way like Mother's day mixed with Valentine's day), so all men will turn their attention to women in their home\work\ministry.

Both day are National Holidays.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
ILYA

Sourse: http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/traditions/689/

February 23 is celebrated all over Russia as the Homeland Defender’s Day. Now a public holiday, it was first established in 1922 as the Red Army Day and from 1949 to 1993 it was named Day of the Soviet Army and the Navy. Nowadays, however, it has gained a more general sense of the “Man’s Day”, as a just match for the Women’s Day following it on the calendar. Daddies, granddaddies, brothers, boyfriends, husbands and sons (i.e. all possible defenders) and, certainly, those who have served or are serving the army, get their share of greetings and presents on this remarkable day.

So why is February 23 and no other date considered Man’s Day?

Right after the victory of the Bolsheviks’ armed revolt in Petrograd (then the name of Petersburg) on 7-8 November 1917 in the framework of October Revolution, the Soviet rule had to fight not only with internal enemies that were against the communist radiant tomorrow, but also had to face World War Igoing on the Russian territory.

In order to protect the newly born Soviet State from Germany the Soviet government had to organize regular forces. On January 28, 1918 Chairman of Council of People’s Comissars Vladimir (Ulyanov) Lenin signed the decree “On Establishment of Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army” and on February 11 the decree “On Establishment of Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Navy”. So, working people who voluntarily expressed their willingness to join the armed defenders of Motherland were enrolled to the Red Army and the Red Navy.

On February 18, 1918 the joint Austrian-German and Turkish forces perfidiously broke the armistice (concluded on December 15, 1917) by encroaching upon the Soviet Russia and starting to occupy Ukraine, Byelorussia and the Baltic countries.

On February 21 the German troops seized Minsk (Byelorussia). On that day the Soviet Council turned to the people with the appeal: “Social State is in danger!”

Following this, February 23 saw the Red Army Day held in Petrograd under the motto of “protecting the Social Motherland from the Kaiser’s forces”. In response to it only in Petrograd (present Petersburg) tens of thousands of volunteers rose against the invaders. The newly formed Red Army troops at once joined the battle against the German forces.

It should be mentioned, however, that many historians question the fact of any remarkable victory in those days of 1918. The papers of that period boasted no definite victory reports. Neither spoke they about the victory anniversary a year later, in 1919. Such references came to appear not until the early 1920s.

From 1922 February 23 gained the status of a big national holiday as the Red Army Birthday. February 22, 1922 saw a parade of the Moscow Garrison on Red Square, as well as a grand sitting of Mossovet (Moscow City Council) together with representatives of military units of the Moscow Garrison.

From 1923, following the order of the Revolutionary War Council the day came to be annually celebrated as the Red Army Day.

In 1946 the holiday was renamed into Day of the Soviet Army and the Navy.

In 2002 the State Duma of Russian Federation made February 23 an official day-off, whereas in Ukraine and Byelorussia it still remains a working day.

Recently suggestions have been occurring about shifting the Defender’s Day onto another date that would really remind of unquestionable victories and glorious (non-Soviet) past of the Russian Army.

ETSM on www.Facebook.com

2011-02-21T23:58:00.001+03:00

Greetings from Eurasian Seminary in Moscow! I have a news for you! ETSM got a new webaddress. It is in one of the best social networks. Don't dismiss my information about social networks. Facebook is a future (safer) platform for friends relationships and communictaion. I have so many pictures and even videos to show you, not just text like here! And you can post your comments and bring your prayer requests, etc to us via the facebook.com page of ETSM. Here it is! Click on the name and you will be taken to the page!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/%D0%95%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B8%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%8F-%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%8F-%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%8F-Eurasian-Theological-Seminary/164389226947306?sk=wall

click on the link and register with Facebook. Then go to the link and click "Like" on the Seminary's Facebook Page.

In Him,
ilya

from Moscow: news & updates from Okhotnikovs

2011-02-16T01:11:00.000+03:00

Greetings from Moscow with update on the current days!

For the last 45 days we have experienced the coldest night (-10F) yesterday and forecast is even colder for this coming night. However, when it's cold outside, the Lord has given us His fire of the Holy Spirit inside! The Seminary started its new Spring 2011 semester January 31, 2011.

Since new year has begun Moscow experienced a terrorist attack at the airport in the place I usually meet people coming from abroad, but on that day no one was coming on THAT particular time of the day and no one from ETSM or Russian Church was hurt, PTL!

I taught a course on Marriage & Family at another Moscow Seminary between Jan.11 and 21, 2011. A huge massive topic with little time dedicated to discuss all of it! One class is not enough, therefore at our Seminary (www.ETSMoscow.org) we have a whole Department dedicated to train and equip leaders for Christian Family Counseling in the Russian speaking broad culture. No other seminaries in the former USSR have a program like ours, but the urgency is huge!

January 18-19, 2011 Euro-Asian Accrediting Association visited ETSM and confirmed our accreditation of Diploma programs and Bachelor programs we offer. PTL!

January 25-27, 2011 ETSM has had a Strategic planning event, which was dedicated to develop Regional Centers as ETSM's extensions. ETSM has 8 extensions by now: 2 in Izhevsk, Russia, 2 in Ukraine, 2 in Belarus, 1 in Kaliningrad Region (Russia) and 1 in North-West Region of Russia. As a result of Strategic Planning event 2 more centers have emerged and will be finalized by the end of 2011: 1 in Ekaterinburg, and 1 in Ukraine.

Between Feb. 2 and 5, 2011 I've visited Kiev as a member of EAAA's Accrediting Committee to accredit Assembly of God Evangel Theological Seminary there. The visit was positive and enriched me with more experience in this area.

Since January 31, 2011 we have had 2 classes taught by a Ukrainian visiting teacher (OT Survey and Synoptic Gospels), currently the Bishop of Siberia for Russian Church of God is teaching Intro to Philosophy this week.

On February 8, 2011 ETSM has had its Board of Directors meeting, which went very well and opened more avenues for the future development and growth.

Immediately following the Board Russian Church of God Bishop's meeting took place, which I was invited to take part also. It was a productive meeting of 3 days in prayer and the Word as well as fellowship and business talk.

In parallel to Theology Department, ETSM has Marriage and Family Department. The classes for MF this semester are intense:

Feb. 16-18, 21-22 Family Systems Theory
Feb. 23-26 Counseling relations: process and skills - 1

March 21-52, 2011 Marital Counseling & Enrichment
March 28 - April 1 Counceling relations: process and skills - 2

April 25-29, Discipeling teens for sexual integrity in the church
May 2-5, 2001 Premarital Counseling

May 21, 2011 GRADUATION!

I will keep you posted. Also, please feel free to log on to www.facebook.com/okhotnikov that is my Facebook account. Take your time to get to know how to use Facebook. Excellent and easy opportunity to stay connected together!

Blessings in Him, Who is True God and Eternal Life!
ILYA

2011 has begun and so has the new semester at ETSM.

2011-02-01T21:24:00.000+03:00

Greetings from Moscow! Bellow is a Newletter from ETSM's President Dr. Thomas W. Rosson.
I am so glad to have such a report this new year!
In His Grip,

ilya okhotnikov

************************************************

January 2011.
Eurasian Theological Seminary Moscow Newsletter
In This Issue
1. Accreditation Affirmation
2. Extension Ministries

2011 has begun and so has the new semester at ETSM. And the year has begun with some exciting news regarding our accreditation and development of our extension ministries.

It is only with the prayers and gifts from friends like you that we are able to train the current and next generation of pastors and church leaders in Russia and the former Soviet Union

Sincerely,

Thomas Rosson
Eurasian Theological Seminary Moscow
Accreditation Re-Affirmed

In January, the Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow hosted a accrediting committee visit from the EAAA. EAAA is the regional body for Eurasia that is recognized by ICETE, the Evangelical alliance for theological training.

We are happy to report that we have successfully passed our first review to maintain our accreditation for our two bachelors' programs (B.Th. and B. Min.) and for two additional "certificate" programs (in pastoral studies and church ministries). In addition, ETSM offers two additional programs - "Marital and family ministry" and "Christian Counseling and consulting.

The visiting committee commended ETSM in its transferring its programs from US credits to European credits (as prescribed by the Bologna process). EAAA was also pleased with the comparison / analysis of the portrait of the ideal graduate and how this is reflected consistently in the syllabus of each course. In fact, EAAA has aksed to use ETMS' documents as examples for the others schools in our region.

Having such a solid academic foundation at the campus in Moscow also has given us the platform to develop extensions throughout the former Soviet Union. Currently, we have over 200 people enrolled in the various programs/extensions of ETSM.

We thank the Lord, but also our sponsoring denomination for their prayers and support of the work in Moscow.

Extension Ministries
Bringing Training into the churches and regions

Also in January, the leaders of the various ETSM extensions came to Moscow and met with the faculty and church leaders to develop a strategy for expanding our educational ministry into the churches throughout the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States - Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, etc.).

At the end of 2010, ETSM has extensions through Russia and the former Soviet Union.
Izhevsk, West Ural Region in Russia, over 50 students
Chernyakhovsk, Kaliningrad Region, most Western Russian, 12 students
Nova Kakhovka, Southern Ukraine, 30 students
Minsk, Belarus: 12 students
Zhodino, Belarus: 20 students
Slavyansk, Donetsk Region in Ukraine 20 students
In 2011, ETSM PLANS to open Extensions in
Ekaterinburg, Russia (Ural Region, 1,000 miles East from Moscow)
Rostov-on-Don, Russia (South West of European Region, 625 miles Southwest of Moscow)
Cherepovets, Russia (North West of European Region 600 miles Northwest of Moscow)
Kramatorsk, Ukraine (Eastern Ukraine, 50 miles South of Moscow)
Krasnoyarsk, Russia (South West of Siberian Russia, about 3,000 miles East of Moscow)

We Need Your Help
ETSM is partially sponsored by the World Missions Department of the Church of God - a Pentecostal fellowship of churches in 171 countries. Many of our students need adoptive sponsors.

If you would like to donate to ETSM, please use our project number (710-0072) when making contributions, either through your church or directly through

Church of God World Missions
PO Box 8016
Cleveland, TN 37320

Or call toll-free 1 (800) 345-7492.

If donating online through our secure server, by using the link provided, our project number should already be listed in the form.

Специализация: Семейное консультирование \ Family Counseling Program

2011-01-27T23:42:00.000+03:00

Специализация по подготовке служителей
"Супружеское консультирование"

Цель специализации:
Подготовить служителей поместных евангельских церквей для помощи семьям в церкви и в миру.

Объем:
13 предметов, 520 часов аудиторных занятий. Поступление на программу возможно (почти) с любой сессии. Посещение отдельного модуля возможно: порядок тот же, что и при поступлении.

Задачи: При успешном окончании специализации выпускник сможет:

1. Четко формулировать библейские основы и богословское понимание супружества, проповедовать и учить в данной области.
2. Оценивать основные теории консультирования с христианской позиции.
3. Овладеть методами, инструментами и навыками семейного душепопечительства.
4. Определять цели, задачи, методы и содержание «Супружеского и семейного служения» в церкви.

Предметы (модули) специализации:

Ближайшие: 16-26 февраля 2011
Модуль № 3. «Системное семейное консультирование. Генограммы»; И.А.Охотников, 16-18, 21-22 февраля 2011. Эффективное служение невозможно без диагностики проблем семьи и разбора типовых ситуаций. Обзор основных закономерностей функционирования семьи на различных стадиях ее жизненного цикла помогает понять отдельного человека в контексте его социальных связей; помогает пастырю выработать целостное понимание семьи как группы взаимосвязанных людей – семейной системы. Системная семейная диагностика дает служителю надежный инструмент проведения всесторонней оценки семьи, возможность выдвигать обоснованные гипотезы и намечать конкретный план душепопечительства.

Модуль № 4. «Процесс и навыки консультирования-1».
Р.И.Надюк, к.псх.н., 23-26 февраля 2011. Модуль дает основы душепопечительского консультирования и обучает слушателей методиками душепопечительской беседы.
___________________________________

21 марта - 1 апреля 2011:
Модуль № 5. «Принципы супружеского консультирования с ENRICH».
И.А.Охотников, д-р служ., 21-25 марта 2011.
Модуль рассматривает принципы душепопечительства супружеских пар с использованием инструмента анализа супружеских отношений ENRICH, а также основные направления организации специальных встреч (для укрепления супружеских отношений) мужа и жены. Предмет рассматривает роль пастора (служителя, душепопечителя) в восстановлении, улучшении, укреплении взаимоотношений супружеских пар – членов и прихожан собрания.

Модуль № 6. «Процесс и навыки консультирования-2»; Р.И.Надюк, к.псх.н., 28 марта – 1 апреля 2011. Предмет дает практические навыки консультирования и совершенствует навыки проведения душепопечительской беседы в соответствии с ранее изученной методикой.
___________________________________________

25 апреля - 6 мая 2011
Модуль № 7. «Половое воспитание подростков в церкви». М.В.Ганина, к.псх.н., 25-29 апреля 2011. Модуль знакомит с библейским учением об освящении добрачных отношений, дает слушателям программу формирования нравственно-психологической установки на целомудрие, которая структурно состоит из мыслительной, мотивационной, операциональной, рефлексивной и духовно-нравственной части. Модуль органично вплетается в учебную программу, базируется на знаниях возрастной психологии, педагогики и предшествует курсу добрачного консультирования.

Модуль № 8. «Добрачное душепопечение и консультирование».
Рокки и Терри Морис, 2-6 мая 2011.
Модуль рассматривает вопросы богословия и практики в проведении консультирования с намеревающимися вступить в супружеские отношения членами церкви, включает рассмотрение вопросов подготовленности самого душепопечителя (пастыря).

___________________________________________

Модуль № 9. «Моральное развитие человека»,
Крис Кислинг, к.псх.н., 15-19 августа 2011*.
Данный модуль побуждает слушателей оценить собственное моральное формирование в во время физического, психологического и духовного развития. Как моральное развтите, так и аспекты образования и психологии рассматриваются по отношению к сотворению, греху, сущности человека, искупления, справедливости и природы.

Модуль № 10. «Душепопечение семьи в кризисных ситуациях».
Эмили Стоун, м.псх., Т.М.Горбачева, к.псх.н., 22-26 августа 2011*. Представлен обзор семейных кризисов, описание каждого из которых оценивается богословски, также содержит оценку причин, диагностику и рекомендации по оказанию душепопечения и помощи. Приводятся техники и приемы работы с семьей, которые могут оказаться полезными в работе душепопечителя. Также рассматривается церковь и кризисные ситуации в семье: возможности и развитие церковного служения помощи в кризисных ситуациях.

_________________________________________

Модуль № 11. «Богословие детей».
(Не служение детям, а богословие…)
31октября - 4 ноября 2011. Каждому служителю необходимо осознать важность и овладеть навыками служения детям с учётом возрастных особенностей и потребностей детей. Модуль направлен на обучение слушателей богословию, знаниям, умениям и навыкам помощи детям познавать, любить и слушаться Бога.

Модуль № 12. «Организация семейного служения в церкви». 7-11 ноября 2011*.
Обучающиеся смогут систематизировать ранее полученные знания и приобрести новые идеи в отношении организации семейного служения с точки зрения целей, методов, процессов, программ, проблем и успехов, а также планировать и организовывать семейное и супружеское служение в поместной церкви. Предмет будет проходить в интерактивной форме, участие каждого – требование для обучения, которое начинается с поиска воли Божией для служения супругам и семьям в поместной церкви.

____________________________________________

Модуль № 13. «Развод и повторный брак».
Вирджиния Холмен, к.псх.н., 6-10 февраля 2012*. Модуль изучает практику служения и душепопечительства людей, которые находятся в разводе или в повторных браках. Особое место уделяется темам предотвращения развода, душепопечению тех, кто пережил или находится в процессе развода, душепопечению повторных семей. В результате обучения слушатели составляют «План служения» по одной из тем, обсуждаемых на занятиях.

Модуль № 1. «Богословие супружества»
И.А.Охотников, д-р служ., феврвль 2012*.
Модуль дает основы пятидесятнического богословия семьи и супружеских отношений, в т.ч. богословие полового воспитания подростков в церкви, беременности, детей и молодежи и несемейных людей; богословие развода и повторных браков, а также проводит обзор богословия РПЦ о браке и семье.

Модуль № 2. «Библейское осмысление основных теорий консультирования»;
Р.И.Надюк, к.псх.н., февраль 2012*.
Для понимания и интерпретации поведения людей с целью использовании их в христианском служении для наиболее успешного донесения «Благой вести» данный модуль дает современные теоретические подходы в анализе семейных отношений, систематизирует и закрепляет базовые психологические знания и дает им христианскую оценку.

ПРЕПОДАВАТЕЛИ:
Ганина Марина Владимировна, к.псх.н., руководитель программы христианского образования Московской богословской семинарии.

Горбачев Алексей Леонидович, к.псх.н., Ректор Семинарии и руководитель программы «Пастырское служение».

Горбачева Татьяна Михайловна, к.псх.н., преподаватель, Куратор практического служения студентов Семинарии.

Кислинг Крис, к.псх.н. старший преподаватель факультета Консультирования Семинарии Эсбери.

Моррис Роки и Терри, пастыри, практикующие консультанты, основатели служения «Кларион».

Надюк Руслан Иванович, к.псх.н., декан факультета «Социальная работа», Русско-Американского Университета, Пастор церкви «Слово для Души».

Охотников Илья Анатольевич, доктор служения, Президент Семинарии и руководитель программы «Семейное консультирование», консультант службы PREPARE/ENRICH.

Холмэн Вирджиния Тодд, к.псх.н., профессор, декан факультета Консультирования Семинарии Эсбери.

Требования к поступающим:
 Быть членом евангельской поместной церкви не менее 2-х лет и нести какое-либо служение.
 Возраст: от 23 лет на первый день занятий.
 Письменная рекомендация пастыря.
 Начальное библейское образование.

Условия обучения: Оплата одного модуля 2000 руб (40 часов аудиторных занятий). Время занятий 8:30-16:50, ПН-ПТ.

Контакты: Оксана Николаевна Лысакова Администратор Семинарии: +7(916)410-0894
в т.ч. для SMS. E-mail: info@etsmoscow.org.
Тел./факс: 8 (495) 345-9440
Для почтовых отправлений адрес:
Россия, 109652, Москва, Поречная, 15.

Религиозная организация
ЕВРОАЗИАТСКАЯ БОГОСЛОВСКАЯ СЕМИНАРИЯ
Ассоциации христиан веры евангельской “Церковь Божия”
109652, Москва, ул. Поречная, 15. Тел./ф.: (495) 345-9440; email: info@etsmoscow.org
ОГРН 1037739511314, ОКПО 18863026, ИНН 7737106410, КПП 772301001
Расчетный счет: 40703810800000001520, банк: ОАО «АЛЬФА-БАНК» г. Москва
БИК: 044525593, корреспондентский счет: 4070384020000156
Лицензия РОСОБРНАДЗОРа A №282494 от 21 мая 2008

Latest Russian sourses on Terrorist Attack @ DME airport

2011-01-25T16:22:00.000+03:00

According to a third version, the bomb was put in place by terrorists earlier and triggered by a remote control. The explosion killed 35 people and injured about 200, according to the latest reports. Click on the name above fro more info.

No one from Eurasian Seminary in Moscow been hurt, for 2nd update click here

2011-01-24T19:40:00.000+03:00

The explosion in Moscow Domodedovo International Airport was classed as a terrorist attack, a police source said. According to preliminary information, the explosive device was detonated by a suicide bomber, the source said to RIAN.ru "Russian Information Agency of News".

No one been affected or hurt in any way from our family neither from the family of ETSM. Your prayers for relatives of 30+ dead and 130+ injured in this attack.

We are all well and about to beging a new Spring 2011 Semester. Recently EAAA's accreditting committee has visited ETSM and gave full accreditation to ETSM on all levels of education! Praise God!

ETSM organizes Stratigic Planning for Regional Community Church Education Centers this week. We ask many representatives from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus to come for 3 days and prayerfully seak God's guidance in strategy and tactics: what He wants to do with our talants, skills, abilities (that ultimatly come from Him and given to us by Him) to administer and serve His people in His churches in Russian speaking countries in traning them for church ministry via Eurasian Theological Seminary's ministry.

Russians don't stop to celebrate New Year until Jan.13-14: it is the "Old" New Year!

2011-01-03T18:17:00.000+03:00

Greetings from 2011! From Moscow, Russia!

Russian Federation has official days off for New Year celebration between January 1-5.

On January 7 is Russian Orthodox Christmas - a National Holiday.

A weekend plays into the days off in such a way that usually Russia is off between Dec. 31 until morning of January 11. That (January 11) is not the end of Russian people's celebration of New Year(!) Russians love to celebrate and congratulate every one around!

Russians do not quit to celebrate New Year until they (we) have celebrated the "Old" New Year! Do you know what that means? "Old" new year?

The Old New Year happen to be due to the move of calendars in 1918: before 1918 Russian official calendar was Julian, and not Gregorian like the rest of Europe and the West. Bolsheviks (Communists) when they made Great October Social Revolution (October 25, 1917) took over the country and made many new orders, proclimations and new laws. One of the New Law was on calendar. They moved the calendar and aligned it with the rest of the world. So that October 25 turned to be November 7.

Therefore during USSR times I remember celebrating the "October Revolution" on November(!) 7. So the Old New Year has made its tradition even into 21st century of Russia.

Russians celebrate New year on Dec. 31 - Jan. 1 and then January 13-14 - the Old New Year. The first one is official National Holiday, the Old New Year is a verbal spoken unofficial tradition from 1918.

You have received a small lecture on Russian history of the 20th Century ;-) I am not a historian though :-D Happy New Year! Pray for Russian Christians and for us at Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow! www.etsmoscow.org (Russian only)

Russian Letter on His Birth and celebration of the Year's results from Okhotnikovs!

2010-12-18T17:01:00.000+03:00

Greetings from Moscow, Russia!

From cities like Moscow, Izhevsk, St.Petersburg, Luga, Orel, Kirov, Penza, Uglich!
From Ukraine: Kiev, Donetsk, Kremenchug!
From Belarus: Minsk and Zhodino!
From South Africa: Cape Town, from the 3rd Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization!

Our family: Angelika, Daniella and I (Ilya) wishing you

a Very Merry, Most Blessed, and fulfilling Merry Christmas

from Russia with Love in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

We appreciate your friendship, your prayers for us very much!

· It is in this year 20 years ago the Freedom of religion entered into the former USSR.
· It is this year 20 years ago I first read the Gospel of John while being in the military service.
· It is 20 years ago the Lord has started to work many people in Russia, including me!

Glory to God! Praise to the Lord! He has entered into USSR as a mighty rushing wind! I returned from th emilitary service in Deceber 1990 and by August 1991 I was found! I have been saved! Forgiven! Restored into Community of Triune God! Hallelujah! In January 1992 at my first Christian COnference I have given my life to the full time service to our Lord Jesus Christ! Since then He has been with me, or I better say: I have been with Him in His ministry, doing not my will, but His will on earth as it is in Heaven!

Many people were born again and filled with the Holy Spirit in 1990s in Russia!
Many were called to the ministry!
However, time has passed, the first wave has left, the first rain is gone. But! There will be a letter rain!

For this very purpose (so that no one would parish, but have ever lasting life) to rip the Harvest, to be ready for the latter rain Eurasian Seminary does train, disciples & equips those who are called for ministry, who want to know the Lord and His ways, who serve God and people. As Hosea writes:

"So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth."

Thank you for being with us (Aneglika & Daniella, with Eurasian Theological Seminary, with the Church of God in former U.S.S.R., with the Evangelical Movement in Euraisa) for all these years!

This is a rather long letter, so you may want to take care of things you need to take care first, then return to read it carefully & prayerfully.

In 2010 Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow:

· Has had its record graduation of 35 ministers! The highest not just in ETSM’s history, but also among all evangelical seminaries in Moscow this year!

· Has had the first graduating class of Family Ministry and Counseling program!

· Has changed its curriculum into a modular classes format. More classes on campus in Moscow are available now for commuting students. They come from cities & towns of Russia, Ukraine & Balarus.

· Offers up to 16 classes a year to commuting students while In the past had only 6! PTL!

· Has doubled its Extensions in cities of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus:

1) Izhevsk, West Ural Region in Russia, evening 20+ students, & day time extension 30 students!
2) Chernyakhovsk, Kaliningrad Region, most Western Russian land, 12 students!
3) Nova Kakhovka, Southern Ukraine, 30+ students, young people – the future of the country!
4) Minsk, Belarus: 12 students and
5) Zhodino, Belarus: 20 students.
6) Slavyansk, Donetsk Region in Ukraine 20+ mainly pastors

In 2011 ETSM PLANS to open Extensions in

i. Ekaterinburg, Russia (Ural Region, 1,000 miles East from Moscow)
ii. Rostov-on-Don, Russia (South West of European Region, 625 miles Southwest of Moscow)
iii. Cherepovets, Russia (North West of European Region 600 miles Northwest of Moscow)
iv. Kramatorsk, Ukraine (Eastern Ukraine, 50 miles South of Moscow)
v. Krasnoyarsk, Russia (South West of Siberian Russia, about 3,000 miles East of Moscow)

2 more events took place this year in our family and ministry:

First significant 2010 event:

October 1-3, 2010 Izhevsk Church of God celebrated 15 Years of Ministry to God & People!

Izhevsk Church of God, pastor Peter & Ludmila Ovechkin, has been our home church since its establishment in 1995. I was taking care of all legal incorporation of the church with the State: such joy and praise fills up our hearts when we look back and see 3 more churches established, 3 additional missionaries traveling, a solid children’s ministry developed, emerging strong youth leadership coming up! Glory to God in the highest!

“The Cost Of Following Christ” – was the theme of 3 days CONFERENCE in Izhevsk. Preaching have been gloriously highlighted by presence & preaching of a long time missionary, The Spiritual Mother of Izhevsk Church of God, dearest sister Jeanette Chesser. The whole church has been blessed to see her, to pray for her and to receive her message and prayer for the church. Her presence has balanced the absence of another missionary, another significantly important for planting of the church minister, The Spiritual Father to the Church of God in Izhevsk Dr. Jack Buskey. The church in Izhevsk sent him their love and greetings, blessings and prayers!

Second significant 2010 event:

Between October 15-27, 2010 I went to South Africa to participate at The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town. The Congress, was held in collaboration with the World Evangelical Alliance, brought together 4,500 leaders from more than 200 countries to confront the critical issues of our time – other world faiths, poverty, HIV/AIDS, persecution, among others - as they relate to the future.

Read more at www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010/about.html

Okhotnikovs’ Family update:

1) I soon will become an uncle(!), and Daniella will have a cousin! My sister Tatyana and her husband Sergei are expecting a baby (boy – much expected and awaited by my parents especially so when we don’t have a boy) by March 2011! Please pray: this is the 3rd pregnancy, they don’t have children yet, but will be! They live in Moscow 2 hours away from us. They still don’t have personal relationship with the Lord, not born again, but not against the Lord Jesus Christ. Your prayers for them (to be born again and for their baby's safe birth next March) are much appreciated!

2) Daniella (9.5) attends 3rd grade in Russian public school (an equivalent of 5th grade in the US) and also attends a Public State Music School (choir major), which includes piano practice lessons 2 times a week, 2 choir practices and 1 music theory. Daniella musically wise surpassed her parents: she does & knows more about music than Angelika & I know all together! We dropped the School of Dance last June due to quite extreme physical pressure and school home work load increase. Daniella does good in school: but gets sick easily thus missing classes. Your prayers for our health, life and ministry are very much valued and appreciated all the time!

3) We are praying for the New Year: May the Lord open His will in 3 directions for us, so your prayer for His direction to our family will be appreciated as well.

This year 2010 has been very busy and went quick. It is a good year that brought some challenges that we have been able to overcome with God’s blessing and your active participation!

In 2010 I continued and completed a project of Family Tpoic for www.cef.ru - Russian United Fellowship of Christian of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals) www.cef.ru. For 1.5 years the Union asked me to chair a committee on developing 2 documents:
1) Theological Position of ROSHVE on Marriage, Divorce & Re-marriage,
2) Methodical Recommendations on Marriage, Divorce & Re-marriage, i.e. Pastor’s Handbook on these issues. (Oh, that was not easy and we still did not solve all the world's probrlms!)

In 2010 I also was one of 9 speakers at a Pro-Family Conference held at Russian-American Institute in Moscow, Russia. The topic was” “Defending Traditional Family”.

In late November 2010 I met Director of World Congress of Families Managing Director Dr. Larry Jacobs who was in Moscow (Nov. 25 to Dec. 2) to speak to the Sanctity of Motherhood Conference at the invitation of Mrs. Natalia Yakunina, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

[http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/4302615709.html]

Dr. Jacobs found significant support for the Moscow Demographic Summit from all levels of Russian society. The Summit is scheduled between July 12-14, 2011 to be held at Moscow State University.

Because of the Lord, His Grace and Power and because of friends and co-ministers we were able to overcome obstacles in the work of the Lord in educating, training & equipping young leaders of the Church in Russian speaking countries.

Please, keep on praying for us! We need this type of prayerfully spiritual support!
May God bless you with good health and every spiritual blessing today and every day of this and coming New Year! Merry Christmas to you!

In His Birth,

ILYA & ANGELIKA, DANIELLA

Kiev trip to a regional Lausanne Consultation & Family Conference at Russian American Institute

2010-11-27T21:00:00.001+03:00

Greetings from Kiev and Moscow: Ukraine and Russia! These countries are in Eurasian Continent.

Nov.25-26, 2010 Alexei Gorbachev and I visited a regional Consultation meeting in Kiev, Ukraine. It has been a "small CT2010" meeting with church leaders. Time of real discussion what does Lausanne contribute to those in this continent and what local Evangelicals can contribute to Lausanne. There was a good discussion time, time of planning and future coordination of Evangelistic Strategies! Praise God!

Today - Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 - I have participated at a Conference, organized by Russian-American Institute (www.racu.org) on defending Traditional Family Values. There were 8 speakers, different broad topics on almost all spheres of family life: from Father-child relationships to legal matters of homosexual so called ‘rights’ and Juvenal Justice, which are slowly making its way to Russia. This conference is one of the voices to defend traditional monogamous, heterosexual life lasting covenant of marriage in the Russian society.

Your prayers are much appreciated and valued as you think of us in Moscow or when you think about Russia!

Russians do not celebrate Thanksgiving! No one came overseas to Russia ;-) and survived the cold.

2010-11-24T00:09:00.000+03:00

A Russian Thanksgiving Greetings to you from Moscow with Love in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! May the Lord God bless you abundantly with all heavenly blessing!

Angelika, Daniella and I wish those who celebrate Thanksgiving to remember Him, Who is the true God and eternal life, Who is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen!

We thank God for
His Everlasting Gospel that keeps on saving people!
His calling on our lives! His grace by which we are forgiven!
His people (like you are!) who care for us enough to say a prayer about us, or to keep praying for us, or to faithfully support us. Thank you all and every one! If it would not be for you, we wouldn’t be able to keep on going the same way in Moscow! We give glory to God and thanks give to you!
His ministry we are granted to carry out according to His purpose! Training those called of God, equipping the saints for the work of ministry is the most rewarding task when we see results in them serving God: establishing home groups, picking up churches, teaching those who can teach others, working with children & youth! Hallelujah! His work is continuing! Praise be to Him!

We thank God for this 2010 year that He has given many blessings to us as a family and to us as the Seminary Family:
+ ETSM has graduated the largest class in its history - 35 students last May 2010, out of which 6 graduates were from the Family Counseling program, the only Seminary’s program in former USSR territory
+ ETSM has successfully started and completed 1st out of 2 years of extension program in Izhevsk with 20+ students there
+ ETSM has opened a new full time extension in Izhevsk (2nd extension in the city of 650,000 population) with another 30+ students
+ ETSM has reached its 200 student enrolment (including part time students in extensions) this year
+ ETSM has done strategic planning and changed its format of training into a modular type of teaching during semesters so that ALL classes are available for full time and part time students in Moscow

On a personal note: We thank God for Daniella, who is 9.5 years and is in her 3rd grade (out of 11) in Moscow Public School 1716 and in 3rd grade in Moscow Public Borodina Music School #89 in 3rd grade (out of 7) majoring in Choir singing. We quit School of Dance last May under pediatrician’s recommendation because of heavy physical load of practice. Yet Daniella has dancing class that is required in school, so she gets what she likes :-)

We thank God for our grandparents: Mikhael who has celebrated his 96-th Birthday last September 14 and his wife Sofia who is 10 years younger, another grandma Zinaida who is 89 - they all together with Angelika’s and my parents live 800 miles (1280 km) East of Moscow - in Izhevsk where all of our school friends and church friends live also.

This year we thank God for allowing either me alone or me with my family to travel to many different places and hold different activities at ETSM in Moscow. Here they are briefly (but long! ;-)

February 2010

* traveled for a week - Minsk and Zhodino in Belarus - to teach at ETSM’s extensions in 2 cities of Republic of Belarus.

* was one of speakers at the Christian Inter-Confessional Committee meeting dedicated to discussion of family Issues in contemporary society http://www.xmkk.org/en/2010/02/198

March 2010

* held 2 week J-term (intensive) modular teaching sessions of 2 classes for Family Counseling Program at ETSM in Moscow with a prof. from Asbury Seminary: Dr. Chris Kiesling.

April 2010

* traveled for 4 days - Kremenchug, Ukraine - to participate at distant learning seminar and serve at the Euro-Asian Accrediting Association (EAAA) of Evangelical Schools Board meeting. For 1 year out of 2 years I serve on the Board.

* traveled for the weekend to Orel as part of Internship with ETSM’s students at a local church.

May 2010
* for 12 days - hosted at ETSM a team of 12 people from Asbury University for a Cross-Cultural field trip to Russia to learn the System of Education in Russia. It has been a wonderful trip! So much of new experiences, knowledge and sight seeing!

* held 2 week J-term (intensive) modular teaching sessions of 2 classes for Family Counseling Program at ETSM in Moscow with a teacher and licenced counselor Emily Brown, Ph.D. to teach Crisis Counseling Class.

June 2010
* hosted a 3 day strategic planning (brain storming) event for searching God’s will for ETSM and development strategies. There were about 40 people all together. Good results!

During Summer we as a family traveled by car more than in any other year in Russia:

<>< twice to Izhevsk (800 miles): visiting family, preaching at 15th anniversary of Izhevsk Church of God<>< once to Kirov (600 miles) for preaching and family seminar at a church, <>< once to Orel (240 miles), for youth summer camp seminars on sexual integrity <>< once to Uglich (250 miles) to meet extended family members

There is a huge difference between traveling in the US and in Russia! Besides gas prices to be about the same, roads’ quality, level of road service and directions are not comparable. What would we do without a navigation device!?!

For already a year still chairing a Committee on developing “Theological Position On Marriage,Divorce, Re-Marriage” of Russian United Fellowship of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals) www.cef.ru and followed by “Methodical Recommendations in Dealing withDivorce and Re-Marriage”.

September 2010 traveled to

* Donetsk, Ukraine for Ukrainian Church of God National Assembly: great move of God: worship and the Word!

* Penza, Russia to preach at a local church and get to know people, to do Church Repations (like that of PR).

October 2010 traveled to

* Izhevsk for 4 days to celebrate 15th Anniversary of Angelika’s and mine home church, which I was a part in establishing alone with 4 more families and with assistance of Dr. Jack Buskey and Missionary Jeanette Chesser - these two have plaid a significantly important part in establishing a healthy church 15 years ago. At present day the church totals about 200 on Sunday attendance, including 50 children, the church has planted 3 branch churches and lunched 3 mission groups, obtained a summer camp for hosting about 100 people at one time, the church does social work in the city of 650,000 population, has an educational program for training ministers at “the spot” with the aim of sending them to Moscow for further studies to receive Bachelor degree.

* Cape Town, South Africa for 12 days for the 3rd Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization: http://conversation.lausanne.org/en awesome gathering of about 4,500 born again believers that come for one purpose: to spread the Good News of Salvation!

November 2010

* Hosted Russian Church of God Pastoral Assembly (a week before Thanksgiving week) at the premises of ETSM: great ministry of the Word and Spirit! I’ve enjoyed translating even thought I had 5 sleepless nights, but the Spirit moved: pastors and church leaders (about 100 from Russia and Belarus) including 3 national Bishops of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine have been inspired for keep on going!

* Traveling to Kiev to a Follow Up meeting with International Director of Lausanne Movement

Yesterday - Nov.22 - we celebrated Angelika’s birthday with a group of people from Udmurtia Republic (Which capitol is Izhevsk city). Angelika turned to be 28 + life experience :-))))) We thank God for Angelika very-very-very much! Daniella (9.5 years old) and I love Angelika with all of our hearts and minds and we praise God He has given us to each other!

We thank God for Polina (16 years old) is still the same: has no improvement of her brain illness: there is no positive prognosis and docs don’t know her life expectancy. It is the 4th year as Polina is in the special care facility 2.5 hours away from us by public transportation (still in Moscow). Your prayers for her and us would be very much appreciated!

With a thankful heart,

ILYA+ANGELIKA, & DANIELLA OKHOTNIKOVs

Theology of Marriage, Divorse and Re-marriage class

2010-11-04T22:15:00.000+03:00

Greetings! Finally after being on the road since October 15 I haev a chance to send a message. This week (Nov. 1-5, 2010) I teach a class with a classic subject "Theology of Marriage, Divorse and Re-marriage". 4 basic theological approaches: no divorse & no remarriage; divorse is possible, but no remarriage; divorse and remarriage are possible, but in very limitted scenarios; divorse and remarriage is done to assist human sinful nature (Russian Orthodox' position) to be in the Church.

Class has 17 people, majority of them are from ministry context. They are th emost hungry to learn the truths of the Bible, needed for church members to make a wise choice in whom to marry in faith and in a specific cultural context. Pastors need to learn how to apply compassionate approach to difficult life situations to assist church members to make decisions that would assist them in their daily walk in Christ.

I am short for today: teaching goes 8 hours a day, then grading of tests, reading of reports. Tomorrow is the last day of this class!

In 1 week the Seminary will host the National Pastoral Assembly for the Church of God in Russia: great celebration of God's faithfulness to His church! Russia has had freedom of religion for the last 20 years! Almost a generation ago! Pray for Russia! Keep on praying!

Only 1-1.5% of 140 million Russian Federation's population has been saved. The rest are 20 million muslems, some Jews, Buddists, and about 1.5-2.0 millions of evangelical Christians. Traditional Russian Orthodoxy has about 75% of population that claims being Russian Orthodox, but not believers, they are nominal Christians. The real followers of Russian Orthodox Church between 3 and 15 millions. The harvest is planty, but workers are few!

Please, pray for Angelika's recovery - she got a virus or something. Pray for Daniella's recovery: she has been sick for 2 weeks now. Thank you much always for your emails, prayers and friendship!

Russian National Bishop of the Church of God is at home from the hospital - is getting much better!

2010-11-01T22:56:00.000+03:00

Greetings from Russia! Good news! The national Bishop of Russian Church of God, Pastor Vladimir Shestopalov has been released from th ehospital today - Nov. 1, 2010!

English is bellow

Источник: http://churchofgodportal.ru/

Дорогие братья и сестры. Слава Богу за Его милость! Здоровье Национального епископа "Церкви Божией" улучшилось и его выписали из больницы. Владимир Анатольевич сейчас находится дома, вместе со своей семьей. Большая благодарность всем вам за вашу молитвенную поддержку. Господь даровал ему Свою милость, а также и всем нам, так как мы рады, что наш дорогой брат поправляется и вскором времени сможет полноценно трудиться для славы имени Господа, как он это делал всегда! Бог да благословить каждого из вас!

Администратор Ассоциации "Церковь Божия" Солопенко В.Г.

English: Source - http://churchofgodportal.ru/

Dear brothers and sisters. Glory to God for His mercy! The National Bishop of the Church of God has been released from the hospital due to a better health status. Vladimir Anatolyevich currently is at home with his family. We express our deep gratitude to all of you for your prayerful support. The Lord has given His mercy to him and all of us because we rejoyce that our dear brother is getting better and soon will be able to labor fully for th eglory of the name of the Lord as he always did! May the Lord bless every one of you!

Administrator of Association "Church of God" V.G.Solopenko

СЛАВА БОГУ! БРАТЬЯ И СЕСТРЫ! АЛЛИЛУЙЯ! ОЧЕНЬ РАДЫ ИСПОЛНЕНИЮ ДОЛГИХ НАШИХ ЕЖЕДНЕВНЫХ МОЛИТВ О ВЫЗДОРОВЛЕНИИ ВЛАДИМИРА АНАТОЛЬЕВИЧА! СЛАВА ГОСПОДУ ЗА ИСЦЕЛЕНИЕ!

Илья Охотников

1st month @ Eurasian Seminary and Okhotnikov's family in Moscow, Russia

2010-10-09T19:16:00.000+04:00

Greetings from Russia (Moscow, Izhevsk, Orel, Penza), and Ukraine (Donetsk, Kiyv).

These are cities and countries I've visited, preached, taught, set in meetings, participated in conferences.

ETSM has started this year in late August. The new group of students are like seeds that were given to ETSM by the Lord. ETSM aims to bring these seeds for the good growth in the Lord and see the future harvest soon. ETSM Extension in Izhevsk continues its 2nd year.

Sep. 13-16, 2010 I participated in the celebration of National Conference of Ukranian COG in Donetsk, saw many good friends-ministers, ETSM alumni, pastors, bishops. Prior to the conference the Bishops' Council welcomed me to be with them while discussion of strong points on the agenda.

Sep. 18-20, 2010 I visited a local church in Penza, preached and met people at the congregation. Wonderful testimony of their ministry to the Lord!

Sep. 25-26, 2010 together with the students and workers of ETSM, the Regional Superintendent for CIS, Bro. Tom Rosson visited Orel and celebrated the Feast of Harvest. Wonderful time of worship, fellowship, prayer and communion, i.e. sharing of food together - it was like in the times of the Lord.

October 1-3, 2010 Izhevsk has celebrated its 15th Year of Ministry to God and People. There were churches of the city, branch churches of Izhevsk Church of God from Sarapul, Kilmez, Yak-Bodya, and other places. Local missionaries of the church keep on working in villages and towns. 3 days of preaching have been gloriously highlighted by presence and preaching of a long time missionary, spiritual mother of Izhevsk Church of God, dearest sister Jeanette Chesser. Her presence has balanced the absence of another missionary, another significantly important for planting of the church minister, spiritual father in the Lord Dr. Jack Buskey. However, the church is no longer just one small simple church in the region: it has 3 branch churches, 3 missionary teams, a summer camp ground that is used for work with children from Children's Homes of Izhevsk.

October 4-10, 2010 I went and still am there - in Kiyv. First at the Institute of Excellence (www.overseas.org), 2nd for the Board meeting for Euro-Asian Accrediting Association of Evangelical Schools (in Russian speaking world). Super theme of the Institute: "Re-visioning of Seminary-Church relationships".

October 15-27, 2010 I will participate at The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town, South African Republic. The Congress, held in collaboration with the World Evangelical Alliance, will bring together 4,000 leaders from more than 200 countries to confront the critical issues of our time – other world faiths, poverty, HIV/AIDS, persecution, among others - as they relate to the future of the Church and world evangelization. ETSM is part of broadcasting network for this event. Read more at http://www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010/about.html

Please, pray for the Seminary and for Angelika and Daniella: I am away for so long that the absence is not that good. Appreciate your prayers very much! The support of those who supports us is valued and appreciated very much, because it enables to be fully dedicated to the work of the Lord in educating, training and equipping young leaders of the Church in Russian speaking countries.

On a personal note: Daniella entered her 3rd year of studies at elementary school and also kept attending the music school (also 3rd year) where she is chior major. Angelika and I decided that Daniella should quit dancing school because of too much time (3 times a week 4 hours each time!) dedicated to dancing was not that good for her school preformance. Also Daniella's health was a concern for us because she was sick a cold or flue EVERY month with. Your prayers do matter to Angelika, Daniella and I. Please, pray. Keep on praying for us. Thank you much.

click here to read more on my travels, reports, and PICTURES! http://www.facebook.com/okhotnikov

In His blessings!
iao

Bishop Shestopalov is getting better, but still is in ICU

2010-09-20T23:13:00.000+04:00

Dear friends!

Thank you for your prayers for the National Overseer of Russia for Church of God, Pastor and Bishop Vladimir Shestopalov.

Today - Monday Sep. 20 - he was able to talk to his docs and asked for a glass of water. However, he can not be visited yet and still in ICU. Please, keep on praying!

Yesterday, Eurasian Seminary did take 1 day fasting for Brother Shestopalov and we believe God has answered prayers of many, including your prayer. Thank you!

Also, not that dramatic, but still needs a touch form the Lord: our daughter Daniella. She has fever, high temp.

The Seminary has been in "back to school" since August 30, and has enetered another week of modular system ot teaching. This week Tatiana Gorbachev gives lectures on Intro to Pychology.

Last week I've participated at the Ukranian National Conference in Donetsk, Ukrain! Wonderful moov of the Holy Spirit! Excellent preaching and good work of the Church in Ukrain! ETSM will have an extention in Kramatorsk as soon as the local coordinator gets 24 or more people to study! Exciting!

Last weekend I've visitied a church in Penza. Good church, that can take our students for internship and is opened for the joint work with ETSM in the area of practical ministry!

On October 1, 2, 3, 2010 Izhevsk Church of God will celebrat its 15th Anniversary! Wow! 15 years have passed! I feel like it was 3 or maximum 5 years ago! There will be a conference held on those 3 days in Izhevsk! Welcome to visit! I will be there!

In Him,

ILYA

Fasting and praying for Russian National Bishop Vladimir Shestopalov

2010-09-18T16:05:00.000+04:00

Dear Friends!

Eurasian Theological Seminary takes 1 day of fasting. We are asking the Lord to bring His healing to the body of Vladimir Shestopalov, the Bishop of Russia for Church of God. His family lost a doughter last year in a terrible car accident (other vehicle's fault 100%). Today we are fasting (Sunday Sep. 19) to open up the Heaven for the strengthening not just the body, but the soul and spirit of Vladimir. The second reason is the prayer and fast for Afrodita, his wife and 4 daughters of theirs.

The office phone number in Moscow is +7 (495) 654-9489.

Ilya Okhotnikov

Urgent Prayer Request for Overseer Vladimir Shestopalov

2010-09-17T22:41:00.002+04:00

Very Slow Recovery from Two Emergency Surgeries, by Tom Rosson:

Moscow, Russia - September 17, 2010 - ETSM along with the Churches of God in Russia are asking our church family to pray on behalf of its National Bishop Vladimir Shestopalov and his family.
On Saturday September 11, Bishop Shestopalov was rushed to a Moscow hospital due to extreme abdominal pain. Once in the hospital, he was operated on for a bowel obstruction. According to doctors, it was a very complicated procedure that forced them to remove part of the intestines.

On Monday, he was diagnosed with pneumonia. On Tuesday, Bishop Shestopalov had a second emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from one of his lungs. On Wednesday, the doctors determined that his liver and at least one of his kidneys were not functioning properly. His body continues to fight infection and he remains on artificial respiration. Brother Shestopalov remains in intensive care, is not fully responsive (semi-conscious), and is listed in critical condition. The doctors have been relunctant to give a prognosis, waiting to see how his condition progresses.

Please keep not only Bishop Shestopalov in your prayers, but also his wife and family. This emergency comes only one year after a tragic automobile accident that claimed the life of one of their daughters. In that accident, Shestopalov also had severe internal bleeding and kidney problems.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Urgent-Prayer-Request-for-Russian-Overseer.html?soid=1101898662382&aid=HEfOBJdqUuc&share=fblike

2010_CarAcc.AnatolyOkhotnikov's BlackBox_video_recording.avi

2010-08-21T13:39:00.000+04:00

Greetings from Moscow, Izhevsk, Kilmez, Kirov, Orel, Ustug, Ploski, Potsep, Luga, St.Petersburg, Russia!

My dad and mom (safe, not injured) were driving from Kazan toward Izhevsk. A crazy black HONDA was flying about 100 mph (160 km\h) trying to pass my parents' car on the right, couldn't make it straight before another car on th eright lane, hit the division, been thrown to opposed direction, hit DEWOO NEXIA, killed 2 people there, 2 people in HONDA died, one person was in ICU. It was on Aug.12, not 16. Thanks to the Lord for saving my parents. Just windnow and hi\low beams and scratches on the paint of the car from the rocks and stowns.

This summer Angelika, Daniella and I drove about 5,000 miles, which is 8,000 kilometers (visiting churches, parents, youth camps, doing preaching, teaching and recruitment to the Seminary). Always we pray to God to keep us safe. We never drive faster than our guardian angels can fly.

Thank you for your prayers and support in all things. Angelika, Daniella and I are thankful to be in prayers of yours and many other friends. He is with us always. Thank you for being with us in your mind and spirit!

ILYA, ANGELIKA, & DANIELLA

Okhotnikovs' junior traveled for 9 days and then celebrated 17th Anniversary on July 31, 2010

2010-08-01T03:06:00.000+04:00

Greetings from 99F (37,7C) temps of Moscow!

Angelika and I have celebrated today our 17th year of our family! Hallelujah! Glad to be married to my best friend and mother of my two daughters (Polina 16 and Daniella 9)! Angelika is 25+ life experience and I am turning 41 next Friday. We as a home serve the Lord and so glad He glued us together!

2 days in Izhevsk: Angelika and I went to Izhevsk to meet with 3 pastors of 3 different churches and recruit students for trnaing for ministry @ ETSM. However, we met with 2 pastors only, due to Angelika's kidney stone that gave her a problem during the half of the day we supposed to meet with pastors! Anyway, the meetings went well, but 1 meeting had to be canceled. We went to a hospital and they did Ultrasound test, x-ray, and urine test, found that the stone was alone and it was not sharp. It was good! Angelika was sent home to deliver the stone, which she did in 2 hours after arrival at home!

Here are pictures (on my blog: www.etsmoscow.blogspot.com) of our visits.

2 days in Kilmez for a wedding of 2nd year & 4th Year students, Nikolay and Xenia Antonovs. The wedding was done by Bishop Peter Ovechkin in the presence of many relatives and friends on July 23, 2010. Nikolay and Xenia will remain for 1 year in Kilmez - a town (15,000 populations) where they will have their practice of ministry: evangelizing and helping a home church ot grow). The Seminary will count this year as a year of internship toward their Bachelor of Theology degrees.

3 days in Kirov: After Kilmez we went to Kirov. In Kirov I taught 2 seminars on marriage (communication and conflict resolution) and preached on Sunday. It was a very good Spirit present teaching and preaching! I've loved it! God has so good in both! Hallelujah! I also talked to this church pastor: a sister in the Lord, who really is more than just a pastor of one local 800 members church: her church started about 20 branch churches (home groups) around the region. She is more like a Bishop over thopse regional churches! Great! See, how God uses women!

3 days in Orel: After Kirov we all returned home to Moscow and next day went to Orel for me to disciple teens for sexual integrity via 2 seminars and 1 talk-show on the subject of brother-sister relationships. I've loved it! Teens were from 14 and up. Married couples were there also, people were coming for counseling later! Great response! I'm glad to serve Him in this capacity!

In Him,

ILYA & ANGELIKA

Surviving heat // trips in July // ministry opportunities

2010-07-15T01:46:00.000+04:00

Greetings! In the weeks after graduation all the work of the Seminary aims to regroup, reschedule, and rearrange for the new academic year: new potential, new opportunities, new programs!

In the mean time a heat wave has come to Moscow and every region south of Moscow: temps like +93F are usually stay for 1 or 2 weeks a year(!), but not this year: it is 2nd month as we live in extrime temps, with no rain, no a\c. I personnaly "lov'n it!" I prefer heat rather than cold. 1st will not brake bones, later - will.

We will be traveling

1. to Izhevsk, to meet with 2 pastors of churches (500-800 members churches) in addition to our Izhevsk Church of God and see how can ETSM serve educational needs of these 2 churches. Our church has already opened an extension of ETSM in Izhevsk with 20+ part time students enrolled.

2. From Izhevsk we'll travel to a wedding of 2 students of ours: He has graduated after 1st year (Basic traning) - Nikolay Antonov and now is in 2nd year of practicum. She - Xenia - has finished 3rd year of B.Th. program and will be in 4th year in practicum. They will be serving at a local church in Kilmez village (not on the google map -- too small of a village) 3 hours away from Izhevsk. Xenia is an excellent student, so is Nikolay has been.

3. Fater Kilmez we'll travel to Kirov - a capital of a region in Russia. There is another 800 members church that invited me to preach on Sunday and counsel on Saturday and after church on Sunday. I have been to this church once before and in one weekend did counsel for 10 hours (in differnt days). The Lord has given me a message Mk.3:13-14. The key phrase: "To be with Him" in light of being with Him ment being with the other(1) 11 disciples in closed circle. That is actually what the Seminary's full time traning does: provides setting for being with Him (and alone with other 25 disciples - closed cirlce! Like 2K years ago, but in modern way).

4. After Kirov we return to Msocow and next day travel to Orel for a youth camp, where 2 churches do a joint youth camp. Guess what subject they asked me to talk about? 2 churches: one is the oldest Baptist church, another is a Pentecostal church (Church of God) who's pastor is Pavel Abashin, the Bishop of Central Russian Region. Guessed? No, not on the Holy Spirit. Not on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. No, not that. On proper relationship between boys and girls in church (and out of church facility - sure, right about that I will be speaking).

Look forward to these trips and ask your abundant blessing in prayer:
1) Pray for safe traveling (by car in Russia).
2) Pray for His annointing as I open my mouth so that each word I speak may come not from me, but from the Father.
3) Pray for people who will listen to the Word and may the hear what the Lord has to say to them:
- those who need salvation, may they be saved!
- those who have to be forgiven and restored, may they be restored!
- those who need to listen to the voice of God and choose ministry rather than business may they make up their mind.

Thank you! Our travel will start on July 20 and will be done by July 29. 7 churches, 3 cities, 1 camp, 1 village in 10 days! Thank you in advance!

In Him,
ILYA & ANGELIKA + DANIELLA

Happy Independance Day!

2010-07-05T00:08:00.000+04:00

Happy Independance Day to those who celebrates!
God bless America! In the Day of Celebration of US Independance we pray and trust God bless America! Once America did fight for its own independance from GB, including independance to believe. It established its own identity as One Nation under God. Now America fights for its independance from God and does not know what to believe.

Our prayer for America is that the Lord God would turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest God comes and smites the earth of the country with a curse. There is hope, don't give up! Never give up! God is good, strong and loving!

With His love from Moscow!

Ilya & Angelika

ETSM's Graduation was the largest among seminaries and Bible schools in Moscow in 2010

2010-06-30T12:18:00.000+04:00

Greetings from Moscow!

May 29, 2010 the Seminary had a graduation ceremony. 37 church leades and lay ministers have graduated as I was corrected by ETSM registrar I report you again. These 37 leaders is the record for the Seminary since its first graduation in 2002! These 37 servants of the Lord is the record among other seminaries and Bible schools in the capital of Russia this year! No other seminary had a larger graduating class than we did! I am kinda proud of that :-D

Nevertheless, the Seminary experiences a difficulty with enrollment: not that many people want to get a training for ministry due to following reasons:

1. Absence of enthusiasm that was a characteristic of 1990s, when religious freedom broke out in Russia.

2. Diploma of the Seminary is not a State level diploma (Bachelor level). That means students spend 3-4 years in training to receive a Bachelor's Diploma that is accepted among all evangelical churches around the world (www.e-aaa.org accreditation allows that), but ETSM's traning is not according to a State of Russia Standart for higher professional traning.

3. Demographically not that many people were born 18-20 years ago when USSR experienced troubles with economy due to disintegration of couturiers of former U.S.S.R. in 1989-1991.

All of the above is to say that on one hand the seminary is on the move, on the other hand we really need to pray to the Lord of the Harvest for the Harvest truly is great, and you can quote for yourself th efollowing: "...But the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest" Lk. 10:2.

Those 3 and other reasons bring us to understanding that God's will for me and my family NOT to travel to the US this summer, but to stay in Russia and travel to churches, meeting and serving people of God in our home land, talking to church leaders.

I already travelled with my family to Izhevsk between June 13 and 21, 2010. Visited and spoke in 3 churches on Sunday June 20, met with ETSM's extension leader Alexander Podobedov to discuss the progress of the extension. Met with a pastor of 1,000 church to discuss his request (need) to train the church' leaders. Met with Izhevsk Church of God leadership and during heart-to-heart fellowship planned the celebration of 15-th Anniversary of Izhevsk Church of God - my home church that God let me play a part in its esteblishment in 1995. I did all the legal incorporation of the church with the government. So, the trip to Izhevsk has been full of memories & emotions, fellowship and planning for future.

I plan trips to

1. Izhevsk and Kilmez (daughter church from Izhevsk Church of God) July 21-24, 2010
2. Central Russian Region (Orel city) July 27-29, 2010
3. Belarus in middle of August 2010
4. Ukrain (Donetsk) September 12-18, 2010
5. Samara, Russia late September 2010
6. Kiev, Ukrain October 4-10, 2010
7. Hungary October 13-16, 2010
8. South Africa October 17-25, 2010

Your prayers are much appreciated!

In Him,

Ilya and Angelika

Graduation 2010 is the largest at ETS in Moscow!

2010-05-29T00:04:00.000+04:00

Greetings! What a wonderful day! Today - May 28, 2010 - ETSM has had the defence of diplomas of the bachelor's level programs. All of them were approved!

Tomorrow - May 29 - ETSM will have the largest graduating class of 2010. Since 2002 ETSM graduates workers of His Kingdom and every year it grows and increases! Mroe than 70% of ETSM's graduates are in ministry! Praise God!

The Graduation ceremony 2010 will have 35 people walking through the stage. Previously we had a number of 42 potential graduates this year, but 7 of 42 could not complete their projects (illness, family matters, ministry priorities, inability to complete, life circumstances) therefore we have only 35 graduates this year. 12 of them are of a very new program in the evening format.

I am excited to have a part in the lives of these men and women who are or will be in ministry! They have received God's blessing while at ETSM and with joy in their hearts step into God's ministry in the Russian speaking countries of former U.S.S.R.

ETSM's Family Counseling program grows! We started from 12 people 2 years ago and currently have 27 in the list! God is so good! Ministers come and receive not just knowledge, skills, and techniques, but every one receives the help from the Holy Spirit in know-how to assist couples and familyes to help themselves in the midst of difficult life circumstances.

When you think about Russia, pray for Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow: students, staff and faculty - we all need your prayers and God's guidance through the power of th eHoly Spirit!

Blessisngs of God's grace be with you!

WW-2 Parade in Moscow

2010-05-09T10:40:00.002+04:00

Today Russia celebrates the Day of Victory. In the memory of more than 27 million Russians who were killed or died. My grandfather can not hear me on the phone. He is 95 as of today. His wish was to live through this very Day, the Day of Victory.

Read or see the report on http://en.rian.ru/

Here is Russian TV channel http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=283521

Online translation with English is here http://rt.com/On_Air.html

EVERY family in Russia (U.S.S.R) has been "touched" by the war. "Touched" means a member of the family either was killed, injured, became an invalid, or was drafted to the front line, away from family.

Azerbajanians 600,000 people partook in the war.

Belarus and Ukraine have suffered the most in the war.

Kazakhstan sent for that 1,300,000 people did fight, 478 of them became.

Moldova, Tadjikistan have participated also.

Polish troops fight agaist animies and were part of the Victory Parade in June 1945 and marshed on the Red Sqare like today!

US, GB troops marshed today on the Red Sqare. We have been together against brown plague.

May no more war be on earth, unless God's will.

The Day of Victory!

Trip to Ukrain for a meeting of EAAA's Counsil and traning in on-line education

2010-05-07T07:40:00.000+04:00

Greetings from Russia!

On May 3 I returned from 1 week of travel to Ukraine for participation in a meeting of Euro-Asian Accreditting Association of Evangelical Schools in former U.S.S.R. (EAAA) on the web: www.e-aaa.info

There are more than 50 Christian schools that train ministers and are members of EAAA. ETSM - the seminary I serve since 1997, since its preexistence has been approved with full accreditation more than a year ago (Jan 2009). The Counsil of EAAA meets twice a year and takes care of the regular work of accreditation visits, aproval of reports, reports on its activities and projects EAAA has for development of Evangelical movement in fromer USSR.

Nowdays the whole country remembers 65-th year of the Victory in the World War 2. It was May 9, 1945 when the protocol of surrender and victory over the Hitler's troops was signed.

Yesterday, May 6, 2010 second rehersal of the parade took place. The flights flue over our home on the way back from the Red Square again.

The country does remember those 27 million people who were killed in the WW-2 just from the country of U.S.S.R. To compare: 9 million Germans, 7 million Jews were killed also. Terrible!

We remember, and we are proud of our grantparents' heroism. My grandfather is 95, he was in a concentration camp. He lives, but hears nothing and sees a little bit. When he was able to share stories, his son, my uncle, recorded 15 pages of his story how he was taken into captivity in July 1941 and how it was there in the camp, and how the US troops set him and others with him free!

Thanks allot to every one who did fight against the evel fourses of WW-2. Nothing has been forgotten, every one is remembered.

May 9, 2010 is 65-th year of the peace in the world. In Russia it is a Great Day: It is the Victory Day. Watch the news and read the web on that Day.

Today - April 29 (1994) - is the Brithday of our first daughter - Polina

2010-04-29T12:15:00.000+04:00

Greetings again!

Ilya is at EAAA's Theology Online Concorcium traning in Kremenchug, Ukraine (971 km = 607mls away from Moscow). Angelika and Daniella (8y.o.) are in Moscow, recoveing from a sickness (cold that Daniella had). EAAA has 2 activities in Kremenchug: EAAA's Counsil meeting and traning for writing on-line courses based in Moodle.

Today - April 29 (1994) - is the Brithday of our first daughter - Polina Okhotnikova, she turns 16. Polina does not know who she is and who we are? She is a special needs child from prenatal formation, before birth the Lord allowed her barin to be melformed. She has never walked, seen, talked, communicated with outter world.

16 years--

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for Angelika and I. God's grace is sufficient for us. Once I saw in my dream Polina running to me in between the rows of chairs as a 6 year old would run to her daddy. Healthy and happy-- it was in a shining room with lots of light and sunshine!

Even if no sheep will be in the yard,
Even if no grape will ripe on the vine,
We will still give glory to God!
And say: Jesus, you are Lord of mine!

ILYA, ANGELIKA, DANIELLA

Returning from Missionary Week students kept on studying

2010-04-28T17:41:00.000+04:00

Russian greetings from Moscow to you!

Christ has risen! He has risen in deed! Right after Easter Sunday Full time students of ETSM left for the Missionary Week. The Missionary Week is a week of PRACTICAL APPLICATION of what they learned at ETSM. Students travel away from Moscow, away from classes, away from the Seminary in Moscow. There are 3 goals of the Missionary Week:

I. To serve and been served at the local churches: apply what the learned, to remember material, skills, process--
II. To get to know the Family of Church of God churches throughout the former U.S.S.R.: make friends to remember new people--
III. To Give a word of Testimony: why did them come to study at Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow? To remember that --

All the full time students were grouped into 7 teams. Some went with a teacher-leader, others went on their own in 2-s or 3-s. Groups went by rail road to:
1) St.Petersburg, Russia (unofficial Second Capitol of Russia)
2) Orel-city, Central Russia (I went there also)
3) Izhevsk-city, Eastern European part of Russia
4) Samara, South-Eastern European part of Russia
5) Klin-town, Tver Region, North of Moscow
6) Minsk, the capitol of Belarus and Zhodino (50 km away from Minsk)
7) By car (ETSM cargo van) to Northern territories of Russia: Arkhangelsk Oblast and Vologodsk Oblast. Alexei Gorbachev, the Academic Dean served as a leader and the driver: no ne else had driver license to drive the van.

1) In St.Pete they went to another town of Vyborg witnessed to people on the streets, made contacts with Lutheran Christans, and then went to visit 2 of ETSM interns: Vitaliy Karatach and Slava Shalgin, they all participated in the church service, encoureged the pastor and the church in keeping on the good work and not to be afraid, as a small flock.

2) Orel trip was to meet the Central church in Orel, the church that is pastored by the Bishop of Central Region, Brother Pavel Abashin, to meet the youth and give a testimony, to serve and to receive pastoral traning, to preach and share. I preached on Sunday, 1 person received the Lord Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior! Halelujah! Something interesting took place after the church service. We had lunch with Bishop Pavel Abashin and his wife Anna and at the next table Bishop's blood sister and her husband had lunch also. Well, Bishop Abashin introduced me to his sister's family and I learned that the husband was the senior pastor of the Central Baptist Church in Orel! He learned I served at the Seminary and invited me to preach at their evening service for 15 minutes. I came, preached, (no one got saved there :-). After the service deacons came and sorrounded me and we talked and talked. Then sudenly they said: come up lets meet with our youth! Wow! Anyway, at the end what ment to be 15 minutes turned to be 4 hours! We talked and talked with youth: hot to find the best future wife\husband? On what the happiness in mariage depends? How to remain happy in routine times of life? Finally, they invited me to come to the summer camp this Summer: "We would continue the interesting dialogue!" The summer camp they do together with the Pentecostal youth of Pastor Pavel Abashin. I do pray about going there, because the dates are in conflict with my travel palns, so I do need to pray to see how to prioritise activities in those days at the end of July 2010.

3) Izhevsk trip meant to introduce ETSM's students to meet Izhevsk Church of God (my home church 1995-2005), Sinor Pastor is th eBishop of Ural Region, Bro. Peter V. Ovechkin, 2nd Pastor is ETSM Alumni Alex Podobedov. ETSM students were to get to know the reginal (branch) churches, give their testimony, preach and teach at the church, receive pastoral experience etc. One sad thing took place: one of the Seminary's team members had to return the same day he arrived in Izhevsk, due to his grandmother's death. He was from Orel, so he joined my group in Orel.

4) Samara region received only 1 students of ours, who visited the church in Samara, Pastor of the church is the Bishop of Samara Region, Bro. Anatoly Kravchenko. The student also visited ETSM Alumni (2002) church in Novokuibyshevsk, Samara region, Pastor Agajan Pogosyan's church. Pastor Pogosyan and his wife Venera have started the church from zero in 2002 and the Lord has blessed them with 2 congregations (Armenian and Russian speaking) up to 60 in each. I taught at his church a Family Seminar in the past.

5) In Klin the two brothers from the Seminary (students from Belarus and Ukraine) served at a rehab center, led Bible study calsses, preached in church and labored alone with those in rehab process. They have enjoyed this missionary week very much! Because it is more blessed to give than to receive!

6) The trip to Belarus has been productive: 2 students-sisters from the 3rd year came to teach at ETSM's extension in Zhodino. THey also visited the National Bishop of Belarus, Pastor Alexander Melukhov's church, spent time with the Bishop and received the love and care through th eBishops knd words of encouragement and empowerment.

7) The group that traveled to the Northern parts of European Russia was led by Alexei Gorbachev, the Academic Dean of ETSM. ETSM's old cargo van was the only vehicle ETSM could use for the travel. The trip not only allowed students to see churches and meet the Regional Bishop, but also to get to know each other in non-classroom setting, get to know their own teacher and learn more about each other and strengthen reletionships among each other.

Upon arrival back at the Semnary students gave their presentations and shared what did the Lord do for them or through them? Each of the group presented their report at the Bible Hour and Chapel. They reflected on what did they like in the trip and what they faced as a problem, and how did they work throug it or around it. What was uncomfortable for them while doing that?

Overall the Missionary Week is not just an experience, but also it involves a reflection on that experience and drowing conclusions from the results of the trip to reassess self, to allow the Holy Spirit to change each student in those areas he\she found through this Missionary Week.

After the Missionary week regular classes resumed and students began to finish up their papers, complete reports and read books!

One prayer need is: passanger van so that ETSM could use it for the Missionary Week, for the Summer Church planting evangelism, as well as for other projets that involve transportation to provide for th eneeds of ETSM and become self supportive institution.

Thank you in advance!

In Him,

ILYA OKHOTNIKOV

Seminary holds a missionary week April 2-12, 2010

2010-04-05T20:29:00.000+04:00

Christ Has Risen! Christ Has Ruisen in Deed!
Greetings from Russia and Belarus!

This week Eurasian Theological Seminary holds a missionary week April 2-12, 2010. Faculty and students go together in different teams to different cities of Russia and Belarus. This sepester we go to Orel, Vologda, Cherepovets, Samara, St.Petersburg, Klin, Izhevsk - that is all in Russia. In Belarus: Zhodino, Brest, Minsk. Upon their return we will have a competition of video and Power Point Presentations of the missionary week. The teams are of 2 or 3 people. The only best team with the best minisrty function and best presentation will be awarded with a prize! Of course the best prize is His Reward in Heaven! The best winners are those who receive Jesus Christ and their personal the Lord and Savior!

On a weather note: Spring has made it into Moscow: we have temperatures of lower 50s and sun shining every day!

Christ Has Risen! Christ Has Ruisen in Deed!

Easter is Passover in Russia. This year is on the same day: April 4, 2010. Click to read more!

2010-04-04T21:40:00.000+04:00

SO, it is Easter!
His Life and death has done it! We are free from bondage of sin and death! Christ Jesus has given His life and taken it back! He glorified the Father by being submissive to the Father's will (to die for sin of man). He has risen! He has risen in deed!

All the earth can sing!
Christ the Lord has raised as King!
Death no longer rules on earth!
Every tongue shall praise Him forth!

"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?"
"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;
"but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the "Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
(1Co.15:55-58)

Head of Internal Affairs of Moscow: the Metro made unprecedented security measures

2010-03-31T22:16:00.000+04:00

Greetings! Bellow is a google translated report, which I looked over to correct.

Head of Internal Affairs of Moscow: the Metro made unprecedented security measures
March 31, 2010 |Time Events 13:18 |Last updated 14:07
Categories: Community
Story: Explosions in the subway on March 29

NTV
In Moscow, unprecedented security measures have been taken in connection with explosions in the subway that took place on March 29, "Interfax" reports. The head of Internal Affairs of Moscow Mr. Vladimir Kolokoltsev told during a videoconference, which was held today by the Minister of Interior Affairs Mr. Rashid Nurgaliev, Moscow police has been on high alert.

He said that Police took the objects of life support and critical facilities under the special protection. Additionally anti-terrorism measures were taken in kindergartens, schools, hospitals, concert halls and other facilities.

According to the head of the Moscow police department, the Metro number of patrols has been increased nearly threefold. "The entry and exit, as well as directly on the platforms 140 security officers on duty Criminal Investigation, and 180 handlers with dogs are present," - he said. Interchange stations and units have been taken under special control. The police, together with workers of underground trains inspect trains at the end of a rout and exchange stations. In the subway passenger screening is being carried out using metal detectors.

Operational-investigative group and work with detainees has been strengthened at the police department also. Security measures have been strengthened in buildings and structures of internal affairs departments, including of the personal safety of staff.

Mr. Kolokoltsev stressed that, in addition to all of that density of the patrol teams has been increased, their route is to patrol very close to metro stations.

"Metropolitan Police is taking steps aimed at establishing and detention persons involved in the bombing in a subway, avoiding the recurrence of terrorist attacks ", - assured Mr. Kolokoltsev.

He recalled that in February this year a Committee on improving security on the subway was held. According to him, in particular, it was decided to conduct a research for creating devices that can detect dangerous items hidden in the human body in real time. "In the future, such devices could be tested at the facilities of the Moscow subway" - said Mr. Kolokoltsev.

At the moment, according to head of Internal Affairs of Moscow, the capital law enforcement authorities address the issue of equipping Moscow subway with surveillance cameras, as well as increasing the length of storage for recorded information up to 1 month. Video cameras have also been planned to install at a location near by (outside of) subway stations.

In turn, the Moscow City Duma promised to legitimize the strengthening of measures to protect the city from terrorist attacks. The Moscow City Council within the authority conferred upon it by the Russian Constitution, federal laws and the Constitution of Moscow, take all necessary steps to ensure the legislative basis to protect our city from all forms of terror. Instigators of terror, terrorists and their supporters must accept an inevitable punishment commensurate with their cruelty crimes, "- written in a statement adopted at a meeting in Moscow City Duma on Wednesday.

Moscow Bombing: I want to state: my wife, Angelika, and I are not concerned

2010-03-31T08:53:00.001+04:00

Greetings! We are safe in Moscow: no one from Church of God was injured in Monday bombing in Moscow on March 29, 2010. Well, in Israel they have much more bombings than we do in Moscow. In Moscow the last explosion of a bomb in Metro took place in 2004.

I want to state: my wife, Angelika, and I are not concerned much. I feel safe as much as if I would live in Wilmore, KY while bombing would take place in Lexington. I am not saying these two towns are in danger (NOT at ALL!), I am saying that living in South-East of Moscow is safe because the distance to the center of Moscow (where the bombing took place) is the same like between Wilmore and Lexington, KY or for that matter between Cleveland and Chattanooga in TN.

Yesterday, March 30, 2010 I needed to be at metro "Alexeevskaya", which is NOT on the lines the bombing took place. I took metro with NO PROBLEMS! I had to travel through the ring subway line in the center of the city on its north, while the bombing happened on the south of the the ring subway line.

Angelika did not want me to use Metro, and in order to make her feel safe I drove, yet it was a rush hour and I got to a traffic block, and dropped the car, actually near by a State Music School, which Daniella attends in addition to a regular public school. Dropped, means I parked it and went by metro. No problems with taking Metro! There were as much people as usual, or may be little bit less - but that is my subjective opinion.

I do not tend to dramatize the situation, yet I do have a concern of some sort. My family and I do trust the Lord. In saying this I mean that I know that if we live - we live for Him, if we die, we die for Him, for He would NOT allow a heir to fall off our heads! (Nevertheless, there has been so many that I lost already :-D ). So the death is to go to be with Him. Just I don't want to leave my wife Angelika and Daniella (almost 9) without my presence for the rest of their lives. That is what I am concerned about the most. However, being in the center of God's will, serve Him to the best of my understanding, keeping peace with God and neighbor, being obedient to the will of the Lord Jesus Christ in all what we do - is a key of trusting Him with our lives in ANY situation, in any place, in any circumstances!

The Passion Week has started with bombing, fear, and death. The Lord Jesus Christ came to die, in order to bring life and release the Holy Spirit in His work on earth. We do remember Christ these days and trust you do the same. Your prayers for not just us, but all the ministers in Moscow, in Russia are appreciated very much!

In His Resurrection,
Ilya, Angelika and Daniella

Lead Bishops of Protestant Churches of Russia express their condolences to the families

2010-03-29T16:02:00.000+04:00

MOSCOW, March 29 - RIA Novosti, Olga Lipich. Lead Bishops of Protestant Churches of Russia express their condolences to the families of those killed in terror attacks in the Moscow subway, pray for the wounded and those who cope with the consequences of crime and looking for their organizers.

On Monday at 07.55 and 08.40 on two stations of the Moscow metro - "Lubyanka" and "Culture Park" - bombings . According to the latest MOE, killing 37 people and dozens injured. Criminal cases under article 205 of the Criminal Code (terrorist attack).

"We mourn the innocent victims of people who mourn with the whole Russian people and pray for those injured, who bravely rescued the victims and gave them first aid," - said in a release sent to the RIA Novosti statement of the Advisory Council of the Heads of Protestant Churches in Russia.

Spiritual leaders of Russian Protestants ask God to bless all of whose efforts and professional activities, the impacts depend on acts of terrorism, search and punishment of offenders, raising his hand to the helpless and innocent people. "

"God bless our motherland and will give us the strength to stand in the fight against terrorism!" - Have entered into Heads of Protestant Churches.

The statement was signed: the chairman of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists Alexei Smirnov, chairman of the Western-Russian Union of Christians Church of Seventh-Day Adventist Basil Carpenter, chairman of the Russian Union of United Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals), Sergei Ryakhovsky, the ruler of the bishop of the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith Edward Grabovenko.

explosion occurred at 7.52 am in the metro station, stopped at the station "Lubyanka." We live in "Lublino" metro station - far away

2010-03-29T15:41:00.000+04:00

Bellow is a google translated Russian source http://www.gazeta.ru/politics/2010/03/29_a_3344374.shtml

The first explosion occurred at 7.52 am in the metro station, stopped at the station "Lubyanka." The bomb exploded in the second wagon train theme " Red Arrow ", heading towards " Streets Podbelskogo ".

One of the passengers found the moment of the explosion, moving from " Kuznetsk bridge "to the station " Lubyanka. " I immediately went up the escalator on the move and heard the cotton explosion. The door next to me, about the transition bent. A cloud of dust descended on the top of the escalator, people ran to the escalator. People began to fall, there was a lot of mala. I also ran "- quoted by a witness " Herald ".

" I was in a nearby car when the explosion occurred. The doors of the neighboring car literally puke out. At least 15 people were killed immediately ", - told Lifenews passenger " train that was blown up on " Lubyanka. " We do not understand what happened, thought that the car crashed floor ceiling. All cried out, - said the girl, who was blown up by a nearby car. - Only when we went outside, heard the explosion "- ITAR-TASS.

According to the prosecutor's office in Moscow, an explosive device was on the belt part of the second passenger car ( according to investigators - the passenger). Submunitions, which was packed with a homemade bomb, scattered on the ground in front of the car. The investigators note that the head of suicide bombers ( like the one that blew herself up at the " Park of Culture ") intact. The car was working a video camera, record now browsing the mobile crime lab parked at the corner at St. Nicholas street.

Another witness went to the station " Lubyanka "immediately after the explosion. " Watching the people that the station is already badly battered, clothes torn to shreds, one guy on the shoulder of someone's piece of meat stuck. Horror "- quoted another eyewitness site realtypress.ru.
According to UPC, in the explosion at the station " Lubyanka "killed at least 23 people, 18 more injured. Dead bodies lie on the station so far, they are said operatives will remove the late afternoon until they examine the criminalist. " damage to the station is not "- officials said.

After the explosion at the Lubyanka movement of trains in the subway was stopped. The trains, though with longer intervals, but drove in the direction of " Culture Park ", where there was a second explosion.
How to write an eyewitness to the blog davete.livejournal.com, after the explosion at the Lubyanka, he was on " the Lenin Library. " The train was waiting for minutes 7. Then he stood at the station about the same ... Thus, there were 7-10 minutes to " Kropotkin ", then the line between " Kropotkin "and " Culture Park ". I go out on the " Park of Culture. I went up already to the exit. Next come the police. They call a woman: " What happened? "- " Oh, some kind of accident, for technical reasons ". At that same moment an explosion "- he writes.

According to a witness, quoted by RIA " Novosti ", the " Park of Culture "exploded in the first or second car from the end. " I felt the vibration. The train was already standing at this point two minutes. An explosion, it was a lot of smoke. Then he took literally a minute or two - all steaming, apparently, from the powder. People are afraid they shouted, "- said an eyewitness.

How to tell " Gazeta.ru "one eyewitness to the explosion of " Park of Culture ", after the terrorist attack on the station began to smoke.
" I went to " the Lenin Library, drove to the " park of culture ", and when approached the train explosion. It seems that the bomb exploded not in the car, and under it. As if someone had planted an explosive device on the pin rail, the explosion came from below the car. Then panic broke out, people began to run out, but police competently worked, helped everyone out without excesses, "- he said.

According to an eyewitness, for the rush hour at the " Park of Culture "was a bit of people. " If the explosion occurred at " the Lenin Library, "that the victims could be much higher. There was a terrible crush, and the platform was not crowded "- he said.

Eyewitnesses report that exploded as the train was traveling toward the " Streets Podbelskogo. " People were a little hustle was not there. But the explosion is very powerful. No doubt, this bomb - the military standard ", - writes user davete.

The explosion at the " Park of Culture "took place in 8.39-8.40. " Lubyanka "traveled on the " Park of Culture "met 5 people in the blood and some body parts in her hair. A woman covered in blood lying in the vestibule Sokolniki, the " Park of Culture "- wrote bifurcafe on FriendFeed.

As Alexander Graf wrote user site Freelance.ru, he " went with " Culture Park "for 30 seconds before the explosion ... had seen the car with " Lubyanka ", which was at the station " Ohotny number, as I understand it, burned or the last or the penultimate wagon.

Approximately 8.45 correspondent " Gazety.Ru ", who was driving to work and could not go to the station " Kropotkin.
From the station shaft were people on the loudspeaker reported that " for technical reasons, trains are not running. "

At the stations Sokolnichesky line in the 8-9 hours was a crush. " At the station " Komsomolskaya "there are victims who are simply crushed in the crowd. People crowded into the lobbies of many thousands of people. Despite this, the turnstiles at the entrance was not blocked. Passengers arriving at the Leningrad station EMUs were a familiar route and landed in the crush. Exits from the lobby to the area of three stations, all but one, were closed ", - writes Ivashkov_spb.

On the " Park of Culture "from 9 until 11 am reigned barely controlled chaos. Police cordoned off the lobby, both underground ( radial and circular lines). Radial lobby worked out, the passengers came out of the station, told that the transition to radial was closed. Metro exit of citizens were asked not to linger on the square immediately to the patch was organized conditioned press center. For the striped band congregated journalists, they periodically visited by the representatives of law enforcement agencies, and once the mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov.

People stormed the trolley, which drove the Komsomol in the direction of the field. Those who needed to get to the station the other subway lines, walked across the bridge to the Crimean station " Oktyabrskaya ". Field hospital, including a big tent MES, located in the lobby of the radial station, where the explosion occurred.

Lubyanka Square and surrounding streets before dinner had been cordoned off by police, fr travel and Myasnitskaya blocked, the stream of cars from Okhotny every two to three minutes, stop the traffic police officers - and a small group of rescuers and Explosives FSB in flak jackets running across the road and down into the subway.
Log enjoyed by employees of operational services, - directly in front of the FSB. Other entrances to the subway and underground passages are blocked, the Mayakovsky museum and the Polytechnic - Dozens of fire trucks. However, one of the MOE staff told us that the fire after an explosion in the subway was not there. " But there still have things to do "- he mumbled. At this time three of his colleagues on the stairs and saw ran towards the entrance to the station.

Movement of trains on the section line from Sokolniki " Culture Park "to " Komsomolskaya "was stopped. This advantage of taxi drivers. According to the townspeople in their blogs, the price for travel between 2-4 metro stations have jumped to several thousand. Taxi drivers carry about people with Komsomolskaya not less than 3000 rubles. However, correspondents " Gazety.Ru managed to get on the " Dynamo "to Lubyanka for 400 rubles and the Novy Arbat to the " Park of Culture "for 200 rubles. Some bloggers have decided to fight ohamevshimi taxi driver: " My wife was traveling with Il'inka to Clear Ponds in 2500, met with the bat, the mirror flew off with a bang, less words and more action. "

2 Bombings in Moscow Metro on Monday morning 8a.m.: many killed. We are safe.

2010-03-29T09:16:00.000+04:00

Greetings! Tragic news: Moscow Metro was bombed on Monday Morning March 29, 2010. We are safe. The bombing took place in downtown Moscow. Your prayers are appreciated very much.

So far (1.5 hours after explosions) I don't have info that any of our friends were injured or killed, but many have been. Russian news agencies are

www.en.rian.ru

http://www.interfax.com/

16 students in a class on "Moral Development" this week! Wonderful!

2010-03-24T01:54:00.001+03:00

Hello from Moscow! I got some updates for you from Eurasian Seminary there! Wonderful news!

We have 16 students in a class on "Moral Development" this week. The class is a part of the extension program "Family counseling", the first ever Family training program at a theological seminary in the former U.S.S.R. The class goes between March 22-26, 2010 during the time of 8:30 - 18:00 with all the brakes in between.

We have 16 students in class! WONDERFUL! It happened just in 1 year! Students come from Russia, Belorussia, Ukraine! They are some already in family ministry and\or counseling, others are planning on taking this challenge! I am so excited!

Thank you very much for your prayers and I would ask you to keep on praying this week March 22-26 and for\during next week Mach 27 - April 2. There will be the second class of this intensive teachings on "Organization of Family Ministry at a Local Church". Thank you in advance!

This class on Morad development is taught by following teachers:
1) Tatiana Gorbacheva, M.Div., Ph.D., Psychology and Christian education teacher at Eurasian Theological Seminary (www.etsmoscow.org).

2) Chris Kiesling, Professor of Human Development and Christian discipleship of www.AsburySeminary.org

Course examines the moral formation, physical and mental development and the development of faith. Moral development, education and psychological aspects are viewed from the standpoint of creation, sin, the nature of human origin, redemption, justification, education.
After listening to the course the student will be able to:
1) Evaluate the social and scientific theories of human development from the biblical, theological viewpoints.
2) Have a basic knowledge about the factors influencing the moral development throughout life.
3) Determine the difference in the moral approaches, depending on gender.
and others!

Need your prayers for Polina, our oldest daughter, and for Angelika and I. Polina will turn 16 in a month (Apr.29). She is a special needs child, who still does not know who we are, who she is, what is going on around her, who has no concept of a world around her. THANK YOU much--

ilya

Russian Orthodox Calendar celebrates Easter on April 4 like the rest of the World!

2010-03-14T20:12:00.000+03:00

Greetings again from Moscow! We still have snow and bellow freezing during the day time! Winter does not want to leave Moscow yet.

Russian Orthodox Easter falls on April 4, 2010. The Fast has started on Feb. 22. Today is the beginning of the Great Fasting Weeks before the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! I am teaching Gospel of John this half of a semester at ETSM. We already went through the intro material and went through the text from 1:1-18 to the end of Chapter 11. And here on Chapter 12 the narrative slows down: the first 11 chapters had almost 3 years of ministry, but the rest of 10 chapters will talk about 1 week only. Such a slow down, so that we MAY believe and have eternal life in His name! So that people may come out of darkness into His marvelous Light! From death to Life! From despair to prosper! From destruction to reconstruction of the soul, body and spirit! We are expecting God to do His work and reveal Himself to the students, faculty, workers and churches that we all represent at ETSM! God is awesome! Glory to Him!

International Women's Day March 8 is like Mother's Day, but EVERY woman is honored!

2010-03-07T23:45:00.000+03:00

Congratulations to every woman from Russia on This Day! It is a National Holiday in Russia. All women from kindergarten over to Universities, market places and even on the road are stopped by Russian Militia and given special attention with a flower or a gift.

Not always a trust worthy resource of Wikipedia states: "International Women's Day (IWD) is marked on March 8 every year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. Started as a Socialist political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries (primarily Russia and the countries of former Soviet bloc). In some celebrations, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love to the women around them in a way somewhat similar to Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day mixed together. In others, however, the political and human rights theme as designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner. The IWD is also celebrated as the first spring holiday in the Northern Hemisphere as the first day of March is considered the first day of the spring season".

Moscow (Izhevsk, Orel, Samara, St.Pete etc.) still have lots of snow on the ground, and temperatures in low 20s (F), so a day of joy is always helpful. Especially when turning to the Bible we can see how much of honor and authority is given by God to women! It is not good, said the Lord. Think for yourself, why?

Thank you, women, to be in our lives! Congratulations to you with March 8!

Visit to Belarus Feb.23-27, 2010

2010-02-27T22:42:00.000+03:00

Greetings from Belarus and Russia!

I've taken train from Moscow to Minsk. 9 hours over night! Slept well, no drunk passengers.
Belarus Bishop Alexander met me at the train station and took to his home. I staid with him, but every morning (at 9:00 a.m.) was taken to Zhodino 32 miles (50 km) away from Minsk, the capitol of Belarus.

I taught 2 hours before lunch and 2 hours after lunch Marriage and Family Ministry-2 class. The first one I taught last November. There were about 15 students: pastors and church leaders. Not every one who was with me last time were able to make it this time: jobs, lack of funds, church issues did not allow them to come. Sad. However, praise God for those who did come!

By 5:00 p.m. I was taken back to Minsk and after dinner and fellowship (and in between checking emails, arranging and solving matters in Moscow by skype) I taught 2 more hours a group of students that was led by the Bishop. The same topic, just less exams. After teaching between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. After that counseling or fellowship with church members or the Bishop and his staff.

Excellent time! I loved the trip and people's response! Thank you for your prayers and support. The Lord has been with us in Belarus! Students were saying: "Oh, now I see how trianglization works! Emotional triangles opened up my eyes!" or "Thank you for teaching on male-female relationships from Biblical standpoint!". Every one took an exam on "Red flags" in pastoral counseling practice - students learned and were not surprised that dangerous nets are there were we do not expect them to be. I am glad I went this time to Belarus even that I had to leave my own teaching in Moscow on campus. I teach Gospel of John 6 credits a week (6 academic hours, which is 45 minutes, a week).

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR ME & MY FAMILY & MY ETSM FAMILY. WE NEED PRAYERS OF YOURS. KEEP ON! THANK YOU DEEPLY!

ilya okhotnikov

Moscow, Russia & Minsk, Belarus

2010-02-20T21:52:00.000+03:00

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

For the last 2 weeks I taught 6 hours of Gospel of John to 2nd and 3rd year students. Met and received numerous guests at ETSM, including Bishops of all the regions in Russia and Belorus. In between teaching and preparation for teaching all kind of administrative matters had to be solved. More over, the weather this winter has given us quite low temperatures for long time and LOTs and LOTs of SNOW. See your your self by logging on to my blog www.etsmoscow.blogspot.com and see pictures.

Next week Russia has Monday off and Tuesday off. Tuesday February 23 is a national holiday: Home Land Defender Day. On that very day I will take off for Minsk, Belarus to teach the second half of a course on Marriage and Family Ministry. I will have about 30 students there in Minsk and Zhodino. Belarus is ETSM's extension, which provides training in the area of ministry. ETSM also has extensions in Ukraine (Slavyansk), in Russia (Kalinigrad region and in Izhevsk). There are 2 more dialogs in process of opening extensions in other cities of Russia.

By the end of March (22-26) and March 29 - April 2 ETSM will have an intensive (like J-term) 2 weeks of classes (8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.). These will be classes of Family Counseling Program. We will offer Moral Development class and Organization of Family Ministry class.

Your prayers for Angelika, Daniella and I are much appreciated. We do need your prayers and feel how they do help! Thank you!

In His Mercy!

ilya okhotnikov

Teaching the Gospel of John

2010-02-09T21:03:00.000+03:00

Greetings from Moscow again!

Tomorrow Feb. 10, 2010 I start teaching Gospel of John to 2nd and 3rd year students. Teaching is a challenge on its own. In addition to this challenge I have to teach well prepared students who learned and studied much more than I did. For instance, they just went through a class on Biblical Geography. I did not have such an interesting class in my master's program.

Another challenge is to teach on a regular basis - twice a week - while my schedule is to travel on Seminary business to different places (Belarus, Ukraine, Russia) this semester.

My prayer requests:
1) For Moscow and Federal government so that no attacks of the devil come
2) For anointing in teaching
3) Wisdom in administration of the Seminary

Thank you very much!

ilya

Defending traditional marriage: ALL Christian Denomination Leaders agreed: we are ONE over against secular world

2010-02-04T23:03:00.001+03:00

Greetings! Today - February 4, 2010 was a meeting of all Christians in Moscow. It was called CIS and Baltic Countries Christian Interdenominational Counseltation Committee meeting. We all came to unite on the issue of Family and Marriage. Bellow is a report of the biggest Russian Information Agency of News (RIAN) on this event. I participated as a Pentecostal among at this meeting. More over I was given an honor to present a paper in the third section "Motherhood and Fatherhood" on Christian position on "Children raring and education". Discussion was positive. All Christians in Russia have united their voices over against secularism in the issues of Family and Marriage. The Russian site for the Christian Interdenominational Counseltation Committee will have an English version of it soon. The site has started its function today www.xmkk.org

In His Grace,

ILYA OKHOTNIKOV

MOSCOW, February 4 (RIA Novosti) http://en.rian.ru/Religion/20100204/157774191.html

Russian Orthodox Church leaders called on Christians on Thursday to be firm in defending traditional marriage and lamented the family crisis in the country. According to some estimates, over half of the marriages in Russia end in divorce. Women in the 140-million-strong country undergo some 1.5 million abortions annually.

"We, Christians of different denominations, should profess the inviolability of the evangelic norms on the holy matrimony between man and woman," Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said in a welcome message to participants of an inter-Christian forum for former Soviet republics held in Moscow.

Christians, he said, should "openly testify that deviation from the God-given fundamentals of marriage cannot contribute to forming a healthy individual."

Another top church official, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk who heads the Russian Orthodox Church's external relations department, criticized today's morality.

"Today the scale of priorities for many people looks totally different than what is in line with Christian tradition. Freedom, permissiveness, acquisitiveness, lust for success and career aspirations are in first place rather than traditional spiritual and moral values, family, marital fidelity or giving birth to children and raising them," he said.

"Abandoned children, a huge number of divorces... a high number of suicides and abortions indicate a deep crisis for the family and social relations," Hilarion said.

Testimony of brothers who study at ETSM

2010-01-29T09:28:00.000+03:00

Greetings! It is morning in Moscow. I looked at my outside thermometer and saw quite common digit again. I'm observing it every day for the last 2 weeks. Sometimes temperature outside is lower than this digit, but on other days it is just this digit and that's it. It is ZERO Fahrenheit (-18C).

January 25 the Spring semester at ETSM has began. As usual it has started with 2 weeks J-Term. This week students study Introduction to New Testament, taught by Andrew Blinkov, D.Min., pastor of a Pentecostal church in the northern suburb of Moscow. Full time and part time (pastors and church leaders from around Russia) students gather together and share how did they serve and minister since the last training session took place last year.

Nikolay, assistant pastor of a church "Torch" in Velsk city in North West Russia says: "I studied full time during last Fall semester and studies helped me greatly. I personally benefited much from studying the books of Acts, Gospel of John, Romans. During my winter brake I preached on Sundays and used skills I acquired through the class of "Public speech". I shared with my pastor about another class I had at the Seminary. It was the class on Linear Studying the Bible. I suggested to organize such seminar at our church and the pastor was glad to do it."

Mike, assistant pastor, and youth pastor of a church "MIission Grace" in Zelenograd, Moscow region: "Each intensive session in Moscow for me is a concentrate that is dissolved in ministry at the church. For instance, last time we studied "Homiletics". After the class my sermons changed, they became more literate and logically organized. I used thematically organized sermons and exegetical sermons. The church began to grow. Church leaders have changed also: they began to preach differently. Brothers began to grow and lean toward Christian education because they see a great benefit in it. The most important thing is that they see those who received education do not disappear, but rather stay in church, keep on serving the Lord and building up the local church."

Second week of February 1-5 will be an intensive session of this J-term with classes such as: Psalms, Biblical Geography, Homiletics-2.

Thank you for your prayers for these students and for the Seminary. We feel it and witness to a great move of God among students, church leaders and pastors studying this semester in Moscow.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Ilya Okhotnikov

Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow starts its Spring 2010 semester next week

2010-01-21T23:03:00.000+03:00

Greetings!

We start a new semester next week! Hallelujah! There will be a J-term class, i.e. an intensive class from 8:30 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. every day of the last week of January. The class is New Testament Survey to be taught by Dr. Andrei Blinkov, a pastor and Asbury Alumni like myself. The first week of February ETSM will have another J-term class on Biblical Geography to be taught by a teacher from Ukraine.

Students of Pastoral-Church Ministry extension program (part time students) come to ETSM from around Russia. We expect more than 20 pastors and church leaders to arrive in addition to the full time students.

A year ago ETSM launched second extension program called Family Counseling. There is a video in Russian on a summer J-term of that program: copy this link and see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPlAAPCS6ik

The class in June 2009 was "Divorce and Remarriage" taught by Dr. Virginia Todd Holeman, Professor of Counseling at Asbury Seminary. Of course we are NOT advertising divorce in the church, but church has people from the world who live in a remarriage. Relationships in such families are not like those in 1st marriage. How to assist and help parents to understand the difference and apply knowledge for family unity was one of the aims of the class.

Anyway: your prayers for not just knowledge, but for the Holy Spirit's work in the minds and hearts of coming students (read: ministers, pastors, church leaders) be done during these 2 weeks as it is in Heaven!

In His Mercy,

ILYA OKHOTNIKOV

In Moscow at -4F temperatures some crazy Russian people jump into water outside in a lake or river!

2010-01-19T00:39:00.000+03:00

Greetings! Less than a week remains before classes begin at Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow (ETSM). I hope the freez would leave the Moscow region. However, forecast is opposed: -31C (-24F) is for the region of Moscow lowest possible temperature. This morning it was not as cold, only -18C (-0.4F), but in 8 minutes walking my daughter to her elementary school I had my nose and the whole face frozen! Not frozen frozen, just frozen. In Moscow at -4F temperatures some crazy Russian people jump into water outside in a lake or river! Orthodox Russians are flocking to churches and religious sites to celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan. Read more and watch more on the web at the following website:

http://rt.com/Top_News/2008-01-19/Epiphany_celebrated_by_Orthodox_Russians_.html

ETSM had a student who also was able (or brave and able) to do such an extreme seeming in a lake near by the Seminary in 1998. I was an administrator and student dean at that time and remember Murat doing that!

Please, pray that in 1 week when classes start the Holy Spirit move and God do His work in minds and hearts of ministers who comes for training at ETSM.

Please, also pray that no one would get sick among students and faculty (they don't go jumping into water), just extreme temperatures have not visited Moscow region for the last 20 years say those who observe and keep records of the weather.

Pray for my family and me: we are recovering from respiratory sicknesses: about 1 week before full recovery.

Pray for the authority and government in Russia and in Moscow: the Bible says so, we do, but need your support in this so that ETSM would have no issues to solve with the governmental offices, but dedicate 100% to equipping the saints for the work of ministry.

Thank you much from our hearts!

Ilya & Angelika

OLD New Year tradition in Russia (click for more info)

2010-01-14T08:42:00.000+03:00

New Year's Day in Russia is a public holiday celebrated on January 1. Divination is special add-on called "Old New Year’s Eve". It is because Russia officially adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1918, less than a hundred years ago. People keep that tradition in memory. Also the Russian Orthodox Church continued using the Julian calendar. The New Year by the Julian calendar is still informally observed, and the tradition of celebrating the coming of the New Year twice is widely enjoyed. Although New Year, unlike Christmas, is not religious, it is still celebrated twice. Usually not as festive as the New New Year, for many this is a nostalgic family holiday ending the New Year holiday cycle with traditional large meals, singing and celebratory drinking. Russians also get a chance to celebrate two Christmases (December 25 by the Gregorian calendar and January 7 by the Julian calendar), as well as two New Years on January 1 (New New Year) and January 14 (Old New Year).
Sourse: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_New_Year

January 14, Daniella is dancing at the Hall of Church Assemblies in Christ the Savior Temple down town Moscow. The Hall is made for assemblies of any kind and church meetings right under (in the foundation of) the main cathedral of Russian Orthodox Church - Christ the Savior Temple. The hall is been rebuilt and now used by mayor of Moscow allot. Daniella's Theater of Dance is one of the teams that performs at the awards given by the Mayor's office to children artists who painted their paintings to reflect Christmas stories, Russian Orthodox Heritage and in other divisions etc. Since January 4 Daniella's team has been practicing while the rest of the kids in Russia were enjoying New Year's holidays: Jan.1-11.

We pray: when the team dances in Christ the Savior Temple may people see Christ Jesus.

So, it is Christmas!

2010-01-07T14:34:00.000+03:00

http://rt.com/Top_News/2010-01-06/orthodox-christmas-enlightens-hearts.html

This is another link about Christmas in Russia being celebrated in January rather than in December.

Christ was born, the Kings of kings
To come on earth to die for me.
Son of Mary, Son of God
Came from Heaven to give His life.

Once again: Wishing you a Very merry Christmas!

Angelika and I ask you to pray for Daniella: the very Eve of Christmas Jan.6-7 she developed high temperature and sore vocal cords (sore throat). At 5 a.m. Daniella woke up due to high temperature. She is in a team of Theater of Dance "Seasons of the Year" that is scheduled to perform at Christmas Carols in Christ the Savior's Temple on Jan.14. Please, pray for Daniella's quick healing. We've prayed in the middle of the night and temperature was gone in the morning! Praise God!

ilya

Russian Christmas is TODAY! Merry Russian Orthodox Chritsmas to you!

2010-01-07T02:17:00.000+03:00

Merry Christmas! Christ was born! Please, click on the link above and watch a good description of it in English.

We'll be in church tomorrow - January 7 - it is official National Holiday in Russia!

Russian official National Holidays of New Year are January 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. In addition the law says if a holiday falls on the weekend the next work day is a day off.

So Russia celebrates New Year and Christmas all together between January 1 and 10. January 11 is the first business day of the year.

Merry Russian Christmas to you!

From Russia with love!

Ilya & Angelika

A Very Merry Christmas from Russia to you!

2009-12-23T09:30:00.000+03:00

As few days remain before the wonderful Day, Angelika, Daniella & I want to wish you a Very Merry Christmas! The Savior was born in the fullness of time ("when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son" Gal. 4:4-5). I am amazed: He was born to die. No parent would be able to go through with the idea of giving a birth to a child to let him die. Yet, we pray for you, may every one you witness to, know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that such a person may be filled up to all the fullness of God and be saved in this coming New Year: Share the Gospel, preach the Good News of redemption from sin! Jesus Christ the True God and Eternal Life has come! Celebrate and share His birth with those who are away from His love!

Looking back at this passing year I praise God for His grace toward our family. We bit the challenge of helping Daniella through regular public school, special music school and special Theater of Dance. 8 sessions per week in all the three! Angelika is a hero: taking Daniella even if the snow piles up covering Moscow with 5 inch blanket!

The Seminary started 2 new programs this passing year. Both of them in Christian Counseling: One is Family Counseling 3 J-terms a year (each J-term is 3 weeks of teaching 8:30 a.m. till 6:00 p.m.) and Second Pastoral Counseling, the difference is the schedule: Pastoral Counseling is offered in the evening of Tuesday and All Day Saturday. If Family Counseling is attended by church leaders from Moscow, Central Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus; the Pastoral Counseling Program is attended and aimed at just Moscow residents.

The Seminary also celebrated its 5-th graduation this passing 2009 year! Total in 5 graduations ETSM had set forth as trained ministers little more than 70 people and 70% of them are in active ministry!

The Seminary has enrolled a new group of 2009 - 11 "disciples" of ours have began to study and about to depart back to their home churches for Christmas brake.

The Seminary also has opened 2 Externats, i.e. Extensions: One in Izhevsk (our home town) with 22 students and 5 constant auditing in attendance, the Second Externat is in Belarus, which total has 31 students, 12 of which are full time and the rest are part time students, who are active leaders in local churches in Belarus. Just being there myself I am exited how much God moves in a restricted country like Belarus!

Please, pray for the unity among evangelical church in Russia. Russia is well known for supremacy of Russian Orthodox Church. It is a double press on Evangelical Church when ROC is joined by the Russian Government. It is not politically correct to be a non-Russian Orthodox Christian in Russia. General population in its majority believes if one is born in Russia he\she is a Russian Orthodox (if not a Muslim, or Buddhist, or Jewish). Russian population is 144 millions. More than 20 of them are Muslim by their ethnicity and faith. Closer to China and Far East more of a Buddhist followers one can find in Russia. Please, Pray His church would be One, at least we - as Evangelical Christians - would become One in this coming 2010.

Blessings and thanks for your support in Prayer and otherwise! We need your prayers, please, keep on!

A Very Merry Christmas to you!!!

"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Mt.1:21.

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

"And the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are {found} in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life." 1 Tim. 1:14-16

Traveling to Lviv, Ukraine for accreditting 2 seminaries on behalf of Accreditting Association

2009-12-05T22:15:00.001+03:00

Greetings from Moscow!

Now freezing temperatures have come to Moscow also. It will be bellow freezing this night. This 2009 Nov. and Dec. have been quite hot: Moscow temperatures hit record temps sine 150 years!

I am taking a trip to Lviv, Ukraine on behalf of Euro-Asian Accreditting Association of Evangelical Schools to be a member of Accrediting Committee in 2 seminaries there. One is a Baptist Seminary, another is that of Pentecostals. Lviv is located in the most western part of Ukraine and historically been a city of evangelical movement birth. Read more on Lviv History here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lviv

If you clic on the title on my blog, you will see a picture of recent E-AAA bi-annual assembly. They have elected me into their Council for 2 years to work in Christian Education and I give glory to God for such honor.

ETSM has come to its final weeks of studies: Russian Christmas I guess you already remember is on January 7 (instead of Dec. 25), due to Julian Calendar that is used by Russian Orthodox Church. So we will celebrate Christmas twice, as usual! However, there is nothing seems to reflect the season's atmosphere: no decor, music, Salvation Army, etc. Just business days one after another. It will be New Year that every one will celebrate and give gifts to each other, not Christmas. It will be New Year that most of the population will celebrate with drinking VODKA etc., and I am glad that drinking is not associated with Christmas, but rather the New Year's eve. I am glad that in Russia Christmas comes later - after on a sober head people will line up to the temples and churches, and cathedrals to some how in their own understanding to pay attention for the Divine! I am glad that Russian Christmas is not commercialized, but rather comes as a religious celebration! I am glad we still can preach the Gospel freely and not been arrested for doing that in Russia. Not like in Belarus. If there is no church registered people can not come together even at their own(!) homes (!) "to do religious activities" - that is the law in Belarus! Crazy!

Some of our students from ETSM will be traveling to Belarus during this winter brake for practical ministry. Pray the Lord would open doors and let those who go to Belarus call for the life time dedication to live and serve there. It is a greater need: to preach the Gospel! This is why ETSM exists! To train ministers of the Gospel, so they would preach and teach, and may the Lord save those who repent! Amen!

Nevsky Express train was bombed at about 1:30 p.m. EST in Russia on the way from Moscow to St.Pete: 25 killed, 95 injured.

2009-11-28T09:41:00.000+03:00

Nevsky Express train was bombed at about 1:30 p.m. EST in Russia on the way from Moscow to St.Pete: 25 killed, 95 injured. http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091128/157017215.html

We (at Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow) had St.Pete Region's Bishop Valeriy Gaidachuk taking a train that very evening from Moscow to St.Pete. He is well - Valeriy did not take that train.

Angelika and I with Daniella are okay - we stay in Moscow. All is right with us and our friends. This bombing of a train is the second on this very direction (Moscow- St.Petersburg). The first one was in 2007. You can read more at Russian news agency for top Russian news and analysis online en.rian.ru

In Him,

ILYA

MOSCOW, November 28 (RIA Novosti) - Twenty-five people died in the derailment of a Nevsky Express train that could have been a terrorist attack, and 95 were injured, according to the latest data from the Russian health minister.
See More http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091128/157017215.html

Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving 2009!

2009-11-26T22:17:00.000+03:00

Wishing you a bright, glorious, and blessed THANKSGIVING!

Joyful heart is a thankful heart!

We give thanks to God for:

1. His protection over the ministry in Russia

2. You, who remember us in your prayers, thoughts and support of His work in Russia: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

3. Saving ETSM from any attacks this 2009 year: we had just positive development and no governmental red tape at all! Thank you, Lord Jesus!

4. Russian Church of God, for the leaders and ministers who see importance of mission's work, training and evangelism in the countries of former USSR

5. The big family of Christians in the Church of God in former USSR, Europe, and the world!

Russia does not celebrate Thanksgiving. Sad. It is a usual day of work.
It is so good to know that every day we can give thanks to God for His gift of LIFE He has given US in Christ Jesus!

ILYA & ANGELIKA OKHOTNIKOV

ILYA's 2 weeks trip to Belarus

2009-11-23T09:56:00.001+03:00

I was in Belarus between Nov. 8 and 21, 2009. First week participated in Euro-Asian Accrediting Association’s (EAAA www.e-aaa.info) meetings and special training for Theological Schools’ leaders. Excellent training! The Counsel of EAAA was reelected for 2 years. They elected me there to serve. All glory to God!

Second week I counseling training on the topic of Marriage and Family in 2 locations with total 51 people in both places. Some were sick or could not come due to ministry involvement or medical limitations\restrictions on the Belorussian-Ukrainian border placed by governments, but teachings went very well! One pastor even said: "Where were you later in life with this type of teaching!?! I wish I could have a chance to hear you so that I would not make mistakes!"

Read more bellow...

Time with EAAA was a very productive time to learn more on “what is spirituality & how it can be developed among students on theological campus”. Also EAAA elected its executive counsel for the next 2 years. Previous counsel has nominated me and the general assembly voted me in, surprisingly unexpected! I hope my term would bring a benefit to the development of this regional evangelical accrediting association. In the Counsel they entrusted me to chair the Cross-schools Communication Committee. In all may God’s name be glorified!

The second week I taught Marriage and Family Ministry class in 2 locations in the Republic of Belarus. One was in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, 2 million population city. These were students of the church Bible School about 20 in the list and 13-15 were coming each evening from 6:30 p.m. till they were tired ;-)

The second group was 50 km (30 miles) away from Minsk and consisted of 2 subgroups: 12 on campus students and 18 visiting pastors - who pastor around Belarus. I stayed in Minsk at the Bishop’s home and every morning one student from Zhodino would come to pick me up by 7:55, drove me 1 hour and I could start by 9 a.m. and finish by 1 p.m. After classes they had lunch, than I and Assistant Bishop were talking and talking and talking. I learned many new things about Belarus, one of them is that the State prevents from official registration of new churches in Belarus. Without official church no one can preach the Gospel, pray or do other types of ‘religious activities” even at his\her own home! Logistically the second group had a privet property of 1 acre, which had 3 buildings. 2 small and 1 comparatively big facility with 2 rooms, kitchen and 2 offices. Another building served as dining hall, and third building served as a home for a young couple – newlyweds (2 months as married). The big building had no heat, but they had it wired with heating system pipes, but not connected to end radiators, they simply were out of funds to purchase these radiators. Facility seemed to be newly constructed. As I learned it was a fire 2 years or so ago, which burned the old building down in February 2008. Fire engines came quickly, but they did not had water in tanks: were afraid it would turn into ice in garages (no heat in garages), and local water pipes were frozen, so that fire fighters were taken burning wood to get the local water pipes unfrozen, and in 1.5 hours after fire they started their work! The old home was already burned out.

Anyway, on the pictures you see me and every one in coats: it is cold (COLD) in the new building, especially on the 1st floor with the concrete floor. I taught in the 2nd floor: they had a gas stove for heating. I stood in my coat and sometimes breath steam as I taught my classes.

One evening pastors and students asked me to stay after classes to have fellowship over tea. They bought a cake for us to share. I should say economically Belarus is struggling. Emergency Vehicle doctor receives on average $300 +\- $100 per month(!). Over the team and fellowship pastors were glad to get to know ETSM and especially thankful for bringing this kind of teaching: teaching on Marriage and Family, it is critically needed there (and everywhere in the post USSR territories). One pastor even said: "Where were you later in life with this type of teaching!?! I wish I could have a chance to hear you so that I would not make mistakes!" These words and other do inspire me and motivate for development of a Marriage and Family Ministry. The freedom of religion entered USSR about 20 years ago. Powerful move of God took place in 1990s. Many were saved! Praise God! But absence of strong Bible teaching on ethics, on moral behavior, etc was lacking. Promoting strong families and faithful marriages is a need in Eastern European countries. Please, pray for more workers to be called and sent out for the harvest!

By the end of February this Zhodino Bible School (my naming) will have another session with pastors coming. In between the session the residential group will have teaching going on like we do in Moscow. Shool is what I call the training that is done in Zhodino by different teachers (with Ph.Ds, Masters and experienced teachers), which is organized by Alexander the Second in Belarus, i.e. Alex Velichko - Assistant Bishop for Belarus. Alexander Melukhov, the Bishop of Belarus teaches there also. Republic has 18 churches that have fellowship among each other. Brotherly fellowship and help one another in ministry is very much felt there. Alex-2 leads a good work: training ministers, sending their own missionaries in “home mission” as well as mission abroad.

Soon I will have some concrete projects written by the two Alexanders: the Bishop and Assistant Bishop, so that you could pray about the work God leads there.

Liza Shulyak is back home

2009-11-23T09:49:00.000+03:00

Thank you for your prayers for Liza Shulyak, newborn baby. She is back home with her mom. Liza is apparently doing well. I just returned from my trip to Belarus and was not yet able to get the info. Thank you for your prayers!

Eurasian Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow (ETSM) is moving steady toward higher development

2009-11-17T22:34:00.000+03:00

Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow (ETSM) is moving steady toward higher development: your prayers for those in training are much appreciated! Click the link above and read a newsletter!

I am teaching right now at ETSM's 2 extensions in Belarus.

1st is at the church of COG Bishop of Belarus Pastor Alexander Melukhov in Minsk.

2nd is at Assistant Bishop Alexander (the Second) 36 miles (50 km) away from Minsk in district town. Traveling daily back and forth. Total 50 students listen to Marriage and Family Ministry foundations. Excellent time!

This week is the second week as I have left my family in Moscow. Week of Nov. 8-16 Tom Rosson, Alexei and Tatiana Gorbachev, and I spent in Minsk attending Accreditting Association's biannual Gebneral Assembly. Here is the website: www.e-aaa.info

I will stay in Belarus till the weekend arriving back in Moscow (on Nov.21) one day before Anelika's Birthday (Nov.22).

I am so glad to teach on Marriage for these students. These are 33% members of the churches, 33% students from local churches in Belarus who study full time, and 34% are PASTORS in Belarus who come for 1 week at a time to study for ministry! Excellent groups! All are so grateful for the teaching and proclamation of Family Ministry Biblical values that my heart rejoyces!

ILYA

4th update on Liza Shulyak

2009-11-03T21:38:00.000+03:00

Angelika talked to Olga, the mother. Olga's tests for placement into the hospital (where Liza is) were not ready, therefore Olga will not be placed until Thursday.

November 4 is a Russian National Holiday, the Day of National Unity.

Liza started to eat on her own, but can not live without oxygen. Please, keep on praying for Liza's lungs to pick up the regular air.

Liza use to breathe via tubes, she used to be fed via tubes, but now she is with no tubes!

I finished teaching an October J-term in Moscow

2009-10-31T22:44:00.000+03:00

Hello, again! This week you have received so many info from me! It was a week of intensive teaching of mine! I finished teaching last week (the last week of October). It was a J-term in October. 5 days a week. 10 academic hours (45 min) a day. My class was 2nd course in a 3 weeks Intensive block of the Diploma level program ETSM has started this (January 2009) year called “Family Counseling”. The class was “Family Systems Theory. Genogramms”. In Russian there are some recourses on Family Systems Theory. Also I found a book on Genogramms in Russian! Hallelujah!

11 students came to ETSM from Ukraine, Belorussia, Russia, and from Moscow churches! We studied together, we prayed together, we ate together and praised God together (especially for a 6 days old girl Liza Shulyak). They represented Pentecostal, Baptist, Charismatic churches. Pastors and wives of pastors, a leader of the Baptist Union who is responsible for work with families in the Union. They each found solid theoretical approach and skills for effective assessment of families. Successful in ministry development begins with successful self-development! It was a super J-term! Students will remain at ETSM for 1 more week of intensive teaching, than they will return home, to their churches and people.

Moscow got first snow on the last day of teaching! Welcome winter!

*****************************************

Я закончил на этой неделе преподавать. Был интенсив. 5 дней по 10 часов в день преподавал по нашей программе "Семейное консультирование" предмет "Системная семейная теория. Генограмма как системный метод диагностики." Про системную семейную можно прочитать здесь: www.psyinst.ru/library.php?part=article&id=1163
Было 11 студентов из Украины, Беларуси, России, Москвы из союзов ХВЕ, ЕХБ и харизматических. Мы учились вместе, молились вместе, трапезничали вместе, славили Бога вместе (особенно за Лизу Шуляк). Каждый и для себя, и для служения приобрел много очень полезного. Успех развития служения начинается с успешного развития самого себя! Просто супер-сессия! Еще неделю в Семинарии будет третий предмет этой сесси, и потом разъедутся наши соработники по домам по церквям.

В Москве пошел снег в последний день учебы.

3rd Update on Liza Shulyak October 30, 2009

2009-10-30T15:50:00.001+03:00

Liza is 5 days old and has been transferred yesterday - October 29, 2009 - over to a Pathology Pediatric Center.

Olga also has been released home from the Birth House.
In Russia these hospitals are special medical units standing apart from other type of hospitals.

Keep on praying: Liza is weak and still is not breastfed. She lost weight: one pound in 3 days, which is not an extreme weight loss.

2 hours ago a new doc said: "Your daughter has a very positive outcome. There were many other children who had worse conditions and survived." This news inspired every one!

Liza used to breathe with nasal tubes, but now she has no longer with nasal tubes! Liza used to have no socking reflex, now Liza is very god at sucking. Nurses say: "She sucks like a vacuum cleaner" :-)

MRI reflects a perfect brain development of Liza. Her prenatal pneumonia been reduced.

On Monday - Nov.2 - Olga, the mother will be placed in the Center together with the baby to feed and care for Liza.

Thank you for your prayers, still keep on praying - Andrei and Olga do appreciate an thank you all for keeping them in prayer.

2nd Update on Liza Shulyak Oct.27,2009

2009-10-27T21:36:00.001+03:00

По-русски ниже.

2nd Update on Liza Shulyak Oct.27,2009
Just talked to the father - Andrey Shulyak. Today Liza is 2.5 days old. Still under oxygen and glucose + milk, but not breastfed. Doc says the Birth House is responsible for a baby to care for her for 3 first days, than the baby can be transferred to another hospital. Liza has surprised personnel and the mother: Olga came to see her and saw her been uncovered. Nurses said, she did it and it is a good signal! Thank you for praying! Keep on!

Liza Shulyak was born on Oct. 25 about 9:24 a.m. Moscow time. She was 7 months baby. Delivery has natural, but umbelical cord 3 times around the baby. Docs were giving her 30% survival level. Liza has not been able to breathe on her on since birth. Your prayers for her and her parents are VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

Новости-2 от 27 октября 2009 про Лизу Шуляк.
Только что поговорил с отцом Лизы - Андреем. Сегодня Лизе 2.5 дня. Она все еще под кислородным колпаком, ее кормят молоком, но через соску. Врачи в роддоме обязаны пронаблюдать новорожденных 3 дня, потом переводят, если есть показания, в другие учреждения. Сегодня Лиза удивила медперсонал. Оля пришла к ней и увидела ее не укрытой. Медсестра сказала, что это хороший знак! Спасибо за Ваши молитвы! Продолжайте!

Лиза Шуляк родилась 25 октября около 9:24 утра по московскому времени 7-ми месячной. Естественные роды, но с 3-ным обвитием пуповины. Врачи давали ей 30%, что выживет. Лиза сама еще с рождения не может дышать. Ваши молитвы ОЧЕНЬ СИЛЬНО НУЖНЫ. СПАСИБО!

Update on Liza Shulyak Oct.26,2009

2009-10-26T23:11:00.000+03:00

Liza is 1.5 days old. Docs have diagnosed prenatal pneumonia :-(
Liza is still under oxygen incubator. When Liza is taken out of it she turns blue in the matter of minutes. She cannot breathe on her own. Liza is not breastfed, but by IV glucose. Doctor has given 30% survival chance, but Russian docs don’t care much and they give less realistic preparing for the worse, but with your prayers and ours in Russia: God can make His will happen!
Tomorrow – Oct. 27 – Andrew must be at work, so Olga will speak to the doc about transferring Liza to a specialized pediatric clinic. There is one very good clinic, but only for Moscow residents is free of charge, for Andrew and Olga is too expensive. Liza can be moved to a different clinic from that good and expensive one. Today the doc asked Andrew’s opinion\permission to transfer Liza to a special clinic. Andrew agreed, but final decision depends on docs.
Olga was hysteric yesterday, but today she is balanced and got over it, yet Andrew was optimistic yesterday when I spoke with him and today he is more of a pessimist. Keep praying, please. Andrew and Olga do appreciate your prayerful support very much. And Angelika and I do too.

Emergency Prayer needed for 8 hours old Liza Shulyak, born on 7th month

2009-10-25T17:40:00.000+03:00

Right now, please, send your prayer to the Lord for Liza Shulyak, who's condition got worse in last hour (from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. EST), from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Moscow time.

Liza was born on 7th month of pregnency. Lungs been undeveloped. She can not take air on her own - so she is under enforced lung ventilation unit.

Please, pray so that God would save her life. Liza's parents are Andrew and Olga. Angelika and I know Olga (Kaidalova) for 11 years.

Andrew and Olga have been married for 2 years. Angelika, Daniella and I were at their wedding.

Olga's pregnancy is a late one. The Lord has saved her from bad (really bad) past. Olga is an excellent interpreter! Andrew is a very skillful children's minister! They are members of Tushino Evangelical Church in Moscow. Their pastor is a friend of our also.

Liza is their only child. Please, pray. They need her. Can you pray now? Just few words--

Thank you!

I need you email me to get your email address again, please:

2009-10-17T00:02:00.000+04:00

Greetigs! The new fall semester is way into the middle alrady, and I cann't email you, because I lost my database on Sep. 9, 2009. Crazy! I don't believe into numerology, just cleaning from virus cased my laptop's system flie to be deleted.

Anywa: I would appreciate your email to my address: iao@etsmoscow.org

By the way you can watch a 3 minute video ETSM's students made in English (in Inglish) FOR THEIR ENGLISH CLASS. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PmPztGCLPM

Communist 1979. Russia. Orel. a local church Resurrection has been established

2009-09-26T00:59:00.000+04:00

It was 30 years ago when the church Resurrection was established by Pavel Abashin's father and his friends. They met illegally at homes. Hand copied New Testament often at nights with blankets on windows for light proofing the house against police.

When bit later Pavel preached every Sunday after the service he was taken to a police office to have administrative ticket to pay - 50 rubles (monthly salary was 95 rubles) in 1980s.

What price do we pay these days for preaching of the Gospel!?! In Russia? I ask myself this question. I find no comparative answer!

I am writing a part of his story that Pastor Abashin shared with me at those evenings I spent with him when visiting his church in 1990s. What a testimony! What a courageous family!

In now days his church faces another type of problem. Construction of the facility is 65%...75% done (I think - as it appears to me when I visit Pastor Abashin). The last run is the most difficult. Please, pray that the Lord may bless the church at their 30-th Anniversary.

There is life in the House of God, when the house can function! So far it is yet to be officially allowed for gatherings. It is an urgent need. Please, pray for Pastor and Bishop Pavel and his wife Anna Abashin, for the church team, for the finish work, for the fire inspection, for the sanitary epidemic control service inspection, for the final state official approval at some point next year - with God's help and with the help of such dedicated co-ministers of the Gospel! Thank you in advance!

A special encounter with the Lord at ETSM

2009-09-24T23:44:00.002+04:00

The Seminary in Moscow has adjusted its curriculum to such extent that so called "academic" activities are no longer simply ACADEMIC, but rather educational in their nature. Recently (Sep. 17-19) a pastoral team from Izhevsk Church of God visited the Seminary. They came with a special purpose: to hold a Special Encounter with the Lord - a spiritual exercise that allows students to get closer to the Lord and revisit His sacrificial death, and personally encounter His Holy presence, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in one's heart, mind and soul. There was 8 a.m.-10 p.m. time of special consentration, prayer, communion with the Lord, pastoral counseling and care during 2.5 days. The team from the church consisted of ETSM alumni: Senior Pastor of Izhevsk Church of God, Peter Ovechkin: he is the Bishop of Ural Region in Russia. Then Pastor Alex Podobedov, and 2-nd Pastor Albert Shakirov. All of them have gone through the training at ETSM and currently serve in full time ministry.

Students of ETSM were very much exited and showed lots of appreciation to the pastoral team, and look forward to the next follow up visit of theirs at the end of the fall 2009 semester.

Your prayers for students' spiritual formation, for their yielding to the Holy Spirit, for allowing Him to change one's heart, attitude and behavior are much needed and appreciated! Thank you!

Remembering 9\11 from Russia

2009-09-11T23:02:00.000+04:00

The days as such as this are always in the memories of people. 9\11 will stay in the minds of people from generation to generation.

Living in Russia we have not so much of info, just an echos of what comes our ways via TV, radio and printed news and press.

I want to share with you a short story of our daughter's teacher (Mrs.Anna). 10 years ago on the night of Sep. 8 over to Sep. 9 a building that was across Mrs.Anna's apartment building has been bombed. There were her both parentss and students of her class in different apartments sleeping.

Bow! The building went down like the twin towers. In one night Mrs. Anna lost her loved once.

2 days ago she took a leave of absence from the school. To remember-- to weap and to morn.

I want to tell you another story of June 22, 1941, Sunday morning at 4 a.m. Russian borders were attacked by Natsi's forces. It took 4 years and the lives of 27(!) millions(!!) Russian people to die, so we-- can live. Both of my grandfathers and my parental grandma were in the front lines fighting...

We remember 9\11, 2001, we remember 9\8, 1999, we remember June 22, 1941 - so many other dates we remember when innocent people died. We all know, who came to still, to kill, to destroy. But Christ came to give up his life in order to give us ours.

They died, so we can live. He died, so we can live.

We remember both.

God be with you, keep you and save you at all times--

From Russia with love and rememberence,

ILYA, ANGELIKA & DANIELLA
OKHOTNIKOVs

Ilya's laptop crushed: Troyan

2009-09-09T21:27:00.000+04:00

Greetings! It seems like 9-9-9 plaied a bad day with me: my laptop Windows been damaged by a Troyan (a program inside that allowes a remote unauthorised control of the computer via internet). It lived in the computer for a while.

Anyway, I am able to use another PC at home, but not at the Seminary at the moment. I was using my laptop in both placed: at home and at the Seminary. Now I can do my emails at home.

I trust it will be short before my laptop would be fixed. It feels like living not at home, but staying somewhere else.

The Seminary students are getting to feel studying load, but it is just a very beginning!

Your prayers for the Seminary (am me to survive without a computer) are much appreciated!

In Him,

ILYA

Enrolment 2009

2009-08-31T09:39:00.005+04:00

Greetings from Moscow!

It has been so long since my blog has been updated. Here it comes! ETSM is in the process of enrolling new students 2009. A good group of 15 students will start on campus their 1st year of 4 training program this year. They come from Siberian part of Russia, Central Russia, and North Western part, also from Belarus, Ukraine, and Moscow itself. This year more brothers than sisters been enrolled. They come from different background, from 21 up to 44 (these are in ministry).

ETSM currently has 85 students enrolled in Moscow in all programs (B.Th., B.A., Diploma in Pastoral Ministry, Diploma in Family Counseling, ETSM has extension in Ukraine with about 20 students, another extension in Kaliningrad region with 12 students (pastors and ministers of local churches), and new opening extension in Izhevsk with potential of 25+ students there! Izhevsk is Angelika's and my home town - and we are proud of such a large number there! I shall keep you posted on more news from summer 2009.

ETSM had a very good training J-term (a session of 3 weeks from 8:30 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. Monday thorough Friday) on Family Counseling. Next message will be to describe Family Counseling summer training session. Next Family Counseling Session is scheduled for the last 2 weeks of October and 1st week of November.

My PRAYER REQUEST is: for the newly enrolled students this Fall 2009. They need to be established in the Word, strengthen in relationship and ministry, see the Will of the Lord clearly and surrender themselves for it.

Thank you for your prayers in advance! Blessings in the Lord to you and your family!

In His Word and Grace,

ILYA and ANGELIKA with Daniella OKHOTNIKOVs

An update on Vladimir Shestopalov's Family. О состоянии здоровья семьи Шестопаловых.

2009-06-18T15:17:00.003+04:00

An update on Vladimir Shestopalov's Family.

О состоянии здоровья семьи Шестопаловых.

Vladimir and Afrodita have been transfered in to one of Moscow Clinics.

Владимир и Афродита переведены в одну из Московских клиник.

Vladimir and Afrodita asked me to express to every one of you their appreciation and deep gratitude for your emails, notes and calls, for your offerings, for visits and prayers, for the words of encouragement and support in a very tragic moment of their lives.

Владимир и Афродита попросили меня выразить каждому из вас благодарность и глубокую признательность за Ваши эл.письма, приветы, звонки, за Ваши пожертвования, за посещения и молитвы, за слова ободрения и поддержки в очень трагический момент жизни их.

Shastopalovs are getting better emotionally and phisically, yet they need your prayers and support in the Spirit.

Владимир и Афродита поправляются эмоционально и физически, но нуждаются в Вашей молитве и поддержке.

Today - June 18 - they have gone through complete analysis sycle.

Сегодня - 18 июня - они прошли полный цикл обследований.

Christine has come up from coma and been transfered from ICU into a regular room.

Кристина вышла из комы и была переведена из реанимации в обычную палату.

She tries to talka and ask querstions.

Она пытается говорить и задает вопросы.

Diana was in a regular room since last Sunday. She is in a better shape than Christine.

Диана в обычной палате с прошлого воскресения. Ее состояние лучше, чем Кристины.

In English: read http://tomrosson.blogspot.com/

Более подробно на русском читайте на сайте Церкви Божией России: http://churchofgodportal.ru//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=105&Itemid=1

Sabrina was 11 years of age.

2009-06-15T10:53:00.004+04:00

Thank you for your emails and especially prayers. Yesterday - Sunday night I returned from the hospital where Bishop Shestopalov and his wife are. His wife Afrodita can not stop grieving, she sees a new person coming to see her and begins weeping, crying, asking where her daughter is -- She does not eat, has low blood pressure and looses her conciseness when emotions get on her-- She has low blood pressure, stopped eating, she walks as well as Vladimir. She walked in when my wife Angelika, daughter Daniella and I were with Vladimir in his hospital room, which he shares with 3 more people. There were 9 poeple from Pastor Vladimir's church and from another church. Afrodita could not stop crying and weeping. Loosing Sabrina is very hard on every one, esspecially her mom. Vladimir has forgiven the driver of that SUV. The driver is on the esame floor, same section in a different room. Vladimir had red eyes when I saw him. She was only 11-- Sabrina--

The oldest daughter - Christine - is in ICU with a sever head damage. Diana has broken both of her legs bellow knees, but she is okay, while Christine is in danger - she been supervised and more tests with equipment yet to be brought to the clinic are to be done.

Yesterday Vladimir's own church picked up an offering of $647 for the family. Other churches (from Samara, from Izhevsk, from St.Pete., from Moscow, from Orel, a Baptist church that meets in ETSM's building on Sunday evenings) also collected offerings for the Family.

Here is the info from Tom Rosson how you can help:

Prayer: Please pray for the Shestopalov family. They need much love, comfort, and emotional/spiritual support in this time of loss. There will cert ainly be many painful and unanswered questions to arise in the weeks and months ahead.

Give: The Russian medical system promises free health care for only the most basic of needs, but patients must pay for effective medicines and operations. Many Russian churches responded with offerings within 24 hours of the news, but we anticipate the family's medical expenses to be well beyond these available means.

Since medical treatment in Russia is largely dependent upon the ability to pay in advance, the Shestopalovs will require immediate assistance for their hospital expenses.

Please help us respond to this need today by sending donations to:
Project #132-4002
Shestopalov / Medical Needs
Church of God World Missions
PO Box 8016
Cleveland, TN 37320-8016
Or call toll-free at 1-800-345-7492
Or donate online at www.cogwm.org

If donating online through our secure server, please make sure to check the box: "My gift is specifically for Missionary Support, National Workers or Special Projects as listed below". (If you use the20link above, the project number should already be listed in the form.)

PLEASE NOTE: This is a different project number than the one listed yesterday. Instead of using the seminary's project number (710-0072), we ask that all donations for the Shestopalovs go the number highlighted above.

Posted by Tom Rosson at Monday, June 15, 2009

Russian National Bishop's daughter Sabrina died yesterday - Saturday June 13, 2009 - in a car accident

2009-06-14T12:05:00.000+04:00

Russian National Bishop's daughter Sabrina died yesterday - Saturday June 13, 2009 - in a car accident.
Tula region, 116 km (73mls) away from Moscow to the south. Bishop Vladimir and his wife Afrodita Shestopalov with 3 girls (Christine, Diana, Sabrina) were in their van. There was rain on the road. SUV from opposed direction was thrown out of its lane right into the van of the overseer-- head on collision--

Multiple cuts, wounds, head damage etc. Sabrina was thrown through the back window, the rest were inside the van. A tragedy that can not be imagined ;-((((((( It is hard for me to think that Sabrina is no longer with us--

Vladimir made all what he could possibly do to escape the head on hit. Both vehicles slided into a ditch, numerous times rolling over the roof. The driver of SUV last night was near death. It is 100% his fault, it doesn't matter, we can not return Sabrina --

The other two daughters Christine and Diana had just been taken by a helicopter from Zaokskiy village clinic to a well known clinic in Moscow named after doctor Roshal. As I type this message they are in the air. Thanks to Bishop Sergei Riakhovskiy who came yesterday night to the hospital as soon as he learned. Brother Riakhovskiy made important calls to VIP people and arranged the helicopter transfer. Believe it or not, but in Moscow in such emergencies people still (due to corruption the medical system of Russia) won't move a finger to help. It takes calling, asking pushing through VIP people, especially on the weekends.

Afrodita and Vladimir are safe, Afrodita has broken her elbow, Vladimir has internal wounds, they will be in the Zaokskiy hospital for a week under medical supervision. Vladimir is in tears. He stayed with his daughter's body while Afrodita did not know about Sabrina's death because she was taken to a hospital: Afrodita has received more damage and was in shock. Please pray for Vladimir: he faced a very hurtful grieving info to share with Afrodita. As of Saturday evening June 13, the mother still did not know her middle daughter is no longer alive-- Sunday morning Vladimir told his wife their daughter was with the Lord -- Please, pray --

Funeral may be in 7 days. No one is thinking about it yet, it is still fresh and unbelievable --

Police said if he survives a criminal investigation will be filed. It will be known in 5-7 days. In about the same time Vladimir and Afrodita may be (may be not) released from the hospital. Vladimir's internal injuries are dangerous, even more than a broken arm (of his wife).

Christine, the oldest daughter of Shestopalov's family has facial damage. The village doc in his little hospital room couldn't do a good job on Christine's face. Christine is 14. She will need a better surgery. The clinic she has been transported into is one of the best in the country. Yet Christine is in a more dangerous condition than Diana.

Besides your prayers, letters and cards if the Lord leads you to pick up an offering, please do so. Funeral, medical treatment in Moscow with all the emotional trauma from the loss just too much for the overseer and his family. They have had 5 daughters, before yesterday --

Please hold Vladimir and Afrodita and their family in your prayers.

My heart goes out to them. I will drive to see them today - Sunday June 14. I will keep you posted.

Address for cards and letters:

VLADIMIR SHESTOPALOV
EURASIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
PORECHNAYA STREET, 15
MOSCOW, 109652
RUSSIA

Vladimir's cell phone in Russia is +7 (916) 6-007-007 you can text him a message. Moscow is 8 hours ahead of EDT time zone. When EDT zone is 8 a.m. in Moscow it is 4:00 p.m., also 10:00 a.m. EDT = 6:00 p.m. MSK time.

Vladimir speaks limited English.

My US number that rings in Moscow (via skype internet service) is +1 (859) 648-0221. I pick it up via computer. If I am not around computer Skype forwards it to me to my Russian cell phone, so calling +1 (859) 648-0221 you can talk to me every where.

__________________________
ILYA A. OKHOTNIKOV, D.Min.
Provost

US tel.line: 1 (859) 648-0221 rings in Moscow!

Visit this website for updates: www.etsmoscow.blogspot.com

Skype: "ilyaokhotnikov"

Eurasian Theological Seminary
Porechnaya st. # 15,
Moscow, 109652
Russia

Pastor Nick Park's Missiology class, other classes and Graduation # 5 on May 30, 2009! Come and see us!

2009-05-26T00:18:00.001+04:00

Greetings! Last week we have had a wonderful and practical teaching of Pastor Nick! Students loved him and his teaching! We all were excited that Pastor Nick was with us. The group was about 25 students, some of them will be graduating this year and will be back in their churches to expand the Kingdom and do the mission work and evangelism.

See pictures on the website www.etsmoscow.blogspot.com

This week we have practical classes of Rhetoric and the other one Practical Soul-Care (Counseling) taught by two Russian professionals in their field: 1st by Olga Khodakova, a speech specialist, Ph.D. Candidate. 2nd teacher Pastor Ruslan Nadyuk, Ph.D. in pedagogical psychology. Pastor Ruslan also teaches at ETSM's Family Counseling program.

This week will end on May 29, 2009. On May 30, ETSM will celebrate its 5-th Graduation Ceremony and will graduate 13 workers form the Kingdom! Hallelujah!

This graduation will be a special one: in is the first some what jubilee graduation: Graduation # 5! We will be honored to have with us National Bishops of Ukraine - Pastor Alexei Demidovich, D.Div. and Russia - Pastor Vladimir Shestopalov, our Field Director Brother Dieter Knospe. God's presence is already there! We are all excited to see more students actually completing the course work and their diplomas!
Glory to the Lord!

Eurasian Seminary's Spring Picnic 2009

2009-05-16T23:04:00.003+04:00

Good time of the day!

Eurasian Seminary had completed its regular Spring Semester last Friday May 15.
May 16 has been the day of the Seminary's Spring Picnic: teachers, workers, students, alumni and their family members - all were welcomed to go in the morning. Temperature was 46F (+8C), but no rain and no bright sun though. Park Kuzminki in 1 hour walking distance became our destination. Some special students went early and started the fire, made shieshka-bob (shashlik, kebab), not BBQ, but Russian way of making pork in marinade and cooking it over the coal (carbons). more than 30 people and went out.

A special "Thank You" goes toward Victor Laukhin (1st year student) and Alexei Selezen (extension program student) - see pictures on the left - who did the hard work of fire, meet making, cooking and serving. It was a wonderful time of sport games, games with kids, feeding ducks, squirrels, walking alone side of a lake, watching horses, etc. Soccer, volleyball, badminton, and another ball gave between 2 teams called "Sniper" were just wonderful! (My mussels are sore by now).

6 more weeks of activities will be held at ETSM:

i. last 2 weeks in May are J-terms (Intensive classes 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) on Missiology, and Theology of the Holy Spirit.

ii. May 30, 2009 The Graduation # 5! More workers of the Gospel are going to be equipped, educated and awarded! Hallelujah!

iii. first week of June: Russian Pastoral Assembly for Church of God

iv. last 3 weeks of June: Family Counseling program will have 3 J-term classes:
- Divorce and Remarriage (Dr. Toddy Holeman, Asbury Seminary)
- Counseling Relations: Process and Skills (Dr. Ruslan Nadyuk, Russian American Christian University)
- Marriage Counseling Principles using ENRICH inventory (Charlotte and Bill Perkins).

Your prayers for success in God's eyes are very much appreciated.

Grachik is doing better - Armenian boy of 2.5-3 months old used to have swelling of his brain. He was in ICU, but as of 7 days ago been released from ICU and transfered into a regular room. Prayers are still needed for full recovery and no serious damage on the long term.

THANK YOU!
ILYA and ANGELIKA

Keep on praying for Armenian boy Grachik. He is better

2009-05-13T00:01:00.002+04:00

I talked to the father - ARMEN - last Sunday. He said their son is getting better - Grachik smiles and recognizes people (3 months old). The diagnosis is still the same: slewing of the brain - sounds very dramatic and negative to me. Our daughter Polina turned to be 15 last April 29. She does not recognize people around her, but Grachik does - and PRAISE GOD! Docs according to Armen say the baby needs time to recover pro[perly and they will keep him in the hospital for 1 more week to make sure he goes better. Grachik is out of ICU. His mom - Asmik stays with him all the time. Daddy stayed with his son and let their mommy go home to refresh few days ago.

Armen and Asmik appreciate you praying for the recovery of their son. Please don't stop praying - even that dynamic is positive yet much to be recovered and observed in the months and years to come.

As you pray for Grachik, may you also include Daniella in your prayers: she returned back form her dancing competition in Prauge (April 30 - May 10) with a serious cough. Pediatrician did not prescribe antibiotics, but Daniella is very weak and easy gets tiered. She needs time to recover from sleepless nights and extra physical work they did there while traveling. THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING US IN PRAYER!
ILYA and ANGELIKA for Armen and Asmik

special programming from May 16, CNN does called "Eye on Russia: Opportunity and Influence"

2009-05-12T01:28:00.003+04:00

CNN examines the re-emergence of Russia. Almost two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union and 10 years since the arrival on the political stage of Vladimir Putin, Russia is asserting itself with growing confidence and ambition in the world – through military means, diplomacy, business, culture and sport.

We want to hear from you. If you are Russian, how do you feel about your country, its past, present and its future? What are your economic and political concerns? Is Russia ready to play a leading role in the international community or do Cold War antagonisms and resentments still linger? Who are Russia’s most influential people and what do you think is unique about Russians and their culture?

Share your thoughts on video or send us your photos and you could be featured on CNN.

Russian Hockey Team won World Chempionship 2009

2009-05-11T08:31:00.002+04:00

Greetings from Russian land that celebrates Hockey World Championship 2009 victory.

Since I remember myself Hockey was the game of the country. We played it on the streets, school soccer field, on a special hockey arena in between hi story building in the area, etc. Parents were playing a game of guessing the score of each World Championship teams. Hockey was the sport of the U.S.S.R.

Serving in ministry is like playing the team in hockey. Every one matters. Every member of the church plays a key role. If he\she is dismissed the team plays for 2 minutes in 4s. Players change one another during the game as it goes on.

May we be one big team! Knowing the victory is ours, because He has overcame the enemy! Praise God!

ILYA