History of ZBS

Inthe early 90s, the American mission “Greater EuropeMission” planned to establish a Bible school in Ukraine. At the same time, theZaporizhzhia Regional Association of Baptist Churches was looking foropportunities to train ministers. The Lord combined these intentions and in1994 a representative of the mission, Don Brugmann, arrived in Zaporizhzhia tonegotiate the organization of an educational institution.

The decision was made: Mark Mackey to be appointed director of the college; themission develops the curriculum; students will receive training in the Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Christian Education and Choir Director departments.

The first floor of the building at 38A Sovkhozna Street is rented. The building isrenovated by brothers and sisters from the local churches.

In September 1994, with renovations completed, a celebratory dedication tookplace. The college enrolled 87 people from Zaporizhzhia and the region. Most of the students were already engaged in church ministry but wanted to gain deeper knowledge to better fulfill their calling.

The first 55 graduates received their diplomas from ZBC.

Within the first two years several missionaries jointhe ZBC ministry. Ken Sears teaches Bible courses and directs student ministries. Gordon Snider is appointed academic dean. Nancy Snider serves asregistrar. Bonnie Friesen becomes head of the library.

Aspecial group is added to the student body - the deaf brothers. The goal is toprepare them to preach the Gospel to people with hearing impairments.

Five Ukrainian faculty members completed their master's degrees at Columbia International University (USA) and two at Tyndale Theological Seminary (Netherlands). The seminary thus gained teachers with practical ministry experience, as they were pastors and deacons of Zaporizhzhia churches.

The decision was made: Zaporizhzhia Bible College was renamed Zaporizhzhia Bible College and Seminary, reflecting the schools advancing level of education.

ZBCS's diploma and bachelor's programs were awarded “candidate status” by the Euro-Asian AccreditationAssociation.

Dr.Volodymyr Oleksiyovych Degtyarev becomes the rector of ZBCS.

The first graduation of students who successfully completed the programs: “Bachelorof Pastoral Ministry”, "Bachelor of Theology" and the correspondence program "Church Librarian".

The first class of students successfully completed the Bachelor of Christian Education program. Volodymyr Horbenko was appointed academic dean. Part-time students began studying under an updated program. Online Bible courses were actively developing.

ZBCS relocated to a building shared with Central Baptist Church of Zaporizhzhia.

The diploma and bachelor's programs of ZBCS were awarded “full accreditation status” by the Euro-Asian Accreditation Association.

With the help of Tyndale Theological Seminary (the Netherlands), the Master of Theology program was opened at ZBCS. The program is coordinated by Dr. Philip Gottschalk.

On October 6, a solemn service of dedication of the new ZBCS building was held.

Central Baptist Church of Zaporizhzhia conducted a solemn service, in which prayers of thanksgiving were offered for the Lord's blessings during the 20 years of ZBCS'ministry.

The first graduation of students from the "Church Ministry" program in Dnipro and Nikopol, as well as the correspondence program “Ministry to the Hearing Impaired”.

ZBCS was renamed as ZBS - “Zaporizhzhia Bible Seminary”.

Andriy Konovalchuk was appointed rector of the seminary.

The beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine puts the educational process on hold. The seminary takes in refugees from the eastern regions, providing them with a place to stay, food, and basic necessities.

The educational process resumes at the seminary in Zaporizhzhia. A branch of the seminary is organized in Kremenets, Ternopil region. The first 40 students of the branch begin their studies under the Next Step program.

The seminary's branch in Bielefeld, Germany, begins its educational activities. The first 60 students of the branch begin their studies in two areas - “Equipping”and “Children and Adolescent Ministry”.

Together with the Zaporizhzhia Regional Association of Baptist Churches, we areconducting certificate programs: “Homiletics” for the training of preachers, and "Advanced training of pastors and deacons". The pastoral care program “Healingof Heart Wounds” and the “School of Family Life”  have attracted considerable interest.

Graduates of various ZBS programs and branches are awarded 222 diplomas and certificates.

New certificate programs were launched: “Youth and Adolescent Ministry (Vector), Girls and Women's Academy, and Church Planting.

In cooperation with the Institute of Christian Leaders (USA), a program to help churches was launched. Seminary professors conduct training seminars at local churches.

We marked the 30th anniversary of the ministry of Zaporizhzhia Bible Seminary's extensive family. Over the years, the institution has trained more than 1500 graduates who continue to serve in churches around the world.