EMKTS

Vilistlane Triin Tarendi

Seminari õppima tulek oli minu jaoks pikk protsess. Võin öelda, et see oli selge Jumala kutse. Esimesed mõtted selles suunas olid ilmselt umbes 20 aastat tagasi, mis kerkis uuesti ja selgemalt esile mõned aastat peale seminari õppima asumist. Mäletan, kui Meeli tutvustas ühel aastakonverentsil seminari ja jagas flaiereid. Panin selle Piibli vahele mõeldes, et las ta olla seal. Võib-olla kellelgi teisel läheb vajal või midagi sellist. Kuid see sattus mulle sealt mitmel korral kätte  ja tekitas mõtteid. Nii vähemalt kaks sügist. Siis otsustasin, et kui see mõte veel aasta jooksul üles kerkib, siis on selle taga Jumal. Ühel ilusal talvisel õhtul jalutasin mittekristlasest sõbrannaga ja rääkisin temaga oma kogudusetööst. Mingil hetkel ütles ta täiesti ootamatult ja kontekstiväliselt, et peaksin minema seda õppima. Sel hetkel sain aru, et mõte oli tagasi tulnud ja tugevamalt kui kunagi varem. Sellest hetkest sattusin pidevalt vestlustesse, mis ootamatult julgustasid mind selles suunas minema või vastasid mu küsimustele seminari kohta. Lõplikku otsuse tegemine oli suur ususamm, kuid tundsin, et pean seda tegema, et kasvada selles kutsumuses, mis Jumalal minu jaoks on.

Olen väga rahul, et ma ei tulnud seminari õppima 20 aastat tagasi, vaid just nüüd. See, kuidas Jumal on saanud ehitada senise elukogemuse peale on olnud minu jaoks väga hämmastav. Olen õppinud tundma nii Jumalat, tema Sõna, kui ka iseennast. Minu annid ja tugevused on tulnud selle aja jooksul väga tugevalt esile ning neid on märganud ka teised. Olen kasvanud seminarist saadud õpetuse toel nii vaimulikult kui inimesena. See, et õpingud nii hästi on läinud, on olnud kõige suurem üllatus ilmselt minule endale.

Olen tänulik eelkõige nende inimeste eest, kellega seminaris need aastat koos veetsin. Esiteks kursusekaaslased, kes on olnud minu tugigrupp selle aja jooksul. Loomulikult ka õppejõud, kellelt on olnud põnev õppida. Õppejõud, kes on sundisid meid tihti mugavustsoonist välja tulema, kuid samas alati ka julgustasid ja uskusid meisse.

Vilistlane Veikko Võsu

I have heard since my childhood God’s call  to serve in His Kingdom. I was raised in secure and friendly church environment, but the time came, when I discovered the world without God, filled with vanity and sadness. I turned back to God in 1996 and completed courses in several Bible schools. The Theological Seminary was a natural continuation to my previous studies.

God helped me to grow spiritually and become more Christ-like. I was equipped with knowledge and skills that enable me to minister to the people.

 I am extremely grateful to our teachers for sharing their experiences and knowledge and to fellow students for their love and friendship. This is what makes the Seminary extraordinary.

The theology without personal touch would soon be forgotten, but meaningful meetings, conversations and sharings have made every moment memorable and special.

Vilistlane Alur Õunpuu

As a pastor I understood the need for theological studies. I spent three years in the Seminary and God was able to broaden my thinking and understanding of the world by and large. I learned to recognize and understand people, who have different views, but are all created by the same God and are asking the same existential questions. I must admit that God has „enlarged the site of my tent“. There is a place in my „tent“ for many more people, whom I can love and serve. I am greatful for the Seminary that offers excellent environment both for studies and spiritual growth.

Vilistlane Marko Põld

It took me several years to decide where is the right place to study theology. Having served in my church as a pastor for years, I understood that in order to be more effective in ministry I need to continue my studies. One morning I spent some time with my bishop, who asked about my plans. He suggested that I should enrol at the Theological Seminary. One of my co-workers had also decided to take that step and I was greatly encouraged – it is always easier to study together with friends.The beginning was not easy, because first I had to learn again to study. Many years had passed since my last graduation. Nevertheless it turned out to be very exciting experience. I learned to manage my time and delegate tasks to others. I became aware of my spiritual gifts and hidden abilities that enabled me to complete the studies. I am very greatful for the opportunity to study in the Seminary. I discovered many good books  that have broaden my wordview and led me into deeper understanding of God. Lovingly demanding teachers made me to step out of the comfort zone. Thanks to the Seminary I understand the limits of my knowledge and need for lifelong studies.

Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary announces a new Rector

Following a formal search process, the Church Board of the UMC in Estonia confirmed the recommendation of the Seminary’s Board of Trustees to appoint Dr. Külli Tõniste as Seminary Rector. The new rector will begin her tenure on August 1, 2018. Outgoing rector Dr. Meeli Tankler is stepping back after 9 years in office but will continue in a teaching role. Dr. Külli Tõniste is a BMTS graduate who went on to complete a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in the USA. She completed the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Theology in 2010 at Brunel University for research undertaken at London School of Theology. Külli Tõniste served as an assistant professor in New Testament at Houghton College and adjunct professor at Northeastern Theological Seminary in the USA. Since 2015, Külli Tõniste, together with her husband, Douglas Childress have been in Estonia as missionaries with the UMC’s General Board of Global Ministries serving in the BMTS both in teaching and in working with Seminary development..

Dr. Olav Parnamets's message to the seminary

On Wednesday, 7 February, EMC Superintendent Emiritus Dr. Olav Parnamets preached true wisdom at the seminary's worship service.
His vision lead to building of the Tallinn Methodist Church and his initiative was the driving force to give birth to our seminary. In honor of his jubilee (80) last year, his autobiography was published with the title "Life under the grace" ("Elu armu arvel" in Estonian).

The Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary started

The Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary started a new study year on 23rd August.
The topic of the opening worship service was overcoming difficulties on the way to Jesus, followed by days of intense lectures. 22 new students from four different countries were enrolled in the Seminary. Study process takes place in Estonian, English and Russian.

Graduates 2017

14 students graduated from the Seminary in 2017. They studied in three different languages and came from numerous countries: Estonia, Ukraine, Russia, Nigeria and Latvia. Some finished their studies in the normal 3 years, some needed more time. We are proud of our two graduates who received cum laude for their excellent study results. At the graduation ceremony they received diplomas demonstrating their completion of the Mission and Theology curriculum.  Graduates 2017: Janne Ahnefer, Urmas Jäe, Kristjan Kalamägi, Beno Kudrin, Laura-Elisa Kägra, Emmanuel Testimony Odeh, Johanna-Margret Ojaots cum laude, Janika Rosen, Irina Semjonova, Kristina Sinimeri, Oleg Šumilov cum laude, Vera Titovića, Iurii Vegera, Sarah Tania Weber.