Faculty

I was raised in a Christian family in Canada. God called me to be a Bible teacher when I was a second year seminary student in Sweden. I moved to Estonia in 1996 and have been teaching at the Seminary ever since. 

I believe that knowing God’s Word is essential to living a life that is in harmony with God. I want to see that in my students but I also want to see them using what they have learned to make a difference for the Kingdom of God.

One meaningful moment for me was when a student returned from a Seminary mission practicum among the Khanty people in Siberia saying, “This can’t stop with a Seminary program, we have to get the churches involved!” What started as a Seminary learning experience created a missions program that encouraged the Estonian church to do what only Estonians can do: reach their kindred nations with the Gospel. It also gave me the chance to teach the Bible in a tipi on the Arctic Circle in Siberia! God gives amazing opportunities when we are faithful to His call!

Courses: 
Academic Writing;
Old Testament Survey;
New Testament Survey;
Biblical Hermeneutics I and II;
Apologetics;
Ethics

Ministry experience:

  • Eesti Metodisti Kiriku Teoloogiline Seminar,Dean, since 2014
  • Eesti Metodisti Kiriku Teoloogiline Seminar,Lecturer, since 1996
  • Estonian Methodist Missions Committee chair,2009-2017
  • Estonian Evangelical Alliance Mission Committee chair, 2004-2017
  • HõimurahvasteAeg editorial board 2006-2017
  • Finno-Ugric Bible school director 2008-2015

Education:

  • Nordiska Bibelinstitut, Sweden 1989-1991
  • BA in Systematic Theology, cum laude, Briercrest Bible College, Canada 1993
  • MA in Systematic Theology, summa cum laude, Tyndale Theological Seminary, Netherlands, 2002.  Thesis: The Theological Implications of Old Testament Historiography. Advisor: Ellis Brotzman

Church membership:

Ordained deacon, Estonian Methodist Church since 2010.

Contact: mark.nelson®emkts.ee

Administration