God Has Called Us to Ukraine
Our "Philosophy of Missions" focuses on using the gifts, resources, and abilities God has entrusted to us to spread His Church in the most effective manner.  We are Americans, but our task is not to transplant the "American" church in Ukraine, but to use the specialized training we have received in America to equip Ukrainians to evangelize their own country. Nationals will always be more effective than foreigners, but today we have great opportunity to join their efforts in Ukraine.
Our family has made a long term commitment to training leaders in Ukraine. Our experience and study of Ukrainian culture has shown us the importance of building bridges of trust over a period of time. The past years have often made people suspicious and distrusting of one another. Even though Ukrainians need and desire American trained teachers for their college, trust and acceptance must be earned over a long period of time. Ray and Pam have personally purchased a piece of property near the college and have built a house for long term residence. Our efforts have earned us great credibility with the people and we see our effectiveness increasing even more in the future. God has given us the work of "Training National Leaders for Ministry."
Read more...
How We Work as Missionaries
Since 1995, Ray and Pam, along with daughters, Regina and Rena, have lived and worked in Odessa, Ukraine. The reason we are in Ukraine is to train national leaders for ministry. This is accomplished in nine different areas of service. Our work centers around Odessa Bible College and included the following: Bible College – In 1989 the first Bible College was founded to train men and women on a part-time basis for Christian service. Ray teaches in this program, which now has more than 900 graduates. Ray also directs seminary students who practice teach under his supervision.  Church Planters – Even though many churches have been planted in the Odessa region during the past few years, church planting remains one of the greatest needs. Ray teaches classes in Church Growth, Church Planting, and Evangelism & Discipleship to help prepare students for the process of planting new churches. Our ministry is not only in the classroom but involves time with students in area ministries. Ethnic Groups – Most people in Ukraine are Russian or Ukrainian, but not all. Ray teaches classes to help prepare workers to reach ethnic minorities in Ukraine. Ray teaches classes in Church Growth, Cults, Evangelism and Missions in this program. Seminary – Some of our students study part-time but others are full-time students who live on our campus and are working towards an accredited Bachelor degree. Sometimes these students go  right into ministry following graduation and others have continued their education and are now teaching or leading in ministry. Ray teaches these students a variety of courses and assists with many on-campus activities. Professor Exchange - Our seminary is not the only place, trained teachers are needed. New Bible colleges have recently begun in the nearby countries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Armenia. These places are looking to Odessa for help. Ray has already traveled to these places to teach as well as other new colleges in Ukraine. Some of these areas are officially closed to Christianity and persecution exists to this day. Church Music Program – Church music is a very big part of church life in Ukraine and as a result the Seminary now offers a program to train workers in the area of Christian music. Ray has no musical abilities, but teaches Church Growth and Evangelism to these students. Research – Ray oversees students doing research into growing churches and the development of teaching materials specifically for use in Ukraine. We feel this will greatly benefit the work in the future. Development of Ministry Materials – Ray has a background in electronics and technology and puts this to work by developing computer based teaching materials for use in the Russian language. This is currently one of the greatest needs and fastest growing areas of ministry. Local Church – Ray and Pam are both active in the local church where Ray serves as an “elder” while preaching and teaching various classes in the church. Our real purpose is to see men and women come to accept Jesus as their Savior.
What Classes We Teach
Dr. Raymond S. Trantham is a professor at Odessa Theological Seminary. All scheduling of courses, including extension courses as a guest professor, are handled through the Academic Dean of Odessa Theological Seminary. Ray teaches courses in five major areas:  Church Growth - This course is a study of the principles of Church Growth. The student can expect to receive biblical and theological foundations for Church Growth, an overview of the current principles of Church Growth, and an exposure to the basic skills necessary for diagnosing the health of a local church. Upon completion of this course a student should possess a theological grasp of Church Growth principles, be able to demonstrate a practical understanding of Church Growth principles, possess the ability to analyze a church from the Church Growth prospective, and develop a "growth plan" for his own congregation.
Church Planting - This course is a study of the process  of planting new churches. Church planting theory as well as methodology will be evaluated. The student can expect to receive an overview of the steps involved in planting a new congregation as well as review and evaluation of case studies in church planting. Upon completion of this course a student should possess ability to develop, write, and implement a church-planting project. This course assumes a basic understanding of Church Growth principles and is designed to work in conjunction with the course in Evangelism.
Cults - This course is a study of different alternative faiths and belief systems faced by the church today. The student can expect to receive an introduction to three different categories of alternative religious beliefs as well as a biblical and historical evaluation of each alternative religion presented. Upon completion of this course a student should possess a historical and theological background of different alternative religions faced today. The student should be able to prepare a program for use in his church to guard against false ideas represented by alternatives to historical Christianity.
Evangelism and Discipleship - This course deals with what evangelism is, and is not, issues relating to evangelism, church based evangelism, evangelism through preaching, and the process of communication in evangelism. This course is not intended to teach “personal evangelism” but instead builds upon that foundation. It also explores various methods and systems of discipleship and seeks to develop workable models the student may put into practice in their situation. Upon completion of this course a student should possess a historical and theological background for different approaches to evangelism and discipleship and be able to implement a workable model in their situation.
Missions - This course is a study of the principles and history of the "Mission" and missions of the church. The student can expect to receive a biblical and theological foundation for understanding mission, an overview of current and past mission principles, an exposure to the historical mission activity of the church, and an introduction to culture considerations regarding mission activity.
Use of Technology in Ministry - Ray developed, but no longer teaches this course. Ray has overseen the conversion of this course into a Distance Education format which allows much of this material to be learned while working on a computer. Ray continues to develop similar materials for other courses and to assist other teachers in this area.
To our Heavenly Father be all glory and honor as many new people come under the lordship of his Son, Jesus Christ.
|
|
|
|
