God is doing a mighty work in and through the Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary (UBTS)! With the vision and commitment of its dedicated leadership team and faculty – and the support of faithful donors – a new generation of Godly leaders is learning how to positively impact local churches throughout Eastern Europe!

This growth is in direct response to the needs of the local church. In 2012-13, UBTS surveyed pastors throughout Ukraine to determine their greatest needs as they serve their churches and communities. The respondents overwhelmingly cited two challenges: the lack of trained leaders and people who are not committed.

In 2016, UBTS – in partnership with Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) – initiated a Master’s degree program taught by US-based SEBTS professors. Soon, UBTS will offer two Master’s-level offerings taught by Ukrainian professors and there are plans for doctorate level education to begin at UBTS later this year.

With UBTS degree programs necessarily limited to the number of students able to attend classes full-time in L’viv, UBTS leaders wrestled with the question: How can we equip young adults to support their pastors and serve in local churches through part-time training available closer to their homes?

After much prayer and strategic planning, UBTS launched the Young Leaders Program (YLP) in 2016 to train and equip students to be effective, committed leaders in local churches. This certificate program started with 25 students who met on weekends in another city. It has grown to 250 students who meet in six other cities throughout Ukraine.

But the YLP was only the beginning. UBTS now offers multiple training programs available at convenient locations and times for attendees. Some are offered in collaboration with other like-minded Christian organizations.

With women comprising more than 60% of church congregations, UBTS recognized the importance of providing them with specialized Biblical studies and training. In addition to the Women’s Ministry BA degree program, the School of Mentoring and Coaching certificate program prepares students to help others reach their potential as they serve in churches and missional organizations throughout Eastern Europe.

UBTS also sponsors and leads specialty conferences to provide training at UBTS during the summer and in various cities and venues on weekends throughout Ukraine. These events extend Gospel teaching and principles in many creative ways – while also providing much-needed operating revenue and efficiently leveraging the use of academic facilities throughout the year.

The Archangel Gabriel Christmas Grant – UBTS sponsored a contest to fund service projects organized by students and staff. This video features the five winning projects selected from 43 entries.

The Women’s Program is flourishing!

Learn more about its mission in this video.

The Live Sound Musical Movement – this initiative of the UBTS Department of Worship & Music sponsored a Christian song-writing contest that received 130 entries from 45 locations. The winning song writer, Vitaliy Linevych, says, “God gave me the song... the Lord uses it to humble my heart and to remind me again and again that the Gospel is not about me, or my faithfulness, or my power - but about Him, about His immutability and power, about His steadfastness and faithfulness.”

See Vitaliy perform his song in this video.

The UPF Board of Directors is pleased to welcome a new member, Daniel J. Palmer. He is the Lead Pastor for North Roanoke Baptist Church in Roanoke, Virginia. A graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Daniel brings more than a decade of major gift fundraising experience to the Board, as well as skills in strategic planning, communications, research, and social media. We are grateful for his desire to use his gifts and passion for the lost in support of UPF and the work of God at UBTS.

UPF is honored to count Dr. J.D. Greear and Dr. Gary Chapman as friends who enthusiastically support UBTS!

Dr. Greear is the Pastor of The Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina and President of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Chapman is the well-known author of The 5 Love Languages and a sought-after speaker and counselor. We appreciate their inspiring perspectives on what God is doing in Ukraine through UBTS.

 To send a gift by mail, please make checks payable to Ukraine Partnership Foundation and send to:

Thank you for caring so deeply about the people of Ukraine and Eastern Europe and the students, faculty, and staff at UBTS. Your prayers and gifts reveal a missional heart that extends beyond Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria – to the ends of the earth. We are honored to partner with you in a shared mission to raise up and equip Christian leaders in Ukraine.

Ukraine Partnership Foundation (UPF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that solicits donations to support the work of raising dynamic Christian leaders in Ukraine. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. Tax ID number: 27-4595107.

Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary. (UBTS) was founded in 2000 to train and develop Ukrainian church leaders who are committed to growing churches and transforming their communities. Students and faculty share a commitment to express Biblical, Missional, and Accountable core values in all that they do.