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Seminary with CIU roots providing aid to war refugees in Ukraine

Joanne and Mark Mackey founded Zaporozhye  Bible Seminary (ZBS). (Photo by Kierston Smith)

June 8, 2022

By Bob Holmes

Not many miles from the front lines of the war in Ukraine is Zaporozhye Bible Seminary (ZBS). It was founded by 星空无限传媒 alumna Joanne Mackey (鈥87 master鈥檚 degree in Bible) and her husband Mark in 1994 soon after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and a new beginning for Ukraine as a free nation.

But in February 2022, classes for the 185 ZBS students were dismissed as Russian troops drew closer to the city of Zaporozhye in the southeastern part of the country, about 50 miles from Russian-occupied territory. Now, instead of holding classes on Bible and theology, the ZBS campus is the scene of hands-on ministry 鈥 a place of humanitarian aid and refuge for those escaping Russian bombs. 听

鈥淎bout half of the staff members stayed in Zaporozhye, and of those who stayed, all are involved with their churches, most are senior leaders or pastors in their churches,鈥 said Joanne on a recently visit by the couple to听CIU. 鈥淭hey opened their churches to displaced people, they feed them, they give them a place to sleep, and send them on their way to western Ukraine where it is safer.鈥

Meanwhile, the ZBS campus is also a place of refuge. Joanne carries a folder of photos to show supporters, including one of the ZBS lunch room packed full of refugees. Another photo is of the a large ZBS classroom where the furniture has been converted into beds. 听

鈥淭hey put benches or chairs together facing each other with blankets 鈥 this is their sleeping quarters,鈥 Joanne explained. 听

鈥淲e get phone calls very early in the morning and late at night, and we鈥檙e helping as we can to get money in 鈥 it鈥檚 almost impossible,鈥 Mark notes regarding communication from ZBS to the couple who currently reside in Seattle. 鈥淲e鈥檙e doing what we can for them,鈥 Mark adds.

CIU ROOTS AT ZBS

Despite the situation, Joanne smiles when she talks about the deep CIU roots at ZBS, including a shared motto, 鈥淭o Know Him and to Make Him Known.鈥 In the school鈥檚 early years, CIU professors such as Anita Cooper, Terry Powell, Ralph Enlow and Kevin McWilliams were guest teachers.

In 2001, four Ukrainian men completed degrees in the CIU graduate school, and became professors at ZBS. In 2005, a Ukrainian woman completed her CIU master鈥檚 degree and has taught at ZBS ever since.听听 听听

One of the men is Edward Petrov. He wrote a letter that Joanne carries with her as she visits ZBS supporters. He notes how the war has brought ministry opportunities and the preparation that CIU gave him for such a time as this:

In our House of Prayer we received several groups of migrants from Mariupol, Berdyansk, Energodar and Pology. Some of them were believers, and some are not yet. People were very hurt. Their desire was to sleep peacefully, not to the sound of explosions. We talked to them, prayed for them.

In April I took part in patrols in our village together with the territorial guard. This patrol was organized to help the police and prevent looting among the local population. This was a good opportunity to communicate and to pray for people and testify.

I鈥檓 so thankful for the opportunity to study at CIU. It was a special time that formed me and my future ministry.

PRAYER IN THE MIDST OF WAR

When Joanne and Mark are asked what they think of Russia, they say they have found solace in the imprecatory Psalms of David, but Joanne quickly adds, 鈥淭hey need Jesus,鈥 and lists specific prayer requests for:

  • God to be glorified
  • Souls to be saved
  • An end to the war.

As the couple considers an uncertain future and their next steps in ministry, Joanne鈥檚 eyes tear up. She is thankful for 28 years of ministry to Ukraine.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I had that strong feeling now, but I guess I do,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t was wonderful to see what God was doing. God was so much at work, especially in those early years of our being in Ukraine, and then over the years seeing the depth of ministry that God produced.听

鈥淚t has been a privilege to have ministered in that country, to have seen God work in the lives of so many people 鈥 what a privilege to have seen that.鈥

奥颈迟丑听听for five straight years, CIU consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South.听or request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or听补诲尘颈蝉蝉颈辞苍蝉蔼肠颈耻.别诲耻听.

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