Interview with an alumnus of SPbCU and missionary from Germany: Jakob Kroeker
During several days, St. Petersburg Christian University hosted guests from mission "Light to the East". Amongst them was an alumnus of the Bachelor's of Theology program of the year of 1997: Jakob Kroeker. He spoke of what his studies at SPbCU and time spent in St. Petersburg meant to him.
Like many other ministers, before beginning his studies, Jakob received a revelation and calling to receive such education. It happened during his ministry in Germany. Although he could have chosen to get theological education somewhere else in Europe, he thought, "Why not in St. Petersburg?"
He never regretted his decision. "St. Petersburg has become my second home". During the years spend within SPbCU's walls; he acquired many things, including his calling and the birth of his first son.
Just like many other ministers, financial support was necessary for survival and studies in another country. All his financial questions and material needs were solved, or we must say, God solved them.
In his own time, Jakob received another revelation that Russia is in need of the preaching of the Gospel and he decided to become a missionary in the heart of Russia.
Spiritual hunger was evident in a small village in the Orenburg region. Jakob was ready to execute that calling of ministry. Other alumni of SPbCU went with him on this mission.
As Jakob highlighted: "It was God's providence and the joy of the Lord's work."
Ministry in the heart of Russia shaped character because one needed courage for practical evangelism in Russia. Serious work was done with children and youth and ties were made with the administration of the town, and the Lord gave the chance to build a church building for the congregation.
In due time, however, Jakob needed to return to Germany. The Lord provided other missionaries for this part of Russia, and Jakob and his family returned to their homeland. Jakob had to decide where to go. To return back to his social career was tough, so the Lord sent him a new calling for activity in the mission "Light to the East", which needed exactly someone like Jakob.
At this point, Jakob Kroeker is a wide-ranging specialist in the organization.
He supervises issues on partnership, monitors logistics, overseas distribution of humanitarian gifts in the countries of Central Asia, preaches, and develops the PR of the mission of "Light to the East".
For Jakob "studies at SPbCU gave him the chance to easily adapt to life in Russia, and then going on his mission was not as hard thanks to his years in St. Petersburg".