Distant Session in Cheboksary
The SPbCU program in Cheboksary (Chuvashia) was organized in the fall of 2007 by the Union of the Churches of Evangelical Christians in Privolzky district with the participation of the Church of the Holy Trinity.
The second session of the program for Bachelor of Christian Ministry was held from February 11 to 15, 2008. Participants of this session were A.V. Dadochkin, A.P. Stavnichyk, and N.V. Malchikova. Lectures were given on Christian pedagogics and systematic theology. Nineteen people, 17 of whom were registered as students of the program, took part in this session.
The students were really interested in the program and were very thankful for this contribution. Here are some of the comments that they made: "When I came, I was a different person from what I am now." "At first I didn't want to come at all, but now such a good atmosphere is created by the teachers that I come to the classroom as if it is home." Those who are students at state universities noted the high level of teaching of the SPbCU teachers, considering it better than in state universities.
Besides holding lectures for this session, A.V. Dadochkin had an opportunity to meet with 30 pastors of evangelical churches of Chuvashia. He presented some of the SPbCU programs and there was a discussion of some questions concerning theological education and the need for it in the churches of this region. Those present were very interested in the activity of the university and in the possibility of the members of their churches obtaining such an education.
To sum it up, there is a big demand for theological education in this district and there is great potential for development in the teaching of students here.
The period for the next session in Cheboksary is May of 2008.