South Highland Presbyterian Church is honored to welcome Dr. Ivan Rusyn, President of the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary in Kyiv, Ukraine, to Wednesday Night LIVE on February 8. Dr. Rusyn will update us on the incredible, courageous ministry and mission being undertaken by the Seminary and Church in Kyiv in the midst of the horrendous war with Russia. He is also quite involved in fighting anti-Semitism in Ukraine. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. (RESERVATIONS NO LONGER REQUIRED) and the program will begin at 6:30. Childcare will be available.
Dr. Ivan Rusyn is the president of the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS) in Kyiv, Ukraine, and teaches mission studies applied to the Ukrainian and central Asian contexts. Ivan holds a PhD in missiology from the Drahomanov National Pedagogical University in Kyiv, Ukraine. He is an ordained minister of the Ukrainian Evangelical Church and co-pastors a church plant in Kyiv. His humble and faithful leadership within Ukraine and Central Asia is recognized by the World Communion of Reformed Churches and other global church councils.
Ivan and his wife Liudmyla (Luda) live in Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv. They have a miraculous story of escape from Bucha just as Russian troops took the city over. Since that experience, the tragedy of the ongoing war and the extreme suffering of people have reshaped his understanding of God, humanity, and mission. Topics such as reconciliation, justice, prayer, and experiencing the presence of Jesus in times of suffering have taken on fresh meaning and have thoroughly transformed his leadership, ministry and teaching. He has been deeply moved by the generosity and support of people from around the world.
Since the first days of the full-scale war, Ivan and others from UETS provide regular worship and communion to Ukrainian troops close to the frontlines of the war. He has led the seminary through missile attacks and an energy crisis, transitioning the campus to provide a massive relief effort to people in Kyiv and surrounding areas. He and Luda were able to receive special permission to leave Ukraine from their government because of the favor the church has received resulting from these relief efforts. They are in the United States to share stories, engage in dialogue, and say thank you for our financial and spiritual support for Ukraine.