Asbury Theological Seminary signed a MOU with Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary on October 18, 2023, to collaborate on leadership development in the global church through theological education. Dr. Gregg A. Okesson, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at Asbury Seminary, signed the agreement along with Rev. Dr. Ivan Rusyn, President of Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS) was founded in 1992 in Kyiv, Ukraine, as an evangelical interdenominational institution to equip ministers for God’s kingdom in Ukraine, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. UETS provides training in missiology, theology, counseling, worship and leadership. Three faculty members from Asbury Seminary traveled to UETS in May to provide trauma-informed ministry training to pastors and counselors in Lviv, Ukraine. 

”It is an incredible honor for Asbury Seminary to partner with UETS. They are a premier theological institution with world-class faculty. I’ve seen firsthand the kingdom impact they are making, especially related to trauma counseling. Dr. Rusyn is not only an outstanding leader; he has become a dear friend. I look forward to many years of fruitful partnership between our institutions,” says Dr. Okesson.

Both institutions share the goal of advancing the kingdom of God through theological education and will support educational, professional and intercultural activities among students and faculty of the two institutions and their respective communities. Their collaboration will include resource sharing, joint research, visiting international scholars, faculty exchanges, joint classes and programs, and church planting partnerships.