A new DCU Ministry Development Plan was approved by the DCU Board of Trustees on August 3, 2009. The aim of this plan is to strengthen Donetsk Christian University’s mission by adding relevant liberal arts majors to the existing theological programs while at the same time increasing the school’s involvement in church leadership through extension programs.

There are many factors that have affected theological education in recent years. There are a comparatively small number of evangelicals in the FSU. There is the difficult economical situation in the region and the growing cost of living. Local churches expect their pastors and missionaries to be bi-vocational and self-supporting, yet the government doesn't give theological degrees the accreditation needed for secular employment.

As a result of these factors the number of full time students in theological schools for the last five years has significantly decreased all over the former Soviet Union. Most of those who are motivated to study theology prefer to do so by extension programs. Theological schools that are slow to adjust their ministry models to meet the needs of churches, society and the current economic situation, are struggling to support their staff and maintain their campuses.

By the year 2002 DCU had been developing as a Christian university with a strong divinity school. With the help of western theological schools, churches and missionary organizations concerned to help the FSU’s Christians to evangelize their nations, Donetsk Christian University’s divinity school had been well established. At the same time, the school’s growth of campus, infrastructure, constituency, inter-organizational relations and strategic planning updates were steadily leading DCU to become an evangelical university – a regional center of Christian thought.

After 2002 several divinity school programs designed to help local churches were introduced, such as a part-time bachelor degree in church ministry, two satellite campuses based at churches, and certificate programs in the areas of preaching and teaching Sunday school as well as an outreach certificate program in English. DCU’s further development as a university was postponed.

Now, new opportunities are available for developing Christian university programs that can be recognized by the government Department of Education. These programs could attract larger numbers of students and enable DCU to have a greater impact on society.

So what are the goals for the New Developmental Plan for DCU?

First, a group of Christian professionals with credentials recognized by Ukraine’s Ministry of Education will research and recommend to DCU’s leadership the most strategically appropriate major to be licensed. After its approval by DCU’s leadership, DCU will develop the program courses, contract additional instructors and work to get the program licensed with the Ministry of Education hopefully in time for students’ admission for the next school year. This work has begun on September 1, 2009.

It will not be easy to accomplish this goal, especially when it comes to the licensing process with the Ukrainian government. Nonetheless this is a very strategic step in DCU’s development as an influential evangelical school for the cause of God’s Kingdom. This goal is very much worth the dedication and tireless efforts of the DCU community. Secondly, beginning on October 1, 2009 another team of Christian theologians, consisting of the key university instructors and outside advisors, will begin to analyze the current strategy of the DCU divinity school. The team will suggest any necessary adjustments or transformations that would make the school’s programs more relevant to the needs of local churches and communities while attracting more students due to the programs’ improved effectiveness, approachability and quality of content. This work will include the development of DCU’s joint projects with “The School Without Walls” of PD Russian Ministries/Association for Spiritual Renewal, the Empowering Leadership Program of Connect International and The School of Higher Theological Education of Donetsk Regional Union of Baptist Churches. The joint programs will become academically stronger, logistically solid with improved measurability of student achievement. At the same time DCU would benefit from this partnership through involvement with a larger network of ministries and local churches that would enhance DCU’s staff development, provide broad opportunities for dialog and research and open more avenues for DCU full time students’ admission.

Finally, to facilitate the processes described above the DCU executive leadership structure is being changed. By the beginning of the next academic year the executive leadership team will consist of the following: a Rector and Academic Dean of the divinity school (representing and leading DCU’s theological wing), a Rector and Academic Dean of DCU’s liberal arts wing, an Administrative Director (running the campus and related business affairs for both wings) and a Chairman (President) of the Executive Team (leading the team building process and facilitating its ongoing integration for effective implementation of the vision).

As we begin this challenging yet exciting chapter in DCU’s history we ask all friends and partners of this school to pray to our mighty and loving God, asking to provide us with His guidance, protection and resources. We also appreciate your support by means of wise and practical advice, human and material resources which our Lord may bring to your hearts and hands to offer.

May God bless you!

Yours in Christ,
Oleksii Melnychuk
President of the Executive Team