School Without Walls in Stavropol Region’s First Graduation

This is an international missionary project, which began in 2004 from the Eurasia Mission and their representative Pavel Tokarchuk.

The unique school is open to everyone, regardless of age, education, spiritual experience and official church membership. The main contingent of students is young people.

The decision to open the School in Stavropol was taken by the Regional Missionary Committee. The leadership of the School was taken over by Denis Yasan and his closest assistant, the well-known missionary pastor, Alexei Teleus.

For a quarter of a century, Alexei Borisovich served sacrificially for the northern peoples on Yamal. This wise pastor, deep theologian and one of the best specialists in missionary cultural studies is now involved in the work of evangelical training for the North Caucasus and Transcaucasia.

- The very idea of ​​a non-standard school, its original concept immediately captured us, - says Denis Yasan. - In large churches, it did not arouse much interest. Most of these churches consider themselves self-sufficient, as they are used to living in a zone of comfort and complacency. So we decided to direct our efforts to small rural churches, where there are people with missionary inclinations and have trained volunteers from seven churches in the region.

It is easy to see that the very teaching methods at the School are rather original and creative. Reports and presentations on certain topics are prepared by students. Master classes are conducted by experienced ministers and teachers. They also go to practice, on short-term missions together - students and senior mentors. Thus, experience is gained from joint ministry of different generations.

The cross-cutting theme of the graduation session is "Modern Mission in a Historical Context". It is always useful to look at the present, at pressing problems through the prism of history. In addition to graduates and teachers, guests made presentations: Ayur Vanzhilov and teacher of history and theology at the Institute of Sacred Music Vladimir Popov. Vanzhilov spoke about the life and ministry of the founder of the Russian Christian Radio, Yarle Nikolaevich Peysti. Popov introduced the audience to the history of the Christian youth movement, spoke about the contribution of the evangelical mission to the history, life and culture of Russia.

Graduates answered the question - what did your studies at school give you? Vasily Butsykin said: “Here I learned to look at the world around me, at people through the eyes of Christ. There were interesting classes, and useful subjects expanded my spiritual vision, my spiritual horizon. I have a desire to participate in missionary service and lead a more consecrated life.”

Denis Yasan and Aleksey Teleus have a dream - to establish a diversified Missionary School in the North Caucasus region in the future. Well, Stavropol is called the breadbasket of Russia. Perhaps after some time, thanks to the efforts of the Gospel, this fertile land will become the spiritual granary of Russia? God bless!

Vladimir Popov