|
|
Distance Learning Equips Leaders in Romania
|
  With
a vision toward the future, church
leaders in Romania determined in
2005 to begin a distance learning
(DL) program through the Bucharest
Theological Baptist Institute. They
realized they needed to diversify,
but how? Contact with eDOT provided
the necessary training and resources
to begin the process and today
Romania has a fully accredited DL
program, an amazing feat in a
country known for it's red-tape and
bureaucracy! Fourteen courses are
presently being used by 27 Romanians
in a preliminary first-year
program. The second year courses
are currently being prepared in
anticipation of 50 students taking
part next fall.
Dr.
Octavian Baban, who serves as the
New Testament and Greek Teacher in
the program, recently commented,
“Many of the essays the DL students
sent are very well written,
revealing the thirst they have for a
biblical knowledge and dialog,
despite the fact that they are busy
with work, missions, church
ministry, and family. I have gained
confidence that DL is a modern and
efficient way to serve the Romanian
Christians by equipping them for
more fruitful servant hood, helping
them to develop Christian character,
through informing and encouraging
them to have a biblical, theological
way of thinking, being always ready
to give a correct answer, in love
and wisdom, to all of those who want
to know more about Christ. It is an
excellent occasion to serve our Lord
in the modern society.”
One
of the students, Kameniczki,
acknowledged that he had imagined
distance learning to be a
superficial method of gaining
knowledge; instead, he's experienced
real change in his life as he took
time each week to meditate on
homework questions and interact with
his teacher and peers via email.
Another student, Coltuc, also
expressed how much he appreciated
the fellowship and interaction with
other colleagues. He, like most of
the students, is very involved in
church ministry and values the
opportunity to become
better equipped without leaving
home. A well-organized schedule
helps to keep the students on track
but the significant aspect is, as
Coltuc acknowledged, “I can see the
improving results in my life.”
Over
the past several months we've
examined the 5 Myths of Distance
Learning. The 5th myth is that "On-line
learning is not needed within
seminary education." The
faculty and students at Bucharest
Theological Baptist Institute would
soundly disagree. Their testimonies
affirm that God is using on-line
learning to change lives and equip
leaders for ministry. |
|
|
