CLDI established the Ron Breding Memorial Scholarship at Kiev Theological Seminary. This scholarship is designated specifically for a student of world missions with the intent of serving on the mission field.
Ron Breding was a dear friend of CLDI and passionate for world missions. In addition to being a loving husband, father, grandfather and retired educator, Ron was also tremendous advocate for the ministry of CLDI and an ambassador for world missions. Ron travelled on mission trips with CLDI to Ukraine and Republic of Georgia. Ron never travelled alone and always recruited someone to with him so that he could inspire them to catch the vision for the work that God was doing around the world. This scholarship is our small way to honor Ron's life and his committment to the Great Commission.
Kiev Theological Seminary
Ukraine’s 24 years of political and religious freedom have granted opportunities for the gospel to be shared, and many spiritually hungry have come to know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Believers need spiritual food, discipleship and teaching. Unfortunately, after 70 years without any formal theological education, the church in Ukraine (as well as the rest of the former Soviet Union) lacks a sufficient number of trained pastors and church leaders.
Kiev Theological Seminary was founded in 1995 through the direction of the All Ukrainian Union of Associations of Evangelical Christians-Baptists and the vision of KTS charter president, Anatoly Prokopchuk. Their goal, along with other key supporters, was to establish an institution that would provide a strong theological education.
In the 20 years since its founding, KTS has graduated 480 students from its programs. Hundreds of other Christians have also received training at the seminary. KTS graduates are ministering throughout Ukraine and the former Soviet Union as pastors, elders, teachers for the Church, youth ministers, church planters, chaplains, and missionaries.
Because of the academic standards of KTS’s programs, students are able to continue their education at accredited theological institutions in Europe and the U.S. Some graduates have continued in ministry at the seminary as teachers and administrators.
Through studies at KTS, the Lord has called many to the work of church planting. God has used these former students to start more than 120 churches.
