First Steps on the Doctoral Road
In mid-December, I was accepted into Biola
University’s Ph.D. program in Intercultural
Studies! As some of you know, I’ve been
thinking about taking the next step in my
education for a while. I’ve felt the need to
grow in my field after teaching for seven
years and improving my qualifications could
help my school’s credentials. But, my busy
schedule at DCU has made this seem
impossible.
When DCU’s leadership changed this
summer, it seemed like the right time to
reduce my involvement in public relations
and look into doctoral studies.
Unfortunately, the school that I had been
thinking about applying to just lost the
professor that I was hoping to study with, so
it looked like the door for doctoral studies
had been closed.
Then in November, a friend and colleague at
Kiev Theological Seminary told me that
Biola University was opening a satellite
campus in Kiev on the base of their school
and that they’d be offering a Ph.D. in
Intercultural Studies (similar to missiology)
for the first time! This was exactly the kind
of program I was looking for: a good part-
time Ph.D. program close to Ukraine. I will
have to take half of my courses on Biola’s
main campus near Los Angeles, but they
offer classes in two-week blocks, which
should fit very well with our ministry at DCU.
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I applied in late November and was accepted just
in time for Biola’s first two-week session in
January! So, I’ve now taken my first doctoral
courses: one on leadership and one on the history
of missions. Two professors from the US came
out along with students from Germany, Romania
and Ukraine. All except one of these students
were American missionaries. Both courses were
very interesting and gave me a lot to think about
(and work on!). My next session is in June in Kiev.
Round One of Elections in Ukraine
The first round of presidential elections were held
on January 17, with Viktor Yanukovich (pro-
Russia) receiving 35% and Yulia Timoshenko (pro-
West) receiving 25%. Since no one received 50%,
round two will be held on February 7 between
these top two vote-getters. Current President
Yuschenko placed fifth with 5%.
We are thankful that the first round of elections
seemed to be fair, but continue to pray that God
will have mercy on Ukraine and place someone in
power who will seek Him and the good of the
people. Ukraine has had a bad history with its
leadership, and we pray for God to do something
miraculous here for the sake of the people, that
they might turn to Him.
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Praise and Prayer:
- Praise God for John’s new opportunity for
doctoral studies. Pray that God would help
him to grow through this program.
- Pray for Ukraine’s second round of
Presidential elections on February 7
- Pray for John and Stella as they start to
lead a new DCU student prayer group
- Pray for Stella’s physical health and
tutoring English
- Pray for John’s teaching in the new
semester
Thank you so much for your prayers!
John and Stella
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