“I came to the seminary in 2015 seeking more intellectual depth in my faith. But then through the seminary courses on discipleship and family I realized that God actually cared about how I treated my wife. God actually cared about my character. This was a huge challenge for me and a wonderful change. And now as a church planter I am a much more mature leader because of my being mentored personally by Blake Purcell and others in the HopeRussia seminary. As far as I know there is no other seminary in Russia that focuses on our character and walk with God as much as HopeRussia does. I praise God for the privilege of studying and growing in Christ in that brotherhood for the last six years. ”

“Blake Purcell’s course on biblical worldview has removed the blinders from my eyes, broadening both my approach to ministry and how I teach the Scriptures to my congregation. Now I understand that God has an eternal plan for his creation and that the Bible has a single Christ-centered plot because Jesus is the Lord of history. ”

“Before I came to HopeRussia Seminary, I did not know how to use the whole Bible in my life and ministry. I worked at the church until 11 o’clock every night. I spent no meaningful time with my wife and children. So when I learned the Biblical approach to life and ministry in which a husband and father prioritizes those roles, especially when he is a pastor, this radically changed my life, saved my family, and even kept me in the ministry. I think I would have quit if it were not for the teaching and coaching that Blake and the staff do with us.”