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NPC Strategic Relationships
> ETSKuzmic
Evangelical Theological Seminary
and AGAPE Ministries
Since the fall of communism in the 1980’s, political, social, and
spiritual unrest has overtaken Eastern Europe. Wars in the former
Yugoslavia left millions devastated and searching for meaning. In the
face of this suffering, evangelicals in Croatia and Bosnia have joined
together in sacrificial service to their neighbors through their work
with New Europe Vision (NEV), headed by Dr. Peter Kuzmic.
NEV, based in Osijek, Croatia, is the umbrella organization for the Evangelical Theological Seminary
(ETS), and AGAPE Humanitarian Ministry. These two institutions are
dedicated to a ministry of reconciliation and continuing humanitarian
relief in this exceptionally troubled part of the world. NEV raises
financial and prayer support for ETS and AGAPE. The National
Presbyterian Church has had a warm relationship with ETS, AGAPE, and
Dr. Kuzmic since 1997 and is now in an exciting new phase of this
partnership.
Evangelical Theological Seminary
The front of the ETS main building in Osijek.
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ETS, founded in 1972, is an evangelical and interdenominational
educational institution dedicated to training Christian pastor and lay
workers in the post-communist world. It remains a flagship evangelical
school for both Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. ETS also
serves as headquarters for the AGAPE Humanitarian Ministry.
AGAPE Ministries
Since its establishment in 1991, AGAPE Ministry volunteers have
provided meals, clothing, and shelter for hundreds of thousands of
refugees and displaced citizens of Bosnia and Croatia. AGAPE continues
to have a positive impact upon Eastern Europe through Christian
Education, Humanitarian Service, and Church Planting. AGAPE’s programs
include outreach to all the major ethnic groups of the former
Yugoslavia—Croatian, Bosnia, Serbian, and Kosovar—with a special focus
on the handicapped and psychologically scarred. AGAPE initiatives also
provide medical aid and staffing to orphanages. At every opportunity,
AGAPE workers strive to present the Gospel. Dr. Kuzmic and his fellow
seminarians vigorously struggle to foster reconciliation as they share
the hope of the Word of God throughout the former Yugoslavia.
As a result of the Spirit-led evangelism that accompanies AGAPE’s
ministry, today there are more Gospel-preaching churches in these areas
than there were individual born-again believers before the wars
began!
People gather at an Agape food distribution center.
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ETS new Learning Center for Mission. It houses the library,
classrooms, and a recording studio for the seminary's radio ministries.
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