A Message from Dr. Jiří Moskala, Seminary Dean

Greetings Friends!

I am pleased to introduce to you our Seminary Witness e-newsletter. The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary is here to serve and be a theological resource for the worldwide Church. Our mission statement is transparent: “We serve God and the Seventh-day Adventist Church by preparing effective leaders to proclaim the everlasting Gospel and make disciples of all peoples in anticipation of Christ’s soon return.”

Service has a variety of forms, from a smile and an encouraging gesture and words, through emotional or financial help, to personal generous involvement and thoughtful ministry. In the Seminary, we equip our students with knowledge but also help them to develop and deepen their skills to serve the people around them, the Church, and our awesome God. In one sentence, we prepare, by God’s grace and His help, leaders for faithful and balanced ministry to prepare people for the glorious Second Coming of Jesus.

We live in an unprecedented time; it’s a foretaste of the very end of the time of the end (Daniel 12:1). Worse than the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), declared as a global pandemic, is a virus of fear and of being alone. God’s word is valid for all situations of life, and He assures us: “I am the Lord your God who took you by your hand and says to you: ‘Do not fear, I will help you!’” (Isaiah 41:13). God led us so far, so you can trust Him that He will never forsake you nor any of His people. Jesus states: “I am with you always …” (Matthew 28:20). No matter what is going on around us, we should be people who bring love, faith, and hope wherever we are. We should create joy in all relationships, put people together, and enrich hearts and minds with confidence in God’s leadership, His promises, and trust in God.

I pray that each one of us will experience the special closeness of God’s Presence. No matter  life’s situation, politics, and our location, God’s assistance is stable. We can be strong and victorious in Him. We need daily commit our lives into God’s hands because we never know what can happen, and we are only safe in Him.

Let’s pray for those living in war zones, the sick, the persecuted, and those who preach Christ and risk their lives to help others. People are spiritually hungry, searching for stability, meaning, and peace in their life, so let us be there for them with the right words or actions by pointing them to the Savior of the world and the Giver of life.
Remember that the Great Commission is not and cannot be guaranteed or cancelled. Your personal witnessing is the most effective, but also witnessing through technology may be powerful. Service to those in need is the most effective way to demonstrate that our God is alive. Memorize Psalm 91 which is so relevant to our troubles: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence” (Psalm 91:1-3 NIV).
We know that many of you are facing restrictions and troubles due to crises, and our prayers are with you. I pray that this issue of the Seminary Witness will bring you encouragement and some positive reading during these troubling times. Please do not forget that every true believer is a missionary.

Jiří Moskala
Dean