Interview with Harvey Newton, BEE Field Director for Moldova
– Dear brother Harvey, it is a joy to talk to you today. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. Where do you come from and how did you become a follower of Jesus Christ?
– My parents were believers living in the state of South Carolina, and I grew up there. During the years that I served in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) the Lord brought me into contact with some spiritual Christians who were more fervent and bold in serving the Lord than any I had known in my boyhood. The Lord used them to create in me a desire to serve him. After I had completed my service in the USAF, the Lord directed me to Dallas Theological Seminary, in Texas. I thank the Lord for the excellent theological education that I received there.
– How many times have you been to Moldova total since you started your ministry with BEE International?
– Beginning in May 1995 I have traveled to Moldova once each quarter. I thank the Lord for the grace by which he has permitted me to serve him in Moldova.
– Tell our readers a little bit about BEE International, its goals and purpose in training ministers in Eastern Europe? In which countries BEE has its ministry today?
– Research has shown that around the globe hundreds of new churches are born each week. Research has also shown that without trained leaders most churches never become strong and fruitful, and many die. Recognizing that one of the greatest needs in the church is for trained leaders, BEE’s mission objective is to train servant leaders who are able to shepherd churches and reproduce themselves.
– How did you learn about Moldova? Who were the first BEE professors in our home country? How did the partnership between BEE and Christians in Moldova begin?
– In 1992 BEE missionary Rev. Jim Mugg was working in Ukraine, and some Eastern European countries. After learning that the Baptists in Moldova were interested in having such help as BEE can provide, Jim visited Kishinev. He meet with those in leadership in the Baptist Union, and at their request established a Bible institute that provided biblical education through an extension program. All parties agreed to name the new Bible institute Biblical International Institute (BII). All agreed that BII would provide one course each quarter, with each course running from Monday morning through Friday afternoon. Exams are given either late on Friday afternoon, or on Saturday morning. From 1992 through May 1995, Jim brought various American missionaries or pastors to assist him when he taught sessions each quarter. When he became president of the mission in 1995, I took over as Director of BEE Moldova.
– Tell us a little bit about BEE students? Who are they? Where do they come from? Which ministries are they involved in at present time? How many people graduated from BEE program in Moldova since its beginning?
– The Baptist Union encouraged pastors to either attend BII themselves or recommend for enrollment capable, faithful men and women in their churches. Well over 450 men and women from churches throughout Moldova have graduated from the three-year program. This means that they completed twelve courses, each lasting one week. These alumni are presently involved in all kinds of ministries. Some are pastors, some are evangelists and lay preachers, others are deacons, Sunday school teachers, etc.
– What do you think are some advantages of the BEE’s seminar-format courses?
– Throughout Eastern Europe today most of those who are able to attend a resident program for biblical training are young men. This means that most men presently serving as pastors, deacons, preachers and evangelists are not able to attend a resident program. One of the biggest advantages of the BEE program is that many men and women currently involved in significant ministries are able to receive a good biblical education. Since each course requires only one week at BII, many men and women are able to find ways to schedule their work so that they can attend. Most are able to take four courses each year for three years. Sometimes a student has to make up one or two courses in the next three-year cycle. Another advantage is that training people who are involved in ministry has a much more direct benefit to the Church of our Lord. Many young men trained in resident programs don’t have a clear call from the Lord, and consequently quite a few never put all the training and education to full use. Our students are people who are already serving in some capacity before they enroll. They continue to serve in their churches during the three-year period in which they are enrolled at BII.
– What challenges do you experience in your ministry in Moldova? How do you manage to bridge cultural barriers with Moldavian students?
– My experience has been that the challenges to ministry in Moldova are very similar to challenges to ministry in the U.S. However, I have noticed some differences. One difference is that the economic conditions here in Moldova compel many pastors, preachers, missionaries, etc. to leave the country in hopes of earning a living. This means that attendance in our class sessions seeking is not as consistent as in many other countries. This does present challenges to the fulfillment of our goals concerning training leaders. Another rather unique challenge is that of overcoming language barriers. Most BEE missionaries move into the country in which they will serve. They learn the language used in that country and familiarize themselves with the local culture. However, if a full-time BEE missionary is not available, as in the case of Moldova, the missionary has to communicate through a translator. God has provided excellent translators, and he has enabled me to develop very good relationships with them. Nevertheless, working through a translator does present challenges. Finally, many Moldavians are not able to pay for the cost of biblical training. This has presented BEE with the challenge of raising much of the money that is necessary to provide meals, lodging and transportation for those who enroll. God has wonderfully provided!
– What do you think are some of the primary educational needs of Moldavian ministers? What areas of theology/Bible study should be emphasized first of all?
– One of the primary educational needs among Moldavian ministers is that of learning to skillfully study the Bible. The apostle Paul exhorted Timothy to be diligent to present himself to the Lord as a skillful minister of God’s Word (2Tim.2:15). Another urgent educational need is equipping pastors so that they know the purpose of each book of the Bible. Knowing these aspects enables pastors and lay preachers to interpret God’s Word more accurately. It also helps men to develop and maintain a good theology and to make more accurate applications.
– How would you evaluate BEE’s partnership with the College of Theology and Education? What are your plans for development of BEE programs in Moldova in the next few years?
– BEE works closely with College of Theology and Education, and I am extremely thankful for this. Our main goal for the future is to train alumni of BII in an advanced program so that within a few years they are able to teach all BEE courses. Currently we are training eight alumni of BII’s basic program. According to our plan, these men will begin to teach courses along with us in September. The plan is that later alumni of the advanced program will teach BEE courses without assistance from us.
– How can students enroll in BEE program in Moldova? What are some of the requirements that BEE sets for its applicants?
– Men and women who wish to enroll in the BEE program must take an entrance exam. The Academic Dean of CTE will send out announcements to all Baptist churches about when and where the entrance exam may be taken. At the time a person takes the exam, other necessary instructions will be given.
– Thank you very much for the opportunity to provide the public with more information about the ministry to Moldavians that the Lord has given BEE International Moldova.
Interview was conducted by Oleg Turlac.