In 1920, Herbert Wells wrote a book entitled Russia in the Shadows. More than eighty years have passed since that book's release. Yet this great country--the largest country by land mass in the world--still waits for spiritual daybreak. Our country is first place in the world both in the number of martyrs for the faith and in number of abortions, alcoholics, and drug addicts. Russia's mortality rate is one-and-a-half times higher than the birth rate. Eighteen percent of births take place outside of marriage. Utter despair fills the hearts of millions. Nothing but the Word of God can dissipate the darkness of sin and give hope. Heralds of this Word are as vital to life as oxygen--and yet how few are their number.

Samara Theological Seminary has become one of the answers to this crying need for spiritual illumination. Our primary emphasis in training is on the science and art of expository preaching. Foundational theological disciplines and Biblical languages are also emphasized. Training and practice go hand-in-hand as students serve in local churches and burn with desire to see churches strengthened and new churches planted.

The words of the apostle Paul serve as a fitting motto for our seminary: "as from sincerity . . . as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God" (2 Cor. 2:17). We believe that powerful preaching will build a strong church, and only a strong church can effectively influence society with the truth.

Victor Simeonivich Ryaguzov is pastor of Transfiguration Church (Samara), rector of Samara Preachers' Institute & Theological Seminary, and one of the vice-presidents of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists.