Moscow Seminary in Need of Assistance
Assistance is needed in a situation which does more than fix a roof or maintain a façade. Rather, your help will allow the Church of God’s Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow keep its focus on training pastors and church leaders throughout the former Soviet Union.
By Tom Rosson, president, ETSM
Twenty-nine men and women recently walked across the stage of Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow (ETSM) and received their diplomas and/or certificates – our largest graduating class ever. This includes our first cluster of graduates from the family/marital counseling program and the Christian counseling program. Additionally, we handed out 13 certificates in Christian ministry. We are so grateful to be a part of what God is doing in Russia.
On the other hand, we also have a very urgent financial need. Now that the snow has melted in Moscow, the damage of the harshest winter that Moscow has experienced in five years on the building has become evident. Although ETSM has a solid budgeting process for the maintenance of the building, these following items have taken us all by surprise.
The Roof
When the building was built in 2003, for whatever reasons our roof was never leveled properly so that water would drain appropriately. The heavy snowfall took its toll on the roof – the parapet is destroyed. Furthermore, there are numerous holes in the roof which explains why water has been gathering in our library and office areas. Additionally, we need to reinsulate the roof in order to keep the heat in the building in winter.
The Sumps
The old sumps have already crumbled due to water damage. In order to prevent any damage to the building’s foundation and the general use of rooms in the basement (utilities, storage, meetings, etc), new sumps, along with proper hydro-insulation, are needed.
The Façade
Water and snow made its way past the paint (which is coming off) and into the plaster. There are spots around the building where the plaster has fallen off, thus leaving the raw brick of the building exposed to the elements. The danger will come next winter when the frozen moisture turns to ice and begins to expand in the crevasse of the brick.
If these repairs are not made soon, the next Russian winter will cause further degeneration of the roof, façade, and possibly the building’s foundation (due to the broken sumps).
Can you partner with us?
Your help in this situation does more than fix a roof or maintain a façade. Rather, your help will allow ETSM to keep its focus on training pastors and church leaders throughout the former Soviet Union.
Tom and Claudia Rosson, President – ETSM
Project Number 710-0072
(Source: 2010 Church of God World Missions)
