Despite missionary efforts before and after the breakup of the USSR, many of the educated elite of Ukraine and the rest of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) either dismiss Christianity as superstition and myth or find their spiritual expression in some sort of New Age philosophy.

Since the time communism reigned uncontested, most local educational and governmental authorities demonstrate little, if any, changes in attitude toward religion. There is much ignorance and prejudice towards religion, especially Christianity.

The “Man and the Christian Worldview” outreach to intellectuals is trying to dispel that ignorance wherever possible. The conferences encourage people of different nations and persuasions to consider the foundation of their beliefs and practices, which they have generally assumed rather than examined. The spirit of the meetings is irenic rather than polemic; that is, to build bridges of understanding even when strongly disagreeing - the argument is not the goal, but the means to a higher goal: mutual understanding, better thinking, and change of attitude and behavior where desirable. The Christians on the organizing committee seek the ways to overcome obstacles in academia in hope that many within the intelligentsia and universities will come to know the Truth that sets one free. By examining critical concerns that we share in common, by doing it in an international setting, and by subjecting various ideas to the rigors of serious examination from various disciplines, Christians and non-Christians alike gain a better chance of achieving mutual understanding and working toward beneficial change, beneficial to ourselves, our families, our communities, our nations, our world.

Starting with 1995 we hold biannual conferences on such themes as “Freedom and Responsibility,” “Environmental Problems,” “Medical Ethics,” “Academic Freedom and Moral Choice,” and “Moral and Spiritual Health.” Apologetics for a Christian worldview is often an indirect and occasionally a direct theme.

The May Symposium is an interdisciplinary forum, which gathers specialists from different fields who focus on specific concerns of social and moral relevance. It is held as a roundtable in Yalta, on the southern coast of the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine, not far from the venue of the historic 1945 Yalta conference.

The October conference, which is held in Simferopol, Crimea, will give priority to capable students and young scholars, though not necessarily excluding established lecturers and professionals. Except for some plenary papers, only abstracts will be presented in order to provide more time for discussion. No written English translation will be provided in October. Thus, we encourage our English speaking participants to attend the May symposium where there will be more opportunity to influence and interact with one’s peers in academia and the professions. Those English speakers who choose to come in October will be provided with simultaneous translation where possible, as well as translation for the delivery of their abstract or paper

The conferences additionally include three days of lectures at Crimean universities. This is a great opportunity for speakers from Western countries to present a Christian perspective on issues of critical concern, or to simply interact with faculty and students within their area of expertise.

It is our desire that those who have been conditioned by atheism and materialistic naturalism have the opportunity to hear an intelligent, well-reasoned presentation of a Christian perspective in their field of interest.

Influencing the influential has resulted in changed lives and worldviews, changed attitudes, joint humanitarian projects, joint publications (five university textbooks thus far) and ten annual publications of the conference papers (Russian text).

Would you like to be a part of this outreach to the intelligentsia?

We need papers from:

• Medical Personnel
• Theologians
• Apologists
• Ethicists
• Sociologists
• Scientists
• Philosophers
• Businessmen, lawyers and other professionals

We invite those who are able to articulate their Christian faith in the context of their profession and have the desire to sow seeds in a previously closed field in the hopes that God will bring the increase, to His glory.

What would it cost you, besides time?

• The cost mostly depends on airfare ($800-1200) but $1,500 is usually a sufficient budget.
• Lodging and meals run $18/day with a national host in Simferopol; $40/day in hotels when on the coast (meals included).
• Overnight train travel between Kiev and Simferopol runs around $18 one way per bed in a compartment for four; it is possible to purchase all four beds to insure greater privacy.
• Flights between Kiev and Simferopol run between $80 and $100 each way. If you book an afternoon flight out of Kiev for the West, you can catch a morning flight from Simferopol and save an overnight at the airport hotel, which is necessary if you book a morning international flight out of Kiev. See travel guide and check with us for details.
• Donation for translation requested: $100 per person per event. Costs are greater than this, of course. All symposium papers written in Russian are translated into English and are available to you upon arrival so you can preview them. You will also have these with you to read while you listen to the Russian speaker present his/her paper. The interpreters will also provide oral interpretation during the symposium and pre- or post-symposium lectures. The English papers are translated into Russian and prepared for publication.
• No conference registration fee for Westerners. (FYI-Members of the CIS pay a registration fee ca. $20 but do not pay for their accommodations and meals.)

US Sponsoring agency:

Teaching Ministries International
PO Box 1483
Snellville, GA 30078 USA