Academic ProgramMinistry Training

The core of UBI’s purpose has always been to train and equip Christians for service in the kingdom of God. For over 25 years this training program has been developing, expanding, and bearing fruit.

Every year the Lord brings new disciples to UBI who will be nurtured, equipped, and challenged to serve as ministers and church leaders. With your partnership, UBI is ready to meet the challenge with a comprehensive, carefully designed, effective training program.

A UBI education is...

Biblical

God's word is the foundation of everything we do.

Well-rounded

We are intentional about training the head, the hands, and the heart.

Wide-reaching

Our online program is available to students throughout Ukraine and in many other countries.

Practical

A hands-on internship is available to all students after completing their studies.

A flexible approach, whether war or peace

In the classroom

From its founding until February 2022, UBI was an in-person educational experience. Courses took place in the classroom with live instructors, and students and staff started each school day with a chapel time of worship and prayer.

When Ukraine was plunged into full-scale war, it was necessary to shift away from this model, at least for the time being. We eagerly await the day when we can return to the in-person model, living and growing together in the same physical space.

Fully online

When the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, many were forced to relocate in order to find safety and stability, including many UBI students and staff. But the work of the gospel and the needs of the kingdom remained. We had to make the difficult but necessary transition to a fully-online model.

However, we have come to appreciate the opportunities that being online have presented. Since 2022, we have had students not only in Kyiv but throughout various parts of Ukraine, as well as Poland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, and Belgium. In the online format, UBI provides classes over Zoom for students who are able to join live, as well as pre-recorded classes for those who cannot.

Learn moreAcademic program details

As UBI has continued to refine the ministry training process over time, we have learned a lot about finding the balance between a program that is long enough to be in-depth, but intensive enough to be completed in less than two years.

New students begin their studies in September each year. After completing the first school year, UBI breaks for the summer, but students take one self-paced course over the summer as well. Students then begin their second-year studies in the fall, and finish the academic curriculum in February of that second year.

Throughout the entire UBI experience, all students participate in a weekly class which focuses solely on spiritual growth and formation. We want our students to learn to look inside themselves, at their own hearts, at the same time that they are learning God's word and developing practical ministry skills.

In these classes students study and practice the spiritual disciplines, learn to support and encourage one another spiritually, share about what they are learning in small group discussions, and deepen their prayer life through instruction and practice. We want our students to have a confident and personal relationship with their Heavenly Father, and we believe these topics are an essential part of that journey.

Upon completing their 18-month “residential” program, those students who are interested and able have the opportunity to participate in an additional six-month internship program. We match our students with active UBI alumni around Ukraine (and, in some instances, in other countries) where they will serve in local ministries. During these six months, the students also take continuing-education classes online.

This internship program allows our students to apply many of the skills they have learned, gives them important ministry experience for their life, and serves as a way that UBI can stay connected and support its alumni.