12 June 2025 | Podkowa Leśna, Poland [Daniel Kluska]
Students enrolled in the MA in Religious Studies at Andrews University are participating in an intensive academic session held in Podkowa Leśna, Poland. The programme, conducted in partnership with the Polish College of Theology and Humanities (PCTH), features an interdisciplinary track and aims to offer a thorough understanding of Adventist history, beliefs, and practices.
Current Session
In the current session, held from 2 to 12 June 2025, students explored two key theological subjects: “The Gift of Prophecy and the Role of Church Pioneer Ellen White” and “The History of Adventist Theology.” These were led by Abner Hernandez, Assistant Professor of Church History, and Denis Kaiser, Associate Professor of Church History at Andrews University.
Hernandez guided students through the life, writings, and prophetic ministry of Ellen White, placing special emphasis on interpretative challenges and sound research methods. Kaiser delved into the historical development of the Adventist Church, focusing on the origins and evolution of its distinctive doctrines. Kaiser’s emphasis on developing students’ research and critical thinking skills in understanding doctrine was particularly well received, as was Hernandez’s practical focus on equipping students to analyse prophetic texts with academic rigour.
Previous Session
During a previous visit to Podkowa Leśna, Poland, from 30 September to 9 October 2024, the current cohort—which began their studies in 2022—engaged in two in-depth theology courses taught by Jiří Moskala, PhD, Professor of Old Testament Exegesis and Theology and Dean of the Theological Seminary at Andrews University.
The session included intensive classes on the Pentateuch and the Book of Daniel, designed to equip students with tools for rigorous biblical interpretation and theological reflection. Moskala, a seasoned Adventist scholar, guided students through the content, emphasising historical context, linguistic insights, and exegetical methods.
“Professor Moskala revealed himself as a delightfully passionate theologian. You could see his joy in teaching—we had to fight for our breaks because he was so committed to sharing his insights,” said Sławek Gorączkowski, a second-year student and Treasurer of the Eastern Conference of the Adventist Church in Poland.
Dr Adam Grześkowiak, the newly appointed Rector of the School of Theology and Humanities, also expressed his appreciation for Moskala’s “dedication and insightful lectures.”
International Understanding and Cooperation
The 2022 cohort is the second to take part in this academic collaboration, which began in 2016. The partnership provides affordable, high-quality Adventist education without requiring students to relocate to the United States, allowing them to remain actively involved in local ministry.
The 2022 cohort includes 24 students, most of whom are from the Baltic Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They represent a variety of countries, including Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Finland, Ukraine, the Philippines, Bulgaria, and Zimbabwe. Due to this international diversity, all classes are conducted in English, with simultaneous translation into Polish (on-site) and Russian (typically online) available to selected students. A live webcast further enhances accessibility, enabling remote participation from other Andrews University campuses.
Jonatan Ostrowski, a teacher at the “Kompas” Primary School in Podkowa Leśna, served as the English-Polish live interpreter. “Interpreting is more than translating words. It includes tone, body language, visuals, and must happen in real time. That makes it quite demanding,” he shared. “Yet it was a privilege to help translate such inspiring lectures… The content on the Pentateuch and Daniel showed me how solid our Adventist biblical foundation is,” he concluded.
Students have expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity. Kristi Aluko, a student from Finland attending the session online, reflected on her journey, “The year 2022 was a leap of faith for me. Despite not having completed an undergraduate degree, I felt God’s call to pursue a master’s in theology. Amazingly, God arranged it so I could attend my first session with my two young children.”
“Each session deepened my understanding of God’s love and gave me practical tools to lead and serve in my church,” Aluko continued. “Studying Scripture with an emphasis on historical context, exegesis, and original languages has completely transformed how I read the Bible.”
These academic gatherings offer not only intellectual growth but also rich spiritual nourishment. Studying Scripture in an environment of prayer, inquiry, and mutual support inspires students to serve with renewed dedication.
[Photos: courtesy of Daniel Kluska]
Lead picture: Students from the Class of 2022 pose for a group photo in front of the Palais, located on the campus of the Polish College of Theology and Humanities.
