Our Professors

President

Dr. Kevin Schular

President of Canadian Baptist Seminary and Executive Director of the Baptist General Conference of Canada. Kevin provides strategic leadership and teaches in our intensive modules.

For many years the Lord had burdened my heart for training of nationals. This vision was shaped through my international ministry experiences with ASSIST Canada. (assistcanada.org) In my leadership role with this agency I traveled to nations like Nicaragua, India, Cuba, DR Congo and the Middle East nations. My focus was on training and encouraging pastors and house churches leaders serving in difficult environments. Early ideas included establishing an English school combined with leadership training in a Middle East country.

In 2016, the journey toward more formal training began when I became the Executive Director of Baptist General Conference of Canada. (bgc.ca) Then in 2018 I was appointed President of our school, Canadian Baptist Seminary.

One of our key staff in the BGC is AZ who shared my burden for training leaders. We made a trip to Armenia where connections with a national church opened opportunities for ministry conferences in 2018 and 2019. The pandemic years (2020–2022) brought challenges, including the passing of our dear pastoral colleague in Armenia.

Bishop

Merab Gaprindashvili

Merab is the Bishop of the Baptist Church in Georgia. He also is Chair of the European Evangelical Alliance in Georgia. Merab led his church to buy a camp outside of Tbilisi. This was a faith-risk but the church took on the project and God wonderfully provided funds to purchase the camp from various donors. Merab and other leaders were praying that God would use Georgia and their camp to bless the nations. Their hearts were ready and prepared when he met Kevin Schular. Their first conversation was online and the connection quickly progressed to Merab inviting Kevin to use the camp for teaching.

After evaluating other locations, the Lord clearly directed the ministry to move into Georgia. Georgia is a beautiful, orthodox Christian nation with religious freedom. It is a welcoming environment for international students and has strategic access to surrounding countries.

In 2024, the first teaching session was held at the camp with 23 students. Instructors included Dr. Bernard Mukwavi (Homiletics), the Dr. Kevin Schular (Hermeneutics), with live interpreters.

Progress continued steadily:
• May 2025 Dr. Michael Fast taught Introduction to Old Testament / Dr. Kevin Schular taught Spiritual Formation
November 2025 – 19 students from 6 countries. Dr. Joao Boechat taught Introduction to the New Testament. Dr. Kevin Schular taught Pastoral Theology

• May 2026 – 45 students from 10 countries. Four live translators served students in that language group. Courses included Life of Christ (Rev. Jeremy Olfert), Spiritual Leadership, and a follow-up Pastoral Theology retreat for Arabic-speaking students taught by Dr. Kevin Schular.

Current Developments

Lasha Bartia

Lasha Bartia has been appointed Dean to help expand and promote BSTS. The camp is considering renovations to support classes when the weather is colder - including heating for the main hall and cottages with hot-water floor systems.