Alumni Bataraa & Zulaa: Equipping Church Leaders For Ministry

Joy and Freedom in Mongolia: Equipping Church Leaders for Ministry

Through EAST’s Extension Center in Mongolia, local church leaders are being equipped to serve their churches and communities with renewed understanding, joy and freedom in Christ. When Baataraa Buyanmandakh and Zulaa Jantsan were challenged to start an EAST Extension Center (EEC) in Mongolia in 2023, they were unsure how to begin.

Both former Cru staff members, with 21 years of service and EAST Alumni, Baataraa and Zulaa now serve as church ministers. They recognised the need for theological training among local church leaders, but establishing a training centre would require considerable commitment.

“But this is what we need in Mongolia,” says Zulaa, 46.

Equipping Leaders in a Changing Landscape

Mongolia’s church has experienced significant changes over the years. According to Baataraa, the Christian population grew from virtually zero in 1990 to approximately 60,000 by 2020. However, the number subsequently declined following the COVID-19 pandemic, with Baataraa reporting an estimated 42,000 Christians.

Missionary presence has also been affected by increasingly restrictive visa regulations. Baataraa notes that missionary numbers fell by 85 to 90 per cent.

In this changing landscape, equipping local church leaders becomes especially important. The EAST Extension Center provides theological education for bi-vocational church ministers, helping them grow in their understanding of Scripture and become better equipped for ministry in their own contexts.

The Challenges Behind the Classroom

Starting an EEC has not been easy. The work involves translating reading materials into the local language and interpreting for teachers who travel from EAST to teach. For Baataraa and Zulaa, this requires time, effort and perseverance. Yet the challenges have been accompanied by encouraging signs of spiritual growth among their students.

“Already many of our students have changed their views of God, self, and the future, and seen life change in themselves and their family,” says Baataraa.

One student’s experience particularly illustrates this transformation.

Munganoo shared that, for the first time, he experienced joy and freedom in Christ. The change extended beyond his own life: his wife and children also began attending church. Such stories remind Baataraa and Zulaa why the work matters. Theological education is not simply about acquiring knowledge. It can help people encounter God afresh, understand themselves in the light of the gospel, and bring that transformation into their families and communities.

Training That Serves the Church

EAST’s first Extension Center began in 2013. At the time of publication, seven EECs were operating across Indo-China, East Asia and Mongolia, offering online or on-site modular classes for local church leaders. Through these partnerships, EAST seeks to make theological education accessible to leaders who serve their churches while balancing other vocational responsibilities.

The vision is reflected in Ephesians 4:12, which speaks of equipping God’s people for works of service and building up the body of Christ. By working alongside local leaders, EAST seeks to strengthen the Church through training that serves the needs of each context. In Mongolia, Baataraa and Zulaa’s commitment is helping make this possible, one class and one transformed life at a time.

A Growing Vision for the Church in Asia

The story of the EEC in Mongolia is a reminder that the work of theological education extends beyond the classroom. Its fruit can be seen in leaders who grow in faith, families who encounter the love of Christ, and churches that are strengthened for ministry. For Baataraa and Zulaa, the journey that began with uncertainty in 2023 has become a ministry of encouragement and transformation. As EAST continues to partner with church leaders across the region, the hope remains that more men and women will be equipped to serve faithfully in their own communities, building up the body of Christ for generations to come.

Partner with EAST

EAST is committed to equipping Christlike leaders for the Great Commission through theological education and partnerships with churches across Asia. To learn more about EAST’s ministry and partnership opportunities, email us at advancement@east.edu.sg.