Walter Bagrin interpreted as Bishop Belykh shared his story of spending 26 years in prison as punishment for preaching the gospel in Russia.  Now that the doors were open, they were experiencing a great revival.  Thousands of people were accepting Jesus.  Russian people were being called to preach the gospel.  After the exciting testimony, Carl Richardson asked if anybody had a question for the bishop. I asked, “Bishop, what can we do to help you?”  The bishop responded, “You can pray for us.”  I asked again, “We are praying for you.  What else do you need?”  The bishop answered, “Leaders!  We need to train our people. It is wonderful that you have Lee College in America.  But we have no money.  We cannot afford to send students from Russia to the United States.  For over 70 years under communism, we have not been allowed to train leaders or to own buildings. Now that the government is about bankrupted, they are easing up some.”  He continued, “There is a building in our town of Ribnitsa, Moldova that was half built by the old Soviet government that was intended to be a social hall. Construction was halted when they ran out of money.” “They have agreed to sell it to us for a Bible school, but we do not have money to buy the building, nor to purchase the materials necessary to finish it.”

Mary Nell and I were both deeply touched by the Bishop’s story and felt that God was dealing with us about the opportunity. Mary Nell and I agree that someone should provide these funds. So, during the time of socializing and eating, I told the Bishop that Mary Nell and I would give him the funds needed to purchase the building from the government and to buy the materials necessary to complete construction of the building for a Bible school in Moldova. The natives in Moldova would freely provide the labor for the construction.

As we prepared to write our check, we became aware of the fact that the Russian citizens were not even allowed to have a bank account so a check would not do them any good. Carl Richardson agreed that if we provided the funds to Carl Richardson Ministries, he would work with Church of God International Offices to get the funds delivered in cash to pay for the materials. We immediately felt this was a “God-thing” and were excited about God using us to build a Bible School for the training of ministers in Russia. It was a wonderful feeling to witness the Holy Spirt using our personal money for winning souls in Moldova.

We processed the transfer of money through Carl Richardson Ministries who later added funds as were needed to complete the project. Carl says this was the first Bible school to have been built in the Soviet Union for over 70 years.  It soon became the official training center for the many Pentecostal churches in the 15 nations which comprised the former Soviet Union.

This Bible school meant much to Mary Nell and she continued putting the work of God first as long as she lived.  She felt that this project in Moldova was a “God thing” with which she and I had to involve ourselves. We were unable to arrange for this to become a Church of God institution; however, it is a Pentecostal school doing the work of the Lord, making disciples of young Christians.

We desired for this Bible School to become a Church of God institution doing the work of the Lord, making disciples of young Christians however we were unable to arrange this with our leaders in Cleveland, TN.  

The Bible School was announced to open the 2^nd week in September 1993. and we received an invitation to attend.

Mary Nell was battling with cancer so,  regretfully we were not able to accept the invitation to attend this important event of the opening of our Bible School in Ribsia, Moldova.

Carl Richardson printed a full-page article of the story on page 9 of his    PUBLICATON also referring to the first Bible School Dan and Mary Nell provided in the Soviet Union.

It was three years later in June 1994 that I got to see the school, after Mary Nell had gone to heaven and before I remarried to Mary Boldrey.

Mary Nell was battling with cancer so we were not able to accept the invitation to attend opening of the Bible School in Ribsia, Moldova the 2^nd week in September 1993. Later in June 1994 that I got to see the school. after Mary Nell had gone to heaven and before I remarried to Mary Boldrey.

Dr. Cecil Knight, the former General Overseer and now the president of the seminary in Cleveland, TN invited me to join him on a trip to visit a Bible School graduation in Romania. We also flew to Moldovia to visit my Bible School in Moldovia.

Trip to Romania and Moldova with Dr. Cecil Knight

Feb 28, ‘94   Cecil Knight was in Orlando for a convention, and he came and visited with me and spent the night at 1319 Mirror Terrace. He invited me to go with him to Romania in June.

I responded quickly, “I’ll go to Romania with you if you will also visit the Bible School in Ribnita, Moldova, with me.”   Although classes had been held in the school since May 15^th, 1993, I had not had the opportunity to visit it. I was hopeful that Dr. Knight could assist in creating connecting the Moldova Bible School with the Church of God Theological Seminary in Cleveland.

March 8, 1994, report from Vladimir Muraschkin, Bible College of the Unified Churches of Christians of Evangelical Faith at the Ribnitsa Charity Mission “Svet” (Light), Ribnitsa, Moldova, announcing:

President of the Mission is Aleksandr Semyonovich Panchin; Home Address 279700 Moldova, Ribnita, Industrial Street 20, Telephone 011 (373) 55  31-623.

Director of the College: Nikolai Ivanovich Kotiakov. 279700 Moldova, Ribnitsa

Matrosov Street 26, Telephone 011 (373) 55 39-554

First Bishop of the brotherhood, Viktor Ivanovich Belykh.

Other names and addresses:

Walter Bagrin

Vladimir Muraschkin

Mihail Nikolaevich Chizh – (2)      from school in Moldova.

Missionary Don Sims contacted me concerning me loaning him money to build a home in Costa Rica or Guatemala. I reluctantly loaned him $40,000. He repaid $44,188.51 on Mar 26, 1993, and I was thankful it all worked out satisfactory.

June 21, 1994, Tampa, Atlanta, Frankfurt, and Bucharest.

July 14, 1994, Letter from Dr. Knight. Has received my $25,000 and will be talking with Mikhail Tchij from Moldova today. He will be able to assist me in contacting Alexander Panchina. I keep remembering what the Bishop said: “a raven will come.”

Nov 1994 – MEJAROS MARINEL, STR TA’sNAD 22,  AP4 ,3400 CLUJ-NAPOCA from Romania wrote letter of thanks for the dinner.  

Dr. Cecil Knight signed Amendment Number One Dated February 25, 1994, renaming the Winters Foundation Revolving Funds Program be known as the MARY NELL WINTERS REVOLVING LOAN FUND.

 The trip in June 1994 was what I needed however it was rough. In Bucharest, Don Price, Dr. Cecil Knight and I were sitting on the plane, getting ready to take off for Moldova when we learned that two of the plane’s engines were on fire.  The fire trucks were rushed out and the firemen sprayed the plane while all passengers remained on board and watched out the window.  The attendant told the passengers not to be afraid because it happened all the time. The excessive heat caused the fires.  Dr Knight asked what we should do if the fire reoccurred while the plane was in the air. The attendant said, “It never happens after the plane reaches 5,000 feet of altitude because the air is much cooler up there.” We were hoping we would reach 5,000 feet without any reoccurrence. This made us question whether we would ever fly on that airline again.

When Cecil, Don Price and I arrived in Moldova at the Bible School, we were extremely pleased with the quality of construction of the three-story building that had been constructed of masonry materials. All the work had been done by donated labor.

As Dr. Knight and I visited the classroom we witnessed the elderly bishop as he personally taught the class of approximately 50 students from the Bible from early morning until after dark. Cecil and I were more moved by seeing not only the building, but the quality of training that was being provided to the eager students.  They had such a hunger to become leaders.

Dr. Knight and I observed that the dormitory rooms usually had eight students occupying them. All the rooms including the two large bath facilities were being used to capacity. The students were also using the VCR’s to play teaching tapes. There was such a sincere commitment that was apparent among the facility and students to study the Bible and learn about God. The students appeared friendly, well-mannered and kept the premises clean.

Dr. Knight, Don and I were also surprised when we first arrived to find a hole nearly as large as a city block being dug adjacent to the new building.

Students from the Bible school were using pick and shovel to dig out this dirt and then shoveling it onto a wagon where it was being hauled away by tractor. I asked, “What is this hole here for?”

With tears in his eyes, Bishop Belykh responded, “To triple the size of the Bible School”.  We need more dormitory space and a larger dining room. God gave us the plan and our architect has created the detailed drawings for us.

“How much money or loan approval do you have in the banks for this construction?” I questioned.  “We aren’t allowed to bank in Russia.”  “Then how much money do you have to buy all of the material needed for the building?”  The bishop said less than $100 US dollars. When asked about how they intended to finance the new construction, the Bishop replied to Dr. Knight, “God told me to dig the hole and He would send a raven to provide the money.” They would be ready to pour the first concrete that next day. I was deeply touched by this level of raw, primitive faith.

My heart nearby broke to think that our Church of God would leave this people struggling without any help from American for this worthy project. I shared with Dr. Knight that I could not leave those people without arranging the funding for that Bible School. The nation was nearly bankrupt. The people earn so little money, yet they were willing to provide all the labor free. The bishop had spent 18 years in prison for preaching the gospel and now he was teaching classes and preaching the same gospel every day. Who would help these people expand their Bible school? I now understood why I had felt so impressed the day before we arrived that there was an important assignment for us somewhere in Moldova. How could this need be ignored and left undone? This was another opportunity for me to “Go out and have fun.” As the Lord told me in a dream many years earlier after my first heart surgery in 1986.

God had given me the gift of doing whatever is in the power of my hand to do.   So once again I went into my own checking account and gave the money for the Bible School.  I was aware that I was created to be somebody’s answer.  Dr. Cecil Knight says, “Dan became God’s raven for this occasion.”

Dr. Knight and I were in the photographs taken when the first stones were covered with hand mixed concrete. Everyone was excited and happy. What a thrill!

(Note insert picture here)

I returned to my home in Florida, wishing Mary Nell could share with me what our money was doing in Russia.  I had always leaned on Mary Nell, even for things like the clothes I wore, including the color coordination.  I was a very lonely man

Dan stood in front of the School of Ministry in Moldova, Russia at the age of 64.  Near him stood the two bishops of the underground church.  Tears of joy were in his eyes.  This was the greatest investment of his life.   The building was breath taking in its size and quality.  It was built like a fortress with marble floors and marble staircases, a stainless-steel commercial kitchen, nicely furnished classrooms, and impressive dormitory rooms for the Bible students. Impressive was the quality not only of the new multi-story masonry building, but also the quality of the student body and faculty. This was one of the greatest moments of Dan Winters’ life.

Dan had seen a divine opportunity, and seized a divine moment, and helped bring to reality the practical training of ministers and other workers for the ripened harvest in what had been the USSR.

Carl says this was the first Bible school to have been built in the Soviet Union for over 70 years.  It soon became the official training center for the many Pentecostal churches in the 15 nations which comprised the former Soviet Union.

Carl Richardson printed a full-page article of the story on page 9 of his PRIORITY ONE PUBLICATION also referring to the first Bible School Dan and Mary Nell provided in the Soviet Union. 

(as written by Peggy Scarborough)

Not long after Dan and Mary were married, the invitation came for the dedication of the new addition to theBible School in Rybnitsa, Moldova.  Dan is by nature a very protective husband. He suggested to Mary that the trip might be rough, remembering the plane catching on fire in Bucharest.  But Mary insisted that it was the will of the Lord for her to go and be with her husband for this important event. Cecil Knight, Carl Richardson, and Don Price joined them for this trip, along with their Russian interpreter, Walter Begrin.

Carl and Dan had decided not to fly again from Bucharest to Moldova.  But travel arrangements were difficult because none of the car rental companies would rent cars out of Bucharest into Moldova.  So, Carl arranged for a friend in Bucharest to send his van and a driver to provide
transportation for Carl, Dan and Mary. Rev. Don Price contacted a friend in Budapest who sent a driver and a Mercedes to provide transportation for Don, Cecil and Walter.  The two parties drove along together.

Dan and Mary had read on the Internet a warning about the increased danger of driving in Moldova after dark.    The internet also warned, “Do not go through Transnixia, a small country that had recently been taken over by rebels.  There was no official government nor was there a United States consulate there to represent you, so stay out of Transnixia.” They did not know where Transnistria was and did not intend to go there. They thought they were only going to the city of Ribnitza via the city of Kishnau, the capital of Moldova.

Dan asked the drivers about how long it would take to make the trip.  The reply of both drivers was, “No idea!  Never been there.” They predicted it would be about an eight-hour journey and they would arrive in Ribnitsa around 4:00 p.m. They agreed that both carloads should leave early the
next morning, so they would arrive at the Bible School in Ribnitza before dark.

It was a grueling trip through the Romanian countryside where the “conveniences” were almost non-existent.  Young revolutionary soldiers at the border demanded $20.00 in U.S. dollars. Dan gladly paid it to get us away from them and across the border.

As they were crossing the mountains heavy fog had set in.  Freezing rain and snow began to fall, and it was now dark, and driving was treacherous. The trip had taken longer than expected.  After they crossed the border into Moldova local guards sent them on a detour down a side road because the bridge on the road they were to take to Rybnitza had been blown up during the recent uprising.  Afterwards a local truck driver informed them they were in Transnixia.  Young guards stopped them at check points several times. Each time they demanded a fee. Their driver said the fees were unreasonable and he was getting angry.

At the last check point Mary saw one of the young guards walk up to the front of their van and load the bullet into the magazine of his carbine rifle.  She, Carl and Dan began to pray.  Their Russian guide was getting nervous. Everyone was anxious to complete this journey. Dr. Knight was on a tight schedule that required them to get to Rybnitza that night.  Finally, they were allowed to proceed and arrived in Rybnitza, Moldova about 10:00 p.m. very relieved to have gotten through that country during the darkness. Later they were told that during the time they were in Transnistria they were in real danger because the locals are known to take foreigners hostage to extort ransom money. Praise God they were finally safe.  When they left Rybnitza they were escorted out by the vice president of the Bible School via a different and safer route.

Since they had never driven in Rybnitza they had no idea where the Bible School was located.  Very few people were on the streets since it was late at night. So they stopped and asked the first ones they saw for directions.  To their surprise, the couple knew exactly where the school was located. Mary thought they might have been angels placed there by the Lord until Dan observed the smell of alcohol on the boy’s breath.

Within a half-hour, the team arrived looking somewhat rugged. The 75-year old Bishop VictorBelykh was waiting for them.  Tears rolled down the old bishop’s face.  He was so glad to see the Winters’ family and the rest of the crew.  When one has spent 24 years of his life in prison for preaching the gospel, he treasures his friendships.  He showed Dan the plaque on the wall at the entrance to the building, dedicating the building to the “Den Winters Family of Winter Haven, FL.” The spelling of Dan’s name was not correct, but who cares?  They had the love of the Russian people whom they loved very much. A wonderful hot meal was still waiting upon their arrival. Dan and Mary were allowed to sleep in the president’s suite, which was very nice by Russian standards.

Dan was thrilled with the building. It was like a fortress.  It had been finished with student and ministerial volunteer labor.  They had dug stones out of the mountains.  There was beautiful hard marble tile on the floors and staircases.  The kitchen was equipped with all stainless-steel commercial fixtures and the dining room seated 300 hundred plus people.  Not only were they prepared for training the students to become ministers and church workers; they were also involved in community enrichment.  Several other groups including some from Europe had joined in and helped with the construction of this lovely facility. The German craftsmanship was evidenced throughout the building. They had their own bakery that had been donated and brought from Germany that distributed over 1700 loaves of bread daily to help feed the local people. The nearby food warehouse facility was
stocked with a large inventory of food for the Bible School that was also being shared with the local citizens. This gave them favor with the local government. In the warehouse there was also a room full of sewing machines.  The plans were to teach women to sew so they could provide for their families.

Dan wept with joy and humility.  No other building he had built or participated in meant as much to him as this building, a building fully operational and training young leaders to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ behind the former Iron Curtain of communism.   His financial gift had been stamped with the anointing and the anointing was bringing in a harvest.  This could make a different in the lives of many people who had been denied the opportunity to worship Jesus for the past 70 years.

The dedication service for the Bible School was a beautiful service. The auditorium was filled to capacity as well as the overflow and hallways with students, faculty, and administration from the Pentecostal Churches in Russia, as Dr. Cecil Knight, Rev. Carl Richardson, Dan and others ministered. Walter Bagrin interpreted the services for the local people who were present. The sincerity and depth of their worship was beautiful and left a definite impression on Dan and Mary.

To Dan, “It was joy unspeakable and full of glory.”  It was a joyful experience for Dan and Mary as they presented the offering that they had brought to Bishop Victor Belykh. Bishop Belykh immediately announced that the offering would be adequate to cover the unpaid expenses of students who had shown up without any funds for tuition and that he would use it for that purpose. Everyone rejoiced.

After the dedication service they were invited to the dining hall for a wonderful meal and a time of fellowship with all the students, faculty, wives, and guests present.   Dan and Mary felt so honored to be among such wonderful and dedicated people of the Lord. They shall always cherish the memories of this very special occasion. (end of Peggy’s writing)

Mary and Dan at Bible School dining room with Bishop Viktor Belykh, Carl Richardson and Walter Bagrin.

Index to video:

8:09:  Worship begin in Bible School dedication service in Rybnitza, Moldova

10:38  Dr. Cecil Knight greets the people and tell how God sent raven to fill the hole

15:10  Dan Winters speaks at the Bible School

55:50  Dan speaks again and presents gift from Mary & Dan

01:31:00  Carl Richardson – Bible School is Legacy and Tribute to the Winters Family.

01:33:00  Our experience in Transnixia.  Young guards stopped them at check points several times. Each time they demanded a fee. 

1:35:00   End of video

Bishop Ivan Fedotov also attended the dedication. Vladimir Murushkin and others ministers who had served many years in prison for preaching the gospel.