Pastor, Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy (MPC)
Reverends Stacy & Bob Bronkema

The Moscow Chaplaincy is an international, interdenominational Christian ministry that has been bringing the love of Christ to the English-speaking community of Moscow since it was established in 1962. Today, members of the congregation come from nearly thirty nations and represent more than twenty different Christian traditions.

Reverend Bob Bronkema has been called along with his wife, Reverend Stacy Bronkema, to serve as pastor of MPC. Bronkema’s responsibilities will include leading this congregation comprised of students, refugees, pensioners, laborers, diplomats and business people in worship, study, fellowship and pastoral care. “One of the truly exciting dimensions of this position,” Bob shares, “is that we get to use our gifts, as pastors, in the mission field — of building up the church through preaching and teaching and studying God’s word.”

MPC also is actively engaged in community outreach. Bronkema observes, “The Chaplaincy focuses on ministering to the most vulnerable. Their refugee ministry provides a safe haven for those who have fled from African nations torn apart by civil war and famine only to be subjected to harassment, racism and discrimination rampant in Moscow.”  He goes on, “Whether its providing food to pensioners who have no safety net or legal aid to a refugee or a place to gather for Bible study and prayer, MPC is committed to serving others.”

The Bronkemas are both graduates of Princeton Theological Seminary. For the past ten years, Bob has served as pastor at St. Augustine Presbyterian Church in Florida. And they have served in the mission field in the past in Italy. They have three young daughters who are accompanying them to Russia.

Stacy shares that one of the family’s favorite scripture passages is Philippians 4: 47, especially the verse “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. She explains, “We are called to go out into the world, building up the body, trusting in the Lord and rejoicing with thanksgiving. That is our call.”

Because of the pressing needs of the MPC and the Bronkemas’ strong sense of calling, they have been deployed to Moscow and are serving as mission volunteers. However, the goal of the Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts & Hands is to secure funding, at a minimum, for a three-year term as full mission co-workers.

Projected Annual Costs for Bob & Stacy Bronkema
(estimated as of 12/31/06)

Salary: $39,500
Benefits: $24,400
COLA: $7,000
Children's education: $12,000
Housing: N/A - provided
Travel: $5,000
Other support needs: $5,000
Security: $1,100
Contingencies: $3,000

Total annual cost: $95,500
Total for 2-year deployment: $286,500

Support for the Chaplaincy has been, and continues to be, provided by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Reformed Church in America, the American Baptist Church and the United Methodist Church. Our partner churches have pledged $40,000 toward the support of the Bronkemas. The PC(USA) portion of the annual cost is projected at $55,000 a year or $165,000 for a three-year term, funded through contributions to Joining Hearts & Hands.

What is Christ Calling You to Do?
Bob and Stacy Bronkema stand ready to serve God. But they need your help. They need your financial support as indicated above.

To make a pledge to Joining Hearts & Hands, a campaign to renew the Presbyterian Church for mission, call (888) 728-7228 x5611 or click on the donate button.

Download this flier to print

Contributions can be sent by mail to:
Presbyterian Church, Individual Remittance Processing
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

You may designate your contribution for the Bronkema's by including her name on the memo of your check along with the following identification number MI910035.