FPC Nashville sends a group every
year for Tula’s summer camp. This was their first winter
visit, and it was such a blessing. More and more, summer is a
time when we are running at full speed. This winter trip was a
gift of time just to be in the midst of the life of the church,
to be with friends and talk deeply, to be refreshed by one another.
I have gained a deeper understanding of the breadth of Tula’s
ministry. There has been much growth in the past two years that
we have not had the time to witness.
Tula’s church building is very small and in a poor location.
It is a house church established in the 1950s. At that time, Baptists
were only allowed space in the poorest, most remote, and inaccessible
neighborhoods. Many still labor in such locations, and it is limiting.
In spite of the church’s poor location, though, they have
broadened their outreach to children, youth, and families. Vladimir
Vasilyevich, Tula’s senior pastor, is a born missionary.
He is a presence in Tula, a very large city, and I never cease
to be amazed by just how many people he is connected with. Now
they have hired a dynamic youth pastor, Yuri Mikhailovich. Like
every church in Russia, their budget is very limited, but they
have the right priorities. Their current location is too challenging
for most seekers to get to, even if they could find it, so the
church has rented space for the youth clubs. They were at first
aghast at the cost to the congregation, but when weighing the
value of the young people against the value of money, it was clear
what choice was needed. At the club, the young people play games,
sing, and have discussions on such topics as friendship, drugs,
alcohol, and love. The young people are coming. As we visited
the orphanages, Yuri Mikhailovich approached the director about
beginning a similar club with her children. She was very open
to this. I have come away from this trip feeling very encouraged.
Tula needs a new church building. The Outreach Foundation has
accepted a project for them this year. Funds must be raised, but
we hope they can begin building by this fall. In the meantime,
they are going out into the community and serving the Lord with
gladness.
Al and I spent last weekend in Siberia in the city of Surgut.
It has been four years since I was last there. We have kept in
touch with the congregation through the pastor as he has come
in to Moscow. Again, this trip was a gift time with the congregation
that we really needed. Surgut is an old city with a young population
of workers in the growing oil industry. With three universities,
there is a large student population. We were impressed by the
energy and enthusiasm of the church’s youth. Two of the
pastor’s sons have started a band with friends, and they
are excited about the role they can play in reaching out to youth
in their city and their region. On Saturday we attended a conference
on drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The church is getting ready
to open a center. This is a huge need in Russia, which has an
alarmingly high rate of addiction. As a result, HIV and AIDS are
spreading faster in Russia than anyplace in the world. Surgut
Baptist Church has also begun an AWANA program (a program of games,
songs and Bible study for elementary aged children) and a puppet
ministry. We enjoyed the fellowship we shared with members and
have come away excited about what is going on in that region.
This weekend we are off to Shatsk, a city in the Ryazan Region
(not as far as Siberia). We have known the pastor in Shatsk for
some time, but this will be our first visit to the church. We
have heard good things about their ministry and look forward to
the visit.
Today begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Let us give
thanks for the bonds we have in Christ Jesus and pray for unity.
May we seek ways to come together with our brothers and sisters
in Christ wherever they may be. Through Christian fellowship we
are refreshed and strengthened for His service.
May the peace and blessings of our Lord be with each of you this
day and always.
With love in Christ,
Ellen and Al
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
187 |
