We felt honored to be included
in the process and were glad that through the Outreach Foundation
and the Twinning ECO, we were able to find funds to help finance
the conference.
The conference began Wednesday evening, as members of churches
from across this vast country began arriving. People traveled
from Krasnoyarsk, Kemerovo, Omsk and the Altai in Siberia. They
came from Krasnodar, Khabardino-Balkaria, Northern Osetia and
Stavropol in the Caucuses, from Komi in the far north, and Bashkortostan,
Yekaterinburg, and Perm in the Urals, not to mention from regions
in the center of Russia. Thousands of miles separate these churches,
but they face similar challenges and joys. It was a gift to come
together and share. These churches are involved in camp ministry,
orphanage ministry, ministry to street children and drug addicts.
They have all felt the call to respond to the suffering around
them and have stepped out in faith to serve.
The conference began with words of encouragement. Yuri Sipko,
president of the Baptist Union, opened with a powerful message,
a message acknowledging the poverty of his churches, but challenging
all to reach out. They have been and continue to be a marginalized
people, but they are a people of great heart. The president reminded
us of Jesus’s call to social ministry. He lifted up statistics
that haunt all of us. Russia, a country of 145,000,000 people,
has at least 4,000,000 homeless, 4,500,000 caught up in addiction
to drugs and alcohol, and 800,000 in prison. The future facing
orphans is bleak. One out of three will become homeless, one out
of five will be imprisoned, and one out of ten will commit suicide.
He shared the challenge and isolation of invalids and the alarming
erosion of family. Baptists are poor, their churches are small
and isolated by distance, they have few resources, but Russia
needs them. Yuri Sipko reminded us that social ministry isn’t
an extra, but an essential part of our call as Christians. Even
the poor can reach out with love to their fellow man—reach
out with love regardless of that person’s response.
Throughout that first morning, speakers echoed Yuri’s message
and encouraged these churches that they have the resources to
begin. Speakers shared stories of small steps in ministry that
developed into extensive programs. The point was not the extensive
programs, but the steps, the heart’s response to people
in need. The speakers gave the churches strategy for beginning.
All the churches present were already involved in social ministry,
but they saw a need bigger than their current response. They all
sought ways to expand what they are doing. Speakers challenged
them not to look at what they don’t have, but at what they
do have. They challenged them to get organized and coordinate
their efforts; to identify clearly what they want to do—no
one can do everything; to identify a leader; to survey resources,
facilities, and people. Within each congregation there are talents
to tap into. And the speakers reiterated that social ministry
isn’t an extra, it is an essential part of our call as Christians.
In the afternoon, the churches began to share what they are doing.
It was humbling to listen to. Small and isolated churches are
feeding street children, ministering to orphanages, developing
camp programs, providing shelter. And yet for all of them, it
is not enough. The need is greater than their efforts. One pastor
reminded them that they cannot fix Russia’s problems. They
can only be a loving presence. Their call is to stand in the midst
of their communities and show that they are not strange, they
are not frightful, and they are not a sect. They are ordinary
people who love their neighbors. We cannot forget what this church
has itself endured. They have been slandered and persecuted. They
have suffered for their faith. Many still fear these humble, gentle
people.
On the second day, Christian organizations shared the resources
they have available for churches. Our colleagues from Narnia Center
shared about the literature and seminars they offer. Then, everyone
broke into round tables focusing on areas of ministry. I sat in
on the meeting on ministry to street children and listened as
they shared the struggles and joys of this ministry. From distant
points, they face similar challenges. Before separating, they
shared email addresses in order to stay in touch.
And so, they came to Moscow. They came great distances to share,
to listen, to connect, to grow. It was a privilege to sit in their
midst and listen. Our thanks to all of you who helped make this
possible.
With love in Christ,
Ellen and Al
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
187
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