Setting ministry direction in Russia
Filed Under: BWM, Russia, World Missions
In light of the synod's recent financial cutbacks, World Missions Administrator Rev. Dan Koelpin, together with world board member Mr. Keith Moore and Europe Administrative Committee member Rev. James Hoff, traveled to Russia April 18-28 to assess the future direction of this mission field. While there, they visited seven cities including Novosibirsk, the political and cultural center of Siberia where WELS' mission efforts are centered.
"From the initial days in the early 1990s when we had 800-900 people in English as a Second Language classes, we have settled down to three solid congregations that each have their own worship facility, solid leadership, and a core of mature Christians," says Koelpin.
Approximately 350 members of the national church of Russia are currently being served by one national pastor, three deaconesses, a student training for the ministry, and one WELS missionary; a second missionary is being called.
"The Board for World Missions is extending its commitment to this field for two missionaries for the immediate future to provide opportunity for further pastoral training and leadership development," says Koelpin.
While growth in this field has been difficult due to increasing opposition from the Russian Orthodox Church and the remnants of Communist distrust, Koelpin says the churches are trying everything they can to reach out, including a radio broadcast to a potential audience of 500,000 people and limited periods of religious instruction in public schools.
"It is important to remember that every soul in the church is a marvelous miracle of God's grace, especially considering most of their backgrounds," says Koelpin. "Many of them stated that 15 years ago they were atheists and hated each other. Knowing the gospel has changed their entire perspective on life and given them hope they thought they would never have."
Koelpin says he hopes many more souls come to know their Savior through the work being done in Russia. "God willing, we hope to see increasing Russian leadership and ownership for their mission as well as a continued partnership with WELS as those leaders reach out to the people of their own country."
