Russian Baptists Need Special Prayers

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In February 2022, Russia invaded the neighboring nation of Ukraine.  Since that time until the present, the bloody war has continued month after month.  Despite strong economic sanctions and massive military aid to Ukraine, President Putin is relentless in his quest to make Ukraine a part of the Russian homeland.

Our Russian Baptist friends usually share nothing via email or electronic chat about their convictions on the war in general or President Putin in particular.  Communications are monitored, and serious consequences could result if they make remarks that are unsupportive of Moscow.

Rev. Yuriy Sipko, however, is an exception.  As the former president of the Russian Baptist Union and former vice-president of the Baptist World Alliance, he has a large platform from which to share his views.  He repeatedly has spoken out against the moral evils of the war.  He’s now considered a criminal by the Russian government and an enemy of the state.  He’s fled the country and is safe abroad, but his family is still at risk.  Because of his outspoken stance against the war as a leader of Russian Baptists, all Russian Baptists are now at increased risk.  Even though their political opinions vary, they all are Baptists, just as Yuriy Sipko is Baptist.  Long before the war, Baptists were viewed with skepticism by the Russian government and the Russian Orthodox Church.  Now their reputation has grown worse.  As recent events have shown, prominent Russians who are critical of President Putin do not fare well.

What can we do as American Baptists to help our Russian Baptist brothers and sisters?  First, we can pray for God’s protection.  We can ask our sovereign, all-powerful God to watch over our spiritual family members.  Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  Second, we can pray for God’s provision.  Due to financial sanctions, official channels are now closed for ABC regions and International Ministries to send funds for relief.  God, however, can make a way when there is no way.  2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”  Third, we can pray for God’s boldness.  Russian Baptists are no strangers to obeying God rather than men.  During the Communist era, when preaching the Gospel was illegal, godly men would be arrested and imprisoned for pastoring churches.  When a pastor was taken, another bold believer would take his place.  We should pray now that these saints have the perseverance to stand for the Lord as their Biblical convictions dictate.  Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”  Finally, we can pray for God’s peace.  We can pray that President Putin ceases to wage war.  We can pray that the deep divide between the Russian and Ukrainian people would heal.  We can pray that all the other nations of the world work toward peace.  Isaiah 9:6 says of our Lord Jesus, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Will you join me in making prayer for Russian Baptists a top priority?  Will you pray for them regularly as individuals and as churches?  As James 5:16b says, “…The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

WVBC/Russia Missions Update – Ministry Despite the Conflict

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The West Virginia Baptist Russia Mission Partnership leadership team met via Zoom on Tuesday, June 27 at 7:00 p.m.  We had full attendance with Curt Arvidson, David Bess, Jason Marshall, Jim McHugh, Keith Miller, and Zach Stevens participating.  It’s been several months since we’ve met due the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Since I’ve accepted the call to pastor the First Baptist Church of Waynesburg, PA, it’s no longer appropriate for me to continue as the chairman of the team.  Jason Marshall, pastor of FBC Rainelle, was elected as the new chairman.  I was elected to work with Jason in a vice-chairman/advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of leadership.  My ministry at FBC Waynesburg began July 2.

While money transfers and mission trips are not possible due to sanctions and restricted travel, the economic development aspect of the partnership is still thriving.  An economic development fund was established several years ago to make loans to startup businesses.  These businesses are begun by church members of Ryazan Baptist churches.  The loans are then repaid to the fund over a 3-year period.  The terms of each loan include an agreement to tithe from the profits to the business owner’s congregation.  Once a loan is repaid, another Ryazan Baptist church member may submit a business plan for funding.  The monies are distributed and collected within Russia, so they’re not affected by sanctions.  Keith Miller continues to serve as the administrator for the approval or rejection of each loan.  Startup taxi businesses are the most popular and successful.  A variety of other businesses have been created as well.

The leadership team discussed the possibility and/or feasibility of expanding the partnership.  For over 20 years, the WVBC has worked with Ryazan Baptists to strengthen their ministry in the Ryazan oblast.  There are now other Russian Baptist regions that could benefit from development and support.  On the American Baptist side, there may be other ABC regions who would like to join the WVBC in future ministry with Russian Baptist congregation.  I’ll work with Jason Marshall, Todd McClure, and Charles Jones in the coming months to explore what our options may be.

When the war with Ukraine comes to an end, it’s likely Russian Baptists will have a much different ministry situation than prior to the war.  We want to be faithful to support our Russian Baptist brothers and sisters in Christ at that time, whatever their needs may be.  In the meantime, we continue to support them through our prayers and through interaction over Telegram.

Jason Marshall will be representing the RMPT this year at Camp Global.  We’ll have another Zoom meeting on Tuesday, August 15 at 7:00 p.m. 

If you’d like to offer financial support to Russia missions in general or to a particular project such as Camp Alpha or Economic Development, please send your gift to the WVBC office. We’ll hold the support received until we are able to transfer funds once again.

Please pray for our Ryazan Baptist brothers and sisters in Christ during this difficult period.  Pray also for our WVBC/RMPT leadership team, that we’ll have the Lord’s wisdom in all we do.  We’re convinced that God will work even through this horrible time of bloodshed to glorify the name of Jesus and to advance His kingdom.

Blessings,
David Bess

War in Ukraine – Where Does the Partnership Go From Here?

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What does the war in Ukraine mean for the future of the West Virginia Baptist Russia Mission Partnership?  The bloodshed continues day after day.  The Russian government is determined in its goals.  Many Ukrainians are just as determined to defend their land.  Sanctions from the West upon Russia are heavy, essentially closing down interaction with the United States.  For supporters of Russian missions, where do we go from here?

First, pray for the war to end.  Our Russian brothers and sisters in Christ share our abhorrence for the taking of human life.  Anything they may wish to share about peace, however, could be taken as resistance to their government and punished severely.

Second, pray for reconciliation to begin.  This conflict is more of a civil war than a war between two sovereign countries.  Families within both Ukraine and Russia are deeply divided over whether Ukrainians should be independent or a part of the Russian nation.  Even if the Russian military retreats, a bitter rift between the two factions will remain.

Third, pray for wisdom for the WVBC/Russia leadership team.  The challenges for the partnership are enormous.  In 2016, the Russian government enacted a new, oppressive law that prohibits mission team members from preaching or teaching.  Any kind of group ministry by foreigners could result in heavy fines, including construction and renovation projects.  With the outbreak of Covid-19, mission trips were no longer feasible.  Now with the war in Ukraine, money transfers aren’t possible, and communication is restricted.  Only the Economic Development fund remains since the fund and the transfers all occur within Ryazan.

Finally, pray for Russian Baptists.  They face a severely strained economy. The oppression by the government and the opposition from the Russian Orthodox Church continues.  Pray that they unite in spiritual devotion to their Lord despite political division over Ukraine.  Pray that their boldness for the Lord Jesus remains strong.  Pray that God provides for their needs in absence of help from international partners. 

So, what does the war in Ukraine mean for the future of the West Virginia Baptist Russia Mission Partnership?  The Lord only knows.  He is always faithful.  For now, we pray, we wait, and we see what doors the Lord may open for greater ministry in the future.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:4-6 ESV

– David Bess
WVBC/Russia Mission Partnership Chairman

October 2020 Update

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The current Russia Mission Partnership Team consists of Curt Arvidson (Mount Vernon Baptist), David Bess (chairman, Beulah Baptist, Grafton), Johnna Gaunch (Pea Ridge Baptist), Jason Marshall (First Baptist, Williamson), Jim McHugh (Hopewell Baptist), and Keith Miller (Gilboa Baptist). 

The American Baptist Women of West Virginia have adopted Camp Alpha as their 2020 and 2021 Mission Outreach Project.  Donations were not as generous this year as in previous years, due to WVBC churches dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.  Camp Alpha did not meet in 2020, since Ryazan Baptists were social distancing and churches were only streaming services.  Camp Alpha is similar to Camp Cowen, except it’s in its very early stages.  65 children attended the camp in 2019, with 10 of them repenting and turning to Christ as Savior.  There are three goals for their building plan:  1) a fence to surround the entire property, 2) a large dining hall and dormitory building, 3) a water well to supply the campground.  The Ryazan Baptists do not have an abundance of resources to support this plan, so progress will be very slow without help from West Virginia Baptists. 

Mission trips to Ryazan are still on-hold due Covid-19 concerns.  The U.S. State Department also has issued an advisory for any religious groups traveling to Russia, warning that they may be detained and questioned about their activities.  The Russian law against terrorism, passed a few years ago, is an increasing hindrance for mission activity in the Ryazan oblast.  Now not only are preaching and teaching by mission teams prohibited, but their mere presence is being scrutinized.  Your continued prayers for the partnership team are appreciated, as we seek innovative ways to share and to receive ministry with our Ryazan Baptist brothers and sisters.

The ministry potential is still great for mutual encouragement in evangelism and discipleship.  There is a desperate need for funds among Russian Baptist churches due to their struggling economy.  The Economic Development portion of the partnership continues to help startup businesses of Ryazan Baptist church members.  Keith Miller travels approximately twice a year to Ryazan, and to other regions in Russia, to stay in touch with the ministry taking place there.

Russia missions is a challenging, yet very fruitful, ministry opportunity.  A member of our leadership team would be happy to share with your church or your association details about what God is doing in Ryazan, and how you can get involved in the partnership.

Camp Alpha 2019 was a success!

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Camp Alpha (the new, start-up camp for Ryazan Baptists) had a very blessed summer! 65 children attended, with 10 of them turning from their sins and experiencing salvation!

Please continue to pray for the building and development of this camp that’s inspired in part by and similar in nature (though smaller in scale) to the West Virginia Baptist Camp at Cowen.

**Visit the Russia Mission Partnership display at the WV Baptist Annual Meeting October 18-19, 2019 at Alderson Broaddus University.  See more pictures and hear more about the ministry the Lord has been blessing between West Virginia and Ryazan, Russia for nearly 20 years.

  

UPDATE: Central Church repairs. Can you help?

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An update was received today from Central Church in Ryazan.

Pastor Victor reports that they have managed to repair the rafters and roofing for their historic church building. They were able to do it with help from other churches in the Ryazan oblast and deep financial sacrifices of their own congregation. Funds are still greatly needed, however, for interior repairs to the damaged ceiling and the old, heavily worn seats.

Please pray for them to have the funds that they need to finish these required repairs for a Russian historic facility, and for any donations made from WVBC churches to be transferred quickly to them.

Are you able to help Central Church?  Contact David Bess, WV Russian Mission Partnership Chairperson at bessdr@wvusa.org

   

Sharing vision and building relationships- A Trip Summary from July 2018

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A team of nine West Virginia Baptists traveled to Ryazan, Russia in July 2018 to spend time with our friends & partners in ministry.  Members from Beulah Baptist Church, Pea Ridge Baptist Church, Hopewell Baptist Church and 1st Baptist Church of Williamson were a part of the 10 day trip.

While we were in Ryazan, we were hosted by friends and they welcomed us with open arms, showing us such hospitality. The team had the opportunity to attend church services, see building projects in the region, and experience a new camping project.  Ultimately, we visited seven of the nearly 17 churches in this region that is approximately the size of the state of West Virginia. We spent time in the urban city of Ryazan as well as the Ryazan region countryside. It was a time to deepen and grow our relationships.

Ryazan pastors and church leadership shared with us their joys and their struggles.  We met church members and saw ministry taking place. What stood out to many of us was the clear vision that our friends had for their ministries. They know what God has called them to do in their communities and they are passionately pursuing that vision. Two churches have 100 members or more, and the other churches are smaller.  Many of the smaller meet in homes or apartment buildings. They have few financial resources, but they accomplish so much! We saw that they have a reverence for scripture and treasure his Word. So much like the early church, they spend time in the Word, they fellowship and break bread together and they serve together.

Ryazan churches are teaching and training a second generation of church leadership. It was humbling and encouraging. Out of our nine WV trip members, four were 21 years old or younger.  Our partnership is stronger than ever, and we’re glad to see young adults from WV and Ryazan becoming close friends and ministry partners!

There’s still much to do. We truly need more WV Baptist Churches to join us in partnering with Ryazan Baptist churches. Our sisters and brothers in Russia have so, so much to teach us about ministry. With nearly 400 WV Baptist churches and about 17 Ryazan Baptist churches, the opportunities for partnership are huge! We need WV Baptists who have never been to Ryazan to go- and see for themselves what God is doing. We need partners in prayer- both in WV and in Ryazan as we have a common goal to build his Kingdom.

We’ve attached a gallery of pictures from the July 2018 visit between WV Baptists and our partners in Ryazan, Russia. Please consider contacting a member of the Russia Mission Partnership Team for more information.

 

Summer 2018 Mission Trip

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David Bess, Russia Mission Partnership chairman, will be leading a mission trip to Ryazan, Russia July 20-30, 2018.  The team will be observing the ministry God is doing in various churches throughout the Ryazan region, including construction projects, gypsy missions, and child evangelism.  We’ll also be encouraging Ryazan Baptists through prayers, presence, and deepening of friendships.  We’ll be supporting their ministry through the gift of Child Evangelism Fellowship evangelistic tools and the promotion of new partnerships with West Virginia Baptist Churches.
The cost is $2,500.  The first deposit of $500 is due no later than March 10, 2018.  Please contact David at bessdr@wvusa.org or (304) 265-0040 for more information.