RETREAT FOR THE ASSOCIATION MINISTERS
Due to fires and air pollution, the ministers' retreat at Sierra Pines was moved to First Slavic Church and took place August 20-21. Many great speakers were invited and were able to teach a few seminars. Not only did they teach pure doctrines, but they were also giving practical advice and resources for a successful ministry both in the church, and in the world. In the end, the attendees were given an opportunity to ask questions, and hear answers that were based on Scriptures and the experiences of the speakers. I. Mileyev provides more information about the retreat in his article, which can be located on the Association's website – click this link.
During the retreat, very interesting seminars were presented. Links to their recordings can be found below. All recordings are in Russian.
PCSBA MISSIONS COMMITTEE MEETING
On August 7, PCSBA’s missions committee had a meeting of the newly revised staff. Leaders of the mission departments of PCSBA churches were invited to serve on the committee, and they attended the meeting in person or through ZOOM.
The meeting focused on ministry for the upcoming month. It was decided that there is a necessity to have a closer contact with the churches, and develop the plans of actions in each region working together. It was also decided that Dmitriy Murkin would be confirmed as one of our missionaries in Spain. For more information about him and his ministry, read here: Dmitriy Murkin's Biography | Upcoming Plans (in Russian only.)
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
It is amazing how much this department accomplishes! They are always in different cities teaching sessions, and gathering students for more lessons. A. Pronin, who is leading this department provides more information in his article which can be found on the Association's website – click this link (in Russian only.)
Lesson at a church in San Francisco
CAMP AT THE “TRANSFIGURATION CHURCH”
From August 1-4, after a long wait during the pandemic, the Transfiguration Church in Minnesota had a wonderful opportunity to go on a retreat to the southern part of the State, to White Waters Park. For more about this camp, read an article on the Association's website at this link (in Russian only.)
FAMILY CAMP IN SPAIN
With God's help, this summer was the second time that the family camp in Spain was able to take place. Over 80 people attended the camp, consisting mostly of young families and children. Over a 5-day period, both children and adults had the opportunity to rest together, listen to engaging Bible lessons, play rally games and competitions, and to fellowship and pray together. The camp had twice as many people as last year, half of whom were unbelieving friends and acquaintances. This camp was a great blessing because a lot of adults and children heard the Gospel.
For more about the camp, read a letter by A. Shipuk, who is the Association's missionary in Spain (in Russian only.)
WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP IN FRESNO
On August 14, there was a great women's fellowship in Fresno. The women had an opportunity to get to know each other, fellowship, pray, rejoice, and even swim in a pool. The older women also shared their experience of life with God, and answered questions that were important to the youth. For more information, read the details in an article by A. Mileyev – click this link (in Russian only.)
MINNESOTA VISIT
The leader of the PCSBA women's ministry took a part at the Transfiguration church's retreat, during which the women had their own meetings and discussions. To find out more about what they discussed, read an article by A. Mileyev, which could be located at this link (in Russian only.)
PCSBA’s President, I. Mileyev, also shared his impressions about the visit to Minnesota, and his participation in the church retreat – read his article here (in Russian only.)
USEFUL INFORMATION ON THE PCSBA WEBSITE
As mentioned in the previous newsletter, even though the Association's website exists for 12 years now, and contains a lot of useful and interesting information, many of the Association's church members still know very little about it. That is why in the upcoming newsletters we will share about each section of the association’s website, and how it can benefit its visitors. The address of the website is https://pcsba.com.
In this newsletter we will share about select ministries, but the full list of ministries could be found in the second section of the website – Ministries. For more comprehensive information, visit the Association's website.
- Education Ministry. The goal of this ministry is to equip the pastors of Slavic churches and increase the level of their education in spiritual matters, and to help in various areas of ministry. In partnership with Moscow's Theological Seminary, the ministry provides three levels of study: A.A. Degree, B.A. in Church Ministry, and M.A. in Church Ministry. The department is headed by Aleksandr Borisovich Pronin, who is a pastor at Bryte Church.
- Missions Ministry. In fulfilling the Great Commission, the churches of the Association have joined their efforts to reach out to those who are lost. On this page of the Association's website, you can find out how the department is planning to accomplish this goal. The department is headed by Vadim Yurchak, and its committee members are leaders of missions departments of the Association’s churches.
- Prison Ministry. This ministry began in 2006 by a small group at one church, and now this ministry has representatives from many churches. They serve at tens of prisons and proclaim the news of forgiveness and being set free through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The department is headed by Viktor Nikolayevich Butayev.
- Women's Ministry, Moms in Prayer Ministry, Ministry to Widows and Orphans. Although these ministries are grouped together in this newsletter, each one of them is an independent ministry, and is headed by different people. One thing that is common in them is that they are focused on serving among women. By clicking on the name of the particular ministry, you will be able to find out more details about each one of them, and get contact information of those who you should get in touch with in case you would like to join any of these ministries.
- Youth Ministry. The main goal of this ministry is to serve God, and to encourage the youth of the PCSBA churches to find their joy in Christ, to faithfully serve Him in sharing the Gospel in our circles, and do whatever we can in expanding God's Kingdom. The head of this ministry is Petr Makletsov.
- Information Ministry. . One of the goals of this ministry is to share information to churches and their members about the things that are happening in the Association and its churches, as well as about the Association's partners and other sister organizations and unions. This goal is accomplished through monthly newsletters and social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Olga Avetisova is responsible for this ministry.
There will be more information about other ministries in the upcoming newsletters. |
NEWS FROM MOSCOW'S THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Moscow's Theological Seminary is now serving under a different status. While preserving its previous name, it is also now recognized as the Religious Theologically-Educational Organization of Higher Education: Moscow's Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Christian Baptists. The seminary gained a new license to provide education designed to train pastors.
PREACHING TO CUBANS
From April 2017 to July 2021, Hope for the People Mission helped Cuban churches to distribute 134,000 Bibles. Through this Bible distribution effort, many small groups were formed to study Scriptures, and these groups gave rise to over 1,650 churches.
The mission invites you to take a part in this great effort. For more about this project, visit the mission's website – click this link.
HELP TO TAJIKS
Khujand, a small town in Tajikistan, was hit hardest by the landslide, which destroyed or severely damaged houses on July 13. Now the main road has been cleared, the electricity supply has been restored, and the mighty peaks of the Pamirs calmly rise above the village. But what remained of human dwellings was stuck in a dried mass of debris and mud.
When the team of brothers from the church in Dushanbe brought the first relief supplies to Khujand in July, the people were overwhelmed by the willingness of the Christians to help - and by your willingness to sacrifice, dear friends, which has made this first relief action possible. It is this testimony of loving care which causes so much gratitude in the hearts of the Pamir people. They feel that along with the relief goods, they receive the message that they are not forgotten, and that God cares for them through His children.
Read more in the BMC letter – click this link.
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FOREIGN ORGANIZATIONS CAME UNDER RESTRICTIONS IN RUSSIA
The General Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation laveled the activities in Russia of two Ukrainian and two Latvian evangelical Christian organizations "New Generation" as unwanted, the press service of the department reports. Should these organizations continue their activities on the territory of the Russian Federation, they will be dealt with administrative and legal measures.
Although this does not affect the Baptist organizations yet, this decision by the government clearly shows the direction where things are headed.
Source: RIA NEWS (in Russian only.)
USEFUL INFORMATION – VACCINATION
A lot of Christians, including Slavic Christians, are very concerned about mandatory vaccination that are contrary to their conviction. In light of this, Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) developed documents to help Christians who would like to be exempted based on their religious convictions. This organization also offers free legal help in these issues. The documents can be downloaded here (click this link), by entering your name and email address in the form.
DO WE KNOW OUR YOUNG GENERATION?!
Sixty percent of Americans below 40, think that Jesus is not the only way of Salvation, that Muhammed and Buddha are equal to Christ in being legitimate ways of coming to God. Over 30% think that Jesus was a sinner like us when He lived on the earth, or were unsure about that question. Those are the results of the last findings of the state of Christian society in America. For more about these findings, visit the Christian Post – click this link.
What about us who are members of Slavic churches? Do we know what our youth believes, or doesn't believe in? Perhaps during their time in schools and colleges, they have been so «brainwashed» that they no longer believe in the sinlessness of Jesus Christ, and that He is the only way to God? |
