ORDINATION AT SLAVIC BAPTIST CHURCH OF WEST SACRAMENTO

On April 11, Slavic Baptist Church of West Sacramento had a joyful church service during which Andrey Zabolotnyy was ordained as a deacon. He is young, full of strength and energy to serve the Risen One, and has an advanced theological degree. Even now he is active in serving the youth, young families, and is in charge of the English services of the church. Ivan Mileyev talks more about the ordination service in an article which can be found on the Association’s website.

MEETING OF LEADERS OF THE ASSOCIATION’S MINISTRIES

The upcoming leaders’ meeting took place on April. The meeting began with a brief seminar by I. Mileyev where Ivan Vladimirovich focused on the requirements of a good leaders. Then he did an overview of what criteria a leader should possess, specifically how he must build a team and then work with them. Finally, he covered what the measure of the successful leader is and the ministry of the entire team. After the seminar, the department leaders talked about their work over the past two months.

The Meeting Was Mixed of Both the Physical Presence at the Office, as Well as ZOOM Participation

FAMILY RETREAT OF THE WORD OF TRUTH BIBLE CHURCH

In these difficult times when every other marriage fails, how is it possible to save the family, and to continue to find joy and happiness in the family life while raising the children in the fear of God? This was the theme of the family retreat of the Word of Truth Bible Church. Pastor P. Lvutin provides more information,  read his summary here (in Russian only.)

EASTER CELEBRATION AT SLAVIC BIBLE CHURCH IN ORANGE COUNTY

On April 4, the church in Irvine had their Easter celebration service. This was a special event because after a four-month break, Slavic Evangelical Missionary Church was able to resume their services under the new name: Slavic Bible Church of Orange County. I. Mileyev took a part in this celebration and shares more about it in his article – read it here.

MEETING OF PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

«Let Everything that Has Breath Praise the Lord» - this was the theme of the meeting that took place at the church in West Sacramento (where Igor Antonovich Verstak is the head pastor). Since the quarantine, this was first meeting of the parents and their children with special needs since the beginning of quarantine. Although a little timid after a long break, the children and teens with the cognitive development disability were nonetheless friendly and excited about meeting for the Bible study. Read more about this in an article by N. Smolikova on the Association’s website.

The Joy of Being Together in Fellowship

WOMEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST

On Saturday, March 27, 2021 there was a women’s prayer breakfast at Bryte church. The fellowship topic was “When we Have a Problem with a Child”. The head of the Moms in Prayer Ministry O. Drovorub shares more about this meeting in her article which can be located on the Association’s website – click this link (in Russain only)

Women Participants of the Prayer Breakfast

WOMEN OF EASTER SEMINAR

On March 25, women from various churches of the Pacific Coast Association met over ZOOM. Thanks to the modern technology, the women from many regions were able to have fellowship and rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and be filled with thanksgiving and worship! The theme of the meeting was “The Women of Easter”, and made a lasting impression on all of the participants. Read more in an article by E. Mileyev on the Association’s website (in Russian only.)

Women of Easter

MOMS IN PRAYER MINISTRY AT BRYTE CHURCH

Would you like to know about the heartfelt desires and prayer of two sisters who began serving in a new ministry that now involves many children and adults and which is both useful and joyful? Elena Nosova from Bryte church provides more information. Click this link to access her article and view some pictures (in Russian only.)

Younger and Older Participants of this Wonderful Ministry

FUNERAL OF ADOLF ANDREYEVICH PICHAJ

The word “funeral” does not seem fit to describe the memorial service that I. Mileyev attended and what he covers in an article on the Association’s website. It is better to call this service “a celebration of life” of a wonderful man of God and a minister who will be remembered by many people. To read an article by I. Mileyev and see the pictures of this service, click here.

At Least Two Hundred People Gathered to Say Good-bye to A. Pichaj

How well do you know the Pacific Coast Association and its website? The Association’s website contains a lot of useful information about this great organization which exists for over 80 years. You can test your knowledge of how well you know its content by filling out the crossword puzzle. The answers to these questions can be found here: https://pcsba.com.

The first three of our readers who will provide the right answers to the crossword puzzle will receive an autobiographical book of brother A. Pikhay. The answers can be sent to the following email: pcsbaca@gmail.com. Please indicate “Crossword about the Association” as the subject. Blessings to you!

Click on the crossword image or on this link, in order to open it for printing and filling out. The crossword is in Russian only.

NEWS FROM ITALY

The missioner Ilya Danilyuk, who is supported by our churches, sent another newsletter which can be accessed here (in Russian only.)

ECB MEDIA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Over a hundred people from various countries registered to participate in the online conference about ECB Media which was organized by Euro-Asian Federation of the ECB Unions and Churches. The meeting took place on April 8-9. The chairmen of unions, staff from churches and various Christian organizations that work in the media were discussing the theme of “SMI After the Pandemic”. Everyone came to the consensus that generally Baptists are trailing behind on this issue; our involvement in SMI is very, very limited. For more information about the conference and the links for downloading the audio and video recordings can be found on the Association’s website.

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT OF THE RUSSIAN UNION OF ECB

Youth department of the Russian Union of ECB had an online leadership summit on April 17, during which there were 320 ministers from 9 countries: Russia, Spain, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Australia, and Belarus. For all those who would like to watch the recording of this summit, you can access the YouTube channel – click this link. The union’s youth department also offers various resources for youth ministries such as:  «The Tabletop Book of Youth Ministry Leader», «Program of Preparing Youth Ministers», «Instrument of the Youth Ministry -- GUIDE» 
Source: Website Russian Union of ECB.

AT LEAST SOMETHING GOOD IN THE MIDST OF THE GENERAL APOSTACY!

The state of Arkansas became the first U.S. state which forbids the procedures for the sex change for children and teens. The doctors and medical personnel who will break the law will lose their licensing.

According to the Christian Headlines, the project known as “Arkansas Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act,” became a law after the acceptance by the House of Representatives and the Senate. “Our children stand as pawns right now. They're minors and they're children and they need to be protected" from the medical profession, said state Rep. Robin Lundstrum, a bill sponsor. "Even medicine sometimes is wrong. We should never experiment on children. Ever.”

Source: Christian Headlines.

INTERESTING FACTS FROM THE LIVES OF THE AMERICAN PROTESTANT CHURCHES

According to the LifeWay survey, 63% participants donated either the same amount or even more during the pandemic than before. Although the attendance of small groups has declined from 52% in 2019 to 37% in 2020, 15% stated that they read a lot more spiritual books than in 2019. Scott McConnell who is the executive director of LifeWay Research stated that he thinks that: “COVID-19 seemingly had both the positive and negative effect on discipleship”.
Source: Christian Post.

THE BELARUS GOVERNMENT DEMANDS $180,000 PAYMENT FROM A CHURCH

On February 19, The New Life Church in Minks (Belarus) was evicted from their building. The church building was purchased in 2002 when it was just a cowshed on the outskirts of town. The Christians rebuilt it, and beginning in 2004, they began having their church services. Right now, the church is forced to gather outside and to pray for the resolution of their problem. The government declared that the church now owes the property tax in the amount of $180,000 U.S. dollars.
Source: Marathon Bet.

Church Praying Outside

GIRL'S FELLOWSHIP

Girls are invited to the fellowship which will take place on May 1, 2021 at 828 Solano Street, West Sacramento, CA 95605 (previous location of the Bryte Church). Speaker: Maria Gusenkova. Topic: God’s Design (Purity).

MARGARITA KOLOMIYTSEV'S RECITAL

On May 8, Russian Church of Bryte will have Margarita Kolomiytsev's recital. For more information, click here (in Russian.) The evening will be in support of the cancer patients in Moldova. Free admission. Church Address: 1000 Sacramento Ave, West Sacramento, CA 95605.

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The Editorial Team:
I. Mileyev- Editor in Chief
О. Avetisova - Editor
А. Zabolotnyy - Translator
S. Mizera – English Translations Editor
S. Timopheyeva - Russian Version Editor