Reformed Pastors in Moscow

Two of our favorite new friends in Moscow are pictured here as we were drinking tea or chi in a new Coffee Bean Cafe located across from our hotel. These men are from a medical background when they came to Christ. Shortly afterward they gathered men and women together and began to teach and worship the Lord.

Pavel and Mihail attended seminary and are reaching out to the recovering community in Moscow as a place of safety and love. We shared our insights and ideas with them and they with us in an effort to build a stronger network of believers dedicated to healing and growth. They are part of the Evangelical Christian Association of Churches in Russia that has some 100 members.

This is a unique idea in Russia as well as the rest of the world. However, the resources we in America take for granted are nowhere to be found in this part of the world. Thankfully, Pavel and Mihial are using their medical, theological and 12 step knowledge to offer hope in an otherwise bleak and hopeless part of the country.

It is often said by preachers that "Christ is the only hope for the world," but living in the USA, the wealthiest nation on earth, numbs us to that reality. Here in Russia where the leaders attempted to crush Christianity and all its contributions for over 70 years we can see the terrible results in addiction, abuse, trauma, callous behavior and the enormous pain people carry in ever day life. When citizens of America complain about a police state they simply are out of touch with a reality that the people here lived in for so long.

The absence of Christ's love leaves a terrible gap in society. People were not motivated to care for others under the rule of the Soviets. Despite a thousand years of Christian history the cruel hand of the atheists caused horrible damage to the souls of the people. PTSD is rampant among the populace so the people do what they can to cope. Alcohol, depression, drugs, sex and work are the handiest ways to get relief.

The churches do what they can but have so little training or experience in ministry to wounded hearts. And, they are very small and have great barriers to overcome to carry out the simplest kinds of ministries. People like Pavel and Mihail are doing their best and need our prayerful support. Steve and I are extremely happy to know such good people.