By
Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST News Service
RUSSIA (ANS –
November 2, 2016) -- When Russia’s anti-terrorism law went into effect
in July 1 of this year, many grieved because they knew that, in the hands of
anti-evangelical politicians, this law would become an anti-missionary law used
against Protestant Christians in Russia.
And
now, according to Sergey Rakhuba, President of Mission Eurasia (formerly Russian
Ministries), the controversial law is already being used in an attempt to
silence Christians, especially pastors.
“There
is a fierce spiritual battle raging in Russia against the forces of darkness,”
said Rakhuba in a message to supporters. “The relationship between Russia and
the West is growing more tense, and now the US has suspended diplomatic contacts
with Russia over Syria.
“But we will not
abandon our Christian brothers and sisters in Russia during this time,
especially as there are still incredible opportunities for ministry and
evangelism in Russia. In the midst of fines, raids, and arrests, I am seeing
more clearly than ever how God is at work in Russia -- transforming the country
according to His purpose through the witness of faithful Christians.
“These
faithful Christians in Russia, and throughout Eurasia [the combined continental
landmass of Europe and Asia], refuse to be silent, and they are courageously
proclaiming, ‘We must obey God rather than men’ (Acts 5:29 ESV).”
Rakhuba
went on to say, “As Russia becomes increasingly hostile to outsiders, it becomes
more and more important to focus on our strategic, missional approach of
training and equipping national Next Generation Christian leaders to influence
their country for Christ.
“On
October 1, a gathering of more than 350 young Next Generation leaders came
together in Perm, Russia -- in the heart of Siberia -- for a Next Generation
Professional Leaders (NGPLI) conference called ‘Calling. Faith. Influence.’ The
attendance for this event went beyond our expectations, and the location of the
conference was very significant to me personally.
“During
the Soviet regime, the Perm region was the gulag capital of Siberia, where
thousands of Christians were sent to toil and die in labor camps. How miraculous
that, today, this very region is the location of a growing movement of young
Christian leaders! Despite the government’s best attempts to transform Russia
according to its own agenda, God is instead transforming Russia according to His
divine purpose.”
Rakhuba
said that “this powerful movement of Next Generation Christians mobilized by
Mission Eurasia in Russia keeps growing!”
He
said that on October 15, another conference took place in Krasnodar, Russia,
where close to 500 young leaders, along with pastors and ministry leaders from
more than 20 churches, came together to be exhorted and equipped to seize every
opportunity -- particularly in the workplace—for caring, effective Christian
ministry.
“The
young Christian professionals mobilized and equipped by Mission Eurasia
represent the fields of business, education, social work, law, healthcare,
infrastructure, the arts, and more,” he said. “For so many years in the Soviet
Union, Christians were pushed out of these very vocations. But now, in every
influential profession there are Christians in Russia who are bringing a
Christian worldview to their occupations and using their influence for God’s
kingdom.
“These
young men and women are responding to the challenges of the new law in Russia
with courage, faith, and renewed passion for evangelism and ministry. They have
taken seriously their calling to follow Jesus no matter the cost. And we must
take seriously our calling to encourage, train, and equip these Next Generation
leaders -- who are the future of the Christian church in Eurasia -- with every
resource we can, so that they may continue to make disciples and shine the light
of the gospel in the darkness.”
He
concluded by saying, “Despite increasing difficulties, we will continue to
support our Christian brothers and sisters in Russia. There is much spiritual
darkness in Russia today, but we serve an almighty God who is calling Christian
leaders, transforming hearts and minds, and advancing His eternal kingdom in
Russia and throughout Eurasia.”
For
more information, please go to: https://missioneurasia.org/
Note: Sergey
Rakhuba has served as the president of Mission Eurasia (formerly Russian
Ministries) in Wheaton, Illinois since 2010. Prior to this, Sergey served as the
vice president of Russian Ministries, overseeing all of its ministries in the
former Soviet Union. Originally from Ukraine, Sergey Rakhuba later moved to
Moscow, where he lived for many years. He is a gifted national believer who has
a great vision for his homeland and the entire Eurasian region.
Photo
captions: 1) Russian Protestants during a worship service. 2) Russian girl
Christians. 3) Scene at Mission Eurasia conference. 4) Taking notes at Mission
Eurasia conference. 5) Sergey Rakhuba. 6) Dan Wooding in Moscow with Russian
dissident, Alexander Ogorodnikov, following his release from a labor camp in
Perm, Siberia.
**
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