Perm, Siberia
Bruce outside the New Testament Church in Perm - a former palace of Lenin
Mango International is honoured to work with such forward thinking and gospel focused co-workers in Russia. Headed up by Bishop Edward Grabavenko, the Russian Church of Evangelical Faith has released over 25 evangelistic teams into the remotest parts of the nation from West to East, and North to South as part of the One Year for Jesus Project.
The effect of this initiative has been awesome, and there are reports of whole villages responding to the invitation to follow Jesus, some in regions where the gospel has never been preached.
The New Testament church in Perm, Siberia is the home base of this project, where temperatures fall to minus 40C degrees in the Winter months. The church meets in Lenin’s former Palace of Culture which has now been dedicated to the Lord’s work.
Bruce and Sharon have ministered in the church and in the Bible school, which is preparing leaders to pastor the new Christian communities springing up over the nation.
Crossing the River Sylva by snow mobile. Not so good when the ice melts !
Recent mission trips into deepest Russia have met with considerable challenges, particularly from the adverse weather conditions. Typical of this was a recent crossing of the frozen River Sylva by snowmobile. The snow mobiles began to sink in icy water part way across the river in an air temperature of minus 35C degrees, but after wading in the water up to their knees, the intrepid missionaries went on to proclaim the Gospel to a remote community of 23 people who listened carefully to the Good News and accepted New Testaments to read. Despite challenges of harsh living conditions, many of the villagers surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ and will be followed up by local believers. It has been a privilege for Mango to contribute financially to such raw evangelism!