FAITH IN ACTION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vladivostok, Russia

Supported by Faith Ministries &
Faith Bible College in New Zealand,
Faith Ministries Japan, and World Outreach.

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RUSSIA REPORT October 2002

"Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

 

 The new teaching term started at Faith in Action Bible School in September with 6 senior and 14 junior students. These young Russians are enthusiastically studying the Word of God to prepare themselves for their future ministries in Far East Russia.

Where only about 15% of graduates from other Russian Bible institutions go into ministry, about 60% of FIA graduates are serving the Lord in churches and parachurch ministries. This is why we press on, confident that our efforts are bringing eternal results for God's Kingdom.



BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Unfortunately the effort to build the dormitory is not going as well as our efforts to build people's lives. Construction has been slow, and any chances of getting a part of the dormitory usable by winter have faded. Most of the brick outer walls have been completed. The revised plan is to continue raising money and a volunteer construction team, and begin again next April when the snow has thawed.

With this in mind, I want to encourage you to keep on sending contributions towards the building. Remember that we also need to see the financial needs of the School met to provide them with food, heat and other provisions over the coming winter. Your donation, large or small, can always make a very big difference to these Russian students.


 GRANT & GAIL IN RUSSIA

Grant & Gail Williams from New Zealand spent almost 3 months working with FIA in Vladivostok. Much of their time was the summer break while students were away, but Grant was able to gather information and give advice on the building progress. They spent time getting to know the believers, and time in prayer. Some of their highlights were visiting a village church in Kamen Rybolov near the Chinese border, and sharing in several church conferences.

When classes began in September, they shared the teaching load, imparting their wealth of Biblical knowledge along with personal Spiritual ministry to the students.

Grant & Gail are praying about returning to Vladivostok next year to help with construction and teaching.

 

 GRADS IN ACTION

The church in Kamen Rybolov was started in 1994 when Dima and another student went out to evangelise. Some years later Dima's mother studied at FIA, then took over the pastorate.

Although in a poor area, this is now a vibrant church, reaching out to nearby towns.


 STAFF AT FIA

Sergei, Natasha and Dima keep the Bible School functioning, along with Larissa the cook (Not shown).

Natasha (centre) came to us to be our Book-keeper. She was not a believer at that time, but very soon her faith blossomed and she was baptised in the nearby lake.

 CELEBRATING 10 YEARS
OF MINISTRY

Pastor Alexei recently celebrated 10 years in the ministry and 10 years of marriage to Sveta. Here they are with their daughters Kristina and Marina.

When I first met him, Alexei had just become the pastor because the old pastor had died. Over the years that one small house-church has grown to several hundred believers. Now, under the Church of the Living God there are over 30 daughter churches. One of these is actually larger than Alexei's church. These churches reach into villages and cities all over the Primorski Region.

 

 

 RELIGIOUS FREEDOM THREATENED IN FAR EAST RUSSIA

15 Churches have been planning to show the "Jesus" film in major theatres in Vladivostok. 200,000 invitations have been distributed, and much advertising done. Unexpectedly, the Russian Orthodox church has started newspapers, TV and radio opposition, sowing religious hostility and conflict by claiming that the people are being threatened by a foreign sect.

In fact this showing has been organized by Russian churches, and the mayor of the city has given permission to show the "Jesus" film. Both the Constitution and State Law on Religion allow this, but the Orthodox church is threatening the religious freedom of both Protestant and Catholic churches.

Until recently the churches had a friendly relationships with the Religious Affairs Department, but this attitude has completely changed. Alexander Dvorkin, a "specialist on sects" from the Russian Orthodox church has poisoned them, and Victoria Bondarenko, a biased specialist on religions started to work in the Religious Affairs Department.

The Vladivostok church leaders ask for prayer for unity and wisdom, and for the leaders of Russian Orthodox church to repent of hostility to their brothers in Christ.

Downtown Vladivostok street scene

MILESTONES FOR NOEL MORRIS

In October this year I also pass a milestone, because it was 10 years ago I first went to Russia. When I look back and see what God had accomplished I can only give praise and thanks to Jesus.


TO TEACH IN DECEMBER

Des Short from Faith Bible College in New Zealand is preparing to go to teach at FIA in December. Des will be able to officiate at the December Graduation Service.


BOOKS FOR STUDENTS

Over the past year FIA has received several gift shipments of books for the students. We want to particularly thank Dr Mary Ruth Swope, Ross Tooley and the May family for their generosity.

Senior students in the classroom

Crowded student bedrooms

PRAY FOR:
1. the staff and 20 students at Faith in Action Bible School.
2. Pastor Alexei and his family, and wisdom as he leads his church group
3. finances needed to run the school. Approximately US$2,000 per month (NZ$5,000, 250,000 Japanese yen.)
4. the finances needed for the new dormitory. Budget US$150,000 = NZ$360,000 = 19,800,000 Japanese Yen. So far about 10% has been received.
5. for the "Jesus" film to be shown freely in Vladivostok, and for a softening by the Russian Orthodox Church authorities.
 
Gifts for our support and continuing ministry to Russia can be sent:
In NZ: C/o P.O. Box 12357 Hamilton
In Japan: Postal Furikae 01150-8-74597 Faith Ministries
In USA: C/o Christian Fellowship, 2199 N. Water Street, Decatur, Illinois 62526
(Make checks out to Christian Fellowship, but memo for Faith Ministries)
From other countries:
Bank: A/c name: Faith Ministries,
A/c No. 060603 0000421 00
National Bank of NZ, Chartwell Branch,
Routing No. NBNZ22

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