Hundreds of supporters around the world prayed
for "Faith in Action Bible School" in March and again
in May as they faced closure by the Russian Government. When
the verdict was announced that the case and the appeal had been
lost, we wondered why God had not answered our prayers. But something
that is born of God has His purposes to fulfil. FIA has not died, rather it has been "re-categorized" as a "training course" in the Church. This is the reason we have changed our terminology, although our purposes remain the same. On June 9th the current semester finished and 11 students were "congratulated" for completing the course. The struggles and trials have brought a measure of maturity to all involved, from students to staff. Daily responsibility for the students was taken by Larissa the cook, helped by Stas and Zina (all former students), and the teaching schedule was organized by Natasha the book-keeper! Local Russian pastors ably taught the classes. Although this has been the toughest semester ever, the students have come through well.  This last semester went so well that on June 14th there were 3 weddings where all the couples had been students at FIA. ("Bridal College" is not a joke, but a reality!) Through all these troubles Pastor Alexei and the Russian believers have come to realise that training believers is "their" responsibility, and not something brought to them from outside. They have decided to continue with the training as a part of the church, and already have applicants for next semester. In February just as the semester was beginning, 4 car loads of FSB (formerly KGB) lawyers and others arrived at the school's campus with the intent of closing down the school (and possibly the Church too). They had a large dossier on FIA with copies of letters, faxes and e-mails. They monitored phone conversations, interviewed neighbours, and harassed Pastor Alexei and his staff for several weeks. On 21st March the case was heard in the Primorski Krai Regional Court and the judge ruled against FIA for "conducting educational activity without a suitable licence". The case was appealed in the Supreme Court in Moscow on 20th May. Although being defended by Vladimir Ryakhovsky, one of the best Christian Lawyers in Russia, three judges upheld the previous ruling to close the Bible College. THE LEGAL SITUATION In Russia the 1997 Religion Law allows for "teaching of religion and the religious upbringing of followers" in churches, but "professional religious education for preparing clergy and religious personnel" is subject to State licensing. There is provision for "Seminaries" on one hand, and in-church training on the other, but no concept for the in-between Bible Schools and Bible Colleges. FIA fell somewhere in the middle, and hence all the controversy we have faced. TESTIMONIES One of the female students became ill and had to go to hospital. After two days she was well, but the doctors kept her in the hospital where she began to share her faith in Jesus. Many of the patients were converted, and some were healed. Even some with terminal illnesses were healed. Then she went to other hospitals where more were healed too, and some of them started coming to the church. Now a little more about the current students. There are 19 of them, from many different places. A lot of them are young people. Six of them are from a rehab center in Lesozavodsk. They used to be alcoholics and drug addicts, but God completely set them free. Nikolai does not have hands, but somehow he writes all the lecture notes. During June, July and August these students have practical assignments with regional churches, or pioneering new churches in villages that don't have one. They will come back to Vladivostok in September to continue their training.
Still the most pressing need is for student accommodation. Our present building needs major renovation, and the new dormitory is still a brick shell. Some money is in hand for this, but much more is needed. Projects vital to both buildings are the sewage system, and city water supply.
Pastor Alexei thinks it is important that I should come to Vladivostok and see the situation for myself. I had been planning to go in April but cancelled because of the problems. We are not sure that after the Court cases the authorities will issue visa invitations for me, but if so I may try to go in November.
PRAY FOR: Pray for finances to restore the old building to necessary standards, and to finish the new dormitory building. Pray for workers to complete these buildings.
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