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News Archive 2007

September-December 2007 Update from Pastor Andrey Vladimirov, Voronezh, Russia (Update Jan 16 '08)

As he is restoring the spiritual life of the Lutheran congregation in Voronezh, Pastor Andrey Vladimirov has started outreach with God's Word in the city. On September 7, 2007, the Day of the City, he made a presentation on the topic of "Lutheranism and One's Homeland" for 24 representatives of the festival organization committee. On October 18, 2007, he spoke a homily on "The Bodily and the Spiritual" for 31 members of a mountain climbing sports club. Another ongoing activity is reaching out with spiritual conversations to youth at an orphanage/boarding school which included showing a documentary on the Shroud of Turin in December. (top)

December 2007 Update from Deacon Yuriy Poddelskiy in Petropavlovka, Republic of Buryatia, Russia (Update Jan 16 '08)

In December 2007 Deacon Yuriy Poddelskiy from the Church of Ingria congregation in Petropavlovka in rural Buryatia, Russia, and his assistant reached out with teaching God's Word through creationism lessons in several schools in Petropavlovka. Their activities included the following lessons and video shows:

• Biology lesson on creation, the origin of man, life and universe for the 9th grade in an evening school
• The Failure of Darwin's Theory DVD video show in the 11th grade of Village Secondary School #1
• Biology lesson including videos on the origin of man and the young age of our world in the 11th grade of Village Secondary School #2
• Showing videos about the origin of the universe and the testimony of fossils in the 10th grade of Village Secondary School #2
• Deacon Yuriy gave videos on the origin of rock solids and the testimony of fossils as a gift for the principal of the district gymnasium who showed them in class
• Also in the gymnasium, Deacon Yuriy showed the "A World that Perished" video about the Flood in the 5th and 6th grade literature classes as the 5th and 6th grade curricula include an introduction to the Bible. He also gave the schoolchildren Christian literature.

Those outreach efforts resulted in more than 100 Gospel touches among students and teaching staff.

A class on Luther's Catechism and John's Gospel in the Buryat language has started at the church in Petropavlovka. The class is taught by Valentina Chagdurova who attended the beginning theological course at a branch of the Theological Institute of the Ingrian Lutheran Church. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates: Aug 06, Nov 06, Mar 07, May 07, Aug-Oct 07. (top)

December 2007 Update from the Pershins, Holy Cross Lutheran in Yoshkar-Ola, Russia, on HIV/AIDS Prevention Project (Update Jan 15 '08)

On December 4, 2007, Deacon Sergey Pershin and narcologist Nina Pershina from Holy Cross Lutheran in Yoshkar-Ola, Republic of Mariy-El, Russia, partners of LCMS World Mission in Eurasia in the LCMS World Relief HIV/AIDS prevention project, conducted a training on HIV prevention and a workshop on how to say no to worldly temptations. They held those events as part of the youth camp of the Uralic District of the Ingrian Lutheran Church. Currently, they continue to reach out to an HIV+ and drug dependent man who has come to the faith in God and realized there is no healing without Him. The Pershins have come to an agreement with the doctor of the AIDS center in Yoshkar-Ola about spiritual work with new HIV infectees at the center.

On December 18, 2007, Deacon Sergey Pershin conducted a lecture on the HIV for 20 people at a homeless overnight shelter in Yoshkar-Ola. The lecture was followed by a lively discussion of the topic. It is possible to visit this shelter every month and reach out to different people each time.

On December 19, 2007, Deacon Sergey spoke on the topic of HIV/AIDS to 8 youth members of the Lutheran church in Yoshkar-Ola. One of the goals of the meeting was to identify any volunteers who would like to participate in the program. Sergey informed the young people about various aspects of the HIV infection and a Christian attitude to HIV Infectees. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on outreach through HIV/AIDS prevention supported or coordinated by LCMS World Mission and/or LCMS World Relief: May 05, May 05 (2), June 05, Feb 06, Feb-Apr 06, May 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Feb 07, Mar 07, July 07. (top)

December 2007 Update from Rev. Igor Alisov, Moscow, Russia, on HIV/AIDS Prevention Project (Update Jan 15 '08)

In December 2007 Rev. Alisov participated in a briefing together with Inland Russia workers, as well as worked with web resources to find new outreach materials. He also helped organize the outreach trip to the boarding school in Malakhovka and together with Rev. Yurtaev held an HIV awareness meeting there on December 7, 2007. On December 9, Pastor Igor traveled to the religious group in Schyokino, in the Tula Oblast, together with District Probst Rev. Shanin where he assisted him in a worship service and discussed with the group leaders the possibilities of HIV/AIDS prevention activities in town. Igor's other activities included participation in a seminar for volunteers in the HIV work and continued participation in Russia's Interfaith AIDS Committee. Photos. Earlier updates on outreach through HIV/AIDS prevention supported or coordinated by LCMS World Mission and/or LCMS World Relief: May 05, May 05 (2), June 05, Feb 06, Feb-Apr 06, May 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Feb 07, Mar 07, July 07. (top)

December 2007 Update from Rev. Andrey Yurtaev, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Moscow, Russia (Update Jan 14 '08)

On December 7, 2007 Rev. Yurtaev participated in the White Cane celebration at the Malakhovka boarding school for children from troubled families during the Disabled Awareness Week in Russia. During the event, Pastor Andrey held a lecture and discussion with high school students about the HIV.

From December 14-15, 2007, Pastor Andrey participated in The Lutheran Church in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS seminar where he read a lecture together with the medic Olga Kharitonova. At the meeting of the Interfaith AIDS Committee he presented the work of the Ingrian Lutheran Church to prevent the spread of the HIV and shared about a recent conference in St. Petersburg.

On December 18, 2007, Pastor Andrey met with the Bible study club in Lyubertsy and spoke to 12 people about the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On December 28, 2007 - participation in the yearend meeting of the Interfaith AIDS Committee.

Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on the outreach activities of Pastor Yurtaev: Early Mar 06, Mar 06, May 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06 (a), Oct 06 (b), Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07, May 07, July 07, Sept 07, Oct 07, Nov 07. (top)

November-December 2007 Update from Vyacheslav Ostanin on prison ministry in Novosibirsk, Russia (Update Jan 14 '08)

Slava Ostanin reports that this and last month he continued reaching out to convicts infected with tuberculosis and HIV in Colony #10 in Novosibirsk. Please pray that God would provide an opportunity for him to also reach out with the Gospel and humanitarian aid to those in the terminal phase of their disease who are currently isolated in a special ward to access which Slava has not received permission yet. There is a convict who was freed more than a month ago. His name is Andrey, he has come to church for three Sundays and has said he would like to continue to come. Slava would like for him and his relatives to go through confirmation class and become members of the church. Whenever he can, Slava visits and brings humanitarian aid for Andrey and his relatives who do not know what Andrey is infected with. Slava also continued to reach out to young convicts at the reformatory for juvenile delinquents. This week Slava also met with the mother of Vasiliy who is to be discharged on December 28. She asked him to help find Vasiliy a job in a healthy environment so that he doesn't get in bad company and go to jail again. Slava and his assistants will do what they can to help him. He invited her to worship in his home congregation. She said she'd come as soon as she stopped working on weekends. Also, during the report period, Slava and his assistants held several tea parties and made several visits to celebrate the birthdays of some of the children at the tuberculosis sanatorium where children from orphanages and troubled families receive treatment.

As usual Slava continues working on other aspects of his ministry such as collecting clothes, books, videos and toys which he brings as a gift for the children at the TBC sanatorium and for the HIV-infected prisoners. During this time he has mailed prisoners more than 70 parcels with Christian literature, Bibles, New Testaments and small-size humanitarian aid. Lately his ministry has also received 17 parcels with children's clothes which they are going to bring to the TBC sanatorium. He also continues outreach with God's Word and human care to discharged prisoners and their relatives.

Slava also continues to talk to various NGO's such as Vector-AIDS Center, Ltd. to see how they can work together to prevent the spread of the HIV infection. Please also pray that he finds people who would help him in prison outreach and be prepared to work at a halfway house if it is God's will.

During this period there were around 500 Gospel touches in all the colonies and wherever else he reached out to people through lectures or by inviting them to common meals and tea at the church.

Testimony. Dischargee Andrey Silich. His last term was 5 years. Convicted many times, he could not imagine his life out of jail. Of course he always dreamed that there would be a new start in his life and he'd never be in jail again, but most of all he wanted to be healthy and not to have to think about death whose breath he feels now. What can overcome death if not the death of the Son of God for us on the cross? A death for a death to give life after death. Andrey seized the chance to live in the world to come where he will see face to face the One who died for him. Andrey was on drugs, but he doesn't want to take drugs now that he is free. He is going through a difficult period in his life, an important phase where he must endure and hold out not to get in jail or on drugs again. He hopes only in God and for our assistance which he needs like air to breathe. He is willing to work hard at any job as long as he is free and can live with a new meaning, although not so long as he could if he were well.

Prayer requests and personal thanks: "Please pray for Andrey whose life has really only just started in our congregation after he was discharged from jail. He is going through a difficult phase of life and only your and our support and prayers can encourage him and keep him on the way of the Lord, away from his old way of sin. Please pray that the Lord shows us workers and assistants in prison ministry and gives us faithful and committed people willing to serve others in spite of the great difficulties. People who can let others see the love of Christ not only in many words, but in deed. People who realize how important this ministry is. And I would like to thank you form all my heart for your assistance. Thank you, thanks be to God for you. Many cordial thanks not only from me, but also from all those who have been helped. They may not have heeded the word of faith today, but we trust God that in His time He will give growth to what was sown." Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on Slava Ostanin's ministry supported by LCMS World Mission in Russia and LCMS World Relief: March 04, April 05, June 05 , December 05, January 06, February 06, March-April 06, May 06, June 06, July-August 2006, Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Feb 07, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07, May-June 07, July 07, July-Aug 07, Aug-Sept 07, Sept-Oct 07, Oct-Nov 07. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Jan 10 '08)

December 2007 Newsletter from Bob and Sue Pfeil in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Jan 10 '08)

Christmas 2007 Newsletter from Laine Rosin. (top)

December 2007 Update from Rev. Yaroslav Boychenko, Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia (Update Jan 10 '08)

On December 10 and 17, 2007, Rev. Boychenko read two lectures for fourth-year students of international relations at the Nizhniy Novgorod State University. The topics of the lectures were as follows: the basics of the Gospel, modern youth and the Christian Church (tendencies and problems), celebration of Christmas in Europe and the USA. Pastor Yaroslav also spoke about the history of Lutherans in Russia and gave the students copies of his book, About Lutherans in Russia, Nizhniy Novgorod, and Elsewhere. The lectures were received with great interest and evoked questions.

On December 14, 2007, Pastor Yaroslav met with the faculty of the Dobrolyubov Linguistic University in Nizhniy Novgorod. He brought copies of his book as a gift for the university library and personally for Professor Yelizaveta Stavrutskaya. Also, Rev. Boychenko brought the manuscript of his article on the contribution of Volga Germans to the culture of Nizhniy Novgorod that he has written for the future book about the city's German population. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on Pastor Yaroslav's outreach ministry in Feb 04, May 04, May 05, Feb-Apr 06, Apr-May 06, June 06, July-Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Jan 07, Feb-Mar 07, April-May 07, June 07, Aug-Oct 07, Oct-Nov 07. (top)

December 2007 Update from Rev. Alexander Furs, St. John Lutheran in Saratov, Russia (Update Jan 9 '08)

From November 27- 29, 2007, Pastor Alexander Furs participated in a seminar at the ELCIR central office to discuss the new official website of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria. Bishop Kuggapi charged Pastor Alexander with updating the Volga District section of the website. Also at the seminar, Rev. Furs presented the unofficial website of his congregation, St. John in Saratov, and of the Volga District. Among other things both websites are intended to serve as evangelism tools.

During his travel to and from the seminar, Rev. Furs witnessed to his faith in Jesus for 6 fellow-travelers on the train. He also continued updating the website of St. John Lutheran and contributing news about the activities and festivals of the Lutheran church for the newsletter of the Saratov Oblast.

On December 2, 2007, he together with St. John Lutheran Church choir traveled to Engels, a town in the Saratov Oblast, to perform a concert of Lutheran spiritual song for the guests and staff of the Volga German Culture House. After the concert, the head pastor of St. John, Rev. Olav Panchu, spoke a word of teaching on the topic of Christ in Sacred Music. The event gathered more than 30 people who listened to Advent hymns and Christmas songs and the pastoral word with great interest. Many came up to the participants of he concert to personally express their appreciation. The church choir received a letter of gratitude from the German Culture House.

As part of St. John church's Gospel outreach through partners, Rev. Furs is working on Luther's Philosophical-Religious Views of Ideative Genesis, an article for a collection of scholarly reports to be published by The Saratov State University. As he met with other partner organizations, Rev. Furs witnessed to the faith for 20 volunteers and told them about St. John church website.

On December 19, 2007, Pastors Furs and Panchu were invited by the oblast government to attend a conference of the Saratov Oblast's Social Forum to discuss Russia's Year of Family in 2008. The Lutheran pastors presented the Ingrian Lutheran Church's official position on family and ways to preserve and strengthen family values. As they presented the church's call to return to the eternal spiritual priorities and moral principles commanded by the Lord, the pastors had an opportunity to witness for unchurched people in the audience.

Also on December 19, 2007, on St. John Lutheran church's invitation, students from the organ class of the Saratov State Conservatory performed an organ concert on the themes of Advent in the church's worship hall. The concert was an opportunity for the church to reach out with God's Word in music to 30 uncommitted people in an audience of 60. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on outreach in the Saratov region: Aug 01, Sept 01, Oct 01, Nov 01, Feb 03, Aug 03, Nov 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, Mar 05, May 05, Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07, May-June 07, July 07, Aug 07, Sept 07, Oct 07, Oct-Nov 07. (top)

December 2007 Update on the Outreach Activities of Rev. Mikhail Starilov, Borisoglebsk, Russia (Update Jan 9 '08)

• December 1, 2007 - Home visit to a crutch-ridden young man. Pastor Starilov shared the Gospel with him and his grandmother, gave him a CD with Christian songs, and prayed for his healing.
• December 3, 2007 - Telephone conversation and then a visit to a family of 4 who had lost their grandson a short time before. Pastor Starilov talked to them about the meaning of life and witnessed to his faith in the eternal life. He invited the family to worship.
• December 4, 2007 - as Pastor Starilov provided humanitarian assistance to a homeless man on the street, he had a conversation with about faith. The next day the man came to the congregational house to received further aid. The pastor prayed for his specific problems.
• December 6, 2007 - Pastor Starilov gave away ten Good News brochures among residents of one stairwell in an apartment house. As a result, several of them showed interest in the literature, and some asked questions about the Lutheran Church.
• December 10, 2007 - Pastor Starilov gave a Bible to a lady near his house in the northern part of town. He also personally witnessed to the Good News of Jesus and invited her to come to the Lutheran church.
• December 11, 2007 - Conversation with a young refugee in the congregational house. The young man accepted the invitation to take a shower in the house and then stayed to have tea with the Starilovs who talked to him about the Christian faith.
• December 14, 2007 - Home visit to a church member's family. Pastor Starilov preached Law to her daughter and disabled grandson. They all prayed together.
• December 17, 2007 - As Mikhail helped with household needs of an aged lady, he talked to her about God, prayed together with her and read the Bible for her.

Earlier updates on the outreach in Borisoglebsk: Nov 02, Feb-Mar 06, Jun-Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07, May 07, Jun 07, Jul 07, Aug 07, Sept 07, Oct 07, Nov 07. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Dec 21 '07)

December 2007 Newsletter from Jon and Julie Muhly (Moscow, Russia). (top)

October-November 2007 Update on Gospel Outreach through Music, Moscow, Russia (Update Dec 18 '07)

The Life and Work of J. S. Bach in the Context of the Lutheran Confession of Faith. Lecture concert series.

October 28, 2007 - Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Chapel in Moscow
November 3, 2007 - St. Luke Lutheran Church in Rzhev
November 10, 2007 - St. Mary Magdalene Lutheran Church in Primorsk
November 11, 2007 - Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Vyborg

In October-November 2007, Darya Shkurlyatyeva, LCMS World Mission in Russia music project coordinator, prepared and conducted several outreach lecture concerts devoted to the influence of Lutheran theology on the life and work of J. S. Bach. Darya held the lecture concerts at Lutheran congregations which provided an opportunity for the church members to invite to the church their friends who are interested in classical music. The audience also included people who came after they read the bills placed in different parts of the city advertising the event.

We got many new and interesting contacts. For example, a history school teacher in Rzhev. After the concert we talked to her for a long time, she wants to prepare future concert lectures together with us where she could invite other teachers and students. The concert in Primorsk was attended by the workers of the local history museum which is located in a former Lutheran church building most of which is occupied by a house of culture. We were glad that the concerts in Primorsk and Vyborg were held during the school break. Many teachers and students of music schools attended the concert in Vyborg as there are two music schools in town. also in Vyborg we met the leader of an antique music ensemble. We agreed to exchange printed music and if possible prepare a concert together in Vyborg.

Darya prepared a detailed Power Point presentation. The listeners learned about Bach's school years, the liturgical and theological emphasis in his education, special aspects of the church organist's ministry, the structure of the Lutheran liturgical year. The main focus of the lecture and concert was the preludes Bach wrote for Luther's "catechesis" chorales.

The concert was participated by Elena Baranova, the cantor of the Lutheran church in Rzhev. Rehearsals alternated between Rzhev and Moscow therefore church members in both locations actively participated in the preparation of the concerts. Both in Rzhev and Moscow the parishioners sang appropriate chorales by Martin Luther before the Bach chorale preludes. The other listeners received programs with the chorale texts in Russian translation and could join in singing. Instead of the chorales in Primorsk and Vyborg the preludes were preceded by the local church pastors reading the appropriate passages from the Small Catechism.

We pray that other congregations of the Church of Ingria can our experience in conducting such events. Darya Shkurlyatyeva has prepared materials that she will send to any interested cantors or other congregational workers. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on how LCMS World Mission in Russia has supported or coordinated outreach through music in the past: Mar 03, Nov 03, Dec 03, Mar 04, Apr 04, May 04, Nov 04, Jan 05, Jan 05, Mar 05, Apr 06, May 06, July 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Dec 06*, Jan-Feb 07, Mar 07. (top)

Evangelism Course at ELCIR Seminary in Koltushi - December 7, 2007 (Update Dec 11 '07)

(click to enlarge)

On Friday, Dec. 7, Pastor Jon Muhly taught an evangelism course for the beginner's course at ELCIR's seminary in Koltushi. The beginner's course is an especially intensive study, meeting three times a year for a week at a time. During these courses, the students' week is focused in theological study, prayer, and worship. The three hour course was designed to give both a theoretical foundation as well as practical skills and techniques in order to better be a witness to the Gospel. As part of the class, the students were encouraged to share the Gospel before the class, so that they could draw off of those experiences for conversation and reflection. The 10 students together shared the Gospel with about 50 people. Please pray that this course will benefit their evangelistic endeavors, will strengthen their fervor to share the Good News, and bear fruit for the Kingdom! (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Dec 7 '07)

December 2007 Newsletter from Matthew Heise (Moscow, Russia). (top)

Dr. Reed Lessing, LCMS, Teaches Course and Holds Seminar at ELCIR Sem in Koltushi, Russia - November 2007 (Update Dec 7 '07)

Dr. Reed Lessing of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis taught a course on the Psalms at the Theological Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in early November. Students of the second year class followed his discussion of the Psalms by reading the Septuagint version since they study Greek but not Hebrew. Students informed LCMS World Mission that Dr. Lessing opened their eyes to many nuances in the Psalms with which they were not aware. Tanya Rumina, a student of Hebrew at a local Christian college, translated for Dr. Lessing during his classroom time, Tanya is a member of St. Michael's Lutheran in St. Petersburg.

Dr. Lessing also held a seminar on preaching after he completed his course on the Psalms. Local pastors as well as several students attended the two day seminar. LCMS World Mission translator Alexey traveled to Koltushi to translate for the two days. LCMS World Mission thanks Dr. Reed Lessing for using his God-given talents to serve our partner church. Photo Gallery. (top)

November 2007 Update from Rev. Andrey Yurtaev, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Moscow, Russia (Update Dec 7 '07)

On November 6, 2007, Rev. Andrey Yurtaev met with 5 members of the religious group in Lyubertsy where they made the decision to reorganize the group into a Bible study club which would enlarge the group. On November 14, the reorganized group met for a Bible discussion which gathered 13 people. On November 12, 2007, Pastor Yurtaev and Pastor Igor Alisov together took part in a celebration at the boarding school in Malakhovka. Also in November, Pastor Yurtaev continued interaction with other denominations about prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS in Russia and participated in the work of the Christian interdenominational AIDS committee. Earlier updates on the outreach activities of Pastor Yurtaev: Early Mar 06, Mar 06, May 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06 (a), Oct 06 (b), Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07, May 07, July 07, Sept 07, Oct 07. (top)

October-November 2007 Update from Rev. Yaroslav Boychenko, Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia (Update Dec 7 '07)

From October 13-15, 2007, Pastor Leif Camp and pro-life activist Dr. Don Richmond visited the Mission Education Center in Nizhniy Novgorod where they taught higher education students and Lutheran church members. They presented the teaching of the Bible in presentations and discussions on "The Role of Man and Woman: a Biblical Perspective" and "Pro Life" for 34 people in attendance.

From October 25-27, 2007, Pastor Boychenko received Mr. Vladimir Kokko, chairman of the Russian Society of Ingrian Finns from St. Petersburg. Mr. Kokko met with representatives of the city administration as well as church members.

On November 1, 2007, Pastor Boychenko received the first press run of his book, "Lutherans in Russia, Nizhniy Novgorod, and Elsewhere." The whole press run of 1500 copies should be completed buy the end of January 2008. Pastor Boychenko plan to distribute his book among ordained and lay ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria and the ELKRAS. On November 2, he gave the first copy of his book to Mr. Valeriy Shantsev, Governor of the Nizhniy Novgorod Oblast at an official meeting of local NGO's with the governor. Other recipients of Pastor Boychenko's book included Mr. Eduard Cheprak, chairman of the Nizhniy Novgorod Jewish Community and Ms. Elena Derechinskaya, director of the Tzvi Hirsch Jewish Culture Society, the Governor's representative for public relations as well as Mr. Timo Nieminen, Mayor of Tampere, Finland, who visited the Lutheran congregation with representatives of the Tampere Chamber of Industry during the Days of Finland in NN on November 13-17, 2007.

On November 16, 2007, the city administration and Secondary School #24 invited Rev. Boychenko to speak with students and teaches in behalf of the Lutheran church on The International Tolerance Day. Pastor Yaroslav called his listeners to believe in Jesus Christ and the Gospel, and performed on the piano Jesus is My Joy for Ever, a Bach chorale from Cantata 147. Pastor Yaroslav also gave a copy of his book to School Principal Elena Moiseyeva. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on Pastor Yaroslav's outreach ministry in Feb 04, May 04, May 05, Feb-Apr 06, Apr-May 06, June 06, July-Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Jan 07, Feb-Mar 07, April-May 07, June 07, Aug-Oct 07. (top)

Mission Trip to Bashkortostan, Early July 2007 (Update Dec 4 '07)

As students at the Lutheran seminary for the Church of Ingria are expected to do work in local congregations during the summer, 2nd year student Edward Yuronen decided to travel with several friends to the central Russian republic of Bashkortostan in order to do mission work among the Muslim and pagan peoples who populate that region. Edward and his group had their visits arranged by 3rd year student, Slava Abdulinin, a deacon who serves in the city of Birsk and was himself a pagan worshiper of nature before he became a Christian.

In early July, the missionary group set off for the villages in the area around Birsk, traveling 10-15 km to a Muslim village called Akudibashevo. After they received permission from parents to hold a Bible camp, they gathered the kids together but were given quite a surprise. As they began to speak, the children looked at them with big eyes. They didn't understand a word. In the interior of Russia, it appears that there are villages where the children study exclusively in their native languages, and the language for these Muslim children was Bashkir. Thankfully one of the students in the mission group, Sasha, knew the language and so he served as a translator. Fortunately only one mother decided to take her kids away from the camp.

The mission group was also refused use of the local school, where one could see pictures of Islamic holy men on the walls. So the camp was held outdoors for three days and included fun activities, Bible stories and hymn-singing. The kids generally had to leave every day at 6 P.M. to finish taking care of the family farm animals in this rural setting. But they always returned a few hours later for some late evening activities, carrying along freshly baked bread.

After Akudibashevo, the mission group traveled through the village of Chishma, a pagan village that had its sacred groves (pictured at right). In this part of Russia, many still follow the pagan practices of their ancestors, including tree worship. Much of this was discouraged during the Soviet era, but now paganism is returning to these regions as representative of the local culture. The group finally arrived in the pagan village of Kuzovo, a village where the children knew and studied in Russian. They received permission to gather in the local "dom kultury," a type of cultural center which is for the most part found in every town (pictured at left). There they showed a Christian film, much to the surprise and pleasure of the kids. They had seen images on television before but had never seen images projected upon a screen. It was a chance to proclaim the Gospel among children who had never heard the Word of God.

Lastly, the group entered the village of Maloe Sukhoyazovo, 20 km from Birsk. A few locals came up to our group and told them to leave, almost coming to blows with our students. Thus ended this courageous missionary journey supported by the Missionary Committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria. Edward and his fellow-students hope and pray to return to the villages as well as others next summer to bring the Word of God to those who have not heard. Photo Gallery. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Nov 28 '07)

November 2007 Newsletter from Jon and Julie Muhly (Moscow, Russia). (top)

November 2007 Update on the Outreach Activities of Rev. Mikhail Starilov, Borisoglebsk, Russia (Update Nov 23 '07)

• November 2, 2007 - Conversation in a member's house with an unbelieving family member about the Christian church and its mission
• November 3 and 7, 2007 - Conversation about repentance and faith with a young homeless man at the church house after giving him aid.
• November 9, 2007 - Witnessing to personal faith for a public utility man in the pastor's apartment. As the man was interested in church music, Pastor Starilov spoke to him about the role of music in the Lutheran Church. The pastor also invited him to the church worship.
• November 12 and 14, 2007 - Home visit to an invalid. Pastor Mikhail spoke to him about the history of the church, the Reformation, the canon of Holy Scripture and loaned him a book from the church library for further discussion.
• November 16, 2007 - Meeting with a Buddhist in the yard of the church house. Discussion about the eternal life, the purpose of man's life. Witness to personal faith in the resurrection of the dead.
• November 17, 2007 - Invitation of 2 men and 1 lady with a child to a seminar and a choir concert from Saratov.
• November 19, 2007 - Outreach conversation to a young family in the town's private housing sector. The pastor gave them Christian literature about raising children and a video cassette with Christian cartoons. Pastor Mikhail also invited them to the worship service.

Earlier updates on the outreach in Borisoglebsk: Nov 02, Feb-Mar 06, Jun-Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07, May 07, Jun 07, Jul 07, Aug 07, Sept 07, Oct 07. (top)

October-November 2007 Update from Rev. Alexander Furs, St. John Lutheran in Saratov, Russia (Update Nov 23 '07)

From October 31 to November 2, 2007, as he traveled to a theological round table discussion in Moscow, Pastor Alexander Furs witnessed to his faith for 6 people in his train compartment on the way there and back.

On October 28, 2007, two new church members Oleg and Natalia were confirmed in St. John Lutheran Church in Saratov.

On November 9 and 16, 2007, Pastor Furs conducted two mission meetings of St. John church youth club where the participants saw a two-hour documentary about a healthy way of life. The show became possible with the help of St. John church's partners from the Federal Service for Control over Circulation of Narcotic Drugs in the Saratov Oblast. More than 10 new young people were in attendance at the meetings.

On November 17, 2007, Probst of the ELCIR Volga District Pastor Olav Panchu, Pastor Furs, church choir leader Ludmila Furs and St. John church choir traveled to The Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Borisoglebsk. Many church members and unchurched guests attended the concert of the choir. After the concert the ministers representing almost all of the District's congregations who gathered in Borisoglebsk conducted a seminar on "The Mission of the Church Today: History, Modern Day, Response to False Teachings, and Eschatology." Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on outreach in the Saratov region: Aug 01, Sept 01, Oct 01, Nov 01, Feb 03, Aug 03, Nov 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, Mar 05, May 05, Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07, May-June 07, July 07, Aug 07, Sept 07, Oct 07. (top)

October-November 2007 Update from Vyacheslav Ostanin (Update Nov 23 '07)

Outreach visits to HIV infected convicts. This month Vyacheslav continued visiting convicts who are infected with tuberculosis and HIV in Colony #10. Currently, there are more than 80 such convicts there. According to the medics, the threat of contracting HIV is growing because those addicted to drugs spread the infection through the syringe very rapidly. Slava visits the HIV+ convicts every Wednesday talking to them about Christ, the faith, the Church, about their future discharge from imprisonment and the real freedom that's God-given and truly sets men free. They really enjoy listening and ask many questions about the life of believers, the Church, prayers, and worship. Those are really felt needs on their part as they know they may not have a long life on this earth. Slava also continues to visit the reformatory for juvenile delinquents containing around 300 people aged 14 to 18 including a quarantine unit which holds newly-arrived wards. He continues discussions on such topics as the sin of suicide, infliction of bodily harm, homosexuality, drug addiction, HIV, ways of transmission and prevention, discharge from imprisonment, adaptation and social rehabilitation, especially for those youths that are to be discharged soon as well as for the colony administration. The quarantine unit has 25 to 40 convicts. He also continues visiting Lung Disease and Tuberculosis Sanatorium #1 for Children where children from orphanages and troubled families receive treatment. Slava is talking to potential evangelists who would reach out to the children on an ongoing basis conducting meetings for them and the sanatorium personnel.

Christian videos for imprisonment colonies. Slava continues to collect video cassettes and give them to imprisonment colonies so they can be shown to the inmates. During the report period he has given another 40 or more video cassettes and CD's and DVD's to the reformatory and the TBC colony.

Correspondence with brothers and sisters in Christ in remote areas of the Novosibirsk Oblast and other regions of Russia. This month Vyacheslav has mailed more than 100 parcels with Bibles, New Testaments, small humanitarian aid such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, body and laundry soap, shaving tackle, pre- and aftershave cream, socks, underwear shorts, pencils, envelopes, heating coils, headache and flu tablets, various vitamins for TBC infectees and other sick inmates, copybooks, pens, envelopes, writing paper and some other necessities as requested. He also sent them issues of Kolokol ("The Bell"), a Christian newspaper that the editorial board kindly sends him for forwarding to the colonies.

Outreach to discharged brothers and sisters in Christ. Slava has continued helping discharged convicts formalize or renew their legal papers, receive a medical statement for employment, help find a job using the connections of his organization, but mainly he does it through other brothers and sisters who were discharged earlier or did not serve an imprisonment term. Slava and his assistants do their best to put the discharged ex-convict in a healthy environment to provide for their successful adaptation and integration in the society with minimized pain. Also they provide them with small amounts of startup money for travel and food as well as clothes that they purchase or receive as a gift.

Outreach to dischargees' relatives. Slava continued to stay in touch with convicts' relatives as he visited their families inviting them to Sunday worship and Bible studies and reaching out to them with the Gospel in conversations about spirituals matters in their homes.

Establishment of a rehab center. It is Slava's prayer that such a center be established one day. It is needed especially because those with HIV and TBC are a social threat as they can spread the disease among the population. Slava would like dischargees to stay in a healthy environment temporarily isolated from the temptations of the outer world so that they can be exposed to the proclamation of the Gospel and be strengthened with its power to better resist future temptations and to get integrated in the society with less difficulty living a new life in the Lord. There is a high percentage of ex-convicts that end up in jail again as they don't go through a halfway house and don't have people near them who would care for them and help build a character. Please also pray that God shows him new people who would be committed to serve in prison ministry.

Gospel touches and human care activities. During this report period Slava reports around 590 Gospel touches in all the colonies and wherever else he reached out to people. His Gospel outreach included HIV/AIDS prevention lectures for TBC and HIV infectees who had just been sentenced to a term of imprisonment as well as for their relatives and friends. Saliva continued to hold common dinners for dischargees and their family members, and chayepitiye's (tea and snacks) every Sunday for which he and his assistants bought food with the money of the prison ministry. Such meals have been attended by 5 to 15 people. Four brothers in faith were discharged during this time: Vladimir from General Regime Colony #3, Andrei from Colony #10 for TBC-infected convicts, and Nikolai and Dima from the reformatory. Humanitarian activities included providing Andrei with some money for travel, helping buy clothes, food, and medicines, repair his apartment, get a medical statement and renew his driving license.

Future plans. Slava is planning to make outreach to the children's TBC sanatorium an ongoing activity, visit them regularly, and conduct Bibles studies for the children including showing videos and other materials. He continues looking for a suitable person to do it. Please pray about fidning such a co-worker in the prison ministry.

Slava's thanks and prayer needs: Dear Brothers and Sisters who are praying for us and supporting us, I can't fully express all the gratitude from my heart to yours for supporting this important and necessary work. I thank you on my own behalf, but what's more important is that you do all this by God's will and God will reward you for your kind and responsive hearts. We all work in God's field, and we all receive and will receive a reward proportionate to the work and efforts we invest in what God has entrusted us with. Thank you! May your reward be great, and may your hearts never tire to pray for us and continue to help us in this difficult, but good work. Thank you, thanks be to God for you and for what you are doing! Please pray first of all for me and my family, that God finds a solution for our problems and needs, that God finds a solution of the problem with repairing the van and our apartment. Please pray that God finds more workers for our prison ministry, people with a commitment. Please pray that God makes it possible to build the rehabilitation center. Please pray for our ministry so that we may fulfill what God has entrusted us with and that our listeners' hearts will accept the Gospel and receive God's salvation.

Slava's personal testimony. This time I would like to tell you about an accident I had recently. The vehicle I was driving overturned. I was "ferrying" the van to a certain place. I was driving at night and I had an accident and overturned. The van I was driving went off the road and overturned 6 times. I didn't react to the hit fast enough, and before I realized what was going on, everything began to whirl and swirl, and I just felt how I was bouncing around in the van because I hadn't fastened my safety belt and the van was rolling over into the roadside ditch. The van landed upright on its wheels, however. Most of the windows were shattered and the roof above my head became a sort of a gable. When the van fell on its roof, there was slightly over an inch between my head and the smashed metal. However, I ended up whole and sound, without any bruises or wounds. I only cut my finger a little as was getting out through a broken window. I'd like to say that God saved my life in His boundless mercy and love. I guess it was not time for me to die and there is still something important I need to do in my life. Thank God and praise the Lord Jesus Christ that I was not too scared. I was only afraid and worried about repairing the vehicle I was entrusted with. But that's OK. What matters is I am alive. Please pray about a solution of the problem with repairing and restoring the vehicle. God helps us, and He didn't promise us a painless life without accidents and problems. But He promised He would never forsake us. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on Slava Ostanin's ministry supported by LCMS World Mission in Russia and LCMS World Relief: March 04, April 05, June 05 , December 05, January 06, February 06, March-April 06, May 06, June 06, July-August 2006, Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Feb 0, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07, May-June 07, July 07, July-Aug 07, Aug-Sept 07, Sept-Oct 07. (top)

"The Church Facing the End Times." Theological Round Table in Moscow, Russia, October 31 - November 2, 2007 (Update Nov 21 '07)

From October 31 through November 2, 2007, around 20 ministers and laypeople of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia (ELCIR) and The Evangelical Lutheran Church of European Russia (ELCER, constituent of ELKRAS) as well as guests from the LCMS met in the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Moscow for a round-table discussion on the topic of "The Church Facing the End Times." The round table was held with the support of LCMS World Mission in Russia. Such round-table discussions have been held for a few years and are an opportunity for representatives of Lutheran church bodies serving in Russia to learn about each other's positions on various aspects of theology and practice. The program of the round table included the following lectures and presentations:

• A lecture series on Millennialism presented by Dr. Reed Lessing, LCMS professor from Concordia Seminary St. Louis, MO, USA, author of A Lutheran Response to the "Left Behind" Series (English version; Russian translation).
• The Definition of the End Times by Pastor Alexander Prilutskiy, ELCIR St. Petersburg, Russia.
• Crises in Church Life: an Eschatological Perspective by Dr. Vladimir Lebedev from Tver, Russia.
• The Formation and the Future of the Social Structure of the Reformation Church by Pastor Alexander Furs, ELCIR Saratov, Russia.
• A Future Perspective of Ecclesiastical Law by Pastor Elvira Žajds, ELCER St. Petersburg, Russia.
• Church Life in the Last Days by Pastor Harry Azikov, ELCER Moscow, Russia.
• A Lutheran Apocalypse by Pastor Gottfried Spieth, ELCER Moscow, Russia.

Photo Gallery. Past updates on round-table discussions supported through LCMS World Mission in Russia: June 04, Sep/Oct 04, Aug 06. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Nov 20 '07)

November 2007 Newsletter from Matthew Heise (Moscow, Russia). (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Nov 20 '07)

November 2007 Newsletter from Bob and Sue Pfeil in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (top)

October 2007 Update from Rev. Andrey Yurtaev, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Moscow, Russia (Update Nov 20 '07)

On October 6-7, 2007 as the ELCIR celebrated the Day of Ingria, Pastor Andrey Yurtaev read a lecture about the Church of Ingria for 9 new people. On October 10, 2007, Pastor Yurtaev led a discussion club meeting where 2 unbelievers were present.

On October 29-30, 2007, Pastor Yurtaev participated in Christian Youth for a Russia without AIDS, an interfaith conference in St. Petersburg, Russia, hosted by the Interfaith HIV/AIDS Committee. During the two days the conference gathered around 75 clerics, medics, and church social workers who represented different Christian church bodies and religious associations. The banner of the conference was made through the support of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCIR), LCMS World Mission, and the Interfaith Committee. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on the outreach activities of Pastor Yurtaev: Early Mar 06, Mar 06, May 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06 (a), Oct 06 (b), Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07, May 07, July 07, Sept 07. (top)

End of Summer - October 2007 Update from Rev. Yaroslav Boychenko, Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia (Update Nov 19 '07)

In late summer 2007 Pastor Boychenko completed his book, O lyuteranah v Rossii, Nizhnem Novgorode i ne tolko ["On Lutherans in Russia, Nizhniy Novgorod, and Elsewhere."] The funds for making the layout and printing were kindly provided by LCMS donors and sent through LCMS World Mission in Russia. On August 31, 2007, Pastor Boychenko signed a contract with a printer in Nizhniy Novgorod. 1,500 copies should be printed by the end of 2007.

On September 13, 2007, Pastor Boychenko was invited to the 5th Congress of Russia's Ethnoses held in Nizhniy Novgorod. The congress was held as part of the 12th all-Russian forum called Rossiya Yedinaya ("Russia United"). Pastor Boychenko spoke at a conference on "The Role of Mass Media in Strengthening the Unity, Friendship and Cooperation of Peoples of the Multiethnic Russia."

On September 20-23, 2007, the Mission Education Center in Nizhniy Novgorod was visited by chaplain Rev. Steve Lee with his wife Elaine and chaplain Rev. Anton Lagoutine from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and missionary pastor Rev. Leif Camp from the Church of Ingria. They met with officials from the military, the police and other forces in Nizhniy Novgorod discussing such topics as the Christian view of psychological help and rehabilitation for servicemen, chaplaincy, and preventing terrorism and religious/ethnic antagonism. Chaplains Steve Lee and Anton Lagoutine made a presentation for the students of the Nizhniy Novgorod MVD Academy (police academy). During 4 days those meetings resulted in 70+ Gospel touches.

On September 23, 2007, Pastor Boychenko baptized a new member, Sergey Dernov who was instrumental in creating the layout of Yaroslav's book (read above).

On September 27, 2007, on the invitation by the international relations dean's office of the Nizhniy Novgorod University, Pastor Boychenko spoke on "The Gospel and Chief Articles of Lutheran Theology" for 3rd year students. The students were interested and asked many questions. The Gospel was proclaimed for no less than 55 people. On September 28, 2007, he spoke on the same subject for 2nd year int'l relations students sharing the Gospel with more than 60 people.

On Spetember 9, 2007 Pastor Boychenko and Pastor Dieter Schermeier from an EKD congregation in Essen who was visiting the Nizhniy Novgorod Lutheran Church met with E. Fertelmeister, rector of the Nizhniy Novgorod Conservatory, to discuss possibilities of a J. S. Bach and evangelical chorale festival in the fall of 2008. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on Pastor Yaroslav's outreach ministry in Feb 04, May 04, May 05, Feb-Apr 06, Apr-May 06, June 06, July-Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Jan 07, Feb-Mar 07, April-May 07, June 07. (top)

October 2007 Update on the Reconstruction of Christ the Savior Lutheran in Novosibirsk, Russia (Update Nov 19 '07)

Deacon Gennadiy Moskalev (click to enlarge)

A thank you letter from Deacon Gennadiy Moskalev (left):

"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." (1 Cor. 3:8-9)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in America, co-workers in God's field,

I would like to thank you for the supporting efforts you make with the Lord's help! As a result the facility of our congregation is starting to get in proper shape to be able to receive more people who are hungry to hear the Gospel of salvation through Jesus. At each Sunday worship service and in our private prayers we remember you who are so far away from our land, but so close to us in the faith we share in our Lord Jesus Christ. This faith shortens distances, overcomes language barriers, cultural differences and enables us to join efforts to do as the Lord has commanded us, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Today we are witnesses of how the Lord's command is fulfilled. We in faraway and cold Siberia have many brothers in faith in other countries and first of all in the US who come to us as preachers and teachers and donate money and so make it possible for us not only to purchase and improve space but also to conduct seminars, family camps for church ministers and many other things to help gain more knowledge and strengthen our faith. Eventually, this helps us be more active in evangelism.

In conclusion, I would like to thank you again for all that you are doing for us, and express a hope in the Lord that I will see many of you at the celebration after we complete the reconstruction. We will use that opportunity to join our hearts and thoughts together in our worship of the Eternal God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. In Christ, Deacon Gennadiy Moskalev, minister of Christ the Savior Lutheran Church in Novosibirsk. // Earlier updates on the reconstruction of Christ the Savior Lutheran Church in Novosibirsk: Sept 07. (top)

October 2007 Update from Rev. Alexander Furs, St. John Lutheran in Saratov, Russia (Update Nov 19 '07)

As he traveled to attend the fall session of the Synodal Council of the ELCIR in St. Petersburg on October 3 through 7, 2007, Pastor Alexander Furs used his travel time on the train to speak to 6 people about the church and Lutheranism.

On October 15, 2007 Pastor Furs (left) administered the Sacrament of Holy Baptism to 4 residents of a formerly German village in the Saratov Oblast who came to St. John Church to be baptized and enter the church life.

On October 15, 2007, St. John Church in Saratov hosted an outreach organ concert performed by a noted organist, Dmitriy Ushakov from Moscow and an organist from the Saratov State Conservatory. Entrance was free for the public. More than 70 people attending the concert heard the Gospel proclaimed though sacred music.

On October 17, 2007, Pastor Furs was invited by partners from the Saratov State University to attend the celebration of the 60th birthday of Dr. Vladimir Rozhkov, Ph. D., head of the religion chair of the university's Philosophy and Psychology Dept. and a good friend of St. John Lutheran Church (right). In his word of greeting, Pastor Furs spoke about the Lutheran church for more than 80 people attending the celebration.

Also in October as part of his ongoing activities, Pastor Furs continued updating the St. John Lutheran Church website and the newsletter of the Saratov Oblast PR Committee with news from the Lutheran life in Saratov. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on outreach in the Saratov region: Aug 01, Sept 01, Oct 01, Nov 01, Feb 03, Aug 03, Nov 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, Mar 05, May 05, Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07, May-June 07, July 07, Aug 07, Sept 07. (top)

August-October 2007 Update from Deacon Yuriy Poddelskiy in Petropavlovka, Republic of Buryatia, Russia (Update Nov 16 '07)

In the summer of 2007, Deacon Yuriy Poddelskiy, Deacon Vladimir Nikiforov and several members of the Church of Ingria in Petropavlovka, Rep. of Buryatia, Russia, made several outreach trips to villages in the districts of Djida and Selenga in rural Buryatia. They held outreach meetings in the prayer houses in Nizhniy Torey and Selenduma as well as in Oyor and Nizhniy Ichotuy. As they visited people in Nizhniy Burgultay, they distributed Bibles, evangelistic and other Christian literature to 30-40 children in and near a school. Places where the deacons left Christian literature during this period include: village library in Shartykey; general village library, children's library, and kindergarten in Nizhniy Torey; the administration office, village library, and kindergarten in Verkhniy Burgultay; Bayar social shelter, school library and schoolchildren and Nizhniy Burgultay; given away to people near the bus terminal in Petropavlovka; village library in Nizhniy Ichotuy; village library in Oyor; village library in Beloozyorsk. Please pray that several hundred people will read and come to faith through those publications. Deacon Poddelskiy baptized 6 people in Nizhniy Torey and 2 in Petropavlovka.

Other outreach activities included showing the Luther film for an audience of 40 people in Petropavlovka during a visit of Ingrian pastors to the area on August 26-27, 2007.

In October 2007, Deacon Poddelskiy and seminary student Viktor Vovchenko conducted the following activities:

- led a discussion of creation, the origin of man, life and the universe during a biology class at an evening school;
- showed the Failure of Darwin's Theory DVD video in the 11th grade of Village Secondary School #1.
- taught a biology class and showed videos about the origin of man and the world in the 11th grade of Village Secondary School #2.
- showed videos about the origin of the universe and the testimony of fossils in the 10th grade of Village Secondary School #2.

The above classes were attended by a total of 45 students and teachers. Deacon Poddelskiy gave a gift of a VHS cassette with one of the films to the principal of a gymnasium who is a biology teacher to show them in her classes in the future. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates: Aug 06, Nov 06, Mar 07, May 07. (top)

October 2007 Update on the Outreach Activities of Rev. Mikhail Starilov, Borisoglebsk, Russia (Update Nov 16 '07)

• October 1, 5, 9, 15, 2007 - Home visits to an invalid and his family. Discussion of the book called "World Religions" and the role of Christianity in the modern world. Discussion of the history of the church and the local Lutheran congregation. The man said he would like to attend the worship service when his health permitted and agreed to continue to meet with Pastor Mikhail at home. Pastor Mikhail gave Christian literature to his family.
• October 11, 2007 - Conversation with 2 youths on the street about the harm of obscene language, about physical and spiritual health. Pastor Mikhail invited them to the worship service and for a visit to the church during the week.
• October 14, 2007 - Visit to a young family on their invitation. Conversation about bringing up children and relationship between spouses. Conversation with the young couple's parents about the importance of living out one's Christian faith. Discussion of different confessional affiliations. Prayer together.
• October 16, 2007 - Personal witness and outreach conversation with for 2 former classmates. The two people visited the church's worship room.
• October 18, 2007 - Visit to a church member family and conversation in the presence of unbelieving relatives. Discussion of Christianity, the living faith, and the Christian way of life. Discussion of computer games and how they affect our behavior.

Earlier updates on the outreach in Borisoglebsk: Nov 02, Feb-Mar 06, Jun-Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07, May 07, Jun 07, Jul 07, Aug 07, Sept 07. (top)

September-October 2007 Update from Vyacheslav Ostanin (Update Nov 16 '07)

Visiting HIV- and TBC-infected convicts. In September-October 2007, Slava Ostanin (pictured at left in the middle), evangelist, president of ICHTHYS prison ministry in Novosibirsk, Russia, continued to visit Colony #10 which contains mainly TBC-infected convicts, but also has two special units for those who have both TBC and HIV (currently, 120 inmates in each of the 2 units). There is a total of around 100 HIV+ inmates in the colony some of whom are assigned to other units as well. Slava continues to visit them every Wednesday, bringing them necessary humanitarian aid such as personal hygiene articles. He also brings newspapers, audio cassettes with the Catechism, and always talks to them about Christ and the Christian faith. They often ask Slava to pray for them. After they are discharged from the colony, Slava does his best to help them adapt socially---find a job, housing, formalize papers for getting social services. Slava and his assistants also visit their relatives and offer them Christian encouragement. Slava also continues to visit the reformatory for juvenile delinquents which currently contains around 300 youths aged 14 to 18. Slava continues to encourage Dmitriy Shilov to start paying regular visits to children under treatment for TBC at the sanatorium in Mochische. Those kids aged 3 to 14 come from troubled families and orphanages. So far Slava has been reaching out to them on his own, visiting the sanatorium 2-3 times a month. Please pray that Slava gets a permit to visit the sanatorium on a regular basis and enhance his outreach there.

Collection of videos in the congregation and in correctional colonies. Slava continues to gather video & audio cassettes, CD's and DVD's with Christian material and quality feature films and give part of them to colonies and prisons. Currently, he is burning copies of a DVD disk with a video of a Christian seminar which he would like to give away to the imprisonment colonies for the inmates to watch.

Correspondence with brothers and sisters in faith in remote areas of the Novosibirsk Oblast and other regions of Russia. Slava continues to correspond by mail with brothers and sisters in Christ serving their terms in other regions inviting them to come either to the Novosibirsk congregation or referring them to local congregations. More than 90 packages with Christian printed materials and humanitarian aid were sent to them during this period. Slava also makes photocopies of Sunday sermon transcripts from Christ the Savior Lutheran in Novosibirsk and sends them to his correspondents.

Outreach to discharged convicts. Slava continued to provide recently released male and female prisoners with food, clothes, money for initial travel and also helps them find employment, a place to live, and otherwise facilitates their social adaptation. He also gives some assistance to released convicts' families. Slava is ever so thankful for the opportunity to provide this physical assistance as a tangible expression of God's love for them in Christ. As the society often turns its back on former prisoners, Christians are there to prevent them from despair and demoralization and to help them realize that in Christ they are not alone and lost and that God loves them.

Outreach to released convicts' families. Slava also continued reaching out with the Gospel to former prisoners' relatives as he visits them in their homes, calls them by phone, talks to them, and invites them to the church worship and Sunday studies of the Bible and the Book of Concord.

Slava also continues to encourage members of Christ the Savior Lutheran in Novosibirsk to help the prison ministry. Although most of the members are elderly, they do what they can. He especially appreciates it that they warmly welcome ex-convicts in the church and treat them tactfully.

Slava continues to contact mayor's offices, oblast administrations, depts. of corrections in various localities to find new opportunities for ministry to prisoners including inmates with HIV.

Ablaze touches. Slava reports 570 Gospel touches in all of the colonies and other place where he has reached out to people during the report period. This number includes 150 newly-arrived young convicts in the reformatory's quarantine unit as well as 57 new convicts with HIV and TBC.

He continued to conduct common meals for ex-convicts and their family members at the church every Sunday. Those meals were attended by 5 to 20 people. Human care activities included buying clothes and first-necessity articles which were given to released convicts and their family members as well as packaged and sent to those in imprisonment facilities.

Please pray for enhancement of outreach at the TBC sanatorium for children so that Slava can lead Bible studies for the children and show them Christian videos and other materials. Please pray for song and classical music concerts in the colonies that Slava plans to conduct with a group performing Christian songs and playing a viola.

Slava's personal word of thanks: Dear Brothers and Sisters, dear Friends, I am at a loss for words to express all the gratitude I have in my heart for you. I don't think there are such words as could express how I am thankful to God and to you for being there and helping us. You don't only help us do the works God has sent us to do, but you help the recipients of this assistance. You can't imagine what happens in their hearts when they receive help. Despaired of men's love, they regain hope that they are needed, that they still have a chance to start a new life, straighten out their sinful ways and correct their attitude. While they may not express their emotions publicly, I am sure they shed tears in their pillow at night thanking God for your help. Please receive my and our personal thanks. Thanks be to God who found your kind hearts that are ablaze with the fire of faith and passing that fire to those who see your love in Christ.

Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on Slava Ostanin's ministry supported by LCMS World Mission in Russia and LCMS World Relief: March 04, April 05, June 05 , December 05, January 06, February 06, March-April 06, May 06, June 06, July-August 2006, Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Feb 0, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07, May-June 07, July 07, July-Aug 07, Aug-Sept 07. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Nov 16 '07)

October 2007 Newsletter from Jon and Julie Muhly (Moscow, Russia). (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Nov 16 '07)

October 2007 Newsletter from Matthew Heise (Moscow, Russia). (top)

September 2007 Update on the Reconstruction of Christ the Savior Lutheran in Novosibirsk, Russia (Update Nov 16 '07)

Deacon Gennadiy Moskalev of Christ the Savior Lutheran Congregation in Novosibirsk, Russia, sent us pictures showing the final stages of moving the water supply pipeline near Christ the Savior Lutheran Church in September 2007. This was needed done as part of the preparation for the reconstruction and repair of the church building which would enable the congregation to have a larger worship space to receive more people as well as get other improvements in the building. This reconstruction project is funded by LCMS donors through LCMS World Mission. Photo Gallery. (top)

September 2007 Update from Rev. Andrey Yurtaev, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Moscow, Russia (Update Nov 15 '07)

On September 8, 2007 Pastor Andrey Yurtaev met with the believers' group in Lyubertsy after the summer break to fix a day for the next meeting. On September 13-14, 2007 Pastor Andrey prepared 2 new people for confirmation in the Lutheran church. Earlier updates on the outreach activities of Pastor Yurtaev: Early Mar 06, Mar 06, May 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06 (a), Oct 06 (b), Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07, May 07, July 07. (top)

September 2007 Update from Rev. Alexander Furs, St. John Lutheran in Saratov, Russia (Update Nov 15 '07)

In early September 2007 Pastor Alexander Furs (above) attended a meeting of the Ingrian Theological Institute board of trustees. As he went to St. Petersburg by rail he witnessed to his faith for 6 people on the train. While in St. Petersburg, he spoke on a live broadcast of the ELCIR Radio aired on the frequency of TransWorld Radio in St. Petersburg, answering questions put by Rev. Alexander Kudryavtsev, editor of the ELCIR Radio. Back in Saratov, Pastor Alexander worked on the newly-opened St. John church website www.saratovluther.narod.ru. He also contributed material to the newsletter of the Saratov Oblast Public Relations Committee about Lutheran church events and festivals in September indicating the address of St. John chapel and the times of the worship services and other rites at St. John church. Earlier updates on outreach in the Saratov region: Aug 01, Sept 01, Oct 01, Nov 01, Feb 03, Aug 03, Nov 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, Mar 05, May 05, Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07, May-June 07, July 07, Aug 07. (top)

August-September 2007 Update from Vyacheslav Ostanin (Update Oct 26 '07)

Visiting HIV- and TBC-infected convicts. Slava Ostanin continued to visit Colony #10 which now has two units for HIV+ inmates (more than a 100 people). Slava continues to visit them every Wednesday, bringing them necessary humanitarian aid such as personal hygiene articles as their families often turn their backs on them when they learn about their HIV infection. He also brings newspapers, audio cassettes with the Catechism, and always talks to them about Christ and the Christian faith. They often ask Slava to pray for them. After they are discharged from the colony, Slava does his best to help them, however the average longest they live after discharge is sadly about 6 months which is sometimes due to the wrong way of life they slide back to as they are rejected by the society. Slava also continues to visit the reformatory for juvenile delinquents which currently contains around 300 youths aged 14 to 18. Slava also hopes to have brother in Christ Dmitriy Shilov reach out to children under treatment for tuberculosis at a sanatorium in Mochische. They come from troubled families and orphanages. Please pray that Dmitriy who was recently discharged from imprisonment becomes a reliable partner of Slava and reaches out to the youths with Bible lessons helping them get to know God and pray to Him.

Collection of videos in the congregation and in correctional colonies. Slava continues to gather video & audio cassettes, CD's and DVD's with Christian material and quality feature films and give part of them to colonies and prisons.

Correspondence with brothers and sisters in faith in remote areas of the Novosibirsk Oblast and other regions of Russia. Slava continues to correspond by mail with brothers and sisters in Christ serving their terms in other regions inviting them to come either to the Novosibirsk congregation or referring them to local congregations. More than 112 packages with Christian printed materials and humanitarian aid were sent to them during this period. Once again, he would like to thank the supporters of his prison ministry project for the opportunity to show the love of Christ not only in word.

Post-discharge work with released convicts. Slava continued to provide recently released prisoners with food, clothes, money for traveling and also helping them find employment and a place to live. He also gives some assistance to released convicts' families.

Outreach to released convicts' families. Slava also continued reaching out with the Gospel to former prisoners' relatives inviting them to the church worship and Bible study.

Slava also continues to encourage members of Christ the Savior Lutheran in Novosibirsk to help in the prison ministry. The church prays for this ministry during worship services, and members bring clothes, eyeglasses, and shoes which are in highest demand among prisoners as shoes are expensive. Members also bring books to be give to the libraries at the penitentiaries.

Slava continues to contact mayor's offices, oblast administrations, depts. of corrections in various localities to find new opportunities for ministry to prisoners including inmates with HIV.

Ablaze touches. Slava reports 630 Gospel touches in all of the colonies and other place where he has reached out to people during the report period. This number includes 450 newly-arrived young convicts in the reformatory's quarantine unit as larger groups of delinquents arrived in the summer, as well as 57 new convicts with HIV and TBC.

He continued to conduct Bible studies in the congregation almost every Sunday before worship, which were attended by 10 to 20 church members. He conducted evening worship services and chayepitiye's (tea and snacks) for which he purchased food as well as common meals for ex-convicts and their family members every Sunday. Those meals were attended by 5 to 20 people. Human care activities included buying clothes and first-necessity articles which were given to released convicts and their family members as well as packaged and sent to those in imprisonment facilities.

Slava's personal word of thanks: Dear Brothers and Sisters who kindly agreed to assist us financially. I don't know how I could thank you enough! What you are doing is a very important and significant work. From my own experience I know that if somebody hadn't helped me not only in word, but also in deed, I would most likely have gone back to the criminal way. God used some Christians to stop me from that, therefore I understand the importance and necessity of such outreach. As a word of encouragement, I'd like to say that this work may not always be spectacular and we have to be patient to see the results as sometimes it takes years before God gives growth to the seed you sow and sometimes it springs up when you least expect it. Thank you very much, I bow my head low. Thank you from all my heart and thanks be to God for you because He raised you to help us rise from the abyss of sin where we find ourselves through our own fault. Thank God that you exist!

Photos of Slava's various meetings with convicts in 2007. Earlier updates on Slava Ostanin's ministry supported by LCMS World Mission in Russia and LCMS World Relief: March 04, April 05, June 05 , December 05, January 06, February 06, March-April 06, May 06, June 06, July-August 2006, Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Feb 0, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07, May-June 07, July 07, July-Aug 07. (top)

September 2007 Update on the Outreach Activities of Rev. Mikhail Starilov, Borisoglebsk, Russia (Update Oct 24 '07)

• September 2, 4, 6 and 19, 2007 - Conversation in the church house with a refugee woman who works as a masseuse about creation, faith, and man's health. Pastor Mikhail's family are praying for this woman and have invited her to church worship.
• September 10, 2007 - Mikhail's personal witness and outreach conversation with two workers from the gas company in the church house. The men said they'd like to meet with the pastor again.
• September 17, 2007 - Another meeting with the gas company workers. Mikhail spoke in more detail about the Lutheran faith and its doctrine. The Starilovs prayed for them in the worship room.
• September 14 and 21, 2007 - Home visit to a disabled man who had read an issue of Good News Journal, a gift from Pastor Mikhail, and wanted to come see a Lutheran church. Because of his health problems, Pastor Mikhail visited him and proclaimed the Good News of Jesus to him at home and came again on September 21.
• September 18, 19 and 20, 2007 - Evening meetings with a former Seventh Day Adventist outside the church house. Pastor Mikhail and he discussed how to follow Christian principles in daily life. Mikhail gave him Luther's Small Catechism to read.
• September 24, 2007 - Visit to the family of a mentally disordered person who need spiritual support.
• September 27, 2007 - Outreach meeting in the home of a refugee family.

Earlier updates on the outreach in Borisoglebsk: Nov 02, Feb-Mar 06, Jun-Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07, May 07, Jun 07, Jul 07, Aug 07. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Sept 11 '07)

September 2007 Newsletter from Bob and Sue Pfeil in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Sept 5 '07)

September 2007 Newsletter from Matthew Heise (Moscow, Russia). (top)

ELCIR Retreat Near Novosibirsk, Russia, August 13-17, 2007 (Update Aug 29 '07)

On 13-17 August 2007, pastors, deacons, laypeople, and their family members gathered for an ELCIR retreat at Obskaya Volna health resort near Novosibirsk, Russia. The retreat gathered 30 adults and 14 children representing ELCIR congregations and religious groups in Novosibirsk, Omsk, Krasnoyarsk, Chita, Minusinsk, Verkhniy Suetuk, Ulan-Ude and Petropavlovka. The retreat activities were organized by Rev. Deacon Gennadiy Moskalev (2nd photo above), the minister of Christ the Savior Lutheran in Novosibirsk, with the support of LCMS World Mission in Russia.

As part of the program, Dr. Robert Rosin (above, left) led a seminar on "Christianity, Culture, and the Kingdoms," looking at how Christians think in a fundamentally different way from people who have other worldviews. Since creation, time has stretched forward as if on a line, reaching to and through Christ and now on to His second coming. In that long history, believers understand that while their own resurrection and heaven are to come, in the meantime they are redeemed people of God, living in a world that belongs to God and serving as God's hands, so to speak. So they live in the "Right Hand Kingdom" of the Gospel, and also the "Left Hand Kingdom" of daily life. In so doing, they not only are a means by which God gets things done, but both their lives and their words serve as a witness to the hope that is in them.

Dr. Rosin is a Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis where he teaches in Fall and Spring of each year. In Winter and Summer he serves in Eurasia with LCMS World Mission as the Coordinator for Theological Education. Photo Gallery. (top)

Update of Music Resources (Update Aug 29 '07)

We have added an mp3 file of a classical genre piece of music synthesized by Rev. Igor Alisov, the pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran in Moscow, on a Roland Fantom X6 keyboard. The composition is called "Dr. Luther and the Reformation." The mp3 is downloadable from Music and songs performed by the musicians of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Moscow. Earlier updates of music resources on this site: Apr 07, Jun 07. (top)

August 2007 Update on the Outreach Activities of Rev. Mikhail Starilov, Borisoglebsk, Russia (Update Aug 29 '07)

• August 1, 2007 - Home visit to an elderly woman where Pastor Starilov prayed for healing and spoke about God's mercy and love in Christ. The meeting was attended by 3 other family members. Everybody said they would like to meet with the pastor again.
• August 3, 2007 - Distributed Gospel of John brochures to 3 young ladies and 2 young men during a bike ride near the town stadium.
• August 6, 2007 - A picnic with 3 young people from the refugees in town. A discussion of the meaning of life took place while sausages were being boiled on a bonfire followed by a meal together. Mikhail invited the young people to the worship service and youth fellowship in the church.
• August 9, 2007 - Outreach conversation with a lady on the riverside. Witnessed to his personal faith, and the church prayed for her spiritual awakening as she had requested.
• August 10, 2007 - Spoke about world religions with a female neighbor living next to the congregational house. Offered her literature for further study.
• August 13, 2007 - Visited a refugee family of 3. Proclaimed the Gospel, prayed for them, and provided children's clothes as diaconal assistance.
• August 15, 2007 - Conversation about a healthy way of life with 3 teenagers in the northern part of town. The pastor offered them to come to church.
• August 16, 2007 - As Pastor Starilov was visiting a church member family, he spoke with their neighbor, an elderly invalid who was interested in the topic of church and state relationship. Pastor Mikhail and he agreed to talk more about the Christian faith when they meet next time.
• August 23, 2007 - Distribution of 10 printed tracts with Christian poetry and a passage from Matthew among the residents of the Northern District of Borisoglebsk.
• August 27, 2007 - Home visit to an old woman who has had a stroke. The meeint included a conversation about the Gospel and prayer for her recovery.

Earlier updates on the outreach in Borisoglebsk: Nov 02, Feb-Mar 06, Jun-Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07, May 07, Jun 07, Jul 07. (top)

August 2007 Update from Rev. Alexander Furs, St. John Lutheran in Saratov, Russia (Aug 29 '07)

As he was traveling by train to and from a theological conference in late July / early August, Pastor Furs told about Christianity and the Lutheran faith to 8 fellow-travelers on the train.

As part of his church's media outreach, Pastor Furs has established a web page of St. John Lutheran at www.saratovluther.narod.ru. He also continued contributing material to the Saratov Oblast Public Relations Committee, this time the Lutheran input was about Lutheran holidays and memorial days in August. Earlier updates on outreach in the Saratov region: Aug 01, Sept 01, Oct 01, Nov 01, Feb 03, Aug 03, Nov 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, Mar 05, May 05, Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07, May-June 07, July 07. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Aug 29 '07)

August 2007 Newsletter from Bob and Sue Pfeil in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Aug 29 '07)

June-July 2007 Newsletter from Jon and Julie Muhly (Moscow, Russia). (top)

July-August 2007 Update from Vyacheslav Ostanin (Update Aug 28 '07)

Visiting HIV- and TBC-infected convicts. Although it is summer and most of the correctional colony administrators are on vacation, Slava Ostanin (picture at left, in the middle) has continued to visit Colony #10 with a unit for HIV+ inmates. They find life especially difficult as many of them haven't even let their family know about their disease, afraid that family may turn away from them altogether. Slava visits them every Wednesday, talking to them about Christ and the Christian faith, bringing them Bibles, or New Testament with the Psalms in one book, other Christian literature, classics of belles-lettres, and newspapers as they have little other information about what is gong on outside. Slava is also doing what he can to help those HIV+ convicts who have finished their term, however, of those released whom he has lately reached out to, only one is living, as the others have died after discharge from prison. Slava considers it especially important to let them know they are not forsaken and still needed by someone. He also continues to visit the reformatory for juvenile delinquents.

Collection of videos in the congregation and in correctional colonies. Slava continues to gather video & audio cassettes, CD's and DVD's with Christian material and give part of them to the colonies.

Correspondence with brothers and sisters in faith in remote areas of the Novosibirsk Oblast and other regions of Russia. Slava continues to correspond by mail with released and especially with still imprisoned brothers and sisters in Christ. Currently he has around 100 correspondents. Many have finished their term and many others have started correspondence. Slava and his assistants have sent more than 200 postal packets, parcels, and letters during the report period. They contain Bibles, Christian literature, as well as first-necessity articles which he has purchased for this purpose. He has sent some clothes and shoes to soon-to-be-discharged convicts as well as medicines and vitamins for those who are sick. He has also sent some clothes and food to convicts' relatives.

Post-discharge work with released convicts. As part of the human care dimension of his project, Slava and his assistants provide recently released prisoners with food, clothes, money for traveling and doing paperwork for employment, as well as some startup money to live on. They also give some assistance to released convicts' families. As Slava prays that they all come to faith in Christ, he says the humanitarian aspect is important to help them see Christ's love and care.

Outreach to released convicts' families. Slava also continued reaching out with the Gospel to former prisoners' relatives. An important aspect of this outreach is using the power of the Gospel to strengthen those who are despairing to ever see their loved ones reform themselves. Slava explains that as all things are under God's control, our ultimate trust is not in our own efforts, but in God's love and mercy to change the person.

Slava also continues to encourage members of Christ the Savior Lutheran in Novosibirsk to help in the prison ministry. The church prays for this ministry during worship services, and members bring clothes and books and other things to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of prisoners. Slava is trying to involve interested members in a more direct way, however there are not too many such people yet as people are afraid of those who have been in jail. It is his prayer that there is an opportunity to have released brothers and sisters in the faith go to Bible schools or a seminary to be trained to organize similar prison ministries and a Christian group where they live.

Slava continues to contact mayor's offices, oblast administrations, depts. of corrections in various localities to find new opportunities for ministry to prisoners including inmates with HIV. Besides, he continues to involve interested people in distributing HIV/AIDS awareness literature. He is trying to impress it upon people that they should not shun infectees, but instead give them support and care.

Ablaze touches. Slava reports 600 Gospel touches in all of the colonies and other place where he has reached out to people during the report period. This number includes 250 newly-arrived young convicts in the reformatory's quarantine unit as larger groups of delinquents pass through there in summer time, as well as 70 new convicts with HIV and TBC. Outside jail work, he has also met with different individuals and groups on the lines of IQUYS for whom he lectured on prison ministry, HIV and the Gospel as the only way to the eternal life.

He continues to conduct Bible studies in the congregation almost every Sunday before worship, which were attended by 10 to 20 people. He conducted evening worship services and chayepitiye's (tea and snacks) for which he purchased food as well as common meals for ex-convicts and their family members every Sunday. Those meals were attended by 5 to 20 people. More children's clothes and toys were collected which were given to orphanages and children's sanatoriums.

Please pray that more Christians are involved in the prison ministry. Please pray for Slava as he writes a petition to correctional colony administrations to get permission to visit other colonies as he has planned for next year. Please pray that he reaches out with the Gospel to as many colonies as possible.

Slava's personal word of thanks: Dear Friends, dear Brothers and Sisters, I can't thank you enough for your assistance which we need so much. You know how precious it is when help is provided timely. When people receive your assistance through us, there comes light in their eyes and faces, and they are overfilled with gratitude. Of course, we give all thanks to the one and merciful God who alone sends help and cares for all of us. But we are thankful to Him for you, for your kind and responsive hearts. Thank you very much! Thank you in behalf of all of our small group involved in prison ministry, visiting prisons and colonies, proclaiming the Gospel among convicts and their families. Thank you for your effective assistance and your prayers which we always need. Thanks be to God for you!

Slava would also like to share a personal story: His name is Alexey Yeryomin. He was discharged from the juvenile delinquents' colony just a month ago. While I visited that colony, he always came to my outreach meetings where he and I talked a lot about God and the faith. After he was released, he was lost sight of for a while among his daily life problems, however it pleased God to have us meet again as I was seeing off a few friends of mine at the railroad station. After we met, he told me he had praying God to bring us together again. It was wonderful because currently we are helping him find employment and he has attended church 2 times after our meeting. Please pray for him as he lives more than 200 km from our city and it's not easy for him to come here especially because he has a sick mother at home whom he needs to take care of. At the moment he is doing well, we are doing our best to help him adapt to freedom soon and start supporting himself, but of course right now we are giving him some aid within our project. Please pray that God strengthens him to go through any difficulties and problems and stay on the way of God.

Photos of Slava's various meetings with convicts in 2007. Earlier updates on Slava Ostanin's ministry supported by LCMS World Mission in Russia and LCMS World Relief: March 04, April 05, June 05 , December 05, January 06, February 06, March-April 06, May 06, June 06, July-August 2006, Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Feb 0, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07, May-June 07, July 07. (top)

July 2007 Update from Rev. Andrey Yurtaev, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Moscow, Russia (Update Aug 27 '07)

From August 18-27, 2007 Pastor Andrey Yurtaev helped conduct a Christian camp for children hosted by Russia Inland in the Istrinskiy Rayon of the Moscow region. During the camp attended by 155 children and 37 adult Russian and American leaders, he led Bible studies and evening prayer. The goal of the camp was to help the children find a meaning of life in Christ and resist temptations. The camp was also attended by children from orphanages in the Tula region. Earlier updates on the outreach activities of Pastor Yurtaev: Early Mar 06, Mar 06, May 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06 (a), Oct 06 (b), Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07, May 07. (top)

July 2007 Update from Rev. Igor Alisov, Moscow, Russia, on HIV/AIDS Prevention Project (Update Aug 24 '07)

In July 2007 Pastor Alisov continued contacting religious and secular associations to discuss possibilities and plans of working together to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and to exchange ideas on writing HIV/AIDS awareness presentations. His contacts included Olga Kharitonova, Inland Russia; Pastor Samoylov, Council of Christians from Russia's Evangelical Churches; Alexey Pirogov, editor, Maria Radio; Fr. Alexander Vasyutin, The Russian Orthodox Church; Probst Rev. Olav Panchu, ELCIR; members of the ELCIR Mission Committee; deputy chairman of the Union of Evangelical Christians/Baptists; Ms. Margarita Nelyubova, Inter-Christian HIV/AIDS Committee; Yuri Novikov, Union of Evangelical Christians/Baptists. On July 10, 2007 Pastor Alisov participated in a children's camp held by Inland Russia in Tula where he lectured on HIV/AIDS prevention (picture above). He also continued gathering materials for further outreach materials, studying related internet resources and participating in related internet forums. Earlier updates on outreach through HIV/AIDS prevention supported or coordinated by LCMS World Mission and/or LCMS World Relief: May 05, May 05 (2), June 05, Feb 06, Feb-Apr 06, May 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Feb 07, Mar 07.(top)

July 2007 Update from Rev. Alexander Furs, St. John Lutheran in Saratov, Russia (Aug 24 '07)

While some of the outreach work of St. John Lutheran is in summer recess as many of its partners are away on vacation, Rev. Furs continued contributing materials in behalf of the Lutheran church to the weekly newsletter of the Committee for Public Relations of the Saratov Oblast. This newsletter is sent around to governmental ministries, committees, and other offices in the Saratov area. A news update that is contributed by Lutherans approx. once a month is read by thousands readers area-wide. Pastor Furs also shared with us photos from a recent Sunday school class that he taught after the Sunday liturgy. Sunday school was resumed in July. On July 12, 2007 Pastor Furs had a working meeting with a representative of the federal service for drug circulation control in Saratov to plan outreach to troubled youth. Earlier updates on outreach in the Saratov region: Aug 01, Sept 01, Oct 01, Nov 01, Feb 03, Aug 03, Nov 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, Mar 05, May 05, Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07, May-June 07. (top)

July 2007 Update from Vyacheslav Ostanin (Update Aug 24 '07)

Vyacheslav (Slava) Ostanin, president of ICHTHYS prison ministry in Novosibirsk partnering with LCMS World Mission in Russia and LCMS World Relief, reports 300 Gospel touches in all the imprisonment facilities he reached out to during this period including other meetings. He thanks God for the LCMS WM financial assistance as it enables him to focus on witnessing to the Gospel in word and deed. He continues to do his best to help also the physical needs of recently released prisoners and other ex-convicts who are in a difficult life situation. He keeps meeting with their relatives and friends also.

Slava continued with his presentations include such topics as AIDS, the sin of suicide, homosexuality, abortion, sexual promiscuity, the purity of a family relationship, the catechism with an emphasis on the faith in Christ and keeping God's commandments. He is doing it on a schedule approved by the reformatory's and imprisonment colony's administration as he continues to reach out both to juvenile delinquents and to adult TBC and HIV-infected prisoners in the colony.

Slava continued leading Sunday evening services and common meals for released convicts as well as outreach meetings over tea and cookies at other times which is possible because of the support provided for his prison ministry project. 4 to 10 people have been attending those meetings. Humanitarian activities to aid convicts and their families included a distribution of aid packages, 20 of which were given to Special Regimen Colony #13 for those have-nots among the inmates whose families have turned away from them. Slava also provided recently released convicts with some startup money while they try to find employment and travel to get various necessary legal papers. He also helped buy them food, clothes and shoes on an as-needed basis according to his project plan. Money was also provided for purchasing medicines.

He continued collecting clothes, shoes, and toys for TBC and Lung Disease Sanatorium #1 for children from orphanages and troubled families. Currently, the institution is a home for around 40 kids aged 3 to 14. Earlier updates on Slava Ostanin's ministry in March 04, April 05, June 05 , December 05, January 06, February 06, March-April 06, May 06, June 06, July-August 2006, Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Feb 0, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07, May-June 07. (top)

July 2007 Update on the Outreach Activities of Rev. Mikhail Starilov, Borisoglebsk, Russia (Update Aug 24 '07)

• July 2, 2007 - Outreach conversation with an old man and his adult grandson near their house. The conversation started off on the topic of secular and divine authority and is to be continued.
• July 3, 2007 - Distribution of 5 outreach brochures about family and marriage.
• July 6, 2007 - Another visit to the seriously sick woman. Proclamation of Law and Gospel. Prayer for the woman. Gift of the Gospel of John.
• July 9, 2007 - Meeting with a young family in the congregation's house. Prayer for the newly-weds on their request. Invitation to the worship service.
• July 12, 2007 - Conversation with a Buddhist. Next meeting planned at the end of the month.
• July 14, 2007 - Outreach conversations about the Christian faith with 3 men in Gribanovskiy near Borisoglebsk.
• July 17, 2007 - Show of the Apocalypse movie to 2 young people, acquaintances of Mikhail. Discussion about the future, the eternal life. Scripture reading on the topic.
• July 18, 2007 - Conversation with a church member's neighbors , 2 people. Witness to personal faith and brief information about the Lutheran church.
• July 23, 2007 - Visit to a refugee woman in hospital to proclaim repentance and pray for her.
• July 26, 2007 - Another meeting with the Buddhist to continue the discussion about the way to God.
• July 28, 2007 - Visit to a family with an old woman proclaim the Gospel and pray.
• July 30, 2007 - Distribution of 5 CD's with Christian songs.

Earlier updates on the outreach in Borisoglebsk: Nov 02, Feb-Mar 06, Jun-Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07, May 07, Jun 07. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Jul 6 '07)

July 2007 Newsletter from Matthew Heise (Moscow, Russia). (top)

May-June 2007 Update from Rev. Alexander Furs, St. John Lutheran in Saratov, Russia (Update Jul 6 '07)

On May 17, 2007, two unchurched young men previously reached out to by Pastor Furs came to the meeting of St. John youth club. Other guests included Police Senior Lieutenant Dmitriy Kozhevnikov from Goskomnarkokontrol in the Saratov Oblast and Fr. Vladimir of the Russian Orthodox Church. Rev. Furs made an overview of the theology and history of the Lutheran church. Officer Kozhevnikov presented a documentary about the work of the Church and Goskomnarkokontrol to revive spirituality and patriotism in Russia. At the end of the meeting Rev. Alexander Furs, Fr. Vladimir, and Officer Kozhevnikov answered the group's questions about the role of the traditional Christian churches including the Lutheran church, in the history of the Russian state and today.

As he traveled by train to St. Petersburg to participate in a meeting of the board of trustees of the ELCIR Theological Institute June 4-11, 2007, Rev. Furs witnessed to God's Word and the Lutheran church for two traveling companions on the train.

On June 17, 2007, Rev. Furs proclaimed the Gospel to 30 or more people as he conducted the burial service for an ethnic German Lutheran woman whom the Lord called to glory. The relatives of the deceased lady gathered for her funeral do not go to the Lutheran church yet. Please pray that the Holy Spirit works faith in Jesus in their hearts and minds as a result of the proclamation of His victory over death.

Also in June, Rev. Furs continued his participation in the weekly newsletter of the Public Relations Committee of the Saratov Oblast. The newsletter is sent weekly to all regional governmental offices, NGO's and religious organizations, which amounts to several thousand readers in the region. There, the Lutheran church has an opportunity to speak about its activities in the society. Earlier updates on outreach in the Saratov region: Aug 01, Sept 01, Oct 01, Nov 01, Feb 03, Aug 03, Nov 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, Mar 05, May 05, Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07. (top)

May-June 2007 Update from Vyacheslav Ostanin (Update July 3 '07)

During this period, Vyacheslav (Slava) Ostanin reached out with the Gospel to 340 people in the imprisonment facilities described in earlier updates and in other places. The recently increased support of this ministry is making it possible to aid imprisoned and discharged convicts in a fuller way as Slava continued to make contact with released convicts and their families.

Slava's presentations include such topics as AIDS, the sin of suicide, homosexuality, abortion, sexual promiscuity, the purity of a family relationship, the catechism with an emphasis on the faith in Christ and keeping God's commandments.

The administration of the reformatory asked Slava to write a schedule of his meetings with its young inmates. The half-year schedule has been approved. Slava continued to reach out to juvenile delinquents in the quarantine unit for newly-arrived ones who have just been convicted. He also continues to reach out to the adult TBC and HIV-infected prisoners in the colony.

Slava continued leading Sunday evening services and common meals for released convicts as well as outreach meetings over tea and cookies at other times which is possible because of the support provided for his prison ministry project. 4 to 10 people have been attending those meetings. Humanitarian activities to aid convicts and their families included distribution of aid packages, 30 of which were given to those sick with tuberculosis and HIV. Slava also provided recently released convicts with some startup money while they try to find employment, travel to get various necessary legal papers. He also helped buy them food, clothes and shoes on an as-needed basis according to his project plan. Money was also provided for purchasing medicines.

He continued collecting clothes, shoes, and toys for TBC and Lung Disease Sanatorium #1 for children from orphanages and troubled families. Currently, the institution is a home for around 40 kids aged 3 to 14. As he handed the aid, he also gave away Christian literature and had conversations with the teachers and nurses. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on Slava Ostanin's ministry supported by LCMS World Mission in Russia and LCMS World Relief: March 04, April 05, June 05 , December 05, January 06, February 06, March-April 06, May 06, June 06, July-August 2006, Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Feb 0, Mar-Apr 07, Apr-May 07. (top)

"Like a Dream" News about Outreach Work in Azores, Portugal, from LCMS Lay Person Elizabeth Sheperle (Update July 3 '07)

My dear Family and Friends,

Where do I even begin? What words can I possibly write to describe what I experienced yesterday. It was like a dream...but it wasn't a dream. It really happened! I have the pictures and the memories to prove it!

Who would have dreamed one year ago that...
     ...a church of 7 members would have their very own missionary/Pastor from Brazil
     ...that a tiny church that met in a home would have their very own chapel ...that the chapel would not only be a simple chapel, but a stunningly beautiful house of God
     ...that this Lutheran chapel would now be the largest Lutheran church building in all of Portugal (with the smallest congregation!) ...that from 7 members, 79 people (family, friends, co-workers, neighbors) would gather together in this house of God to celebrate!
     ...that a speech-language pathologist from Missouri would be living on Terceira and get to experience this modern day miracle.

Who would have dreamed?

Both Pastor Hiller and Pastor Jonas made it from Portugal to celebrate with us! 79 people from the community and the base celebrated with us! There was music, laughter, and tears. I will never forget that day. I feel as though God was preparing me my entire life for that moment...where I went to school...where I went to college and grad school...my landlords...my profession...my every decision that I've made has been by the hand of God so far...and I'm only 26! What next???

What next is the fact that there is so much yet to do! I don't want to say that this past year has been easy, because it hasn't. But now begins the really hard part...the maintaing of the chapel...the maintaing of a Pastor...and the spreading of God's word and the hopeful growth of the church! We still need so, so many prayers and so, so much help from everyone!

So, check out the pictures below and check out my blog to see EVERYTHING! http://carpediem-in-the-azores.blogspot.com

Thank you all for your love, your support, and your prayers.
It was like a dream...
I wish you all could have been there to share it with me. But I know you were there in Spirit.

Lots of love,
Lots of prayers,
Lots of joy,

Elizabeth                  View Dedication/Installation

June 2007 Update on the Outreach Activities of Rev. Mikhail Starilov, Borisoglebsk, Russia (Update July 3 '07)

• June 2-3, 2007 - Outreach conversation to two elderly women about the faith and God's judgment. Invitation to the worship service.
• June 6, 2007 - Outreach conversation to a disabled person and his wife, witness to personal faith. They asked the church to pray for them.
• June 7, 2007 - Sports activity with 2 unchurched youths and 1 church member in the yard of the congregational house. The meeting continued with a conversation about the Christian life and the necessity of repentance. Pastor Mikhail gave them 2 copies of the Good News journal.
• June 9, 2007 - Outreach conversation to 2 relatives of a sick woman during a visit to her. Pastor Mikhail prayed and read Scripture to them.
• June 12, 2007 - Distribution of a Christian brochure to 7 people on the street. June 14, 2007 - Meeting with 3 refugees, praying for a solution of their problems, invitation to a Bible study.
• June 15-16, 2007 - Outreach conversation to teenage refugees. Mikhail gave them brochures about the Bible and invited them to the youth meeting in the church.

       Also planned for June:

• June 21, 2007 - Meeting with a young family of 3 in the refugees' shanty town.
• June 25, 2007 - Showing a Christian animated cartoon to a family of 4, friends of church members'.
• June 28, 2007 - Visit to a seriously sick person. Proclamation of repentance.

Earlier updates on the outreach in Borisoglebsk: Nov 02, Feb-Mar 06, Jun-Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07, May 07. (top)

May 2007 Update from Deacon Yuriy Poddelskiy in Petropavlovka. Creation seminars in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia (Update Jun 29 '07)

On May 16 and 17 Deacon Yuriy Poddelskiy, a biology teacher by his first education, participated in outreach lectures on "The Origin of the World, Life, and Humankind. Creation. Science. The Defeat of Darwin's Theory." The seminars were held in Petropavlovka where Yuriy is a deacon in a Lutheran congregation of the Church of Ingria. On May 16 and 17 they had a meeting with people in a library on the premises of a local horse riding complex. The lecture included slides and videos. On May 16, they also presented thus material for three groups of students at a local trades school on the agreement with the school director. Also, on May 17, 2007, they spoke before two grades of a secondary school in Lapshinovo. Besides the students, the presentations were also attended by biology teachers, a journalist, a newspaper editor, and the director of the local radio center. In total, there were around 100 Gospel touches during the two days. The evangelists distributed Christian literature to the people in attendance, and also gave it away to around 70 people on the streets of Petropavlovka and Lapshinovo. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates: Aug 06, Nov 06, Mar 07. (top)

Update of Music Resources (Update Jun 15 '07)

We have added three mp3 files of music composed and performed on a Roland Fantom X6 keyboard by Rev. Igor Alisov, the pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran in Moscow: The compositions are called "For the Lutheran Driver," "The Revelation of the Word," and "Metal for Luther." The three mp3's are downloadable from Music and songs performed by the musicians of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Moscow. Earlier updates of music resources on this site: Apr 07. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Jun 15 '07)

June 2007 Newsletter from Matthew Heise (Moscow, Russia). (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Jun 15 '07)

June 7, 2007 Newsletter from Bob and Sue Pfeil in Bishkek, Kyrgyzststan. (top)

June 2007 Update from Rev. Yaroslav Boychenko, Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia (Update Jun 15 '07)

On June 5, 2007, on the invitation of the Nizhniy Novgorod police academy, Rev. Yaroslav Boychenko and church council member Vladimir Hukka participated in conference "Aspects of Interfaith Cooperation and Concord" which was held in the greater hall of the academy. Pastor Boychenko told 350 or more police cadets about the foundations of the Christian faith, and Mr. Hukka spoke about the contribution of Lutherans to the culture of Russia. Yaroslav and Vladimir also answered the young people's questions. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on Pastor Yaroslav's outreach ministry in Feb 04, May 04, May 05, Feb-Apr 06, Apr-May 06, June 06, July-Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Jan 07, Feb-Mar 07, April-May 07. (top)

May 2007 Update from Rev. Andrey Yurtaev, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Moscow, Russia (Update Jun 15 '07)

On May 11, 2007, Pastor Yurtaev participated in conducting an outreach concert organized together with the Baptist church for WWII veterans soon after Victory Day May 9, a major memorial day in Russia. Along with wartime songs and Christian hymns, God's word about Jesus' victory over death was proclaimed. The concert was attended by around 160 veterans. Photos.

On May 13, 2007, the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church hosted a charitable music concert . The church organist and a guest singer performed works by Bach, Mozart and other classical composers (versions of Gloria, Ave Maria). Pastors Alisov, Yurtaev and a preacher from Finland provided introductory commentaries to the music. The audience included around 30 unbelievers.

On May 17, 2007, Pastor Andrey had the last outreach meeting with the group of 16 in the Moscow region before the season when many people in Russia go their dachas (summer houses). Together they prayed for the beginning of the dacha season, for a good crop in the kitchen gardens, and for God's help in the summer work.

On May 22, 2007, Pastors Alisov and Yurtaev conducted an evangelism training for the congregational leaders' group. Part of the training included a trip to the neighboring Tula Oblast to work on the training's program.

Earlier updates on the outreach activities of Pastor Yurtaev: Early Mar 06, Mar 06, May 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06 (a), Oct 06 (b), Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07. (top)

April-May 2007 Update from Rev. Yaroslav Boychenko, Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia (Update Jun 14 '07)

On April 22, 2007, Rev. Yaroslav Boychenko baptized the child Andreas-Theodor Wagner born on April 21, 2006. No less than 5 unchurched relatives and friends of the family gathered for the rite heard the Gospel proclaimed by Pastor Yaroslav in his word about the sacrament.

On May 15, 2007, Rev. Boychenko and church council member Vladimir Hukka spoke to the students of the Nizhniy Novgorod Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Police Academy). It was a 3-hour outreach conversation with around 70 young people. In his presentation Pastor Yaroslav told them about the foundation of Christian doctrine and the Gospel, the reasons for the Reformation, and answered the listeners' questions. Mr. Hukka spoke about the history of the Evangelical Luthran church in Russia and in Nizhniy Novgorod in particular, and the Lutherans' contribution to the culture of the region.

On May 24, 2007, in a different building of the police academy Pastor Yaroslav spoke for an hour and a half to a group of 28 second-year students. Yaroslav explained the difference of Christianity from Judaism and Islam and the difference of the Lutheran teaching from Roman Catholicism and Greek Orthodoxy.

On May 25, 2007, Pastor Boychenko and Vladimir Hukka presented a one-and-a-half-hour lecture for 19 police academy students who study for a fee. The topic of the lecture was "The Foundations of the Gospel. The History of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nizhniy Novgorod."

On May 28-29, 2007, Pastor Yaroslav was invited by a university faculty to participate in the 8th international conference of a series called "Youth in the Modern World: the Challenges of the Civilization." The conference was held at the Dobrolyubov State Linguistic University in Nizhniy Novgorod. Pastor Yaroslav presented a report on "The Attitude of Russian Young People to the Christian Church" and also spoke in a student discussion group on "The Culture of the Information Age: Young People's Perspective." He was able to share about the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nizhniy Novgorod with 70 or more people. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on Pastor Yaroslav's outreach ministry in Feb 04, May 04, May 05, Feb-Apr 06, Apr-May 06, June 06, July-Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Jan 07, Feb-Mar 07. (top)

Proclamation of the Gospel through music at St. Michael Lutheran in St. Petersburg, Russia (Update Jun 14 '07)

St. Michael Evangelical Lutheran Congregation (ELCIR) in St. Petersburg, Russia, has shared with us a list of music concerts that they held in their church building from 2005-2007. Those concerts are open to the public and are a tool that this church uses to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus through the means of music. Earlier updates on Gospel outreach activities at St. Michael Lutheran church: Sept 05, Nov 06, Apr 07. (top)

Update from Rev. Igor Alisov - Mission Trip to Schyokino, Russia (Update Jun 08 '07)

On May 20, 2007, Rev. Sergey Shanin, Probst of the Moscow District of the ELCIR, and Rev. Igor Alisov, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Moscow took a mission outreach trip to Schyokino in the Tula Oblast (south of the Moscow Oblast). Mission work in this town has been done by ministers from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America. There is no permanent pastor in the Lutheran group in this town, therefore Holy Communion is administered only when pastors from other congregations come for a visit. Probst Shanin is investigating the possibility of traveling to Schyokino at least once in two months until there is a permanent pastor there. The two pastors led a study on the foundations of the faith and communed the confirmed members of the group. The worship service and the study was attended by a total of 16 people. Photos. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Jun 04 '07)

May 2007 Newsletter from Matthew Heise (Moscow, Russia). (top)

May 2007 Update from Rev. Alexander Furs, St. John Lutheran in Saratov, Russia (Update Jun 01 '07)

On April 26, 2007, four new young people came to the meeting of St. John youth club. They were reached out to and invited to the church by the congregational youth ministry leader. Pastor Furs led a Bible study during which he also spoke about the history of the Lutheran church in Russia, and reminded everybody about the life and work of Martin Luther. The newcomers were very interested as they asked Rev. Furs many questions. The meeting continued with informal conversations over a cup of tea and ended with a short workout in the congregation's gym. On May 4, the 4 youths came to the youth club meeting again, continuing to listen to the history of Lutheranism in Russia and participating in the prayer.

On Victory Day, May 9, the most important memorial day and state holiday in Russia, St. John youth members and officers of the local branch of the federal drug control service went to St. Paul Lutheran church in Novye Burasy near Saratov. St. John Lutheran has and agreement with this federal agency to work together to make the community's youth aware of the danger and consequences of drug abuse. In Novye Burasy, the church youth and the federal officers conducted a Paul and John one-day youth retreat in St. Paul Lutheran congregation's house. Rev. Furs served a holiday prayer service and said a Lutheran litany in memory of all the fallen during the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War. The federal officers presented a new documentary about the modern methods of preventing drug abuse and drug trafficking. The retreat continued with a Bible study, informal fellowship, a common meal, and an outing on the Volga's right bank.

On May 11, 2007, Rev. Furs participated in a meeting of the Council for Interaction with Religious Association, an advisory body under the region's governor. Pastor Alexander had a chance to speak at this meeting several times witnessing to the work of the Lutheran church in the region and proclaiming its theological and societal positions. The council's meeting was covered by several regional mass media and governmental and non-governmental organizations on TV and via internet and was thus presented for tens of thousands people in Saratov and the region.

On May 14, 2007, Rev. Furs was invited by partners from the Saratov State University to attend the opening of a international scholarly conference, "The Philosophical Heritage of S. L. Frank and the Modern Age" dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the thinker. The conference was organized by the Frank Philosophical Society, the SSU philosophy and psychology department in association with the Russian Orthodox Diocese Administration and St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. The conference was opened by Prof. Belov, philosophy and psychology dean, and Prof. Friauf, chairman of the Frank Philosophical Society. In his word of greeting, Rev. Furs reminded the audience of the more than three years of experience that St. John Lutheran and the philosophy and psychology department have in conducting lectures, seminars, and conferences to the glory of God. Pastor Furs witnessed to the ministry of the Lutheran church for more than 50 locals and guests present at the conference. A report about the conference was aired on a local TV channel. Also participating in the conference was Rev. Prilutsky, general secretary of the Church of Ingria who came from St. Petersburg. He presented a report on the philosophical thought of Semyon Frank, methodology and terminology. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on outreach in the Saratov region: Aug 01, Sept 01, Oct 01, Nov 01, Feb 03, Aug 03, Nov 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, Mar 05, May 05, Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Mar-Apr 07. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update May 24 '07)

April 2007 Newsletter from Bob and Laine Rosin. (top)

April-May 2007 Update from Vyacheslav Ostanin (Update May 23 '07)

In April-May 2007, Vyacheslav Ostanin, president of ICHTHYS prison outreach ministry, partner of LCMS World Mission in Russia and LCMS World Relief, continued reaching out to convicts including those with HIV, as well as other people. During this period he shared the Gospel with around 290 people in all the imprisonment facilities he visited, and in other places. He continues to reach out to the inmates of Colony 10 which has a special unit for HIV- and/or TBC-infected convicts (around 60 people). Some of them are very young. A recent example is two youths, aged 16 and 17, each of whom had just one drug injection while in a pre-trial prison and contracted the HIV infection. Vyacheslav visits this colony every other Wednesday. In conversations over tea and biscuits, he tells the inmates about Christ, the Christian faith, the church and how Christ can change lives giving people the hope of life eternal and a new meaning of life here on earth other than crime. In connection with this, they discuss rehabilitation and adaptation to life in freedom including possibilities of finding a job. Other topics include HIV/AIDS awareness, the sin of suicide and injuring others, homosexuality, abortion, sexual promiscuity, purity of family life. Here's an example of how the power of the Gospel changed a man's life through Slava Ostanin's outreach work.

At the same time Slava continues to reach out to juvenile delinquents in a reformatory. Generally, the reformatory contains around 300 youths. Slava visits each unit on different days including the quarantine unit (for newly-arrived young convicts) containing 30 to 50 people. More convicts arrive at a time in the summer-period as the authorities try not to hold too many in the overcrowded pre-trial prisons.

As Slava visits the imprisonment facilities he also brings newspapers, pens, notebooks, envelopes along with Bibles and Christian literature.

Another aspect of Slava's ministry is reaching out to children at a TBC and lung disease sanatorium for children. Most of those children are from orphanages and troubled families whose parents are serving an imprisonment term. Many of such kids contracted TBC from their sick parents. There are around 70 children aged 3 to 14 years staying and going through treatment at the sanatorium which is approx. 30 miles away from Novosibirsk. Slava visits the sanatorium twice a month bringing toys, clothes and shoes, as well as Christian literature.

An important aspect of Slava's ministry is providing spiritual and physical assistance to released prisoners. Thanks to an LCMS World Mission project to support this ministry, Slava is able to give more assistance to ex-convicts upon their discharge from imprisonment. The assistance includes small amounts of startup money while they try to find employment and do the necessary legal paperwork, money to travel to the Lutheran congregation, food, clothes, medicines, and other necessities. Some clothes are also brought as a gift by the church members. At the church, besides his other responsibilities and as a catechet, Slava organizes common meals and chayepitiye's (tea and snacks) for released prisoners on Sundays, for which he also buys food. 4 to 10 people have been attending those meals.

Slava also corresponds by mail with convicts in the Novosibirsk Oblast and other regions in Russia, sending them Bibles and other Christian literature and humanitarian aid packages with toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shaving tackles, aftershave cream, vitamins in tablet and ampoule form for those with TBC, headache and flu medicines, notebooks, pens, envelopes and writing-paper and some other necessities. He also continues to communicate by mail or by phone with family members of current and released convicts, inviting them to the Sunday worship at the church. When it is possible, he buys food for the most needy of those families. Slava also continues to collect DVD videos and cassettes with Christian films for a Christian video library at the church and for giving away to prisoners.

Slava keeps his church informed of the progress of his project, and tries to involve church members in the project's activities, especially visiting released convicts' families. Slava prays that he can expand this ministry into the Altay Territory, to such cities as Barnaul, Irkutsk, and Chita. He is trying to find brothers and sisters in Christ who would like to start similar ministry in their regions proclaiming God's Word in prisons and colonies.

Slava's personal word of thanks from this report: "Dear Brothers and Sisters who have been doing all you can to support us. Thank you very very much from all my heart! It is only by you that this work is sustained. If it weren't for you, we would not be able to visit the prisons and tell the people about Christ, their only chance to find inner peace, forgiveness and the Kingdom of God our Father. Although the fruit of this work may not be immediately visible, this is only the beginning of a long way and a big work. Our job is to sow the seed, and it is God who grows it. Thank you for the possibility of sowing God's Word which God calls us all to do. Praised be God for you! Thank you from all of us!" Photos of Slava's various outreach contacts. Earlier updates on Slava Ostanin's ministry in March 04, April 05, June 05 , December 05, January 06, February 06, March-April 06, May 06, June 06, July-August 2006, Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Feb 0, Mar-Apr 07. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update May 18 '07)

May 2007 Newsletter from Jon and Julie Muhly (Moscow, Russia). (top)

May 2007 Update on the Outreach Activities of Rev. Mikhail Starilov, Borisoglebsk, Russia (Update May 18 '07)

• May 2, 2007 - Visited a sick woman in hospital. Witnessed to his personal faith for her and another patient in the ward and prayed for their recovery.
• May 4 and 5, 2007 - Visited 4 refugee families (9 people) and provided some diaconal assistance to them. Gave them four "Daily Meditations" brochures by Carl O. Rosenius, proclaimed God's Word and prayed together with one of the families.
• May 7, 2007 - Visited a refugee family of 4, bringing them food and talking to them about the faith and repentance. The parents said they would like to bring their child to the congregational Sunday school.
• May 8, 2007 - Outreach conversation on spiritual subjects with a young lady, witnessed to personal faith and gave her a Daily Meditations brochure.
• May 9, 2007 - Outreach conversation with a young man near the congregational house about the church, religion, and the Christian faith. Invited him to the church where Mikhail continued their conversation. The young man also attended a church youth meeting Saturday that week.
• May 11, 2007 - Outreach conversation with four young refugees in the yard of the church house. Gave them Christian brochures about love and family. Invited them to the worship service and the youth meeting.
• May 14, 2007 - Proclaimed the Gospel to 3 staff members of a pharmacy in town. Gave them an issue of the Good News journal.
• May 15, 2007 - Outreach conversation with 2 neighbors of a church member. The church prayer group included them in their prayers.
• May 17, 2007 - Personal witness and discussion on spiritual subjects with a man near the church house. Invited him to the worship service.
• May 19, 2007 - Invited two female neighbors to the women's seminar.

      Also planned to be done in May:

• May 21 and 22, 2007 - Meeting with a church member's relatives who want a conversation on spiritual subject and prayer.
• May 24, 2007 - Visit to a sick refugee woman.
• May 28, 2007 - Meeting with refugee youth at a picnic in the church house yard.

Earlier updates on the outreach in Borisoglebsk: Nov 02, Feb-Mar 06, Jun-Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07, Apr 07. (top)

April 2007 Update from Deacon Slava Shadrin, Minusinsk, Russia (Update May 11 '07)

Starting from April 20, 2007, Deacon Shadrin together with Finnish evangelist Yrjo Niemi traveled to several villages in Khakassia where he met with school students and local residents. During those meetings 5 people were baptized. Deacon Shadrin and Yrjo Niemi also visited 4 correctional colonies where they also met with many people and proclaimed the Gospel. During those trips they reached out to more than 300 people.

In late April a Christian youth pantomime group from Omsk led by Rev. Kai Lappalainen, Finnish missionary serving in the Church of Ingria, went on a concert tour in the Krasnoyarsk Territory for three days. The group called "Ryba" (the Russian for "Fish") performed pantomime skits in 7 houses of culture (town centers), one church, and two orphanages. Group leader Kai Lappalainen is now proposing a concert tour of a Finnish musical band in the Krasnoyarsk Territory this fall. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on Deacon Shadrin's ministry in Apr 05, May 05, Jul 05, Aug 05, Oct 05, Jan 06, Feb 06, Apr 06, May 06, May 06, July 06 (1), July 06 (2), early Aug 06, Sept 06, Nov 06, Jan-Feb 07. (top)

April 2007 Update from Rev. Andrey Yurtaev, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Moscow, Russia (Update May 4 '07)

On April 8, 2007, Pastor Andrey Yurtaev met with a small group of believers in the Moscow Region to celebrate Easter together. The Easter meeting was attended by 17 people. From April 15-22, 2007, Pastor Andrey participated in an Easter project in the Tula region where he reached out to children from troubled families, from orphanages, and street children as he helped distribute Easter gift baskets to them. Each gift included the Bible. As a representative of the Lutheran Church of Ingria, Pastor Andrey told the children about life in the church and presented Biblical themes in an entertaining manner. The event was attended by 250 children and 150 adults. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on the outreach activities of Pastor Yurtaev: Early Mar 06, Mar 06, May 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06 (a), Oct 06 (b), Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07. (top)

March-April 2007 Update from Rev. Alexander Furs, St. John Lutheran in Saratov, Russia (Update Apr 27 '07)

On March 24, 2007, Rev. Furs participated in the 1st plenary meeting of the Assembly of Peoples of the Saratov Oblast. This meeting gathers representatives of almost all larger and smaller ethnic groups of the region including Germans, the Finno-Ugric ethnos of Mordva and other Finno-Ugric ethnoses whose ancestors confessed the Lutheran faith. The representation of the Lutheran church at this assembly provides a good outreach opportunity as the Lutheran church gets a unique chance to witness to its faith in Jesus and its revival in the Saratov area where there were tens of thousands Lutherans before the 1917 revolution.

On March 29, 2007, Pastor Furs met with the church's partners from Narkokontrol (the governmental committee for control over narcotic drugs) to discuss the participation of the church youth members and young volunteers of Narkokontrol in a Christian camp in Novye Burasy in early May.

From March 21-23, 2007, Pastor Alexander participated in the congregational diaconal ministry distributing humanitarian aid both to church members and unchurched residents of the city. More than 100 people came to the meals room of St. John chapel which was temporarily used as a center of social ministry.

On April 14, 2007, in St. John chapel the matrimony of St. John catechet Vladimir Neklyudov and Sunday school teacher Irina Persiyanova was solemnized by Rev. Olav Panchu assisted by Rev. Furs. The ceremony was attended by around 30 guests who are not members of the church. All of them heard the Gospel proclaimed to them as the pastors read God's Word and explained His will.

Before Easter, Rev. Furs participated in writing the weekly newsletter of the Public Relations Committee of the Saratov Oblast. The writing of the newsletter involves representatives of all of the religious, public and ethno-cultural associations in the Saratov region. The purpose of the newsletter is to announce events of public importance in the Saratov region. Among other things in that newsletter, the Christian churches speak about church holidays of the period covered by the letter. In this issue the Lutheran church found a Gospel proclamation opportunity as it was given the task to explain the meaning of Palm Sunday and the Passion Week. As this newsletter is sent to all governmental ministries and civil service offices of the Saratov region as well as to many public and ethno-cultural associations of the region, it covers a wide weekly audience. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on outreach in the Saratov region: Aug 01, Sept 01, Oct 01, Nov 01, Feb 03, Aug 03, Nov 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, Mar 05, May 05, Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07. (top)

April 2007 Update from Rev. Mikhail Starilov, Borisoglebsk, Russia (Update Apr 27 '07)

• April 2 and 3, 2007 - Meeting with 2 youths near the congregational house for a conversation on spiritual subjects. A discussion of aspects of Christian morality. Pastor Mikhail gave them evangelism brochures.
• April 5, 2007 - Pastoral visit to an elderly woman in her home where they read the Bible and prayed together.
• April 8, 2007 - Conversation about Easter with an elderly couple on the street near the congregational house. They were very interested in the topic of Christ's resurrection. They asked Mikhail to pray for them at the worship service.
• April 12, 2007 - Distribution of 5 evangelism brochures on the streets.
• April 13, 2007 - Spiritual conversation with a young lady near her home. She expressed a desire to make a private confession. Mikhail invited her to the worship service.
• April 17, 2007 - Witness to personal faith. Conversation with a telephone service attendant about the Christian faith and the Lutheran church. Pastor Mikhail gave her a copy of Luteranskie vesti ("The Lutheran News") magazine.
• April 17 and 18, 2007 - Visit to an elderly lady in hospital. Conversation with her and two other ladies about the faith and the Lutheran church. Pastor Mikhail also gave them a copy of Good News journal and prayed with them.
• April 19, 2007 - Visit to a seriously ill lady. Conversation about the faith and prayer. Mikhail prayed together with her.
  

Earlier updates on the outreach in Borisoglebsk: Nov 02, Feb-Mar 06, Jun-Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07, Mar 07. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Apr 20 '07)

April 2007 Newsletter from Jon and Julie Muhly (Moscow, Russia). (top)

Update of Classical Music Resources (Update Apr 17 '07)

We have added an mp3 of "Badinerie" by J. S. Bach at our page with music and songs performed by the musicians of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Moscow. The piece is performed by Rev. Igor Alisov, the pastor of this church, on a Roland keyboard. (top)

Easter Photos from Novosibirsk, Russia (Update Apr 13 '07)

Easter photos from Christ the Savior Lutheran congregation in Novosibirsk sent by the congregation's minister, Rev. Deacon Gennadiy Moskalev. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Apr 13 '07)

April 2007 Newsletter from Matthew Heise (Moscow, Russia). (top)

January-March 2007 Update for Pastor Sergey Tatarenko, St. Petersburg, Russia (Update Apr 13 '07)

Every Saturday evening, St. Michael's continues its tradition of hosting musical concerts for the surrounding community. On average, between 120 to 130 people attend the event, which begins with Pastor Tatarenko sharing a bit about St. Michael's and the Lutheran faith, as well as offering a prayer. Indeed, sometimes the concerts are so well attended that there aren't even enough seats!

Similarly, Pastor Tatarenko reports that this same problem (that is lack of seating) occurs during the Sunday service! As the reconstruction of St. Michael's is still a long ways from completion, please pray that the Lord would raise up donors to support this rebuilding project. Pastor Tatarenko eagerly awaits the day when the completion of the large worship center with space enough for 500 will be completed, so that the ministry might be able to expand to fill the greater space! Earlier updates on Gospel outreach activities at St. Michael Lutheran church: Sept 05, Nov 06. (top)

March 2007 Update from Rev. Igor Alisov, Moscow, Russia, on HIV/AIDS Prevention Project (Update Apr 13 '07)

Rev. Igor Alisov and Rev. Andrey Yurtaev represented the Lutheran church at the conference entitled "The General Vision of the Moral Position of the Christian Confessions in Anti-AIDS Work" hosted in Moscow by the interfaith HIV/AIDS Committee on March 30, 2007. The conference discussed the moral stance of Christian organizations in choosing methods of AIDS prevention work among children and young people, the church's and the secular society's attitude to HIV+ people, and acceptable areas in which the Christian community and secular organizations can work together. Pastor Igor made a report in behalf of the Lutheran church of Ingria. Other participants included Bishop Mark and Fr. Igor Vyzhanov of the Russian Orthodox Church, Prelate Andrzej Steckiewicz and Fr. Igor Kowalewski of the Roman Catholic Church, and others. Earlier updates on outreach through HIV/AIDS prevention supported or coordinated by LCMS World Mission and/or LCMS World Relief: May 05, May 05 (2), June 05, Feb 06, Feb-Apr 06, May 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Feb 07. (top)

March 2007 Update on Gospel Outreach through Music, Moscow, Russia (Update Apr 13 '07)

This is an update from Darya Shkurlyatyeva, musical project coordinator for LCMS World Mission in Russia

The History of Lutheran Music. Lecture 7: Passion Week in the Lutheran Church. The Theme of Repentance in Psalms and Chorales

The 7th lecture on the history of Lutheran music was held in the chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Congregation in Moscow on March 10, 2007 (it is planned to hold a total of 10 lectures, see Schedule). Darya spoke about the music of the passion season: repentance and passion chorales from Tenebrae, the Passion Friday service, as well as the Passion genre. A special focus was Luther's chorale Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (From Depths of Woe I Cry to You, LW 230) in connection with which Darya discussed the chapter on the confession of sins from Luther's Catechism. In conclusion, the participants of the meetings sang several Lent chorales epigraphed by verses from the repentance psalms.

Weekly Musical Meetings during Lent

Since the format of the history of Lutheran music lectures is such that the audience can only listen to short portions of the musical compositions, the listeners asked Darya to organize weekly musical meetings during Lent where they could listen to Bach's St. Matthew Passion in its entirety. This composition has an additional evangelistic value in that Bach used the whole text of Chapter 26 and 27 of Matthew's Gospel in Luther's translation. As the audience listened to Bach's work with Russian Bibles in hand, they could follow the texts of all the arias and chorales in handouts with a Russian translation.

St. Matthew Passion by Antoine de Longueval

In February 2007, Darya made the acquaintance of INTRADA vocal ensemble led by Yekaterina Antonenko. This group was formed by professors and students of the Moscow Conservatory who are interested in antique music. Darya asked the ensemble to prepare the performance of a motet-type Passion to introduce the listeners in Moscow to the history of the development of the Passion genre. The ensemble chose St. Matthew Passion by the 16th century composer Antoine de Longueval and performed it in Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran chapel on March 30, 2007. In spite of the small space of the chapel, we thank God that many students and professors from the Conservatory and many other lovers of music came to listen. Conservatory student Viktoria Gubaidullina (pictured at right) spoke a word of introduction. One of the ensemble participants read the appropriate Gospel passages before each of the 3 parts of St. Matthew Passion. Passion was performed a capella in Latin and the listeners had a Russian translation of the Gospel verses printed along with their Latin texts. We pray that the ensemble's first performance in a Lutheran church left a good impression on the musicians and that we would continue working with them in the next concert season. Earlier updates on how LCMS World Mission in Russia has supported or coordinated outreach through music in the past: Mar 03, Nov 03, Dec 03, Mar 04, Apr 04, May 04, Nov 04, Jan 05, Jan 05, Mar 05, Apr 06, May 06, July 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Dec 06*, Jan-Feb 07. (top)

March-April 2007 Update from Vyacheslav Ostanin (Update Apr 10 '07)

In March-April 2007 Slava Ostanin was able to reach out to around 350 people in all the correctional colonies and wherever he met with them. This includes Colony 10 with a section for HIV- and TBC-infected with 48 convicts whom he visits every other Wednesday, as well as the reformatory for juvenile delinquents with a "quarantine" section which 20 to 30 young convicts pass through every few days. Another place that adds up to those Ablaze touches is the TBC and Lung Disease Sanatorium which contains around 100 children aged 3 to 14. Most of them are children from troubled families, children of convicts who are serving their term. Slava visits this sanatorium twice a month as it is 50 km from Novosibirsk.

Slava reaches out to those categories of people through conversations about Christ, direct proclamation of the Gospel or discussions about their future life and adaptation to freedom, discussions of the Christian view of suicide, physical violence, homosexuality, abortion, sexual promiscuity, and other consequences of sin. Slava also leads Bible studies for church members before church on Sundays, and continues evening services and common meals for released convicts and their family members as well as smaller chayepitiye's (tea and cookies) attended by 4 to 16 people.

He also continues with humanitarian aid for convicts and their relatives providing them with small amounts of money for food, clothing, medicines, and initial travel after discharge from prison. Slava also collects clothes and toys which he bring along with Christian literature for the children at the TBC Sanatorium. He uses this opportunity also to talk to the sanatorium's staff.

Slava prays that with increased support from the LCMS, he will be able to reach out to more inmates of prisons and correctional colonies. Photos of Slava's various outreach meetings. Earlier updates on Slava Ostanin's ministry supported by LCMS World Mission in Russia and LCMS World Relief: March 04, April 05, June 05 , December 05, January 06, February 06, March-April 06, May 06, June 06, July-August 2006, Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Feb 07. (top)

March 2007 Update from Rev. Mikhail Starilov, Borisoglebsk, Russia (Update Apr 5 '07)

On March 5, 2007, Rev. Starilov witnessed to the Gospel for 3 women near the city polyclinic as he talked to them about fasting, prayer, and confession of sins. He also invited them to the worship service. On March 9, he visited an old woman in her home and 4 other people were present as he talked to her, prayed with her and read the Gospel. He got their agreement for members of his church's diaconal group to visit them in the future. On March 10, he witnessed to his faith for two young men, his childhood friends, to whom he also gave evangelism brochures. On March 13, Pastor Mikhail had a meeting with 3 unbelieving youths in the congregational house. He prayed for them and gave them copies of The Good News journal. On March 15, Mikhail visited a family of 3 where everyone is an invalid. He witnessed to his Christian faith and had a discussion with them about spiritual questions they had and prayed with them. On March 16, 17 and 18, Pastor Mikhail had Gospel conversations with a visiting family of 2 with whom he also sang hymns together with them and prayed for them. On March 18 they attended the Sunday worship service. Earlier updates on the outreach in Borisoglebsk: Nov 02, Feb-Mar 06, Jun-Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07.(top)

February-March 2007 Update from Rev. Yaroslav Boychenko, Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia (Update Mar 31 5 '07)

On February 1, 2007, Rev. Yaroslav Boychenko presented a 15-minute report on "The Contribution of Lutherans to the Culture of the Nizhniy Novgorod Region" at a scholarly conference entitled "The Sacred Heritage of the Nizhniy Novgorod Region" which was hosted by the government of the Nizhniy Novgorod Oblast, the Archive Committee, the Nizhniy Novgorod Architecture and Construction Academy, and the Nizhniy Novgorod Orthodox Diocese. The conference was held in the Greater Hall of the Nizhniy Novgorod Kremlin (the seat of the regional government). Pastor Yaroslav's presentation included photo slides depicting the original Lutheran church (not extant) and important buildings designed and built by Lutherans before the 1917 socialist revolution. Pastor Yaroslav's presentation had positive resonance in the intellectual circles as the conference was attended by more than 350 researchers of the region's history, university rectors, and government officials from the Volga Federal District, the Nizhniy Novgorod region and the city itself. Pastor Boychenko's 12-page article will be published in a collection of scholarly works entitled "The Sacred Heritage of the Nizhniy Novgorod Region" which will be sent to all of the major libraries and higher education institutions of the city. More than 370 people heard about the Lutheran church in Nizhniy Novgorod as a result of Pastor Yaroslav's outreach effort.

On February 22, 2007, a delegation from the Finland-Russia Society headed up by its general secretary Ms. Merja Hannus visited the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nizhniy Novgorod. Ms. Hannus came to the chief city of the Volga Federal District to meet with the NN Oblast Governor to discuss the Days of Finland cultural exchange program which will be held in the city in November 2007. It is planned that in November 2007 the Finnish delegation which may include Lutheran church ministers will meet with top governmental officials of the region.

From March 3 to 5, 2007, pastors of the Church of Ingria Fyodor Tulynin and Leif Camp and Ms. Carolyn Rice from Piedmont Women's Center in Greenville, SC, USA, came to the NN Lutheran Church to conduct seminars and discussions on abortion and contraception. Piedmont Women's Center provides recovery assistance for women who are survivors of abortion. On March 03, 2007, Rev. Camp and Ms. Rice had meetings with and conducted a Pro Life seminar for the students of the NN Medical Academy. The seminar was held in the dormitory for foreign students. Praise and thank God for furthering the outreach to medical students in NN that Pastor Yaroslav began earlier (see earlier updates). Also on March 3, Pastor Leif held a discussion on "The Christian View of Contraception" in the Lutheran congregation at the NN Mission Education Center. On March 4, Ms. Rice and Pastor Fyodor held Pro Life discussions and seminar at the MEC. Church member Viktor Genke interpreted for the presenters and the listeners. The audience included representatives of the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church. Fr. Mikhail Zazvonov and youth worker Alexander Shestakov (ROC) and Fr. Mario Beverati (RCC) emphasized the importance of such meetings and ministry. The meetings and the seminars were attended by 75 or more people.

From March 14 to 18, 2007, Rev. Russell Nebhut, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Hamilton, Texas, and his son Josiah were in Nizhniy Novgorod. Rev. Yaroslav Boychenko found opportunities for outreach at several higher education institutions in the city where he made an arrangement for Christian seminars and lectures to be held by Pastor Nebhut. On March 14, 2007, Rev. Nebhut held a seminar and discussion on "The Lutheran View of Racism and Nationalism" for the international relations students at the Lobachevskiy State University of Nizhniy Novgorod. The seminar was attended by 100 or more people.

On March 15, 2007, Rev. Nebhut held a seminar on the same topic at the NN Management and Business Institute, thus reaching out to 90 or more people. On March 15, 2007, he spoke at The Current Issues of Region Studies conference hosted by the international relations chair of the Lobachevskiy University. His presentation was on "Interdenominational Relationships in the USA" and will be included in the 2007 collection of conference materials to be published by the Lobachevskiy University. The conference was attended by more than 20 people. The same day Pastor Nebhut also spoke for 3rd year foreign language students at the Dobrolyubov University of Nizhniy Novgorod where 14 people listened to his presentation.

On March 17, 2007, Pastor Russell met with the chief teacher and the students of the English Language School of Nizhniy Novgorod. The same day he held a seminar and discussion on the topic of "The Crucifixion of Jesus." The seminar was held at the NN Mission Education Center and interpreted by church member Viktor Genke. 20 or more people attended the lecture and participated in the discussion. At the divine service on Sunday March 18, 2007, three people were confirmed, and the sacrament of Holy Baptism was administered to one person. Rev. Russell Nebhut spoke a sermon during the service. After the service, Pastor Nebhut handed to Pastor Boychenko gifts for the NN Lutheran congregation: new communion vessels and a jacquard tapestry with the image of the Savior.

On March 22, 2007, Rev. Boychenko participated in the 4th annual conference/workshop on the topic of "Developing the Institutes of the Multiethnic and Multi-Faith Russian State" hosted by the Spiritual Administration of the NN Oblast's Muslims and the international department of the Lobachevskiy University. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on Pastor Yaroslav's outreach ministry in Feb 04, May 04, May 05, Feb-Apr 06, Apr-May 06, June 06, July-Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06, Dec 06-Jan 07.(top)

March 2007 Update from Deacon Ivanov and the Kovalyovs, Velikie Luki, Russia (Update Mar 31 '07)

On March 16, 2007, Svetlana and Sergey Kovalyov from St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Velikie Luki, who conduct a project for Gospel outreach through music, performed a concert at School #9 for 3 and 6 graders (click photo to enlarge). The theme of the concert was "Only God Can Give Joy and Send Peace". The concert was attended by 35 people. On March 27, 2007, the Kovalyovs performed for elderly people at the social shelter for senior citizens who like singing together. The theme of the concert was "Praise Christ! Let the Song Reach Heaven." The concert was attended by 20 people. Earlier updates on the music outreach ministry in Velikie Luki: Apr 05, Sep-Nov 05, Apr 06, July-Sept 06, Jan 07, Feb 07. (top)

March 2007 Update from Rev. Andrey Yurtaev, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Moscow, Russia (Update Mar 27 '07)

Pastor Andrey continued his outreach meetings with a group of unchurched elderly people in Lyubertsy near Moscow. His meetings with them on March 8 and March 23, 2007, were attended by 12 and 9 people respectively. Earlier updates on the outreach activities of Pastor Yurtaev: Early Mar 06, Mar 06, May 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06 (a), Oct 06 (b), Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07. (top)

March 2007 Update from Deacon Yuriy Poddelskiy in Rural Buryatia, Russia (Update Mar 27 '07)

Yuriy and his fellow-evangelists have been giving away Christian literature including children's Bibles in Buryat in Belozyorsk (boarding school and kindergarten), Dyrestuy (hospital, kindergarten, village library and school library). In total, he gave away more than a 100 copies of booklets and magazines. Please pray that the Holy Spirit works faith in the hearts of the people through this literature.

Yuriy's prayer requests:

• Thank God that the people in Nizhniy Torey invited him for the coming Easter celebration
• For a blessed Easter celebration in Petropavlovka and other villages
• For his health and the healing of his cough and spinal ache
• For evangelism in the Raduga social shelter in Oyor that the Spirit works in the hearts of the teachers, orphans, and managers of the shelter.
• For the boarding school in Belozyorsk
• For everybody working at or otherwise connected to the kindergarten, school, village library and school library that they may believe in Jesus
• For the schoolchildren in Dyrestuy
• For everybody who has ever attended the activities of Yuriy that the Holy Spirit works faith in Jesus in the hearts of those who have received Christian literature from Yuriy

Earlier updates: Aug 06, Nov 06. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Mar 27 '07)

March 2007 Newsletter from Jon and Julie Muhly (Moscow, Russia). (top)

March 2007 Update from Rev. Alexander Furs, St. John Lutheran in Saratov, Russia (Update Mar 23 '07)

On March 1, 2007, Pastor Alexander Furs of St. John Lutheran in Saratov has a meeting with congregational youth to discuss their participation in missions. The youth had expressed a desire to do mission in the Saratov region a long time before. With Bishop Kugappi's blessing, Pastor Alexander wrote a small project to involve youth in mission and offered it for discussion at the youth club meeting attended by 10 youth members who are interested in Gospel outreach. The plan began to bear fruit already the next day when the church youth invited several young men and women to visit the Lutheran church. Those are young people who were earlier involved in a destructive neo-Pentecostal movement in Saratov and are now in search of faith. In conversations with them in St. John's chapel, Alexander answered their questions about Baptism, Holy Communion, and the liturgical life of the Lutheran church, and gave them copies of Luther's Small Catechism. As a result, 10 to 12 young individuals were able to hear about various aspects of the pure Gospel teaching of the Lutheran church.

Another way St. John Lutheran reaches out to unchurched people is through social and diaconal ministry which includes visiting and anointing the sick. On March 10, 2007, Pastor Alexander conducted the rite of anointing (elaion hagion) and holy communion to 7 sick and weak members most of whom had come to the church through St. John Lutheran church's outreach to the sick. One of the aspects of this ministry is anointing and communing sick members in their homes. In March, Pastor Alexander and a church deacon anointed and communed a old church member before her decease in her home.

On March 12, 2007, on the request of Probst Panchu, Pastor Alexander traveled to Engels, a satellite town near Saratov. Engels was the administrative center of the Autonomous Republic of Volga Germans in 1918-1941. As he met with Ms. Yerina, director of the town branch of the State and Oblast Archive, he gave her a copy of the Lutheran Confessions and invited her to the Easter worship service. He also met with the members of a German culture center in Engels who have their meetings in the German House and received an invitation for St. John's choir to perform Easter hymns at the center on Easter Monday. He also invited the church's potential partners to attend the Easter Service at St. John in Saratov on April 8. During those meetings, Alexander met with approx. 10 people.

On March 14, 2007, on the invitation of Ms. Karpova, director of the Saratov Oblast Federal Archive in Engels, Pastor Alexander and Ludmila Furs, congregational choir leader and business manager, visited the "Engels-Wuppertal" exhibition of artwork made by schoolchildren from Russia and Germany. There, Alexander and Ludmila continued talks with the German center's members about reviving the ministry of the Lutheran church and re-establishing a Lutheran congregation and mission in Engels. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on outreach in the Saratov region: Aug 01, Sept 01, Oct 01, Nov 01, Feb 03, Aug 03, Nov 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, Mar 05, May 05, Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07, Feb 07. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Mar 16 '07)

March 2007 Newsletter from Bob and Sue Pfeil in Bishkek, Kyrgyzststan. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Mar 1 '07)

January-February 2007 Newsletter from Jon and Julie Muhly (Moscow, Russia). (top)

New Area Facilitator for LCMS World Mission in Russia (Update Mar 1 '07)

Updated information about Rev. Jon Muhly and his family. Pastor Jon was recently called to serve as the Area Facilitator in Russia. (top)

February 2007 Update from Rev. Igor Alisov, Moscow, Russia, on HIV/AIDS Prevention Project (Update Mar 1 '07)

In February 2007 Pastor Alisov continued contacting religious and secular associations to discuss possibilities and plans of working together to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. He met with Vladimir Samoylov to discuss the work of the Interfaith AIDS Committee and the AIDS project of UNDP involving various religious organizations. Alisov's other contacts included Pastor Konstantin Bendas from the Church of the Gospel Faith Christians (Pentecostals) to learn about this church's experience in HIV/AIDS prevention and Yuri Novikov from the Baptist Church to discuss the prayer week to be held in March 2007 and how the Church of Ingria can participate in it. Pastor Igor discussed with a law enforcement representative in Selyatino near Moscow the possibilities of the Church of Ingria and the local police working together to protect youth from the HIV/AIDS threat. Other meetings included a gathering of Protestant church leaders to discuss their respective AIDS projects and a seminar on AIDS projects hosted by the Dew Pentecostal Church. On the request of ELCIR Bishop Arri Kugappi, Pastor Alisov also attended a meeting with Alexiy II, Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, where he told Orthodox priests about the Church of Ingria's efforts to prevent AIDS. On February 27-28 Pastor Alisov attended in an interfaith seminar hosted by the Moscow Patriarchy. The seminar was a regional meeting of Christian faiths as part of the preparation for the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly. The two chief topics of the forum were "Modern Europe: God, Man, Society. The Human Rights and the Moral Dimension" and "Interchristian Relations in the CIS and the Baltic Countries." Earlier updates on outreach through HIV/AIDS prevention supported or coordinated by LCMS World Mission and/or LCMS World Relief: May 05, May 05 (2), June 05, Feb 06, Feb-Apr 06, May 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06. (top)

January/February Update on Gospel Outreach through Music (Update Feb 26 '07)

This is an update from Darya Shkurlyatyeva, musical project coordinator for LCMS World Mission in Russia.

The History of Lutheran Music. Lecture 5: The Music of the Lutheran Communion Service. "The German Mass" of Martin Luther. Characteristics of J. S. Bach masses.

Darya Shkurlyatyeva (pictured on the right) conducted the 5th lecture on the history of Lutheran music in the chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Congregation in Moscow on January 13, 2007 (it is planned to hold a total of 10 lectures, see Schedule). The topic of the lecture was the formation of the Lutheran liturgical tradition and the biblical origins of such parts of the communion service as Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei. Darya used the example of Luther's German Mass to discuss the liturgical reform of Martin Luther. The participants of the meeting listened to the records of liturgical songs from the German Mass and sang Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr (All Glory Be to God on High LW 215), Wir glauben all an einen Gott (We All Believe in One True God, Maker LW 213), Jesaja dem Propheten das geschah (Isaiah, Mighty Seer, in Spirit Soared LW 214), and O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig (Lamb of God, Pure and Sinless LW 208) which were substituted for the Latin Gregorian Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei in The German Mass. The chorales were sung in Russian. The listeners received printouts with the German texts and a literal Russian translation. As she discussed J. S. Bach masses (the High Mass in B minor and the "short masses"), Darya touched on the Lutheran understanding of the word "mass" and its legitimacy if used with regard to the Eucharistic service of the Lutheran church.

The Evening of Sacred German Music. January 27, 2007

On January 27, 2007, in the chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran in Moscow, Darya Shkurlyatyeva organized a concert of sacred music where she involved Soprano Olga Grechko, winner of international contests, and Yekaterina Popova, organist, candidate of art history sciences, teacher of theory of music at the Moscow State Conservatory. They performed the Little Sacred Concertos and the Sacred Symphonies written by Heinrich Schuetz and based on the Psalms and the Gospels, as well as choral interpretations written by his cotemporaries for Wir glauben all an einen Gott (We All Believe in One True God, Maker LW 213), Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr (All Glory Be to God on High LW 215), Vater unser im Himmelreich (Our Father, Who from Heaven Above LW 431), Jesus Christus, unser Heiland (Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior LW 237). The listeners received brochures with Russian translations of Schuetz' vocal compositions and of the 1st verses of the chorales on which they were based. The appropriate Bible passages were typed in front of each composition as an epigraph. We thank and praise God that we are able to continue working together with the Moscow Conservatory and that professors and students from musical educational institutions are involved in our outreach meetings with people.

The History of Lutheran Music. Lecture 6: "The Organ Mass" by J. S. Bach: the Catechism in Sound. Vater Unser and Wir glauben (Creed) Chorales, Respective Chorale Preludes. The Place of the Chorale Prelude in Lutheran Worship.

The 6th lecture on the history of Lutheran music was held in the chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Congregation in Moscow on February 10, 2007 (it is planned to hold a total of 10 lectures, see Schedule). This lecture opened the Lutheran Catechism in Music series which will consist of four lectures (Lectures 6-9). As she prepared her presentation, Darya used her recent translation of Daniel Zager, Luther and Bach: Theologians in Word and Music. First off, she spoke about the influence of Lutheran theology on Bach's works. The listeners learned about the books that were in Bach's personal theological library and about Bach's knowledge of Lutheran theology and this was reflected in his music. Darya drew a parallel between the so-called Organ Mass (Klavierübung III) and Luther's Small and Large Catechism. With the Short Catechism in hand, the listeners heard the organ interpretations of the chorales on the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. The meeting ended with everybody singing together Luther's chorale which is a rhymed paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer.

Update on the Library of Lutheran Music

We thank God for the opportunity to reach out to musicians in Moscow through the library of the Society for Studying the History of Lutheran Music. They have been actively using its resources. Recently, a student of choir conduction from the Moscow State Conservatory availed himself to Trauer-Kantate "Du aber, Daniel, gehe hin" by G. P. Telemann to write his diploma thesis. The cantata is based on the Book of Daniel. The student provided the Library with a copy of his thesis.

Materials of Conference on "Music and Proclamation" in Print

In March 2003, LCMS World Mission sponsored a seminar for Lutheran church cantors of European Russia. The four-day seminar included "Music and Proclamation: Interpretation of J. S. Bach's Heritage" (pictured on the right), a conference hosted together with the Moscow Conservatory. At the end of 2006, the Conservatory published a collection of this conference's materials. It is of special value to us that the brochure includes "J. S. Bach Music in the Context of the Evangelical Lutheran Faith," a report by Rev. Lotov, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran in Moscow, as well as the reports by Moscow musicians partnering with the Society for Studying the History of Lutheran Music such as Tatyana Ushakova, Marina Voinova, Yekaterina Popova, Alexey Semyonov. A copy of this collection is available also at our Library.

Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on how LCMS World Mission in Russia has supported or coordinated outreach through music in the past: Mar 03, Nov 03, Dec 03, Mar 04, Apr 04, May 04, Nov 04, Jan 05, Jan 05, Mar 05, Apr 06, May 06, July 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Dec 06*. (top)

February 2007 Update from Rev. Andrey Yurtaev, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Moscow, Russia (Update Feb 26 '07)

In February 2007, Pastor Andrey Yurtaev continued his outreach meetings with believers in Malakhovka and a small group in Lyubertsy in the Moscow region. Those meetings were attended by 32 people in total. On February 23, on the Defender of the Motherland national holiday, he held an outreach meeting with former military servicemen of the Soviet and RF army where spoke with 25 men about the church. On February 25, as he reached out to 7 people as he blessed a newly-wed couple and spoke to them and their relatives. He also had another meeting with a large families society on February 28 where he discussed with them how they would celebrate March 8 (Women's Day) together. Earlier updates on the outreach activities of Pastor Yurtaev: Early Mar 06, Mar 06, May 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06 (a), Oct 06 (b), Dec 06, Jan 07. (top)

February 2007 Update from Deacon Ivanov and the Kovalyovs, Velikie Luki, Russia (Update Feb 26 '07)

As the couple Svetlana and Sergey Kovalyov and Deacon Valeriy Ivanov from St. Mark Lutheran in Velikie Luki continued their evangelistic outreach through music concerts in February 2006, they held two concerts at Comprehensive Schools #7 and #8 in Velikie Luki and at the local branch of the Leningrad Railroad Transport Institute based in St. Petersburg. The two events were attended by a total of 55 people. Svetlana continued with her music outreach classes which were attended by 40 children. Earlier updates on the music outreach ministry in Velikie Luki: Apr 05, Sep-Nov 05, Apr 06, July-Sept 06, Jan 07. (top)

February 2007 Update from Rev. Mikhail Starilov, Borisoglebsk, Russia (Update Feb 26 '07)

Pastor Mikhail's outreach activities in February 2007 included a conversation on spiritual matters with an old man near his home where Mikhail witnessed to his faith and was invited to visit later to continue the conversation. On February 9, in Severnyy District of his town he gave away evangelism brochures to 10 people. He has short conversations with 4 people to whom he explained some of the spiritual topics in the material. On February 11, after the worship service Mikhail invited a distressed young man to stay for tea and a spiritual conversation. He prayed for him after the fellowship and aided him with a food package. On February 13, Mikhail met with an old person to whom he proclaimed the Gospel. The person expressed a desire to repent of his sins. On February 14, he gave away 6 evangelism brochures to 6 people on the street. As he did that, he had a discussion with a young couple about Christian denominations. On February 19, he spoke with 2 women in a hospital about fasting and prayer. Earlier updates on the outreach in Borisoglebsk: Nov 02, Feb-Mar 06, Jun-Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07. (top)

January-February 2007 Update from Rev. Alexander Furs, St. John Lutheran in Saratov, Russia (Update Feb 26 '07)

On January 31, 2007, Pastor Alexander Furs participated in the meeting of the board of trustees of the ELCIR Theological Institute (seminary). The board members and the leadership of the church discussed the Institute's participation in a Semyon Frank conference at the Saratov State University in May 2007. A delegation of the Theological Institute will speak at the conference. The conference will be hosted by the partners of the ELCIR from the philosophy and psychology department of the university supervised by Dr. Vasiliy Friauf who personally invited Lutheran theologians to participate and represent the university's partners at the conference. Pastor Furs handed the letter of invitation to the seminary faculty. The board made a decision to take part in the conference.

On February 1, 2007, Pastor Furs spoke live on The Pastor's Hour, a program of the Theos Christian radio station based in St. Petersburg. He was invited by Rev. Asonov, chief of the ELCIR information department, to speak as a representative of the Volga District. Another participant was Deacon Laptev from Koltushi. The program was hosted by Rev. Asonov. It was the first broadcast of this program in 3 years after its long-standing host Rev. Sergey Preiman was called to glory. The topic was the dialog of traditional Christian churches. The audience had the opportunity to call in and ask questions. This broadcast was an excellent outreach opportunity as Pastor Furs and the other speakers witnessed to their faith in Jesus, read and discussed the Scripture, and answered many questions that came from the listeners in St. Petersburg and the area.

On February 2, 2007, Rev. Furs together with Rev. Asonov and Rev. Kudryavtsev from the ELCIR information department, and Fr. Vladimir Khulap from the St. Petersburg Russian Orthodox Metropoly, participated in the recording of a round table discussion for the radio of the ELCIR. The topic of the discussion was preparation for Holy Communion. This dialog of the Lutheran and Orthodox traditions will be broadcast in St. Petersburg and the Leningradskaya Oblast.

On February 7, 2007, back in Saratov Rev. Furs and Probst Olav Panchu of the ELCIR Volga District were invited by the Saratov Oblast Ministry of Culture to attend the opening of the Tolerance Center in the building of the Saratov Oblast Multipurpose Scientific Library. The center was inaugurated by Governor Ipatov of the Saratov Oblast, Mrs. Yekaterina Genieva, general director of the Tolerance Institute, and other dignitaries. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of some of the traditional faiths in the Saratov region, Lutherans, Roman Catholics, Muslims, and Judaists. Rev. Furs gave a short interview for a radio station in Saratov where he spoke about the importance of the Tolerance Center in the interfaith, intercultural and interethnic dialog.

On February 13, 2007, Rev. Furs met with Mr. Kozhevnikov, representative of GosKomNarkoKontrol (the State Committee for Control over Illegal Trafficking in Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances) in Saratov partnering with St. John Lutheran to discuss further partnership and activities to prevent drug abuse and spread moral values among young people in the region. Together they began planning a trip of young church members and young volunteers from GosKomNarkoKontrol to St. Paul Lutheran in Novye Burasy to hold a youth camp in the coming spring. Please pray for God's blessing on this activity. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on outreach in the Saratov region: Aug 01, Sept 01, Oct 01, Nov 01, Feb 03, Aug 03, Nov 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, Mar 05, May 05, Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06, Jan 07. (top)

December 2006-February 2007 Update from Vyacheslav Ostanin (Update Feb 26 '07)

Slava Ostanin continued his outreach to prisoners in the Novosibirsk area in December 2006 and February 2007. During this period he was able to reach out with the Gospel to a total of 400 people including new ones whom he met in imprisonment colonies or prisoners' relatives he met with in their homes. The penitentiaries he has been visiting include Colony 10 for TBC-infected convicts and also the local "halting" reformatory where he reached out to 20 to 30 newly-arrived juvenile delinquents every week who are temporarily held there before being sent on to reformatories where they will serve their term. As was reported in Slava's previous updates, Colony 10 has an unit for HIV+ convicts which now contains more than 30 people. Slava talks with them about the Gospel, prays together with them, discusses Scripture and has tea with them. Each time the prisoners wait for his visit with anticipation as they do not have any hope left except in God and His help. Sadly, of the 4 recently released HIV+ prisoners, only 3 are alive.

Slava also continues his congregational ministry leading 1-hour-long Bible study every Sunday for the church members and evening services. He also organizes tea and common meals for ex-convicts and their family members that have been attended by around 10 people. He also continues his humanitarian efforts for recently released convicts buying them food and providing them with small amounts of money for medicines and travel. He is also in correspondence with prisoners who serve their term in other regions as he invites them to meet him in his church or refers them to other churches near them after their discharge from prison. As opportunity presents itself, he sends prisoners humanitarian aid packets containing Bibles and other Christian literature and personal hygiene articles. His continued prayer request is for establishing a rehabilitation center for released prisoners (see earlier updates). Photos of Slava's various outreach meetings. Earlier updates on Slava Ostanin's ministry supported by LCMS World Mission in Russia and LCMS World Relief: March 04, April 05, June 05 , December 05, January 06, February 06, March-April 06, May 06, June 06, July-August 2006, Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06. (top)

January 2007 Update from Deacon Ivanov and the Kovalyovs, Velikie Luki, Russia (Update Feb 26 '07)

The couple Svetlana and Sergey Kovalyov together with Deacon Valeriy Ivanov from St. Mark Lutheran in Velikie Luki continued their Gospel outreach through music in December 2006 and January 2007. Last December they performed Christian music for 12 people in a social center for old people, and also preformed two concerts for 6th- and 10th-graders at a comprehensive school. Through those concerts in December they were able to share the Gospel in music with a total of 52 people. Also in December Svetlana conducted 23 outreach music classes where the Gospel in music was heard by 70 children. In January 2007 they performed a concert for 8th-graders and a concert on the premises of their Lutheran congregation. Those concerts were attended by a total of 50 people. 14 outreach classes in January gathered 42 children. Earlier updates on the music outreach ministry in Velikie Luki: Apr 05, Sep-Nov 05, Apr 06, July-Sept 06. (top)

January-February 2007 Update from Deacon Slava Shadrin, Minusinsk, Russia (Update Feb 26 '07)

The Synodal Council of the Church of Ingria appointed Deacon Vyacheslav Shadrin vacancy minister of the Ingrian congregations in the city of Krasnoyarsk and three congregations within the Krasnoyarskiy Kray (Krasnoyarsk Territory, a large territorial-administrative unit in Siberia). Slava spends much time traveling and reaching out to people with the Good News of Jesus. Among those who Slava has been talking to recently are some of the members of the Vissarion sect established in Siberia, army officers who went through battle and are struggling with the question "Where was God?", schoolchildren in rural areas, and people in hospitals. The sacrament of Holy Baptism was administered to an old woman in the region.

At a recent meeting in Omsk where Slava and his fellow-ministers of the Siberian District including Probst Juha Saari met with the Bishop of the Ingrian Church Arri Kugappi, they all confirmed that the Siberian District is one team and discussed the strategies and the future of their ministry in light of the Bible. Rev. Jon Muhly, Area Facilitator, LCMS World Mission in Russia, attended the meeting and spoke about the Ablaze movement in which the Church of Ingria is participating as a partner church of the LCMS. Please continue to pray for the people Slava reaches out to and his evangelistic ministry to them. Also pray the Holy Spirit for calling new ministers for the Krasnoyarsk Territory and building churches in Krasnoyarsk, Minusinsk, and Karatuzskoye, and repairing the church in Nizhnyaya Bulanka. Photos. Earlier updates on Deacon Shadrin's ministry in Apr 05, May 05, Jul 05, Aug 05, Oct 05, Jan 06, Feb 06, Apr 06, May 06, May 06, July 06 (1), July 06 (2), early Aug 06, Sept 06, Nov 06. (top)

David Birner and Brent Smith Visit Russia (Update Feb 6 '07)

David Birner (Vice-President of LCMS World Mission) and Brent Smith (Regional Director for Eurasia) visited St. Petersburg and Moscow January 26-29, 2007. In St. Petersburg they visited with Bishop Arri Kugappi, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria, the LCMS's partner church in Russia. In Moscow they listened to reports from Ingrian pastors involved in a range of missionary activities, from AIDS educational outreach to music ministries. Those giving reports were LCMS World Mission employees Alexey (translation), Matthew Heise (theological education) and Dasha Shkurlyatyeva (music ministry). Ingrain pastors giving reports on ministry outreach included Igor Alisov (Moscow), Sergey Shanin (Tver), Olav Panchu (Saratov), Yaroslav Boychenko (Nizhniy Novgorod), Alexey Shepelev (Outreach to Jews in Russia), and Andrey Vladimirov (Voronezh). Photo Gallery. (top)

Graduation at the Theological Institute of the ELCIR, Koltushi, Russia (Update Feb 6 '07)

On January 26, 2007, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria's seminary located in Koltushi (10 km from St. Petersburg), five students successfully defended their theses and received the B.Div. degree. The students included Alexey Kronholm (Petrozavodsk), Vadim Lysenko (Kondopoga), Anatoly Leshik (Kingisepp), Anatoly Silantyev (Kazan). The only female student, Natalya Yeremeeva, will go on to do graduate study in Finland with the hope of serving the church in theological book translations. The male students will serve as pastors in their respective cities. We thank God for the dedication of these students and their desire to serve the Lord in His Church. We at LCMS World Mission pray for God's blessings upon them and His guidance in their ministries. Photo Gallery. (top)

February 2007 News Update from Missionaries Bob and Sue Pfeil in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Update Feb 6 '07)

For the past five years we have been working with a group of women who work at the Orphanage 'Susan' in the City of Kant. Four years ago, Bob conducted the first Worship Service, with Baptisms and Confirmations of 14 workers and some family members and every Monday afternoon the Worship Services continues with Pastor Jakov or Mansuer. On Tuesdays Sue lead Bible Studies with the group and then Ludmilla, one of our Evangelist, took over teaching them a course on small groups and leadership training. Last Monday we received a call from Galena, the Director, saying there was some problems with the local authorities regarding the 'religious' activities going on in a public orphanage and kindergarten, and asked that we discontinue coming until she could work something out. Because there is no school for the kindergarten on Saturday's, Mansuer is going to have services this coming Saturday. The workers themselves have asked for this and we pray that the authorities will not see this as a problem.

We ask your prayers for this group and the future of the church in Kant. We always knew there would be a church group there, but it would probably not grow beyond the walls of the orphanage. The greatest thing we have seen and it is so delightful, is the tremendous growth in the women in their walk with their Lord. Now they will have to look beyond the walls of the building and that is an answer to Sue's prayer, that the time is right for the ladies to use the training they have and reach out into the community, to 'grow' the church in Kant. Earlier updates: Oct 02, May 03, Sep 03, Oct 03, May 04, Dec 11 '06, Dec 15 '06, Feb 07 (a). Read more about work in Kyrgyzstan in the newsletters of Tim and Rita Nickel and Bob and Sue Pfeil. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Feb 6 '07)

February 2007 Newsletter from Matthew Heise (Moscow, Russia). (top)

Mini Pfeils Files. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, February 2007 (Update Feb 6 '07)

Friday, February 2nd the Medical Van will return to work after having a month's hiatus. Traditionally we have found that it is just too cold in the month of January for people to wait outside to see the doctors and dentists, plus it is hard to keep the water pipes from freezing. And it also gives our staff a much needed rest. For 2 weeks a month they live away from the comforts of apartments and homes in or near Bishkek and some away from families. Even though we try to make sure they have comfortable working conditions, the living conditions can be rather rustic, like no heat (except for space heaters) no running water, which means no showers, and outdoor toilets.

But they are compassionate about their work and the people they care for. Last month, the dentists saw and treated more than 500 children, some who had never been to a dentist before. The Pediatricians saw some 350 children, the Gynecologist, 280 women and the Eye Glass Technician, 450 people, most receiving new glasses. Please pray for our staff, they all know about Jesus, but have not come to know him personally.

The other great news is that 2 of our dentists, Zarlik and Chinara and Tamara, the coordinator of the medical van will be traveling to the states in April for some extra training at the University of Wisconsin with Dr. John Doyle. They all have applied for new passports to travel to the states and today.....the best news is that Tamara got her new Kyrgyz passport! PTL! We ask for your prayers that Zarlik and Chinara will get theirs soon and then we can start the visa process. Earlier updates: Oct 02, May 03, Sep 03, Oct 03, May 04, Dec 11 '06, Dec 15 '06. Read more about work in Kyrgyzstan in the newsletters of Tim and Rita Nickel and Bob and Sue Pfeil. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Feb 6 '07)

January 2007 Newsletter from Bob and Sue Pfeil in Bishkek, Kyrgyzststan. (top)

January 2007 Update from Rev. Andrey Yurtaev, Moscow, Russia (Update Feb 5 '07)

From January 4-16, 2007, Pastor Andrey took a mission outreach trip during which he visited orphanages and handicapped children's homes in Moscow, Dedovsk, Vladimir, Ivanovo, Rybinsk, Cherepovets, St. Petersburg, Pskov, Porkhov, and Malakhovka. He told the children about the Birth of Christ and gave them gifts. During this trip he visited a total of 17 orphanages and gave 2,345 gifts. Each gift contained a Bible and sweets. He left a Bible study with children at 7 of the children's homes. His presentation about Christmas included a puppet show where "the girl Lena" and "the boy Dima," the characters of the story, learned and helped learn about Christ's birth. On January 27, 2007, Pastor Andrey spoke to young people about how he proclaims Jesus in his learning institute. The lively and thought-provoking discussion will continue as some of the questions require more detailed answers and further study. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on the outreach activities of Pastor Yurtaev: Early Mar 06, Mar 06, May 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06 (a), Oct 06 (b), Dec 06. (top)

December 2006-January 2007 Update from Rev. Yaroslav Boychenko, Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia (Update Feb 5 '07)

On December 4, 2006, Pastor Yaroslav attended the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Glinka State Conservatory in Nizhniy Novgorod. Yaroslav, an accomplished musician, was there as an alumnus who graduated from the conservatory in 1994. At the celebration, he told 8 of his former professors and fellow-students about the Lutheran church, its faith, and his own ministry.

On December 10, 2006, Pastor Yaroslav invited 5 students of the Construction Academy and the Foreign Languages University to the Mission Education Center to view and discuss Zerkalo ("The Mirror"), a 1975 film directed by the Russian film director and thinker Andrey Tarkovsky. After the show, Yaroslav proclaimed the Gospel to the students through a discussion of the Christian motifs, paintings, and liturgical music used in the film. Please pray that this outreach will continue as the students have expressed a desire to have a similar discussion of another Tarkovsky film, The Stalker.

On December 11, 2007, Yaroslav spoke about the foundations of the Christian faith, Lutheran Christmas traditions, and the difference between the Julian and the Gregorian calendar at a meeting of the Society of Victims of Soviet Repressions and Survivors of the Siege of Leningrad who live in Nizhniy Novgorod. His presentation of the Gospel in this discussion was heard by 18 people.

Pastor Yaroslav prepared an outreach lecture and video materials on "The Soviet-Finnish Relations before the 1939-1940 War. The Role of Marshal Gustav Mannerheim in the Independence of Finland. Finland Today." The original lecture was delivered for history students in Nizhniy Novgorod, however this outreach effort recently found continuation in another sphere. In cooperation with the pastor, church member Vladimir Hukka used the materials to lecture for the students of the Law Academy and the Police Academy in Nizhniy Novgorod. A segment of the presentation is devoted to the Lutheran church and its history in Nizhniy Novgorod. The total number of Gospel touches at those two lectures was 39 people.

On December 23, 2006, Yaroslav gave an interview for the Volga TV Channel as he and his son Leonid attended a "Bravo, Ensemble!" Festival hosted by the city administration at Arts School for Children #9 where Leonid is a student of piano. The both played four-hands a fugue by the Russian composer Arensky.

On January 6, 2007, Pastor Yaroslav officiated at the funeral service for long-time church member Alexander Werber who was called to glory on January 1, 2007 aged 61. Mr. Werber was one of the earliest members of the Nizhniy Novgorod Lutheran congregation after it was revived in 1995. As Yaroslav spoke in front of 40 people attending the funeral, he witnessed to God's work in the life of Mr. Werber, an example of a strong faith and hope in God and His grace which he kept as he struggled with sickness in the last year of his life.

On January 10, 2007, Pastor Yaroslav visited his mother in Verbilki near Moscow to attend the celebration of her 70th birthday. Mrs. Boychenko is a teacher of the Russian language and literature. Yaroslav spoke about the Christian faith to 3 of her school colleagues who attended the birthday party.

On January 26, 2007, Pastor Yaroslav and church council member Vladimir Hukka attended a conference called "Nizhniy Novgorod as a Territory of Interethnic Peace and Concord." The conference was held in the coat-of-arms hall of the Nizhniy Novgorod Fair and was attended by higher governmental officials of the federal and regional level, more than 50 representatives of religious faiths in the Volga Federal District, ethnic societies and associations, and press and TV reporters. A presentation of the Lutheran church was made by Boychenko and Hukka. Pastor Yaroslav also spoke with Dr. Oleg Kolobov, dean of international relations at the Nizhniy Novgorod State University. He spoke about the history of the Evangelical Lutheran church in the city and the congregations current ministry. Dr. Kolobov personally invited Pastor Yaroslav to lecture on any Christian topic for international relations students together with LCMS pastor Russell Nebhut whose visit to Russia is scheduled for this March. Pasrtor Yaroslav and Vladimir spoke for an audience of ca. 90 people. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on Pastor Yaroslav's outreach ministry in Feb 04, May 04, May 05, Feb-Apr 06, Apr-May 06, June 06, July-Sept 06, Oct-Nov 06. (top)

January 2007 Update from Pastor Mikhail Starilov, Borisoglebsk, Russia (Update Feb 2 '07)

On January 3, 2007, Pastor Mikhail had a witnessing conversation with 3 relatives of a church member in their home. After he visited with them, he gave them an issue of the Good News Journal and a Gospel of John brochure. On January 4, 2007, Mikhail organized a sports event for young people in his town during which he discussed the faith and the righteous way of life with them and invited them to the youth meeting in the church next Saturday. On January 8 and 9, 2007, Mikhail gave away "What does the Bible Say?" brochures on the street in the outskirts. As he gave them to 5 elderly women, 2 young men, and 1 old man, he talked with them about the Christian faith and the church.

On January 15, 2007, Pastor Mikhail proclaimed the Gospel and witnessed for 2 teenagers as he visited his relatives. He also offered them audio cassettes with Christian songs as they discussed Christian music and songs.

On January 17, 2007, the Holy Communion church in Borisoglebsk provided children's clothes for a single mother of 2. During a visit over a cup of tea, Pastor Mikhail proclaimed the Law and the Gospel to her and then, on her request, he prayed for this family. He invited them to attend the worship service in his church. Earlier updates on the outreach in Borisoglebsk: Nov 02, Feb-Mar 06, Jun-Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06. (top)

January 2007 Update from Rev. Alexander Furs and Olav Panchu, Saratov, Russia (Update Feb 2 '07)

Rev. Olav Panchu and Rev. Alexander Furs of St. John Lutheran Church in Saratov, Russia, have sent us pictures of the Christmas liturgy celebrated in their church and also in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Novye Burasy (pictured on the left) where regular worship has recently resumed. On Christmas Day December 25 and in early January Pastor Alexander also visited the local Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox dioceses to extend the Lutheran church's Christmas greetings to the clerics of those churches.

On January 18, 2007 in St. John chapel, Pastor Alexander met with a member of the Public Relations Committee of the Saratov Oblast Government. Alexander explained to him from the Bible the history and the Gospel content of Conversion of St. Paul, a minor festival celebrated by the Lutheran church on January 25. The governmental official assured him that he would communicate the information about the history, meaning, and date of that noteworthy festival to the authorities of the Saratov region.

On January 11, 2007, at a meeting of St. John youth club, Pastor Alexander discussed with the youth members the program for diversification of mission outreach in Saratov and the Volga District in 2007.

Also in January, Alexander visited the local partners of the Lutheran church-the office of the dean and the religiology chair in the philosophy and psychology department of the Saratov State University. As he met with students and faculty, he extended to them Christmas greetings of the Lutheran church. Dr. Vasiliy Friauf, superintendent of religiology, invited Pastors Alexander and Olav and the faculty of the ELCIR Theological Institute to be guests and presenters at an international conference of the S. Frank Philosophical Society scheduled for early May.

Pastors Furs and Panchu also plan to participate in a session of the Governor's Council for Interaction with Religious Assocs. scheduled to take place in a major city of the region in February 2007. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on outreach in the Saratov region: Aug 01, Sept 01, Oct 01, Nov 01, Feb 03, Aug 03, Nov 04, Jan 05, Feb 05, Mar 05, May 05, Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06. (top)

Update on Musical Resources (Update Jan 25 '07)

Darya Shkurlyatyeva, musical ministry coordinator for LCMS World Mission in Russia and director of the Society for Studying the History of Lutheran Music supported by LCMS WM, has uploaded on the Society's website her Russian translation of an essay by Daniel Zager, Luther and Bach: Theologians in Word and Music, published in Luther on Liturgy and Hymns, a Journal for the 6th Annual Conference of The Good Shepherd Institute © 2006, Concordia Theological Seminary Press. We thank and pray God this resource will help Russian-speaking Lutherans get a better understanding and appreciation of the Lutheran musical heritage and help unchurched lovers of music see the salvation in Jesus as proclaimed through Luther's and Bach's music. Earlier updates on how LCMS World Mission in Russia has supported or coordinated outreach through music in the past: Mar 03, Nov 03, Dec 03, Mar 04, Apr 04, May 04, Nov 04, Jan 05, Jan 05, Mar 05, Apr 06, May 06, July 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06, Dec 06. (top)

Update on Christian Resource Materials (Update Jan 25 '07)

On our Christian resource materials page we have uploaded a Russian translation of Theology and Practice of "the Divine Call," a report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the LCMS. The 2004 Russian translation has recently undergone extra editing and has been improved.(top)

December 2006 Update on Gospel Outreach through Music (Update Jan 19 '07)

This is an update from Darya Shkurlyatyeva, musical project coordinator for LCMS World Mission in Russia.

The History of Lutheran Music. Lecture 4: The Liturgical Year of the Lutheran Church: Chorales and Cantatas.

The 4th lecture on the history of Lutheran music was held in the chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Congregation in Moscow on December 9, 2006 (it is planned to hold a total of 10 lectures, see Schedule). The main emphasis of the lecture was how the logic of the church year reflects the logic of the biblical narrative. As she used the example of the three Leipzig series of Bach cantatas and 16th century chorales, Darya helped the listeners track the changes in the themes of the divine service from the 1st Sunday in Advent to the last Sunday of the church year. A special focus of her lecture was how the biblical texts that lie behind the chief festivals and periods of the church year such as Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Trinity, Pentecost, have affected the texts of the chorales and cantatas and the means of musical expression. Since the lecture was held during Advent, Darya explained the details of Cantata 61 by Bach (BWV 61) which he wrote for Advent I and where he used Rev. 3:20.

On December 23, 2006, the Society for Studying the History of Lutheran Music held a musical Christmas meeting. The listeners who were gathered in the Moscow office of LCMS World Mission held the music scores and Bibles in hand as they listened to the 1st part of the Christmas Oratorio by Bach based on Lk. 2:1-7. The informal atmosphere of the meeting enabled Darya to get better acquainted with the people who usually attend her lectures on the history of Lutheran music. The meeting ended with everybody singing Christmas chorales together. Photo Gallery. Earlier updates on how LCMS World Mission in Russia has supported or coordinated outreach through music in the past: Mar 03, Nov 03, Dec 03, Mar 04, Apr 04, May 04, Nov 04, Jan 05, Jan 05, Mar 05, Apr 06, May 06, July 06, Sept 06, Oct 06, Nov 06. (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Jan 16 '07)

January 2007 Newsletter from Matthew Heise (Moscow, Russia). (top)

Missionary Newsletter (Update Jan 16 '07)

January 2007 Newsletter from Bob and Laine Rosin. (top)

Update on Christian Resource Materials (Update Jan 11 '07)

On our Christian resource materials page we have uploaded a Russian translation of A Lutheran Response to the "Left Behind" Series, a report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the LCMS. The 2004 Russian translation has recently undergone extra editing and has been improved.(top)

Christmas Service at Sts. Cyril and Methodius. Moscow, Russia (Update Dec 29 '06)

On December 24, 2006, Christmas Eve, Sts. Cyril and Methodius Lutheran celebrated our Lord's Birth in the chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul in central Moscow. The choir sang the traditional Christmas hymn "Silent Night" in Russian, but also sang "Angels We have Heard on High" in English. Deacon Alexey Shepelev gave the sermon. Parishioners Dasha Shkurlyatyeva and Anush Avetisian performed spiritual classics from the 17th century on the cello and flute. Photo Gallery. (top)

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