Gospel hope melts Siberian hearts

In Far East Russia, believers endeavouring to share the truth of the gospel face problems which are peculiar to the context in which they work. Harsh wintry conditions, isolated scattered communities, impassible roads and, most critical of all, strong resistance to Christian truth and a suspicion of believers, must all be overcome if the gospel is to take root and conquer hearts.

One approach has been proving encouraging and effective – the building of “Hope Centres” in communities where there is resistance to gospel witness, and no ready acceptance of evangelists from “outside”.

A Hope Centre is meant to be true to its name – a building where the poor, vulnerable, and needy will find shelter, food, and loving care. Some need shelter and regular humanitarian aid; some are fleeing from abusive families. All need to hear the one message which can deliver them from sin and bring them into the family of God, for Hope Centres are erected alongside church buildings, so that spiritual needs can be addressed as well as daily practical needs.

It is happening! Reports from Slavic Gospel Association missionary partners tell of thrilling developments in the face of extreme circumstances. Three new Hope Centres are currently under construction in locations where believers have been struggling to maintain crumbling church buildings. These are in Ola (Kolyma), once an area where thousands of believers deported in the Stalinist era were martyred for their faith, Krest Khakut and Neryungri. These are all in the hostile environs of Siberia where, despite persecution and hardship, the witness of the believers has resulted in the establishment of strong believing communities, dedicated to reaching out to the lost around them.

Weather conditions allow building only at limited seasons of the year. With financial aid offered by Slavic Gospel Association, it is hoped that these centres will be completed by September and that they, with their associated church buildings, will continue the vital work of evangelism and care for the lost in their own locations and in ever-widening mission fields in the surrounding regions. Christ is building His church “even to the ends of the earth”.