Since this is the season of Easter, it is a good time to remember the first service of the Church of God in Chelyabinsk. Church holidays in Russia still follow the Orthodox calendar, based on the Julian calendar. The majority of the world follows the Gregorian calendar, so often church holidays fall on different dates in Russia than in most parts of the world. For example, most of the world celebrated Easter this year on March 23, but our Easter will be celebrated on April 27. We just celebrate it twice, which makes it the 'season' of Easter, like the 'season' of Christmas (December 25/January 7).
Following the Florida Youth Convention of 1990, seven teenagers and one young youth pastor and a few other adults made the first ever trip to the closed Siberian city of Chelyabinsk. It was the week of their spring break, the first week of April 1991. Officially, the country of Russia was still the Soviet Union, and in particular, the city of Chelyabinsk was for the first time in dozens of years inviting Americans. This was a BIG deal, the teenagers were invited by the mayor and city officials, literally this was like an official state visit from US delegates. (photo: Mark Shaner)
For security precautions, the American delegation had to stay outside the city in a youth camp. They made visits to the city, about a two hour round trip drive, and were welcomed with official pomp and circumstance, red carpet greetings and even given a key to the city. Other than the official ceremonies, most of their time was spent more one on one with a group of specially selected Russian students, teachers, and officials. Each group made numerous cultural presentations, showcasing their skills and education, as well as trying to teach each other about their respective home countries.
As the week came to a close, the Russian delegates took notice that regularly the American group would withdraw to a room by themselves. What raised the curiousity was that the Americans were tired and weary when they entered, but each time they came out of the room smiling, full of energy and enthusiasm.
The Russian delegates wanted to know what was happening in the room that brought a total change upon the Americans. Since it was by request, the youth pastor and teenagers agreed to show the Russians what they did when they withdrew to a separate room. It was the last day of their stay, Sunday April 7, 1991, Easter on the Orthodox calendar. They organized a little service, read Scriptures, shared about the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and sang "Amazing Grace". (photo: Stephanie Mulenforth Barber, who sang Amazing Grace) The audience of important teachers and students and influential city officials was captivated. At the conclusion of the "impromtu" Easter service, all but three prayed and received Christ as their Savior. Hallelujah!!! What a resurrection was celebrated that day!!
Officially, God began a new church that day, using the witness and testimony of a little group of teenagers and a youth pastor that shared their passion and love of Christ. Easter is a significant time for all believers, but for the church of believers in Chelyabinsk, it is also their Spiritual Birthday as a church. The first believers that formed the core of the church here today came together on Easter, April 7, 1991.
(photo: Don Pickett, Florida State Minister and member of 1991 team, Earlene Pickett)
As the tile is completed, the front windows will soon go in and the building will begin to have a much more completed look on the exterior. The interior still has the great majority of work remaining, but as long as funds are available, the work should easily continue and we are beginning to see the reality of some completed construction! Keep praying! Rejoice with us as we witness this miracle of God's provision.
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