Women's Ministry Fund Raising Project

On Sunday, April 11, a special event took place. The women's ministry of the church held a sale of crafts and baked goods to raise funds for the building project. The believers have always given towards the building project, both by special offerings and through regular giving like penny-a-day. But as the construction process has stretched into many years, completing it has sometimes seemed like a very far away dream.

In the past two years, so much has been accomplished on the building, bringing it close to completion and now people are really beginning to see this vision clearly again and the passion to see it come to fruition has been reignited.



The women's ministry has several groups that meet regularly to make crafts, most of which have been given as gifts to visitors. Recently, they decided to try something new and hold a crafts fair and sell the items so that they could raise funds to give toward the building. The ladies have set a goal of raising $1000 dollars (30,000 roubles) which is equivalent to 2 or 3 months salary for most people. It is a huge goal but they are so excited that they have a new way to contribute toward the final phases of completing the interior of the building.



The craft and bake sale was very popular. Both the ladies hosting the sale and the many eager buyers were well pleased with the results. It will take awhile to reach the goal, but it was a great start towards raising the funds and is a new and creative way for many people to be involved. I even got to participate- I didn't have any crafts to send, but made numerous loaves of banana bread, apple bread, carrot cake and apple butter to contribute to the sale. Another sale is planned for mid-May so the ladies are all busy preparing items for the next event! May God bless these ladies and the work of their hands and multiply the proceeds like the loaves and fishes that fed the 5,000!



I know the photos are not great- but it was difficult to get close enough to take pictures with all the crowd and rush around the tables. :)

See What the Lord has Done!

As we stand at the beginning of a new year, we took the moment to reflect over the past year. And we are amazed! A year ago, we became aware of the critical need to move the Ministry Training Center to completion. Many joined with us in prayer and partnership as we saw the Window of Opportunity to Seize the Moment. The building looks very different now than it did 12 months ago and although it looks almost finished on the outside- the work is just beginning on the inside.

While we had hoped to be further along with the interior, as we look back, we can only stand amazed at the amount that was completed with your prayers and support. Below is a slideshow to show what has been accomplished.



In the next months, the work is continuing on the interior. Workers are in the process of installing the plumbing and fixtures, the wiring, and ventilation system. Then as funds continue to be available, the dry wall and plastering and other finishing work will begin. A tentative dedication was scheduled for April, the date has now been moved to Fall 2009. Even now, it is still a process of faith for the church to continue, but as demonstrated to us in the past- God is faithful and He will be with us every step of the way.

The First of many to come

As the reality of being on the proverbial 'home stretch" of the building project sets in, the excitement is building among everyone. Each one who has sacrificed, though finances and prayer, has also had dreams and visions of what the future will hold. A very special "first" glimpse of some of the hopes, dreams, and visions came into our reality during Easter week. The pastors and leadership decided to hold a communion service on Maundy Thursday at the building site.



The day was overcast and chilly, transportation in the city was at a virtual stand-still due to a protest by the pensioners over transportation costs. The whole central district was cut off as the main trolley and tram routes were blocked by their protest. So, it was a challenge for many to get to the building that day, but in the end about 25 of us gathered.


The windows are in the sanctuary, which certainly made it not as cold inside as it was outside, especially as we were fully sheltered from the wind. However, it is still a construction zone, with various wood and brick debris scattered around and of course, lots of dust and dirt. Officially, we are not allowed to have any regular meetings there as the building is not inspected for use, nor is it ready to be, but a one-time gathering is not a problem.


A makeshift communion table was formed from gathering several cement blocks and laying a plank of wood over them. The cloth and elements were laid out on top and we all circled around. We all stood for the thoughts presented by Pastor Sokol, and we spent time in prayer before quietly sharing in communion together. After that solemn time, we took a moment to rejoice, saying "Praise God!" (слава богу!!), because we had just held the very first service in this building. Yes, it will be a church, but it will be so many other things as well. It will be a center for training leaders, for classes and conferences to develop pastors and layleaders, for clubs and "studios" which will bring the community into the facility and allow the real 'church', the people of God, to build relationships with the thousands who surround the building. It was a beautiful, thrilling moment to have this glimpse and in a way, a fitting inaugural gathering, communion which reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice and unending love. The legacy of our Savior which we who share in His communion are challenged to live out every day in our lives.


The other quiet significance of the gathering is that we all are planning to gather again next year at Easter, but this time not only with a few amidst the construction. Next Easter, April 19, 2009, we look forward to a dedication service, a gathering of many who have waited, longed for, and sacrificed for the day when this 'church' (the followers of Christ) would see the fulfillment of a promise and vision God gave them long ago; the completion of a ministry facility which will be used for the glory of God and the advance of His kingdom here on earth. This communion was a sweet foretaste of the amazing things to come as we watch during this year and beyond as God fulfills His promise and leads the believers into the continuing journey "unto the ends of the earth."