Blessings from Hong Kong

The completion of the Russia Ministry Training Center is only being accomplished through the partnership of individuals and churches literally around the world. Here is a link to an article that tells the story of how the young church in Hong Kong has partnered with the young Russian church, not only through financial resources but in a very personal relationship in patterning leadership development.

Seize the Moment, Share the Dream

During our recent trip to the States, we witnessed some amazing responses to the urgency of the need for the completion of the Ministry Center. We were able to share, along with Pastor Andrei, at several churches and with many at NAC. This project is taking on a life of it's own and we are seeing an amazing response which greatly confirms that God is bringing this Dream He gave to the Chelyabinsk church to pass.

Construction has moved along in June and July, though much of it is not visible on the surface. Much of the equipment for the heating has been purchased and is in the process of being installed. The water is also in process of being connected. All the windows and doors have been installed (with the exception of the front doors) and the stucco and cement work completed on the exterior.

Funds have continued to come steadily which has enabled the work to continue to progress. At this date, the total stands at one-third that has been received, right around the $120,000 mark. We continue to pray and trust that each time funds are needed, they will be available. The goal is to complete as much as is possible in summer and early fall while the weather is conducive. There is still a great need and a strong urgency for continuing funds to get the construction accomplished in the next 6 months.

We have a short video about the project and the church in Russia that is titled "Seize the Moment, Share the Dream". We shared this wherever we could during our visit to the States and gave it to anyone who we made contact with. If you have not seen it or would like a copy- please contact Ed Hyatt, who is the
Project Link Administrator. Contact by email: EHyatt@chog.org Contact by phone: 765-608-3047 or 800-848-2464, ext. 3047.


Thank you for your constant prayers, your encouragement, your generous giving and response and for coming alongside us and the Chelyabinsk believers to Seize the Moment and Sharing in this Dream.

Rejoice With Us!

We are rejoicing that the official city permits and paperwork have been completed and the installation of the water and heating in the Chelyabinsk Ministry Center will begin next week!! This area has been delayed for over a year and a half, with little that could be done except to pay a bribe or pray. The church chose the latter and God has brought about this miracle.

The delay was caused as the city was requiring the church to do some drainage work before they would connect the building to the city water. The permits to do this work, however, involved another landowner and of course, this meant additional expense and work for the church. Little forward motion could be made and the believers have simply prayed and fasted specifically about this issue.

This past winter, the water pipes all around the Ministry Center building site burst and thick layers of ice surrounded the yard and street. As spring came, the city had to do all the repairs to correct the water damage and drainage. With heavy spring rains, drainage was a continuing problem and the city was forced to take care of it. So now, the church is not required to repair the drainage and work can begin to connect the building with the city water and heat.



In addition, we are thankful that funds have been provided just as they are needed and work has continued at a steady pace.

You have so faithfully partnered with us, the church in Russia, and the Ministry Center project. Your prayers and support are vital to all of us. Praise the Lord!! His Faithfulness continues to be shown, proven and sustains us each day!

Thank you!

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."

A New Look!

The work is progressing! We currently have enough funds to complete the facade, tiling and stucco on the exterior and most of the windows. There is still much more that needs to be done, but we are taking it step by step. God has been and will continue to be faithful in bringing this project to completion.

It has been awhile since the exterior had made noticeable changes, but just in the last few weeks, work has begun to complete the tile work on the front entry of the building. Pastors Sergei and Andrei gathered with our family for a photo just as the scaffolding went up. That was the last of March, you can still see the snow on the ground. Then, work began and we are just amazed at the difference! Just seeing the tile on the exterior makes seeing a completed building seem ALOT closer. We know it is just one step of the many yet to come, but this one has great significance because it brings such a tangible, noticeable difference to the appearance of the building!

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.

Easter Resurrection 1991

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)

It starts with ONE!

I know the photo in the header shows some of the new windows, but I wanted to post a few close up photos. There is still a long way to go, but there is something about seeing windows in those big empty holes that makes it feel like the completion is alot closer. We took photos of the progress, even though only some of the windows are in, and showed a slideshow at church. A spontaneous and collective SHOUT of "PRAISE GOD!!" or "Слава Богу!" rang out, along with applause.

The believers here have been collecting towards the window installation since November 2007. They made pledges and have already given more than double what was pledged and they also collect a "penny-a-day" on the last Sunday of each month. Of course, it is more like "Kopecks-a-day", but to date they have brought in close to 20% of the total cost of the windows. Kopecks are smaller than roubles- like our pennies it takes 100 kopecks to make 1 rouble. Currently, it is 24 roubles to $1 US. Believe me, it is ALOT of kopecks, but oh, how the little "widow's mite" adds up in God's economy!

So, rejoice with us! It is okay to jump up and down, shout praise to God, and give Him glory to see this happen. Many, many people have been part of the project and this is a moment we wanted to share with the world!

Florida Youth Convention 1990

Starting at the beginning can be a little like pulling a thread which just keeps unraveling. You think if you pull you'll find the beginning, but instead it just keeps going and going and going. You get the idea. So, while we could keep following the thread a long way back, we have elected to start at this particular point. Of course, other events led to this point, but this is where our first hand knowledge of the story of Chelyabisnk begins.

The State of Florida Youth Convention was held the last weekend of November 1990. The speaker for the convention was Dr. J. David Stone, from Lousiana. Dr. Stone's daughter had been in an accident and sustained a paralyzing spinal injury. Determined to find a way to help his daughter regain mobility, Dr. Stone arranged for her to undergo a type of spinal surgery performed only in Moscow, Russia. While in Moscow, Dr. Stone and his daughter made the aquaintence of a young student, also visiting Moscow from a Siberian city one thousand miles from Moscow. To meet and become acquainted with an American was an amazing opportunity for the Russian girl.

Dr. Stone and his daughter, who had a successful surgery and did regain some mobility, returned to the United States. The young Russian girl returned to her city, far from Moscow and soon convinced her father to extend an invitation to her new American friends to come to Chelyabinsk to visit. The father of the Russian girl, happened to be the Minister of Education of the city of Chelyabinsk and the invitation was extended as an educational exchange. Dr. Stone received the invitation and realized what an honor and incredible opportunity was being offered. This is still more than a year before the official collapse of the Soviet Union and even more, the city of Chelyabinsk was considered a "closed" city, not open to visitors. But this city official had the authority to invite and so the opportunity was calling.

Dr. Stone shared this story with the youth and in particular, a youth pastor from Florida (at the time) Mark Shaner. Mark has a heart of passion for youth and for missions and this invitation nailed both passions into one. At the close of the convention, Mark extended the challenge and invitation to the youth of Florida- kids who have probably never seen snow- to go to Siberia to meet and make friends with Russian youth. God brought all the details into place- a relationship made by a "chance" meeting in Moscow, an invitation to a city that was unapproachable, a pastor with passion to challenge youth and reach the world for Christ.

Let's Start at the very Beginning...

A very good place to start. When you read you begin with A,B,C when you blog you begin with who, what, why. The first three blogs just happen to be, who, what, why.

The title and first couple sentences will make alot more sense to you if you sing them to the tune of Do-Re-Me from the Sound of Music! But as I sat here trying to figure out where to start- this was the first thing that flew into my head. Let's just start at the very beginning. The question then is where exactly is the beginning of this project? Officially the ground-breaking? or when the land was purchased? or when the first contacts were made that planted the real church of believers here? They are all beginnings, and though our attempt will be incomplete, we want to start at the root beginning which has brought us all to this moment in time. This will take numerous entries spread out over the course of time that we blog here, but it is a journey that we all need to take. A refresher in how we got to where we are- as the Lord commanded the Israelites to recall His mighty deeds and pass them on from generation to generation. We have passed through the first generation of believers and this is the time to pass the story to the next generation of God's plan, provision, and protection.

We invite you to take this journey with us. Many, many people have been part of this journey and each knows their part of the story. If you are part of this, in particular, we ask for you to refresh your memories and share with us your part of the amazing journey. The story begins in 1991.

Under Construction!

It is official! This blog is brand new and it will be updated regularly with photos and information about the building project and the status of the funds. We know how far we have come to get to this point, as well, and we also intend to use this blog to say thanks to the many who have prayed and given support and encouragement over the five years. It is a lofty sounding goal to set- this goal of finishing the building by the end of 2008. It sounds as crazy as building an ark when there is no rain- but we have read how that crazy building project ended and the lesson seems to be when God says "Build it!" just do it! If you have already stumbled on this blog, we hope it is because you have a great interest in this ministry center. And don't be disappointed that there isn't yet much to read here, just come back to check regularly or sign up to be notified when new blogs are posted. If you can't wait, at all then visit this link and get a jump start on the information for The Window Project.