Antioch Comes to Pskov

… standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel (Philippians 1:27).

By Jess Miller

The church in North America has certainly come to a unique time in world missions. God has brought about possibilities of connection between churches all over the world. It is now possible for churches in North America and churches across the lands of Russia to form unique, strategic relationships designed to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord. At no other time in history has there been such opportunity for believers around the world to … strive together for the faith of the Gospel (Philippians 1:27). In May, I had the wonderful opportunity of seeing a relationship such as this form in Russia’s Pskov region — historic for being the place where Russia’s last tsar abdicated the throne during the Russian Revolution.

Pastor Hughes teaching Hermeneutics through a translator, Alim Gelyastanov.

I had the privilege of accompanying Pastors Bryan Hughes and Dave Barnhart from Grace Bible Church in Bozeman, Montana, as they traveled to Pskov. Pastor Hughes and Pastor Barnhart hoped to begin a long and fruitful relationship with the believers in Pskov as part of SGA’s Antioch Initiative. Pskov is statistically one of the least reached regions in Russia. The Antioch Initiative partnership between the central church in Pskov and Grace Bible Church in Montana is designed to facilitate much-needed Bible training and financial support. This is all part of the ongoing Antioch Initiative effort to assist Russian Christians in reaching their region with the Gospel.

For three days, Pastor Hughes taught Hermeneutics to a group of about 30 people consisting of pastors, deacons, and other church leaders. The students were eager to learn and to absorb all of the rich teaching. Most of the students in the class had never received formal Bible training of any kind. After each session, there were many questions for both Pastor Hughes and Pastor Barnhart, all of which were asked in a spirit of humility from people sincerely wanting to know God’s Word more deeply, and with a strong desire to teach it to others.

We also had the privilege of traveling around the Pskov region and were introduced to the desperate need of many cities and towns that are completely without a Bible-preaching church. The believers introduced us to some of the men and women who are serving the Lord faithfully through local churches. They have a real desire to see their countrymen come to know Christ. According to one of the church leaders, “Pskov is very religious, but without Christ.” The lost people in Pskov desperately need to hear the Good News of salvation — salvation that is found only in Jesus Christ.

The Antioch Initiative was designed to facilitate advancement of the Gospel through partnerships such as this new one in Pskov. It is based on the model of the church found in the book of Acts at Antioch — a congregation that became a vibrant, zealous, missionary-sending church. SGA provides the bridge that connects the churches in North America with Russian churches thousands of miles away. It was thrilling to watch as this new relationship was formed and to think of the future possibilities that will come as a result. Please join us in prayer for the Pskov region, and for this new partnership in the Gospel between the churches of Pskov and Grace Bible Church in Bozeman, Montana.