Representing the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of RussiaRemembering Russia’s Late President and His Impact on Russian Churches
Boris Yeltsin (1931–2007)
SGA NEWS RELEASE
(LOVES PARK, IL) — As news spread about the death of former Russian president Boris Yeltsin Monday at age 76, governmental leaders, religious leaders and everyday citizens reflected on the legacy left behind by Mr. Yeltsin's nine years in power. It was a mixed legacy, one where millions rejoiced at greater freedom, but also struggled with deep poverty in the aftermath of the Soviet collapse.
Mr. Yeltsin was Russia's first freely elected leader, and will be forever remembered standing atop a tank outside Russia's parliament building in Moscow, urging defiance of a 1991 coup attempt by communist hardliners against then Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. After he ascended to the Russian presidency, Mr. Yeltsin quickly pushed through massive reforms including freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and a market economy. In a statement released by the Kremlin, Russian president Vladimir Putin paid tribute to Mr. Yeltsin. “Thanks to Boris Yeltsin's will and direct initiative, a new constitution was adopted which proclaimed human rights as the supreme value. He gave people a chance to freely express their thoughts, freely elect authorities.”
SGA president Dr. Robert Provost said that Mr. Yeltsin would be remembered as a friend to the churches of his country . . .
“I, along with the staff of Slavic Gospel Association, was saddened to learn of the passing of former president Boris Yeltsin. I will always remember him as a friend of freedom, a friend of democracy, and therefore a friend of the church, whose policies enabled the Gospel to be preached freely throughout Russia. As we along with the Russian people reflect on the legacy of Boris Yeltsin, our prayer is that we will all be reminded of just how precious freedom is, and that unrestrained freedom to preach the Gospel will prevail until every Russian community has a faithful Bible-preaching church to take the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ to every man, woman and child.”
Rev. Yuri Sipko, president of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, wrote to Mr. Yeltsin's wife, Naina, to express condolences on behalf of Russia's largest evangelical church fellowship, calling him a strong leader, a caring husband and loving father. In a statement released by his office, Rev. Sipko said . . .
“When this legendary and controversial man, adventurer and patriot left us, we understood who he was for Russia, for the world, and for me personally. Yeltsin was a leader raised up by God, who fearlessly stood on top of a tank and stopped the coup attempt by communist hardliners. Yeltsin opened Russia's windows wide to let the fresh air of freedom in to drive out the fear that had been paralyzing the will of the Russian people. He consistently supported democratic changes in the country. The churches of the UECB received the freedom to practice our faith after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Boris Yeltsin's constitution laid the foundation for free Russia, giving us freedom of religion and equality of all religions before the law.”
The Russian government has declared a day of national mourning for Wednesday, when the funeral will be held in Moscow.
SGA is an interdenominational mission that has been working in the former Soviet Union since 1934. SGA has served churches in Russia through pastor and layleader training, sponsorship of national church planters and provision of Christian literature. SGA represents the Russian UECB and is a sponsor of the Eurasian Federation of Evangelical Christians-Baptists.
