SLAVIC GOSPEL ASSOCIATION

Preaching the Gospel in Russia: North American Church Coalitions Celebrate Growing Impact of the Antioch Initiative

November 21, 2007

For Immediate Release

(ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS) — More than 60 evangelical pastors from across North America gathered last week in Rockford for the annual Antioch Initiative Leadership Conference. The pastors are heading up special, regional church coalitions formed in support of the SGA-sponsored Antioch Initiative in Russia. Also attending were Rev. Yuri Sipko, president of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (UECB), and Rev. Ruvim Voloshin, UECB vice president for missions, youth ministry and pastoral care.

According to Kyler Welch, SGA vice president of Antioch Ministries, the conference had several important goals . . .

“Of course, we wanted to review progress thus far in the Antioch Initiative, but we also wanted to encourage the pastors and church leaders involved, as they are all doing tremendous work in helping their Russian counterparts fulfill the vision of the ministry. We wanted to make them aware of SGA’s readiness to serve them, as we play a major role in making the Antioch partnership possible. Being together like this to consider what God is doing in Russia helps to ignite passion, enthusiasm and, indeed, urgency for the Antioch Initiative vision to reach Russia with the Gospel.”

Named after the missions-minded church in Antioch, Syria, as described in the New Testament book of Acts, the Antioch Initiative is a biblically structured, proactive strategy that seeks to develop key regional impact churches across Russia — churches that are capable of training, sending and equipping their own to produce multiplying daughter churches throughout their region. There are now 20 developing and growing Antioch church locations across Russia, and an equal number of supporting church coalitions forming here in North America.

Among the conference highlights were hearing Pastors Sipko and Voloshin give their important perspectives on ministry in Russia today, and how, in Pastor Sipko’s words, the Antioch Initiative is giving Bible-preaching Russian churches a way of “wrapping their arms around Russia.” The North American pastors/coalition leaders shared exciting accounts of how their congregations are getting enthused about the Gospel work in Russia, and their growing creativity in raising funds to support the Antioch Initiative. In some churches, children’s and youth groups are joyfully involved. Kyler Welch added . . .

“There were many notable events reported by the pastors, beginning with the first visit by the New Mexico Coalition to their Antioch partner church in Belgorod, followed by the first visit of the Florida Coalition to Chita. North American Youth Camp teams visited Antioch churches in St. Petersburg, Tomsk, Tambov and Ufa. The Kansas/Indiana Coalition sponsored Dental Team and Medical Team visits to Tomsk. And, a total of 28 pastors’ training classes were held at the various Antioch locations in Russia. 2007 was a very busy year for the Antioch Initiative.”

Dr. Bob Provost, SGA president, was thrilled to see so many faithful pastors thoroughly committed to the task of helping take the Gospel to the tens of millions of precious waiting hearts. “The Lord has already prepared their hearts, but tragically, there is no one to tell them. The Antioch Initiative is the answer! It is a thoroughly biblical strategy for taking the Gospel to the thousands of ready, waiting communities in Russia. It is absolutely thrilling to watch the Lord gather North American churches together for such a time as this.”

SGA is an interdenominational mission which has been working in the former Soviet Union since 1934. SGA has served churches in Russia through pastor and lay leader training, sponsorship of national church planters, and provision of Christian literature. SGA represents the Russian UECB and is a principal sponsor of the Eurasian Federation of Evangelical Christians-Baptists.

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