WVBC/Russia Missions Update – Ministry Despite the Conflict

The West Virginia Baptist Russia Mission Partnership leadership team met via Zoom on Tuesday, June 27 at 7:00 p.m.  We had full attendance with Curt Arvidson, David Bess, Jason Marshall, Jim McHugh, Keith Miller, and Zach Stevens participating.  It’s been several months since we’ve met due the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Since I’ve accepted the call to pastor the First Baptist Church of Waynesburg, PA, it’s no longer appropriate for me to continue as the chairman of the team.  Jason Marshall, pastor of FBC Rainelle, was elected as the new chairman.  I was elected to work with Jason in a vice-chairman/advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of leadership.  My ministry at FBC Waynesburg began July 2.

While money transfers and mission trips are not possible due to sanctions and restricted travel, the economic development aspect of the partnership is still thriving.  An economic development fund was established several years ago to make loans to startup businesses.  These businesses are begun by church members of Ryazan Baptist churches.  The loans are then repaid to the fund over a 3-year period.  The terms of each loan include an agreement to tithe from the profits to the business owner’s congregation.  Once a loan is repaid, another Ryazan Baptist church member may submit a business plan for funding.  The monies are distributed and collected within Russia, so they’re not affected by sanctions.  Keith Miller continues to serve as the administrator for the approval or rejection of each loan.  Startup taxi businesses are the most popular and successful.  A variety of other businesses have been created as well.

The leadership team discussed the possibility and/or feasibility of expanding the partnership.  For over 20 years, the WVBC has worked with Ryazan Baptists to strengthen their ministry in the Ryazan oblast.  There are now other Russian Baptist regions that could benefit from development and support.  On the American Baptist side, there may be other ABC regions who would like to join the WVBC in future ministry with Russian Baptist congregation.  I’ll work with Jason Marshall, Todd McClure, and Charles Jones in the coming months to explore what our options may be.

When the war with Ukraine comes to an end, it’s likely Russian Baptists will have a much different ministry situation than prior to the war.  We want to be faithful to support our Russian Baptist brothers and sisters in Christ at that time, whatever their needs may be.  In the meantime, we continue to support them through our prayers and through interaction over Telegram.

Jason Marshall will be representing the RMPT this year at Camp Global.  We’ll have another Zoom meeting on Tuesday, August 15 at 7:00 p.m. 

If you’d like to offer financial support to Russia missions in general or to a particular project such as Camp Alpha or Economic Development, please send your gift to the WVBC office. We’ll hold the support received until we are able to transfer funds once again.

Please pray for our Ryazan Baptist brothers and sisters in Christ during this difficult period.  Pray also for our WVBC/RMPT leadership team, that we’ll have the Lord’s wisdom in all we do.  We’re convinced that God will work even through this horrible time of bloodshed to glorify the name of Jesus and to advance His kingdom.

Blessings,
David Bess

War in Ukraine – Where Does the Partnership Go From Here?

What does the war in Ukraine mean for the future of the West Virginia Baptist Russia Mission Partnership?  The bloodshed continues day after day.  The Russian government is determined in its goals.  Many Ukrainians are just as determined to defend their land.  Sanctions from the West upon Russia are heavy, essentially closing down interaction with the United States.  For supporters of Russian missions, where do we go from here?

First, pray for the war to end.  Our Russian brothers and sisters in Christ share our abhorrence for the taking of human life.  Anything they may wish to share about peace, however, could be taken as resistance to their government and punished severely.

Second, pray for reconciliation to begin.  This conflict is more of a civil war than a war between two sovereign countries.  Families within both Ukraine and Russia are deeply divided over whether Ukrainians should be independent or a part of the Russian nation.  Even if the Russian military retreats, a bitter rift between the two factions will remain.

Third, pray for wisdom for the WVBC/Russia leadership team.  The challenges for the partnership are enormous.  In 2016, the Russian government enacted a new, oppressive law that prohibits mission team members from preaching or teaching.  Any kind of group ministry by foreigners could result in heavy fines, including construction and renovation projects.  With the outbreak of Covid-19, mission trips were no longer feasible.  Now with the war in Ukraine, money transfers aren’t possible, and communication is restricted.  Only the Economic Development fund remains since the fund and the transfers all occur within Ryazan.

Finally, pray for Russian Baptists.  They face a severely strained economy. The oppression by the government and the opposition from the Russian Orthodox Church continues.  Pray that they unite in spiritual devotion to their Lord despite political division over Ukraine.  Pray that their boldness for the Lord Jesus remains strong.  Pray that God provides for their needs in absence of help from international partners. 

So, what does the war in Ukraine mean for the future of the West Virginia Baptist Russia Mission Partnership?  The Lord only knows.  He is always faithful.  For now, we pray, we wait, and we see what doors the Lord may open for greater ministry in the future.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:4-6 ESV

David Bess
WVBC/Russia Mission Partnership Chairman

Prayer request from the Miller family

Alyssa Miller has shared with me that her mother Pam Miller is currently in Russia helping with Christian summer camps.  The local government has shut down one of the camps twice.  Pam also attempted to visit a young girl (Katya) in an orphanage in Elatma, but was not allowed to enter.  Please pray that the difficulties at the camp will be resolved, that Pam will be allowed to visit Katya, and that God will continue to bless the ministries of Keith, Pam and Alyssa as they travel back and forth to Ryazan.

David Bess
First Baptist Church
Nitro, West Virginia