Join Us for a Briefing on Religious Freedom in the Former Soviet Union/Eurasia

In 2013, evangelical believers faced an alarming increase in religious freedom restrictions and violations in the countries of the former Soviet Union/Eurasia, particularly Russia, Belarus and Central Asia. Pastors, families, and churches were disrupted, threatened, restricted and thrown into crisis merely for their faith in Christ. Recently, as a reaction to violent protests, the Ukrainian government adopted disturbing new sweeping laws aimed at restricting freedom and religious expression in that country. Acting on these laws, they have already threatened to remove the registration of the Ukrainian Uniate Church for holding prayer services for government protesters. By most estimates, this was the worst year for religious repression in this embattled region since the fall of the Iron Curtain.

A CALL TO ACTION ON CAPITOL HILL

In response to this alarming trend, Russian Ministries, in cooperation with Congressman Joe Pitts and our global partners, is sponsoring a second annual briefing on religious freedom issues on Capitol Hill. The briefing will occur one day before the Presidential Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, February 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. at 2123 Rayburn House Office Building in Washington D.C.

Our primary goals for the briefing are to:

• build global awareness about the state of religious freedom in the former Soviet Union/Eurasia;
•  examine causes for escalating religious restrictions in the former Soviet Union/Eurasia;
• cultivate productive dialogue between post-Soviet/Eurasian civil, religious and governmental leaders in order to engage the global community;
• find solutions to this serious challenge

MAKE AN ETERNAL IMPACT Your support is essential to help expand religious freedom in the former Soviet Union/Eurasia. Please consider impacting the lives of fellow believers suffering for their faith by: Attending the February 5 briefing. Please RSVP to Wade Kusack, Director of Religious Freedom Issues with Russian Ministries, by emailing wade@russian-ministries.org or calling 630-462-1739. You will receive more information and a complete agenda. Continuing to pray fervently for persecuted Christians in the former Soviet Union/Eurasia. Pray for international pressure to bear on the governments and authorities in this region. Ask God for His protection and provision over His people and their heroic work of evangelism and discipleship in their local communities. National Next Generation Christian leaders desperately need your intercession on their behalf. As James 5:16 says, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working". Giving to Russian Ministries’ Religious Freedom Fund. Your donation will provide a lifeline of support and emergency aid to families, pastors and churches in crisis. Thank you for joining with Russian Ministries to support the cause of religious freedom in  the former Soviet Union/Eurasia. Gratefully, Sergey Rakhuba President

Ministry of Culture Threatens Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine has threatened the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) with a lawsuit and loss of its status as a religious organization if it continues its participation in the Euromaidan protests. The participation in question is the participation of some of the church's priests in peaceful anti-government protests in Kiev's main square. 

"We always were, are, and will be with the people," stated Svyatoslav, the head of the UGCC. "We never encouraged or blessed any unlawful acts. We always encouraged citizens to obey the laws of their land, Ukraine, in accordance with God's law, and therefore, the doctrine of the Church.The Church is not a member of the political life, but it is an integral part of civil society. We believe that praying for peace together with those who peacefully demonstrate a desire to live in a state of law is appropriate. It does not require a special permission from the government," Svyatoslav concluded. 

You can read the original story in Ukrainian here.

Russian Ministries Spearheads Briefing on Religious Freedom in Eurasia

Wheaton, IL-On February 5, 2014 Russian Ministries will spearhead a briefing on Capitol Hill, “Religious Freedom Issues in Eurasia and the Former Soviet Union.”

The briefing will be co-sponsored by Congressman Joe Pitts and the following international and US organizations defending religious freedom and human rights: Religious Liberty Partnership (US), Institute for Global Engagement (US), Christian Solidarity Worldwide (UK), Stefanus Alliance International (Norway), International Religious Freedom Roundtable (US), Religious Liberty Commission of World Evangelical Alliance (US), and Light to the People (Sweden).

The briefing will examine increasing religious restrictions in Eurasia as well as foster constructive dialogue between Eurasian civil, religious and government leaders in order to develop solutions to this critical global issue.

Delegates from across Eurasia and the U.S. will participate. Speakers will include Yuri Sipko, pastor and former president of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists; Alexander Klyushev, president of the Association of Religious Organizations of Kazakhstan; Rasim Khalilov, general secretary of the Evangelical Alliance of Azerbaijan; Nijat Mammadli, head of the International Relations Department of the State Committee on Religious Associations of Azerbaijan; Metropolitan Filaret, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church; Dr. Mikhail Cherenkov, vice president of the Association for Spiritual Renewal; Mervyn Thomas, CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide; and Ed Brown, head of the Human Rights and Religious Freedom Department of Stefanus Alliance.

Russian Ministries is a non-denominational Christian organization, working to create awareness and provide support for Christians under persecution in the countries of the former Soviet Union/Eurasia. For more information on the Briefing on Religious Freedom in Eurasia, please contact Wade Kusack, Director of Religious Freedom Issues for Russian Ministries at:  wade@russian-ministries.org. For more information about Russian Ministries or to schedule an interview with a leader of Russian Ministries, please contact the Russian Ministries’ office.

____________________________

Russian Ministries
P.O. Box 496
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-462-1739
info@russian-ministries.org
www.russian-ministries.org

Open Letter Regarding Events in Ukraine

If you have been following the protests that have been taking place in Ukraine since November, then I am sure that you were not surprised that the protests have now escalated into violence. Our organization, Russian Ministries, with its international field headquarters in Kiev, Ukraine, cannot ignore this situation. We are deeply concerned by the changes that have turned Ukraine from a nation with unlimited freedoms into a dictatorial state overnight.  These developments have also caused great controversy among the evangelical community in Ukraine, when the older generation is calling for submission to the government, and the younger generation is calling for protests, while looking for theological, political and social solutions to this crisis.  

Dr. Gregory Komendant, a most prominent evangelical leader from Ukraine and former president of the Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists of the former USSR, former president of the Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists of Ukraine, former president of the European Baptist Alliance and vice president of the World Baptist Alliance, who has long played a unifying role between generations, churches, countries, issued this statement:  “The situation In Ukraine is extremely tense. Peace is extremely fragile and the church can and should play a reconciling role on behalf of all Christians of Ukraine. I am calling on the global Christian community for prayer and support at this critical time for our nation." 

Last week a set of sweeping new dictatorial laws was suddenly adopted by the government in Ukraine, which has resulted in even more violence.  In order to create a platform for constructive dialogue of this situation, Russian Ministries recently co-sponsored a roundtable discussion in Kiev for about 150 young Christian pastors and ministry leaders from various denominations who came to discuss how in their evangelical identity, responsibilities, and understanding of the doctrinal position related to this crisis.  

We join these leaders and entire christian community in Ukraine in calling the global Christian community for earnest prayer that God would give wisdom and clear biblical understanding so that he church can become salt and light as well as a refuge and source of God’s reconciling wisdom and comfort at this critical time for Ukraine.

This important issue will also be discussed at the religious freedom briefing and press conference that Russian Ministries is sponsoring on Capitol Hill in Washington, D. C. on February 5 and 6.  Fore more information, please don't hesitate to contact our office at:  630-462-1739or info@russian-ministries.org.


Sincerely,

Sergey Rakhuba

Appeal to the Evangelical Churches of Ukraine

January 20, 2014

Resolution passed at the “Maydan and the Church" Round Table  

Appeal to the Evangelical Churches of Ukraine

In this crucial moment for Ukraine we, the participants of the round table “Maidan and the Church: Mission and Social Responsibility of Christians” held in Kyiv, Ukraine on 17 January 2014, appeal to the leaders of Evangelical churches, fellowships, denominations, ministries, and organizations, as well as to church members – to take all possible measures to stand for truth, peace and justice in Ukraine.

Regardless of political preferences we call on our brothers and sisters all over the country to more actively participate in the life of Ukrainian society and demonstrate a high level of personal responsibility. First of all, we should all be more fervent in prayer: “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Tim. 2:1-4, 8). Secondly, as “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17, 20, 26), we have to provide practical help to the victims of violence, following the example of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) and our Lord Jesus Christ, in the context of the recent repressions against the Maydan activists, threats to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the adoption of anti-constitutional laws on January 16, and terror and the ongoing use of force against protestors since January 19, 2014.

The Church wisely avoided taking a political stand on the Association Agreement with the European Union. However, after the bloodshed at Maydan on November 30, 2013 there was no way the Church could keep silent. Recognizing their moral responsibility before God and society, Christians have to condemn violence against civilians, publicly declare it a crime, expose the perpetrators, and help the victims.

The Maydan Independence Square in Kyiv, as well as smaller maydan demonstrations in city squares all across the country, are the place for the people to pursue their legitimate right to demand from the government a respect for their freedom, dignity and rights, as well as to require the officials to fulfill their obligations for the common good, and not abuse the power given to them by the Ukrainian people. The Church has to lend its authoritative word along with the voice of the people, declaring that they are created by God in His image and likeness, that all people are equal before God, that God’s judgment is real, as well as God’s care for the helpless.

We draw the attention of the government and protesters to God’s commandments, love and forgiveness, without which the demand for equity may end in chaos and violence. Therefore we encourage everyone to do their best to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Each person will give a personal account for his or her actions both on earth and in heaven.

We declare that the government’s attempts to isolate the Ukrainian Evangelical believers from the European and international community of Christians are unacceptable.

We confirm that the main task of the Church at this time is to be “salt” and “light” to our society. This means that the Church has to expose sin in all its forms and manifestations directly without any compromise, call the officials and civil society to repentance, show people the true way of salvation in Jesus Christ, help victims in every possible way, and give hope.

We believe that, by the mercy of God, prayers, and the labor of Christians, the events taking place on Maydan will bring forth the spiritual awakening and renewal of the Ukrainian nation.