Revival of Russian Evangelical Alliance

Being a very important gateway for the path of mission to the most northern end of the earth, Russia has shown its spiritual revival in the re-establishment of the Russian Evangelical Alliance. It took place in Rumyantsevo near Moscow earlier in April.

Supported by the vast majority of the more than 150 participants stemming from over 40 churches, organisations, associations, missions and local alliances, the step is victorious. An annual prayer week, joint Bible conferences and evangelistic campaigns as well as the execution of social and political responsibilities will rate as primary future concerns.

Most of the denominations in Russia have expressed their appreciation in the founding of the alliance and the unity shown in the Christian communities, even though a number of charismatic and Pentecostal groups chose not to attend. There were also no delegates of confessional Lutheranism as represented by America's "Missouri Synod" present.

Dr. Vladimir Ryagusov, Rector of Moscow's Baptist seminary and chairman of the founding committee, said, "I was surprised by the unity of spirit among the delegates. They clearly understand the implications of an Evangelical Alliance for Russia and the tasks with which they will be confronted."

The Methodist Bishop Dr.R Minor from Moscow claimed that the 7,000 Russian Methodists "enthusiastically applaud the concept of an Alliance".

Siegfried Springer from Moscow, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia assured, "If you ever need me for something, then I will be there for you. And I trust that when I will need your aid, I will have the freedom to come to you. It is the same Spirit who unites and carries us."

General Secretary of the European Evangelical Alliance, Gordon Showell-Rogers from London, was impressed by the strong desire for the creation of an Alliance. He conceded that it wasn't that people agreed reluctantly - they agreed with strong passion about the matter at hand.

The first Russian Alliance was founded in 1906. It nevertheless unravelled a year later after a dispute between Baptists and the Orthodox-influenced Neomolokists on the issue of baptism. Regional alliances reappeared in Russia in the mid-1990s. The annual brochure on the Alliance Week of Prayer in January has appeared in Russian for the past four years.

Russian government officials often regard Protestants as fly-by-night operators resulting from efforts of foreign missionaries. However, now the natives are standing up again with a unified voice, the action is expected to improve the reputation of Protestants in the eyes of society.

Actually, Russian Christians have faced a lot of persecution. During Easter, the Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, and other Evangelical churches rented the City Sport Stadium in Tyumen to hold an Easter celebration and the local secular local authorities stepped in to halt their efforts, according to the latest report from the Association of Christian Churches in Russia.

Russia is presently home to 720,000 Protestants making up 0.5% of the population. Nevertheless, steady progress in evangelism has been showed.