After the fall of the Soviet Union, the United Methodist Church was reactivated in Russia. The initial mission points were in St. Petersburg and expanded to the far east coast in Vladivostok. The whole Russia Initiative of the United Methodist Church now includes Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. This mission work is being sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.

One of the highlights of the Russia Initiative is the ministries to young people. Thankfully, most of the people no longer have the hostile feeling to the church so prevalent in the past 30 years or so. Hence, most people are coming to the faith through the children, who are more receptive to the gospel’s message of salvation.

Twenty seven (27) delegates from Russia and Ukraine went to San Diego California to join 140 Americans for a consultation on the Russia Initiative. The California-Pacific United Methodist Annual Conference hosted the consultation. The purpose of the said consultation is to connect the Russia initiative to the churches in the United States particularly because the said annual conference is supporting mission work in the Vladivostok area.

One of the delegates from St. Petersburg, Anton Kuzmin talked about being changed by the church. That is why he keeps going back to the Methodist Church in spite of the jokes made by his friends. But his life was being changed and that was what mattered.

This is an exciting time for the mission work in Russia. With the reactivation of Methodist work in the area, the spiritual tradition originating from John Wesley gets promoted. With more young people being changed, The United Methodist Church and Russia, too will face a future with hope.

Source: Russia Mission Event Stresses Ministry with Youth and Young Adults