Ministry leaders throughout the Euro-Asian Division (ESD) of Seventh-day Adventists initiated a presentation of projects. The meeting, held on January 9–10, 2024, at the headquarters in Moscow, Russia, was organized and conducted by the ESD Help Desk with the support of the Mission Assistance Fund and the Personal Ministries Department.
Socially significant projects, the main goal of which is to make new disciples for Jesus, were presented by ministers from Stavropol, Chelyabinsk, Krasnodar, Tomsk, Samara, and Chita in Russia, Tiraspol and Bendery in Moldova, and Minsk, Belarus, as well as other cities throughout the division territory. The meeting participants shared projects aimed at meeting the needs of society in areas such as psychological assistance for the population, leisure and creative space for young people, recreational activities, and education.
For example, Adventists in Tomsk created a project called “The Bible for Young People.” Filling the needs of young men and women and inspiring them to study the Holy Scriptures are the goals of the project. In addition, the initiators of this project hope to lay the foundation for opening a new community in their city. The main tools in the implementation of this project are various types of social services (women's clubs, Russian language learning, music lessons, and others), the creation of an online platform, the organization of Bible quests, a Bible study club, in-home small groups, and youth outreaches.
Participants of the Happiness Index project in Stavropol meet the needs of society through the charitable distribution of clothes to those in need and free lunches for the homeless. The “Atmosphere” art cafe is organized for young residents and guests of Stavropol, and children attend a day camp. Anyone interested in studying the basics of the Bible has the opportunity to study Scripture in small groups or individually.
In Samara, the “Keys to Health and the Bible” project will be implemented by three local communities. The idea is to draw people's attention to biblical principles of life and the study of the Word of God through the examination of practical methods of healing. At the preparatory stage of the project, promotions and open days of the health center are already taking place; the health club and the Solomonia school are operating. Participants in all events are asked to fill out questionnaires and take surveys so that everyone who is interested in health issues, not only physical but also spiritual, has the opportunity to study Bible lessons at the Bible School. Several evangelistic programs are planned.
To improve the quality of life of people who are faced with a difficult life situation and do not have a sufficient level of social adaptation, as well as introduce them to the good news of the Savior, are the goals set by the organizers of the “Salt of the Earth” project in Aksai, Rostov, Russia. Additionally, believers from Bendery began their “Living Word” project with prayer preparation, which took place from October to December 2023. In January, a new stage of the project began: training church members; the organizers plan to involve at least 60 participants in this ministry. The opening of the project is scheduled for January 27. One of the main goals of the project is to acquire 60 or more Bible School students. To achieve these goals, a health club, youth cafe, and children's development clubs will be involved, and social events are planned in the city.
The best projects were selected from those presented at the meeting. Each of the projects was compiled and will be implemented by the local community with the support of the General Conference and the Euro-Asia Division.
The original version of this story was posted on the Euro-Asia Division Russian-language news site.