Adventist Church in Stavropol celebrated 130 years of Ministry

The community of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the city of Stavropol recently celebrated its 130th anniversary. All those gathered for the event had memories and something to share to glorify the Lord. After all, it was Stavropol that played a special role at the end of the nineteenth century in the spread of the Three Angels’ Message not only in the Caucasus but throughout Russia.

How it all began…

The advent of the Adventist church community in Stavropol is associated with the name of Teofil Arsentievich Babienko, who in 1886 heard and received the Three Angels’ Message from Konrad Laubgan, the first Adventist preacher among the Volga Germans, who arrived in Stavropol to visit the German colonists.

Babienko, accepting the truth, began to proclaim it energetically to the townspeople and residents of the surrounding villages. The rules of free settlement allowed him to move 5 kilometers (3 miles) from his place of residence without notifying the police, which he did.

In 1887, the first five people of Russian nationality were baptized; in 1888, eight people gave their hearts to Christ. In 1890, the first Russian community of Seventh-day Adventists was organized in Stavropol, and Babienko, ordained as pastor that year, became the head. Russian-speaking Adventist groups were also formed in the villages of Mikhailovskoye and Pelageevka near Stavropol.

By that time, Adventist communities were already in many parts of the Russian Empire; however, the Russian population among the first Adventists was very small. This was due to the fact that missionary activity among the Russians could not take place without punishment. This fate did not escape the Stavropol community. So, less than a year after the formation of the Adventist community, Babienko, along with seven members of the community, were exiled to the Transcaucasus. But the repressive measures did not stop the activities of the Stavropol Church, and since all the brothers in the community had already been expelled, the sisters got down to business. Unfortunately, the same fate befell the women. The Stavropol Church passed serious tests in those years, but it remained faithful and steadfast.

Remembering the path on which the Lord led ...

Unfortunately, the pandemic and the restrictions in force in connection with it did not allow many guests to gather for a solemn service dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the church in Stavropol. Nevertheless, church members note that this day was special in a festive way and very full of experiences and memories.

“For 20 years in the church, I have been at many festive events, solemn divine services, and special programs, but when I came to the service that day, my spouse and I noted for ourselves that the hall was especially cozy and not only because of the beautiful flowers on the stage and not even because of the guests; it was just a special atmosphere that day,” shares attendee Olga Kun Slides. “Videos and stories about the history of our church and the difficulties it faced aroused awe and gratitude first of all to God for his mercy and help, and secondly to brothers and sisters for being courageous and, with genuine faith, carrying the message of salvation to everyone around. Though they were forbidden to gather for divine services, had their prayer houses removed, and were imprisoned, they did not stop believing! Praise God for every saved soul in our city and around the world!"

Of course, remembering the path on which the Adventist Church in Stavropol traveled, we understand that we will also face difficulties and trials, but God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow! He helped before and will help in the future! 

This article was originally published on the Euro-Asia Division’s news site