More than 300 recently trained Seventh-day Adventist lay workers, known as Global Mission pioneers, departed this week from Tula, Russia, to begin launching new churches in 12 former Soviet nations.
More than 300 recently trained Seventh-day Adventist lay workers, known as Global Mission pioneers, departed this week from Tula, Russia, to begin launching new churches in 12 former Soviet nations. For Adventists in the Euro-Asia region, this begins the second stage of a plan to establish 300 churches by the year 2003.
“This is an overwhelming project, but we have successfully completed the first stage by finding and training 322 young pioneers,” says Ivan Ostrovsky, who directs evangelism for Adventists in the region. “At this moment, they are on their way to their home countries to begin organizing churches in areas where there are no Adventists. Soon, we hope to provide small buildings where the groups can meet.”
This week at a ceremony near Tula the pioneers were honored for completing an intensive summer course in Biblical theology, church growth, and small-group dynamics. Thirty-nine experienced pastors also received certificates for a course in mentoring and leadership. Each mentor has been assigned to advise and encourage a group of trainees as they begin their work.
The 322 pioneers will spend the next two months distributing Bible study lessons, selling Christian books, and getting acquainted with their new neighborhoods. “Everything about these new churches will be done on a personal level,” says Jeff Scoggins, who coordinates strategic planning for Adventists in Euro-Asia. “Small groups are the foundation of an active, growing church.”
Adventists in Euro-Asia have designated the last Wednesday of each month as a day of prayer and fasting for the new congregations.
“These pioneers are very young,” says Ostrovsky. “They are often new Christians themselves. This is good, but they will have so many challenges. They have just two weeks to find apartments and get settled.”
“In some countries they will face much opposition because of their Christian faith,” he adds. “And in Siberia and Central Asia, they may be very isolated. The territory is huge and they won’t be able to meet with their supervisors very often. We ask people to pray for wisdom and courage for these young workers.”
Global Mission pioneers are Adventist Church members who volunteer to go into a new area to establish an Adventist Church. More than 30,000 pioneers are currently working throughout the world.
For more information visit www.global-mission.org.
