Westerners are naturally curious about Russia, the massive country rich in culture and history that had been closed to Americans for seventy years. With the falling of the Iron Curtain, it became much easier for Americans and Russians to meet and learn about each others’ customs, lifestyles and religions. When WELS first started working in Russia, hundreds of people flocked to learn about the Bible each week. Times have changed. With a strong Russian Orthodox Church denouncing all western churches as well as a booming economy pulling people away from spiritual matters, mission work has become increasingly difficult. Today one missionary and one Russian pastor work to serve four congregations and equip leaders in the church. We pray for a second missionary to join them soon. Igor Logvinov, the Russian pastor, also conducts radio devotions three times a week. The radio program has been a wonderful outreach tool as well as a way to preach the Good News to the elderly who can’t get out and those who are too timid to go to a Lutheran church. Please keep the Russian Mission in your prayers!
Albania is a small country across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. It is commonly considered to be the only Muslim country in Europe, as well as one of the poorest. But there is a vibrancy in the capital city of Tirana - and also materialism. Here there is a congregation in the main port city of Durres and a Christian information center in Tirana. One missionary is training two dedicated Albanian men to lead these two groups. Two WELS Kingdom worker volunteers teach English and make other contacts to broaden the outreach.
Blessings abound through the continued regular worship attendance at the national churches after the abrupt withdrawal of WELS personnel in 2004. Nationals continue to study for the pastorate. Two have completed their studies. Pastor John Vogt, Rector of St. Sophia Seminary, Ukraine, continues to complete the coursework for ministerial studies with Bulgarian men. He works to involve these men in ministry at the same time as they study the coursework to become pastors and remain employed in their regular jobs. He also continues to coordinate topical studies with the national pastors during his periodic visits over the year.
For the security of our missionary families, national workers, and those we are reaching with the Gospel, the Board for World Missions has chosen NOT to post information about select mission fields. The public posting of such material could endanger the people or the work being done. If you would like to know more about our activity in a specific part of the world and do not find information on our website, please contact the world mission office with your questions.
Westerners are naturally curious about Russia, the massive country rich in culture and history that had been closed to Americans for seventy years. With the falling of the Iron Curtain, it became much easier for Americans and Russians to meet and learn about each others’ customs, lifestyles and religions. When WELS first started working in Russia, hundreds of people flocked to learn about the Bible each week. Times have changed. With a strong Russian Orthodox Church denouncing all western churches as well as a booming economy pulling people away from spiritual matters, mission work has become increasingly difficult. Today one missionary and one Russian pastor work to serve four congregations and equip leaders in the church. We pray for a second missionary to join them soon. Igor Logvinov, the Russian pastor, also conducts radio devotions three times a week. The radio program has been a wonderful outreach tool as well as a way to preach the Good News to the elderly who can’t get out and those who are too timid to go to a Lutheran church. Please keep the Russian Mission in your prayers!