Update on Shestopalov Family

Many of our readers and those receiving our updates via email have asked us for updates.

Yesterday (Wednesday), Brother and Sister Shestopalov were finally transferred to a Moscow hospital, but I'm not sure if it is the same one where the two oldest daughters are.

The funeral for Sabrina is scheduled for Monday, June 22 to be held in the seminary chapel. Exact time .... I haven't heard yet. This will be coordinated with the cementary.

The overseer, Vladimir, has suffered some kidney damage from the accident and needs time to mend. He will be released on Monday just for a couple of hours to attend the funeral. Aphrodite, the wife, is suffering from low blood pressure and psychologically / emotionally is having a most difficult time.

The oldest daughter, Christine, remains in ICI with "head damage." and swelling. She has been brought out of her coma, can open her eyes and can think. Due to swelling, she has high pressure in the head. Her vision isn't the best; one eye has trouble shutting. And there is a part of the skull that has been shattered and needs to be replaced. Today she was transferred out of ICU into a regular room. I hear there is a surgery scheduled for Friday, but I'm not sure what is being done.

The 2nd oldest daughter, Diana, who had the broken legs is sitting up and might be released from hospital in the next couple of days.

Thank you once again for your prayers

Urgent Message from Moscow - Update on Shestopalov Family

Immediate Response Needed
Church of God World Missions Project Number #132-4002

Daughter Killed in Car Accident
On June 13, 2009 Russian National Overseer Vladimir Shestopalov and his family were traveling in the Moscow region when they were hit head-on by an coming SUV, causing them to slide into a ditch and roll over several times. In the van with Bishop Shestopalov were his wife, Afrodita, and his three oldest children.

Unfortunately, the Shetopalov's third daughter Sabrina died of her injuries shortly after the accident. The other two daughters in the vehicle were seriously injured and were medivaced to a hospital in Moscow. The oldest, Christine, is in critical condition with sever damage to her head. Another daughter, Diana, has broken both of her legs below the knees but is otherwise stable.

Bishop Shestopalov and his wife remain hospitalized near the accident site with numerous cuts, bruises, and internal injuries. The will be released to attend Sabrina's funeral but still require further medical treatment.

This horrible tragedy affects the entire Church of God family and Russia and throughout the field of Eurasia.

Prayer: Please pray for the Shestopalov family. They need much love, comfort, and emotional/spiritual support in this time of loss. There will cert ainly be many painful and unanswered questions to arise in the weeks and months ahead.

Give: The Russian medical system promises free health care for only the most basic of needs, but patients must pay for effective medicines and operations. Many Russian churches responded with offerings within 24 hours of the news, but we anticipate the family's medical expenses to be well beyond these available means.

Since medical treatment in Russia is largely dependent upon the ability to pay in advance, the Shestopalovs will require immediate assistance for their hospital expenses.

Please help us respond to this need today by sending donations to:

Project #132-4002
Shestopalov / Medical Needs
Church of God World Missions
PO Box 8016
Cleveland, TN 37320-8016

Or call toll-free at 1-800-345-7492
Or donate online at www.cogwm.org

If donating online through our secure server, please make sure to check the box: "My gift is specifically for Missionary Support, National Workers or Special Projects as listed below". (If you use the20link above, the project number should already be listed in the form.)

PLEASE NOTE: This is a different project number than the one listed yesterday. Instead of using the seminary's project number (710-0072), we ask that all donations for the Shestopalovs go the number highlighted above.

New Family and Marriage Program in Moscow

The school in Moscow is beginning a new program under the leadership of our provost, Dr. Ilya Okhotnikov. This is his blog report.

January 21, 2009 ETSM starts a new Marriage and Family Ministry (MFM) Program for church leaders. Purpose of the MFM Program is to train ministers to help and serve families in the church (and society). Upon completion of the program the graduates will be able to

1. Formulate the Biblical foundations of marriage\family.
2. Know contemporary theoretical approaches to analysis of family issues.
3. To know and develop in self qualities of a counselor. 1Tim.4:16.
4. Receive skills for counseling families (to know how to begin, continue and end a counseling session)
5. Understand psychology of children and teen's behavior
   -- including aspects of human growth according to the age
   -- discipleship of teens for sexual integrity in a local church
6. Be able to conduct premarital, marital, second-marriage, post divorce, while in divorce counseling.
7. Organize Marriage and Family Ministry in a church (formulate goals and aims, direction and methods of reaching the goals)
8. Analyse marital dynamics skilfully using methods of research (PREPARE\ENRICH) and counseling techniques that are in line with the Bible
   

• January 21-24, 2009 Seminar on "Biblical foundations of mariage and family". Ilya Okhotnikov
• January 26-30, 2009 Seminar on "Basic Counseling Theories". Ruslan Naduyk, Pastor, Dean of Sociology Department, Russian-American Christian University, Moscow, Russia
• February 2-6, 2009 Seminar "Premarital Counseling". Rocky and Terri Morris, Clarion Call. Communicating the message of hope.
  http://clarioncall.createsend5.com/t/ViewEmail/r/58B91C3EC496C013/73C4C150156E84722540EF23F30FEDED

Following seminars will be held between June 8 and 26, 2009.

Thank you for your prayers for this event in January.
Ilya Okhotnikov

Russian Patriach Passes Away

This piece of news is available through many news outlets, but may not get the prime time coverage in the West. Alexei II is to the Russian Orthodox church what the Pope is to Catholicism. As you can see below, he has had an interesting impact on Russian society. And it will be interesting to see who his successor will be.

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II, who presided over a vast post-Soviet revival of faith but was accused of making the church a force for nationalism, died Friday at age 79, the church headquarters said.

The Moscow Patriarchate said he died at his residence outside Moscow, but did not give a cause of death. Alexy had long suffered from a heart ailment.

Alexy became leader of the church in 1990, as the officially atheist Soviet Union was loosening its restrictions on religion. After the Soviet Union collapsed the following year, the church's popularity surged. Church domes that had been stripped of their gold under the Soviets were regilded, churches that had been converted into warehouses or left to rot in neglect were painstakingly restored and hours-long Masses on major religious holidays were broadcast live on national television.

By the time of Alexy's death, the church's flock was estimated to include about two-thirds of Russia's 142 million people, making it the world's largest Orthodox church.

But Alexy often complained that Russia's new religious freedom put the church under severe pressure and he bitterly resented what he said were attempts by other Christian churches to poach adherents among people who he said should have belonged to the Orthodox church.

Alexy successfully lobbied for the 1997 passage of a religion law that places restrictions on the activities of religions other than Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. Under his leadership, the church also vehemently opposed schismatic Orthodox churches in neighboring Ukraine, claiming the Ukrainian church should remain under Moscow's control.

He was born Alexei Mikhailovich Rüdiger on Feb. 23, 1929 in Tallinn, Estonia. The son of a priest, Alexy often accompanied his parents on pilgrimages to churches and monasteries, and he helped his father minister to prisoners in Nazi concentration camps in Estonia. It was during those visits that Alexy decided to pursue a religious life.

Under Soviet rule, this was not an easy choice. Lenin and Stalin suppressed religion and thousands of churches were destroyed or converted to other uses, such as museums devoted to atheism or, in some cases, stables. Many priests and parishioners were persecuted for their beliefs.

The persecution eased somewhat during World War II, when Stalin discovered that the church could be used as a propaganda tool in the fight against the Nazis. But the Soviet authorities never fully loosened their grip, penetrating the church at the highest levels.

Alexy was ordained in 1950, progressed through the Orthodox hierarchy, and was consecrated Bishop of Tallinn and Estonia in 1961.

It's Official - We Have Our License

The little picture to the right of one sheet of paper has been the occasion for blood, sweat, tears, and lots of prayer. ETSM officially received the licensed on July 14, although the date of validity is May 21, 2008. Thank you for your constant prayers that have helped us navigate the murky waters of Russian bureacracy. Throughout the past year, we have seen time and time again how the Lord gave us divine favor in the eyes of various governmental offices.

Of course, lots of thanks also go to our rector, Dr. Ilya Okhotnikov, who did much of the legwork, and made sure that we had dotted all of our i's and crossed our t's.

With this license, we are now able to publically advertise for the school. But more importantly, it prevents us from being closed down by federal authorities. Already a number of church schools (some purporting to be on a college level) have been closed down and charges have come from the State's Attourney's office. In fact, we had to asked twice for an extention to federal deadlines. But thankfully this threat is behind us.

The dangers of not having a license for educational activity in Russia

Assist News Service has an interesting, but lengthy article on various legal procedures facing several churches and Bible schools in Russia. The common motif is that these churches allegedly operated an institution without a license. As many of our readers know, this has been a major concern of our seminary in Moscow throughout the past year.

The main item in the article was about how Methodist Church's Sunday School was deemed illegal educational activity. They, however, won their court case.

A second case involves one of a Church of God in Samara. They rented their facilities to an organization that taught classes on a Bible institute level. This case is still pending.

For more detail about these cases and others like them, follow this link.

Historical Week in Russia

This has been an historical week here in Russia. Yesterday, Russia inaugurated its third president and head of state - Dmitry Medvedev. Today, Vladimir Putin assumed the role of prime minister (head of government). Below is a YouTube clip of the inaugural ceremonies with all the pomp and circumstance.

Tomorrow will be another history making day here. For the first time since the demise of the Soviet Union, there will be military parade passing through the Red Square - or as one American put it, "to take the old hardward out for a spin."

Back at the section of town where the seminary is located, there will be a fireworks display along the Moscow river. Although I won't be there this year, I've seen it in the past and it is quite the show.

Prayer request for the Gorbachevs

Many of our friends are aware that both Alexei and Tatiana Gorbachev, both of whom are faculty members at our seminary, are working on their Ph.D. at a prestigious university in Russia. Previous, I had made an appeal to our friends for their financial support - and with your help, the Lord has provided for them. (To learn more about the Gorbachevs, please read my blog entry here).

Alexei is looking the psychological aspects of spiritual and moral development; Tatiana is looking at the teacher's role in the process. By design, Tatiana will defend this spring (March/April) and Alexei in the summer

Since we made our appeal in February, some major reforms have taken place throughout the entire Russian higher education system. As a result, both Alexei and Tatiana (as well as all students in their cohort) had to take a fourth comprehensive exam. Yesterday, Alexei and Tatiana each passed their exams without any difficulties.

But a challenge arose on Monday during Tatiana's "pre-defense" or dissertation proposal defense. Part of the latest Russian reform required that Tatiana face a new doctoral committee. She was able to keep her doctoral mentor/advisor, but the remaining members of the committee were recently were assigned without any consultation by Tatiana or her advisor - nor were they familiar with her previous articles and work up to this point.

According to her advisor, she was well prepared and presented an excellent proposal. However, the other members of the newly appointed committee had problems with the subject of "spirituality". As it turns out, most of the professors at the university are agnostics or atheist. But there is the ever present pressure of the Orthodox church. One committee member asked,"Do you know what the Orthodox church calls Protestants? Heretics!"

To make a long story short, the committee delayed approving her topic. This is partly due to the new reforms that place much pressure on these committees; these committees do not want to have rejected proposals/dissertations from the centralized office in Moscow. And since "spirituality" is a relatively new field of study in Russian universities, the committee decided to take a week to review the situation. (Keep in mind, atheism was the official stance of the communist party that controlled all schools during the Soviet era.)

Here is the prayer request: Please pray for the members of Tatiana's dissertation committee and that they will decide in Tatiana's favor and allow a dissertation in Christian spirituality as it relates to moral development.

New Visa Restrictions in Russia

It may not be big news in the America and Western Europe, but there has been a major change in the visa regulations for those possessing a "business" or a "religious affairs" visa. The video clip below speaks specifically to the "business" visa, but the rules also affect missionaries who live and minister in Russia with the "religious affairs" This change has already had an impact on many of our colleagues in Russia. One example is Adam Zygarewicz (St. Petersburg). And I've been in contact with several missionaries with other churches who have the same dilemma.

Currently, it does not affect anyone at ETSM because, well, I'm the only Westerner currently associated with the school, but I reside mostly in Germany. But the change will make it very difficult for us to bring on staff any missionary teachers from the West.

Red Army Choir: Sweet Home Alabama

I really do intend to give my Russian reports a break. There was some great news from Germany this weekend and I also want to do more leadership development stuff, too. But I just could resist this.

To The Point News reports on something that would've made Khrushchev take the both shoes off and bang along with the Red Army Choir to the "Sweet Home Alabama." Prepare yourself for this one - maybe with a alcohol-free martini or two.

Back in the days of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Red Army had an official choir composed of male soldiers and musicians. It still exists. The Red Army Choir performs throughout Russia to this day. Now consider the Finnish rock band called The Leningrad Cowboys. A little while ago, they held a concert in Russia, in which - to the screaming applause of Russkie teen-agers - they got the Red Army Choir to join them on stage for a performance of "Sweet Home Alabama." In English. You couldn't make this up.

We're talking seriously off the wall here. Better have that unleaded martini ready when you watch it:

The Most Powerful Boat in the World?

I just returned from a conference in St. Petersburg, Russia. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the focus of the week was to develop our leadership skills as school presidents and executives. I've been leadership seminars and classes, so there wasn't too much "new material" per se. But what was revealing was the conversations from the various Russian and Ukrianian delegates who are still processing the effects of the Soviet (communistic) models of leadership and organizational dynamics.

One recurrent theme was that the societies in the former Soviet Union are changing radically -- and the expectations from them as "Christian" leaders. I could only listen and learn. At the same time, I couldn't help but wonder what Russia would be like today had there been no communism and the oppression of religion for those 70 years.

On Wednesday afternoon, our group did a bus tour of St. Petersburg. This city had been the capital of Russia for over 200 years until the communist revolution. So we got to see our share of palaces, government buildings, monuments, statues, cathedrals, shipyards, prestigious concert halls, and even an active synagogue. However, it was obvious that many buildings and streets throughout the city were in disrepair. It seems as most of the Petrodollars are staying in Moscow.

The picture you see is of the Aurora, the boat from which the October Revolution of 1917 began and launched Vladimir Lenin and the communist party into power. When we got out of the bus to look at the Aurora, Ilya pulled me aside and said, "We (Russians) say that was the most powerful boat in the world. It fired only one shot, but it ruined an entire country for 70 years."

A Pentecostal Church for the Deaf

Last night I ate an evening dessert with Valeriy Gaidachuck and his wife Maria. "Valera" was recently elected to become the next overseer of our church movement in the St. Petersberg region. During our conversation, he mentioned that one of our churches is for the deaf and dumb -- or more precisely stated for the hearing impaired.

On one hand, I find it great that there is a church dedicated to reaching this segment of society. But I couldn't help but to ask how they hold their services. Belonging to a Pentecostal tradition that holds that tongues speech (as described in Acts 2) is the initial evidence of spirit baptism, I couldn't help but wonder how these folks "experience Pentecost."

• Do they speak in unknown tongues? If so, how would they know it?
• What would a good old-fashioned pentecostal prayer sound, uh, look like?
  
• How do they worship corporately?
  
• What role does music play?
  

To make a long story short, the members there are able to use the voices, although it may be quite awkward to our ears. And they depend on an inner confirmation when they have had an encounter with the Holy Spirit. Well... come to think of it....

St. Petersburg, Russia

This week, Ilya and I are attending a five-day conference in St. Petersburg where there are representatives from twelve evangelical Bible schools from the entire former Soviet Union (Russia, Ukraine, Moldavia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Lithuania). ETSM is the only Russian Pentecostal school represented at the conference; it happens to be the only school from Moscow, too. The conference is sponsored by Overseas Council International – an interdenominational fellowship that focuses on training leaders around the world.

St. Petersburg is Russia's second largest city, and the fourth largest city in Europe (behind Moscow, London, and Paris). The school that is hosting the conference is located near the Narva Triumphal Gate that celebrated this city's victory over Napolean. I've only been here for about 30 hours, but I already fascinated by the city's history and impressive architecture (which is both Western and Eastern).

As the week progresses, I hope to post more about my stay in the city formerly known as Leningrad.

Licensing Update

Many of our supporters are aware that our school in Moscow is applying for a license to function as a school. Currently, we are a religious organization that offers seminars and other religious functions. With a license, we would be recognized officially as a school in Russia.

The licensing process has been an adventure filled with lots of bureaucratic minutiae, securing permits from various state departments (such as the fire department, sanitary department, etc.). Tomorrow, we will submit all of the paperwork for our application for our license.

You might remember that ETSM had already registered the application package. In Ilya's words:

We need your prayer support. Mr. Alexander Petrovich Gruzkov is the Head of the Licensing Office will be the Chairperson at the meeting of Expert Committee. The committee is to come on sight of the Seminary to see what did we write in the application package and compare papers with reality. Mr. Alexander Gruzkov is a King at these types of Expert committees' meetings.

So, the proverb 21:1 goes like this: "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes". I ask your prayer, so that this king, Mr. Gruzkov, would want to accept our docs and proceed with no red tape.

The Boombox Will Cost 33,000 Rubles

At ETSM, we have entered the spring semester and are looking forward to our graduation ceremonies in May. In the meantime, we must work through the mundane, business-as-usual items that come our way. But life in Moscow is different than in the States. Something happened this week which typifies some of the differences.

Russian law requires all citizens and visitors to register their presence with the local authorities. For example, when traveling to Russia, I must submit my passport (with migration card) within three business days with the local migration card to the "migration office" (which is a division of the police department or department of homeland security).

All of our students who live at the seminary must also register with the local authorities. In the past, ETSM would simply send one representative on Wednesdays (the day reserved for all organizations) to the migration office with all of the paperwork for the students and guests.

However, there was a recent change in the legal procedures that caused us many headaches. We were informed that ETSM would have to stand in the line for "individuals", and not for organizations. The recent changes in leadership of the migration office resulted in difficulties for the Seminary; he simply decided that the Seminary must stand in line like any other person (despite the fact that ETSM is a recognized organization). Standing in line means that at 3:00 AM someone has to go and get into line to apply in the morning hours.

Once our representative tried to come for registration of our students at 7:30 a.m. and he was 58th in line. Before lunch 28 people were able to go through the migration office, Valera had to miss the day. Next day the line repeats all over again.

So... We did some investigative work as to why there was such a drastic measure taken against the seminary. The government office staff explained to us that they can proceed documents of the Seminary for registration with no problems in the future if ETSM would give them a gift. But not just any gift. They specifically would like to have a boombox. Yep, that's right - a ghetto blaster.

We checked into the price of such a gift. The cost of the boom-box is 3,300-3,100 rubles (ca. $120-140 USD), depending on the make and model.

Lest anyone think where giving into bribery - have no fear! There is a Russian law which explains how large a gift can be before it is determined to be a bribe. So we're in safe legal waters. It appears to be an easy way out and an item of "keeping relationship" with the local police (migration service) who do registration for ETSM. And perhaps the Christian CD we include will also have a positive influence.

Russia: They Put the Red in Redtape

Bureaucracies in every country are known for their red-tape. In my last entry, I noted that our seminary has renewed it registration with the Federal Registration Services. This registration gives us the legal right to exist as an organization.

Yesterday, we submitted our application with the Ministry of Education that will officially grant us an additional status of an undergraduate school (and not just a religious organization that does seminars). Very quickly we were asked which organization is applying for a license. See if you can figure it out.

• Religious Organization Eurasian Theological Seminary of Association of Christians of Evangelical Faith "Church of God"
• Religious Organization "Eurasian Theological Seminary of Association of Christians of Evangelical Faith "Church of God"

One version (without the extra quotation mark) is in our legally binding constitution, the other version is in the certificate from the Registration Services. Such precision can only be truly appreciated by a lawyer. (And this is true of lawyers all around the globe.)

So....we are faced with a challenge of changing " -- our bid for an academic license could stumble because of "

To be fair, the authorities are working with us in making the corrections. And for this fact, I am thankful that we have been given divine favor in Moscow. Unfortunately, other former countries use such tactics to make evangelical ministries cease and desist.

Our Seminary Has Been Re-Registered

Some exciting news from Moscow. Our school - The Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow received its Certificate of Registration this past Friday. The seminary had already been registered as a religious organization, but we applied for a change in status (actually, an enhancement in status) that will enable us to apply for our license with the Russian Ministry of Education. We will apply for that license today (21 January).

Although we are celebrating, we still covet your prayers for the licensing process. This is Russia, and many people still view evangelicals with suspicion. (Well, there are some Newspapers in American that still hold evangelicals with disdain.) And Russian bureaucracy has just as much red tape as any other country.

After filing today, we expect that it will take up to 10 days for the registration of the application. Within the next two months, we hope to have a visit from an "expert committee" comprised of representatives from various government agencies. If they approve of us and our application, it will take another month before we have our license in our hands.

As you can see, it is a lengthy process and we must be ready for the unexpected. Please pray for Mr. Alexander Gruzkov, chair of the expert committee. He is also the Director for the Federal Licensing Office. As you can imagine, his decision will be vital.

Life in Russia

In the States, the press has covered much about the politics of Vladimir Putin. But very few of the major networks have said much about Russia's economy. Moscow has been regarded as one of the world's most expensive cities.

As the chief administrator of our Bible school in Moscow, I must pay attention not only to dollar exchange rates (and the dollar has been slipping against all currencies for a long time, now), but also to the changes in the local economy. Since 2006, the rate of inflation (consumer price index) has averaged at more than 10% annually. 2007 was no exception. Below is an excerpt from Forbes about Russia's economy.

Russia's political stability ... has resulted in job creation and stimulated economic growth, which is now approaching 8%. (Tom's note - the GDP is 8% -- which is huge) ....

One negative trend of 2007 is the steady rise in prices of consumer goods and food, a very dangerous development. The consumer price index surged 12%, but the price of certain foods has risen at a much faster pace--vegetable oil increasing by 150%, butter by 40%, milk by 30%, and grains and bread by 25%. This is not the result of a worldwide increase in food prices--Russian food prices are growing faster than world prices, even faster than in neighboring emerging market economies like China and India.

The rise in consumer prices is a result of increases in salaries, pensions, stipends and other social spending at a pace much higher than what economic growth allowed. This puts more rubles in the hands of Russians, but decreases the purchasing power of the currency.

The ironic thing: the average salary in Moscow is less than $800 / month. Go figure.

S Rozdestvom Khristovym!C Рождестве Христовом!

Today is Christmas in Russia and the Orthodox countries that still use a Julian calendar for religious holidays. Below is a video of the ringing of the bells at Christ the Saviour Church in Moscow - the central church for Russian Orthodoxy. I've been to this church many times, observing its beautiful artwork and celebrating its history. (The building was destroyed by the communists and the grounds was turned into a huge swimming pool. But after the fall of communism, the Orthodox church reclaimed the territory and rebuilt the building.)

So... Merry Christmas

New Restrictions for Missionaries in Russia

On October 4, 2007, proposed changes were introduced for the procedures for obtaining and maintaining long-term visas (that go beyond the term of a tourist visa). The new regulations are not yet finalized, and the interpretation of the decree is yet to be set. But here is the summary.

The current "religious workers" visa, as well as the business multi-entry visa, is valid for one-year. However, over a period of 180 days, all visa-subject foreign nationals will be limited to stays of 90 days over a 180 day period. This means that an American missionary church planter or Bible school teacher could spend only about half of his time (90 days of 180; six months of the year) in Russia.

In my case, I've never tried to stay more than two weeks at a time in Moscow; I continuously commute in / out of Russia without trying to take up residence. But for some this regulation would apply to our former missionary teachers at the seminary who, for all intents and purposes, taken up residence in Russia.

In a more subtle change, in order to renew the visa the Westerner would have to apply for the visa in a country of his permanent residence. That is to say, a missionary in Russian cannot simply go to Finland or any neighboring country of his choice to apply for a new visa. More than likely, he'll have to go back to his home country.

In my case, I have the German "green card". I could apply for the visa in both America or Germany. But most missionaries who have been lived in Russia have not set up residence in a nearby European country.