by Scott Caldwell

How I got involved working in Russia

Sometime around 1985 a friend of mine talked me into going with a group to Russia.  He had been part of the group before and he encouraged me to go.  The group went to the city of Ulyanovsk on the Volga River about 500 miles west of Moscow.  The team I traveled with taught the Bible by way of teaching English.  As a chiropractor, my job was to meet and talk with medical doctors.  The trip went well and I got to know the members of the Church there. 

 

How my ministry evolved

The church in Ulyanovsk did not have a preacher, which is common in many Russian cities since the church has not been there for many years.  A retired man, Norm Kinney, made it his ministry to go and work with the church for three months at a time.  He encouraged others to go and help out when he was not there.  At his prompting, I went and stayed by myself for a couple of weeks.  While I was there I would preach on Sundays and hold Bible classes during the week.  The church members were happy to have an opportunity to study the Bible more and I would have about five different studies a day with them.  Some would bring non-Christian friends with whom I would get to share the Gospel.  All of this teaching, of course, was done through an interpreter.  So, my ministry evolved to be one of teaching in congregations where there was no full-time preacher.  Over the years I have been to Ulyanovsk four times. 

Don Ossmon's work in Russia

2003

In 2003 I traveled twice to the city of Omsk.  My first trip was as a member of Don Ossman's team.  His team has worked in Romania for years, in Brazil one year, and this was their first year in Russia.  Their main job was to hold a Vacation Bible School to reach children and ultimately their parents as well.  This is a unique event in Russia and it sparked much interest.  The first day seven children came.  By the end of the week there were about 80 children.  It was a great experience for the community and the church.  The team members spent much time with the church members every day and ate with them as well.   During this trip I taught a Bible class every evening and made myself available for questions and Bible studies.  I became well acquainted with the church members and was very impressed with their desire to learn and their degree of spiritual commitment.  I returned in November 2003 and did daily Bible teaching for the whole group.  As usual, I was inspired by their desire to learn and glad I could help.  Don's group plans to return again to Omsk in July 2004. He is always looking for committed Christians to join him in his work.

 

Omsk, Russia  2004

REPORT 

 

PHOTOS

Unfortunately, this year did not start out like any of the previous years.  Finding a building to hold our classes in was extremely difficult.  Both the government and the Russian Orthodox Church are doing their best to keep all religious organizations out of Omsk.  A few weeks before we were scheduled to leave we were able to rent classrooms in the House of Culture.  The Cost of rooms in this building was two and a half times more than what we had budgeted, however was perfect for what we were doing.  This building is considered a “neutral” building in the city.  That means that neither the government nor the Orthodox Church has any authority over who can be in this building.  The other major problem prier to our trip was obtaining our visas.  After continuous promises from the Russian Consulate’s Office we finally received them the afternoon before the day we left. 

Our trip overall was totally successful.  Being in Russia, the motherland of Communism, and where religion of any kind has been strongly opposed for the last two generations, having more than two hundred and fifty attending our children’s Bible classes was extremely encouraging.  Our actual figures were: 259 attending the children’s classes, 138 adults in the evening adult Bible class, with 95 adults staying after the class for a question and answer period.  During this time we also had several individual Bible studies. 

In addition to our Bible studies we were involved in a number of other projects.  We conducted a special Bible program for some inner city children complete with crafts and singing.  Last year we purchased sports equipment for a rehabilitation hospital and this year I helped them financially to aid in continuing their program.  Several of us went to a hospital in Omsk to offer assistance in their children’s wing.  A Bible program was put on for 25 children with crafts and singing, and each child receiving a “goodie” bag to keep.  We were able to purchase for them ten mattresses with complete bedding and pillows, two blood pressure monitors, stethoscopes, special syringes, and reflectors. 

Fortunately, we were able to spend more time this year with members of the local church.  Time was spent with some in counseling and in going over some special church related problems.  In addition we were able to spend some good quality time in fellowship, prayer, and singing. 

As always this is a team effort.  It could not happen without the abilities of all the workers, and the support of you.  Your financial help, prayers, and encouragement are what enable the Gospel of Christ and the strengthening of the church to be carried out in areas of the world like this.  I thank you for all your help, and pray God’s richest blessings on all you do to glorify His name. 

Love in Christ,

Don Ossman

Director