The Russia Project
For many years now we have been helping the growth of the Christian Church in the states of the former Soviet Union. We have been providing some support to a couple, who were stationed in Moscow, whose ministry was to travel to the churches scattered throughout the different former Soviet states.
These churches had been established by graduates of the Campus Life sponsored Bible College that was functioning in Moscow. In many of these locals, the biggest problem experienced by these young churches was that they had no facilities they could call their own. They were therefore at the whim of their local governments as to what facilities they could rent and when they could have them. Although the government was giving the church tacit approval to function, they continue to make things very difficult for them to grow. As a result, we saw the need for these small congregations to own their own buildings. It takes anywhere from $50,000.00 to $300,000.00 to build a church in many of these smaller locations.
Seeing this as a need, Lost & Found has taken it on itself to help raise the money needed to help build these churches. As a result of these efforts we have been able to raise $60,000 to help build a church in Anapa, a resort city on the Black Sea. This church is flourishing and they are seeing souls saved and real Christian growth.
Our next project has been the church in Bishkek, Krygystan. This is an area where 99.9 per cent of the population is Musklim. In the past 5 years there have been 3,000 mosques built in this city of 1 million people. This church with a membership of 250 people is one of only a few evangelical churches in this entire area. Ken and Irma visited with the congregation last September to see what we could do to help. During their visit they had the opportunity to meet with the leadership. It was an amazing experience as they spoke and visited with them to understand their heart for God and the community. During this time they also had an opportunity to pray for the needs of these leaders and this turned into a healing service. Over the next few days, of the fifteen people present in the meeting, more than half of them experienced a healing from God. One of the pastors was healed of a persistent cough that he had dealt with for more than two years. The son of one of the other pastors had severe stomach problems and the doctors were baffled why he was not accepting nourishment from his food. Within days the ylittle boy was eating, running and playing and totally healed. Since our visit there, we have seen just over $160,000 raised to build the facility there. The total budget is approximately $300,000.00. We believe this church will be built and occupied by next year. (picture to follow).
We are continuing to raise money for this project and others as well. All funds received can be tax receipted through Lost & Found ministries.
