Moscow Holy Work Update

This year’s theme of the church’s ministry work was “Victory Achieved, Victory Imminent.” The theme of the Evangelical Services and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC) at the beginning of the year was “Victory Through the Lord,” and the theme of the spring ESSC in May was “Living Hope.” These two ESSCs were arranged by the United Kingdom General Assembly, in which two holy workers sermonized and shared the word of God through the Internet while Moscow believers met in person at the church.

After being able to obtain another visa, Deacon Zephaniah Hsu came to Russia from June 30 to July 16 to assist in the holy work. During that time, he held Holy Communion and a five-day student spiritual convocation. He also visited many believers and truth seekers. Originally, only four students registered for this student spiritual convocation. Later on, two students who had planned to return to mainland China changed their plans and invited two more students from China. In the end, a total of eight students attended the spiritual convocation.

Approximately half of the members here work in a trade market, and some have not attended services for a long time. Hence, in the latter half of the year, a plan was created to set up a place of worship in the market, after the council members had discussed corresponding suggestions from local believers. Thank God! In the first half of this year, a member who bought an apartment next to the market opened up his home as a place of worship. After obtaining broad consent of believers in the local area, a podium, whiteboard, offering box, and stools were prepared.  On October 20, services began. Bible study services are tentatively set every Tuesday and Friday, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the same time as the previous online Bible studies, with believers living far from the market joining virtually.

The evangelical work consists mainly of evangelical services held on the first Sabbath of each month, Sunday family services, and personal evangelism. Since the local government prohibits flyering, the church provides e-pamphlets that include a description of our church’s basic beliefs and links to both audio and video sermons as well as testimonies. Currently, there are eight truthseekers, four of whom are stable and two of whom have already submitted applications for water baptism.

Thank God for His mercy and protection! The Russia-Ukraine war is still ongoing – Moscow has been attacked by drones several times, sanctions imposed by other countries on Russia continue, the ruble has depreciated, inflation continues to grow. Nevertheless, the services and holy work in Moscow Church continue to proceed normally. The believers’ faith is stable, and their daily work and lives have not been greatly affected. 

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the concern and prayers of our fellow believers around the world. May all praise and glory be unto the holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Hallelujah, amen!