When it was part of the Soviet Union, Russia was officially
atheist: People could be persecuted for practicing religion;
foreigners were expelled simply for arriving in the country with
Bibles.
When it was part of the Soviet Union, Russia was officially atheist: People could be persecuted for practicing religion; foreigners were expelled simply for arriving in the country with Bibles.
The Bible is now widely available, but according to Todd Kerns, director of New Life Bible College in Moscow, “It is often misunderstood and misapplied. We are working to change that.”
The Rev. Mark Milwee, pastor of Gilroy’s First Baptist Church, is also working for this goal. In October he traveled to Moscow and spent three weeks teaching a course called “Personal Spiritual Life” to first-year students at the college, giving them “tools to help themselves and others grow in their relationship with Christ.”
New Life was founded ten years ago by Campus Crusade for Christ to train Russians for Christian ministry; now students come from all parts of the former Soviet Union as well and Africa and China.
Pastor Milwee, who has taught at the college on three previous occasions, marvels at the high quality of students: half have university (including graduate) degrees, and many come from secular careers like teaching, law, medicine, and engineering. The average age of the approximately 50 students is 28.
New Life Bible College offers instruction that is intensely practical. It’s slogan is “Where pastors teach pastors,” and the majority of instruction is provided by visiting overseas pastors who raise funds to pay their own transportation and living expenses, plus a financial contribution toward the school’s operating expenses.
A typical school day runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with time spent after class to confer with students In addition to teaching his classes, Pastor Milwee addressed the school’s student body at a chapel session to talk about hospital ministry, the subject of his doctoral dissertation now in progress. He also had an opportunity to meet with some of his former students who are engaged in ministry in the Moscow area .Because most of the Russian people are very poor, local pastors are frequently “bi-vocational,” meaning that they support themselves through secular employment.
Pastor Milwee attended several church services, including the Moscow Bible Church which is housed in the college facility. He says worship services typically last two to three hours and may include two or three sermons given by different preachers.
Perhaps because freedom of religion is a new experience for Russians, Milwee sees “a genuine hunger for Christ… believers have a real passion for the Lord. They seem to have a sense of urgency for worship which is not as evident in our country where it is more taken for granted.”
He also noticed that Moscow seems to have changed greatly since he started his regular visits. There are more fast food restaurants, more automobiles, and shopping malls are springing up everywhere, “even across from Lenin’s Tomb.”
There is always a need for more pastors to help in teaching potential ministers, and Milwee would be glad to talk with any clergy interested in knowing more about his experiences. Call 847-6000 to reach him. New Life Bible College would also welcome contributions to support students in the program. To find out more check the internet at www.biblecollege.ru.
Chuck Flagg teaches English at Mt. Madonna High School. Write him c/o The Dispatch, P.O. Box 22365, Gilroy, CA 95021.
