Russia

Russia is a very large country.  Some of the news from Russia:  new roads have been built, more people are employed, and there is a higher standard of living.  However, all of these are only in the city of Moscow.  We hope this will grow to include all of Russia.

There will be elections held in the coming year, and “make no mistake, we will elect President Putin.”  There has been more government control of religious organizations.  The government is afraid that churches and religious organizations will influence elections.

The good news comes from the work God is doing through TCM students and graduates:

• The Vladimir Center of TCM is in the same building where the Vladimir church meets.  This year they renovated the building, which was closely monitored by government authorities.  They especially wanted to know if they will be working with Muslims.  The answer was, “No, but we will have lectures on how to work with them.”
• Last year, TCM students held 15 camps for children, and will have ten new camps this year.  They help children to be healthier, and share Christ with them.
• TCM students have organized ministries at orphanages, prisons, sports ministries, and other areas.
• TCM has taught students and graduates not to be afraid of difficulties.  At TCM students are told how to learn about problems and then how to solve them.  The problems in Russia are not as bad as 50 years ago.  In Russia, if you are Orthodox, everything is OK, but if you are not, it is difficult to get any help.

Alexey told of a phone message from his daughter-in-law, Dasha, who teaches a Bible study for children.  The children she teaches are very good students and have studied much of the Bible.  Recently, a 14-year-old asked Dasha to teach Revelation.

TCM prepares very good students – at age 14 or 15 they are almost ready to preach!  This is how God’s kingdom is growing.  This is TCM’s work.  We do not know how much each of us has invested in TCM, but this is not important.  What is important is working together for the kingdom of God!

In the last half of last year, the strategy of TCM in Russia changed, to grow to the East.  The Bible says we are to be “witnesses in Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”.  Most TCM students used to work in “Judea” but now are going east to Siberia and the ends of the earth.  With TCMI, students can do this.

Every month, Alexey receives messages from students.  To summarize, he says, “TCM changed my life, and heart, and mind, and spirit.  My heart became warmer for people, my mind more sharp to study the Bible, and spirit more firm to stand against evil.  My physical eyes are not so good, but spiritual eyes are better!  Thank you!”