FOREIGN MISSIONS:  RUSSIA

History of the Sosnogorsk church of Christ

    In the early 90's when the former USSR ended with the coming of a new political system, the so-called "the iron curtain" came to an end which had been separating Russia from world countries for a long time. Exactly at this period of early 90-s came a whirl tumbling in the lives of many Russians, as well as other countries and republics of the former USSR. People obtained more liberties & had access to books of recently forbidden authors who told severe truth on past. Many people began to revalue the their lives, turning more to God and Bible for answers.
    At this very time on the other end of the world divided by the ocean there were people who being moved by "The Great Commission" given by Jesus Himself in Mark 16:15-16, wanted to share the good news with Russian people and revive Christ's Church, the one for which our Lord had paid a great price of His precious blood that He shed on Calvary's cross about two thousand years ago. This Church of the New Testament was founded by Jesus Himself on the day of Pentecost, when upon hearing Peter's sermon on the need to repent and be baptized, some three thousand people obeyed this plan of salvation. From that very day the Church of Jesus Christ has been spread all over the world and it continues to exist due to followers of Christ called 'Christians' who keep on sharing the good news.  And in our days these people called "missionaries" or simply "evangelists" have decided to take Christ's message and bring it to Russian people. 
How Christ's Church came to the Komi Republic:
    An American teacher, a Christian, who worked at that time at the Syktyvkar University, arrived home & spoke of his impressions of Russia, how people there were interested in God which impressed many Christians. So summer 1992 groups of Christians from the states visited cities of Russia. Christian campaigns were also held also in f Syktyvkar, Ukhta, Inta, Pechora, Vorkuta, Usinsk, & Yarega.  As a result of those efforts many people were baptized into Christ. When time of their visit was nearly over something interesting happened.  Our Lord brought together the ways of wonderful Christians whose names are very well known in our congregation. They did not know each other before but arrived at the same period of time to Komi to preach the gospel. They were Tom Matherley and George Tucker who had been on a gospel campaign in Ukhta & Michael Underwood & his father who had been to Pechora. 
    Upon meeting in Ukhta hotel & exchanging thoughts they understood how wonderfully God's providence works. It turned out that Tom Matherley and George Tucker from East Ridge COC (Tennessee, Chattanooga) were looking for a preacher who would be willing to come back to Komi & start the Lord's Church there teaching Christians the Bible. Michael Underwood was concerned & he wanted exactly that & needed those who could help him in this work. They were told of a small town, Sosnogorsk not far from Ukhta & they went there to see it and Michael liked this quiet place. Michael came home & told his wife Janine on his desire to go to Russia. The whole family joined together to do God's will.
    They trusted that the Lord would help them His will. October 1992, Underwood family arrived to Sosnogorsk.  Many difficulties and inconvenienc: 'unknown language/culture', absence of many comforts & very straiten housing. Nevertheless thebegan their work of teaching God's word,preaching the gospel to all that thirsted & searched after God. For a couple of years Bible studies & worship services were conducted in one of the city's buildings where every night people came to hear a word of God. There were some though who came of curiosity to look at "real Americans". Many people continued to come each time & asked questions, discussed different things, opening a new understanding of "church", "baptism", "religious service", "repentance",&"sin". Soon the work of sowing God's Word into peoples' hearts gave its first fruits.  Upon believing into power of God's word people made their choice to become Christians & be baptized for the remission of their sins.  Among the very first Christians were: Antonova Ludmila & Marina, Branitskaya Natasha, Ekimova Valentina, Permyakov Volodya & Lina. It should be noted  the hard work of interpreters who worked with Mike & Janine. They were Natasha & Sasha. These girls lived in Ukhta &  worked very hard & spent much time with the Underwood's as for a time they could neither conduct Bible studies nor go shopping. 
    In April - May of 1993 a group of 6 preachers arrived & worked in the church here. They conducted daily Bible studies, taught God's plan of salvation, & gave answers from the Bible. Those wonderful men were David Bass, David Jones, David Macy, Jimie Suiter, Charles Cochran & Tucker Williams. This first gospel campaign was very fruitful. Many of today's Christians were baptized exactly at that time, including myself (N. P).  As for me this was my first experience of translating so I distinctly remember that period.  I was a witness of many baptisms but especially I remember baptisms of Lydia Selenskaya, Vera Sitnikova, Liza Sobinina. It is sad to say but many people however left after they were baptized & never came back to church wrongly supposing that they had got or done all they needed.
    But the church still grew in number & in spirit. New Christians got to know each other more & more & there began to develop close family relations which they shared with others their joys & sorrows.  Sunday tea parties became a good church tradition when we celebrated both physical & spiritual births & welcomed guest speakers from USA whom we love & appreciate for their good work & wonderful studies & sermons for spiritual growth of followers of Christ. Christians open their doors with hospitality to our dear brethren & share with them their meal.  October 4, 1992 became a birthday of the Sosnogorsk Church of Christ & this year it'll turn sixteen. Our congregation is still young with no men qualified for elders & deacons according to the New Testament requirements but we do hope that our men in future will correspond to that qualities that will allow them to lead this hard, responsible but very honorable work of keeping & watching over God's sheep.