“I have bad news and good news. The bad news is the Bible says things are going to get much worse for Christians. The good news is we know how the story ends!”

This is the thesis I shared with Russian brothers and sisters after telling them we were fellow citizens of the same kingdom.

Russian Baptists, Pentecostals and other evangelical churches are well grounded in Scripture and faith in Christ. Nevertheless, Russian society has never embraced traditional Christian values. Not only does Russian society reject biblical values, but also the Russian Orthodox Church labels these churches sects or cults of the devil.

GARDNER: From Russia with ... perceptions

The Russian federal government and Russian Orthodox Church are working hand in hand to influence society. So many neighborhood Orthodox churches are being built in every city that there are not enough priests to perform services. Why? Every centralized power seeks to maintain unity across a society, especially during turbulent and weakening economic times. What better natural enforcer and partner could a central government have than a national church?

Why are Russian Christians clinging to their Bibles such a threat to society and government? Society rejects accountability to anything higher than societal mores, and government always trumps competition for power or authority.

GARDNER: US has lost its moral anchor

As in biblical times, churches in Russia are flourishing in ministering to young people, addicts, homeless, widows and orphans. Churches are reaching out to those with the most needs. Young married couples are teaching teens how the Bible guides Christians to make wise choices. Homeless men are allowed to live in the church until they can get back on their feet. The church added a shower and restroom to accommodate their needs.

Widows who have no family to support them in their last years receive money and food when there is no other help. Orphans move in with church families until they are able to go out on their own.

One year ago, the little Baptist church of about 80 members began a ministry for men who were addicts. I met with the first group of men last year and learned this year that most had successfully graduated from the program and were doing well. This year I met with a new group, and we shared our life stories. Their stories were very hard with loss of families, jobs and homes. They ended up with nothing. But the church reached out to them and is offering new beginnings through faith in Christ. Evangelical ministries with addicts are far more successful than other programs for addicts in Russia.

One church member donated a house where the men could live together. The men have replaced the roof, repaired the toilet, added a shower, built bunk beds and other furniture, and restored a garden to help meet their needs. They are raising rabbits for meat and quail for eggs. They are studying the Bible daily and learning to overcome their addictions. They’re learning new skills and preparing to transition back into society.

At the Banja one night, men from the church quizzed me about American politics and the church. I told them about the latest shifts toward sexual perversion and that many churches were leading the movement. They were astounded pastors were celebrating sexual immorality in contradiction to Scripture. I told them that was the bad news, and it was only going to get worse until Jesus returns! That’s not only the good news; that’s the beginning of a whole new story!


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