Today we live in an era of “diluted Christianity.” Attracting just anyone to the church
would be to pollute it. We pray that not we, but Jesus Christ alone, receive all the glory
for the building of His church. As John Chrysostom said, “If you knew how quickly
people will forget you after your death, you would strive to please no one but God in
In these difficult times, as military action continues, Russian believers need comfort,
revival, and unity. We recall in 1944, when the All-Union Council of Evangelical
Christians-Baptists (AUCECB) was founded. Back then, Baptists, Mennonites,
Evangelical Christians, and representatives of other Christian denominations were
brought together in times of hardship, sharing communion on stale bread and beetroot
juice.
“Bless the Lord, all you His angels, mighty in power, who do His word, obeying the
voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, His ministers, who do His pleasure.
Bless the Lord, all you His works, in all the places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O
Visiting various churches, I notice that our brotherhood stands on biblical grounds. It’s
no coincidence that the theme of the Congress is “According to Your Word.” We strive
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
“Go” – evangelism (on the streets, on transport, through paintings on biblical subjects),
missionary work, sports ministry, trips to post-war territories in the LPR and DPR.
“Teach” – Sunday schools, seminaries, and training for ministers and youth leaders.
Graduates of the St. Petersburg Christian University, the North Caucasus Bible Institute
of the Evangelical Christians-Baptists, the Theological Evangelical Association of
Eurasia, and the Moscow Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Christians-Baptists
are embarking on the path of serving the Lord.
“Baptism” includes prayers, meetings, and the ordination of pastors and deacons. Up
to 1,500 believers are baptized annually in the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-
Baptists. There are approximately 1,200 Baptist churches in Russia, with a membership
of 60,000 to 65,000 Baptists.
“…it is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer.’” Matthew 21:13
The construction of churches and houses of worship continues. Our brotherhood is
especially delighted by the House of the Gospel in St. Petersburg. The building,
constructed in 1911, housed a hospital during the wars, and since 1930, an Electric
factory. Before the House was returned to the faithful in 2024, it stood locked for 84
years. Thanks to the efforts of volunteers and donations, restoration work has begun
and continues. 260 truckloads of trash, along with tens of tons of decayed books and
furniture, have been removed. And so, on April 26, 2026, the first open service with the
Lord’s Supper was held at the House of the Gospel on Vasilievsky Island in St.
Petersburg. “Built by faith. Closed by coercion. Returned by prayer.” Glory to God for
His work in the hearts of those in power and the sacrifices of ministers and believers!
We pray that the House of the Gospel will be ready to receive delegates and guests of
the next, 38th Congress in 4 years.
After the flood, a new church building is being rebuilt in the Orenburg region, a church is
being erected in Istra, near Moscow, and half of the funds needed to build a new prayer
house in the village of Ulan, Yakutia, after a fire, has been raised. After the attack, the
destroyed prayer house in Zaporizhzhia must be rebuilt… Only reconciliation and
peacemaking—that’s the only way we can preserve the love between our peoples,
overcoming all the tragedies of the special military operation that continues between
Russia and Ukraine. We pray for each other, for an end to hostilities as soon as
possible.”
Peter Mitskevich also noted the tremendous work of the Wycliffe Bible Translators’
Mission in Russia. Representatives of 194 nationalities live in our country, and the Holy
Scriptures have already been translated into many languages and dialects of small and
large nations. Meanwhile, another 30 nationalities do not have the Gospel in their native
languages.
The Women’s Ministry is actively developing. Regional sisterhood conferences offer an
opportunity to instruct wives, mothers, grandmothers, and single sisters in the truth so
they can fully serve the Lord with openness, joy, and confidence in the love of His
unique Creation. The conferences inspire sisters from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka to
evangelize their cities and villages and to feel empowered to be a Light of God in their
families. Annual conferences are held for those leading teen and children’s ministries,
and family retreats and summer camps are organized for children.
The Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists regularly publishes the
newspaper “Missionary News” and the magazine “Christian Word.” Since 2021, the
Great All-Russian Christian Media Conference, part of the “Church and the Media”
series, has been held annually in Moscow. This forum of Christians striving to make a
name for themselves in the media space traditionally brings together representatives of
secular media, who share their skills in disseminating information, especially in the era
of the widespread use of artificial intelligence.
Dmitry Kuznetsov addressed a very sensitive and painful topic for believers: the
discussion in the State Duma of the Russian Federation of amendments to Bill No.
1149587-8 “On Amending Articles 16 and 24-1 of the Federal Law ‘On Freedom of
Conscience and Religious Associations’ and Article 17 of the Housing Code of the
Russian Federation.” If these amendments are adopted, a large number of believers in
the country, including Evangelical Baptists, could lose the opportunity to conduct
religious services, rites, and ceremonies in residential and non-residential premises. He
emphasized that, as a deputy, he will support the Russian Union of Evangelical
Christians-Baptists’ appeal to the President of the Russian Federation on this issue,
urge his colleagues to review the proposed amendments, and will make every effort to
protect Baptist organizations currently located in apartment buildings.
Viktor Ignatenkov reported on his work as Vice President. He noted the sense of unity
and brotherhood that had developed over eight years of working together. “We have
maintained friendly relations and optimism. Close ties have been established between
the office and churches in various regions of Russia. I have traveled extensively to
many cities, meeting with local administrations and advocating for our churches. And
when I see the names of Peter and myself on the prayer sheets of a church in
Krasnoyarsk, it is very precious. I thank my brothers and sisters for praying with love.
With a clear conscience, I conclude my eight years of work. I remain open to everyone,
as always.”
The first day of the Congress was particularly inspiring and festive, so vibrant was the
joy of meeting and fellowship among pastors and ministers from all regions of our vast
country, so powerful and penetrating was the Word of God from the lips of our brothers
abroad. The unforgettable warm and cheerful atmosphere of the meeting was enhanced
by the combined choir of the Bryansk Evangelical Christian-Baptist churches
(incidentally, according to statistics, the Bryansk region is the most evangelized region
in Russia: there are 27 Baptists per 10,000 people, and 44 active Evangelical Christian-
Baptist churches). The choir filled the hall with multi-part Christian hymns and spiritual
songs.
The second day of the event was devoted to organizational matters, which are
inseparable from the spiritual quest of the ministers. The congress highly praised the
work accomplished over the past eight years by President Mitskevich, VP Ignatenkov,
the Board, and the Council of the Union, and expressed gratitude to all the ministers of
the brotherhood for their work.
The brothers engaged in a lively and active discussion of various aspects of the Union’s
leadership. As a result, Peter Mitskevich was elected for a third term of four years.
Alexey Pichugin, pastor of the Baptist Church in Noginsk (Moscow Region) and senior
overseer of the Baptist Churches of the Moscow Region, was elected as Vice President.
The Union’s board of directors, comprised of regional deputies, was approved. It was
also noted that a Strategic Development Committee had been established within the
Union.
The Congress delegates unanimously voted for an appeal to Russian President
Vladimir Putin. It noted that “the proposed bill’s restriction of religious services, rites,
and ceremonies to individuals residing in residential premises directly contradicts the
teaching of Holy Scripture, according to which Christians gathered together in homes for
joint prayer, worship, and the Lord’s Supper (the Eucharist). Spiritual fellowship in the
home is most conducive to strengthening traditional family values. The Union of
Evangelical Christians-Baptists continues to contribute to peacemaking processes,
developing international spiritual diplomacy, and building bridges between peoples of
different countries. We pray for your health and wisdom as President of the Russian
Federation.”
In their message to the churches of the UECB it was stated, “Let us continue to live by
God’s Word, pray for our country, our government, our people, preach the Gospel, be
peacemakers, and carry out a ministry of mercy!”
Alla Stambolidi
