2020-09-15
Words from the President September 2020
Last month we caught up with President Mitskevich after a long quarantine and slow reopening period. There are many lessons people have learned, so we continue now with another update on how Covid-19 has changed Russian lives, churches and communities, especially as the church celebrates Harvest and evaluation happens.
Are most of the Russian churches back to meeting together after the quarantine period?
Right now we are in the beginning stages of a period of the Coronavirus called the second wave, and in Moscow and the central region of Russia, several churches are now suffering with the virus, and they have really made a wise decision to do their worship service online to protect their members.
What lessons do you think people are learning?
The Lord has taught several lessons to people who suffered through Covid-19 or cared for those who ministered to the sick. Lesson 1) Our life is so short. Nobody knows when their life will be over, and they should be ready to meet with God. It’s a very important lesson. It means all of us have to prioritize our lives: our relationship with God, our family, and about what we are doing in ministry. How are we spending our life and for what? Lesson 2) We are now in a new stage of ministry looks like a hybrid where we have to use all new technologies, but that doesn’t mean we can relax in our ministry, it just looks a little different now. Lesson 3) We have to keep doing the ministry of God, and support the ministry of God, not just to be a receiver but a doer. The Lord gave us life and a special assignment to share His light, His gospel.
Summing it up: People often think about themselves and the close ones around them, and so this has been a good time for people to ask the question, “How is my relationship with God? How can I serve my older relatives, and really invest in my children to love the Lord? How will I serve you and in what capacity?”
How are those lessons specifically relating to this season in the Russian Church?
This season mid September/early October in the church right now is called the Harvest (Zhatva). Right now our hearts are full of thanksgiving and gratitude to the Lord, for all that He’s provided for us, giving us life, and food on the table. On another side, it’s a time to ask, “How am I being fruitful? Am I witnessing? How am I serving the Lord?” It’s a time to evaluate how we are investing our time. We must now ask, “What are my priorities? Where are we going as a church? What should we do next?” I am so glad that in our churches we have love, joy and hope. And we have this only in Jesus Christ. In Him. He is the foundation, the Pastor.
Peter, we are thankful for your ministry, and pray the Lord gives continues to give you wisdom to lead and guide the UECB for the cause of Christ’s church and His glory!
