MOSCOW – On May 9th through 11th, 2019 the joint National Conference of the two largest Pentecostal associations of Russia – the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith and the Russian United Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals) – took place in Moscow. Video recordings of the conference services are available on Youtube.
More than 1,500 believers from all over Russia gathered in Moscow during the May holiday break to participate in the conference. “That the generation to come might know” (Psalm 78:6) was the theme of the Conference. Leaders of the Unions together with the special guests invited for the Conference shared words of instruction and encouragement. In addition to the main services, the Conference program included open discussions on the future of the Church and workshops on leadership and the role of the Church in the modern world.
The Head Bishop of the RCCEF Edward Grabovenko said about the event: "the Conference was very deep, very blessed. We need to have more events like that not only in Moscow, but throughout the country to begin to unite all those who love the Lord in our country for the great purposes of God."
"This is the first and good experience of cooperation between our two Unions. I am confident that there was the greatest will of God,” – said the Head Bishop of the RUUCEF Sergey Ryakhovsky. — “Each of us has experience, vision, understanding of the way. The fact that we gathered together today is only a beginning, I think, and God will use it for the awakening of Russia."
Beside the Head Bishops the leader of the Rostov association of the RCCEF Pavel Kolesnichenko and first Deputy of the Head Bishop of the RUUCEF Matts-Ola Ishoel served during the Conference.
The Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Andrey Vetluzhskih opened the Conference with a welcome address. The special guests covered various topics on building the Church and the service development. The apologist and evangelist, the Professor of the Theological College of the Wycliff Hall of the Oxford University Ravi Zacharias (USA) raised serious theological issues about the essence of human existence and the relationship of people with God.
Dr. Rev. Younghoon Lee (Korea), the Senior Pastor of the Yoido Full Gospel Church, the successor of the legendary Christian Minister pastor David Yong Cho, spoke about the importance of harmony and unity in the service to the Lord, while controvercy and divisions are the greatest enemies of the Church: "For the purpose of God we must be united!"
Dr. Robert Mawire from the USA inspired participants to serve God even more faithfully: "God cares so much about us that He sometimes places us in impossible situations to show His glory."
In addition to the main services, the Conference program included a series of workshops from Russian and foreign ministers. The pastor of the International Ministry of the Gateway Church Craig Terndrup (USA) shared his knowledge on how to create a healthy atmosphere in a church where each family who stepped over the threshold of the church would find everything they need: "a healthy church is a growing church." Dr. Catalina Reid-Martinez (USA), Professor and Vice-rector for Academic Affairs at the Oral Roberts University in the USA, spoke about global trends in the Church and leadership. International evangelist Mikel French (USA) shared his experience and testimonies on how to overcome difficulties and win victories in Christian life.
Workshops were also provided by the Vice-President of the Oral Roberts University Laura Bishop (USA); missionary, regional Director of AG Missions for CIS Robert Shipley; evangelist, Senior Pastor and founder of the City Mission Church Wee Tiong Howe (Singapore).
The Conference services are available for viewing on the RCCEF Youtube channel.
RCCEF, RUUCEF