MURMANSK (RUSSIA) - Last Sunday, November 30, the Pentecostal Church in Murman celebrated the long-awaited event – the dedication of the new church building.
On the occasion of the solemn dedication of the church Head Bishop Edward Grabovenko, first deputy bishop Nickolay Zalutskiy, pastor of Good News from Cherepovets and a successful businessmen from Cherepovets Sergey Terekhov arrived to Murmansk.
Representatives of all denominations of the city – Baptists, Pentecostals, Catholics – came to congratulate the church. Pastors of daughter churches from the Kolskiy region were also there to share the joy.
On Sunday there were three services, when Christians of Murmansk and the region along with their guests offered up thanks to the Lord for His grace and mercy. Guests spoke at all three services.
Bishop Nickolay Zalutskiy preached on the cross and the blood of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit as the fundamental basis of the church and its mission, and how to build relationships, responding to the challenges of our time.
Pastor Sergey Terekhov talked about the importance of humility in order to succeed in life and ministry.
Head Bishop Edward Grabovenko preached about believing in the impossible and reminded that all things are possible to those who believe. The bishop gave altar call to those who wanted to make a step of faith, believeing in the impossible, who wanted to be a part of the major evangelistic ministry, which goal is to reach every person in our country with the Word of God – One Year for Jesus Project. About 50 people came forward. Ministers prayed for them and blessed them
In conclusion, Bishop Nickolay Zalutskiy read Solomon's prayer, urged the faithful to pray for the dedication of the new building, and Head Bishop Edward Grabovenko prayed the prayer of blessing.
Bishop ViKtor Filyk, Pastor of the church, thanked the architects and the construction team, who were present at the service. Pastor Sergey Terekhov handed them copies of gift editions of the Bible.
Pastor Filyk warmly thanked all the church for every donated ruble and for participation in the construction and decoration of the building. Indeed, the labor of many people was invested in this modern, beautiful building in the center of Murmansk. Members of the church are very grateful to the Lord: the church building was being built for a few years, and now the believers are happy to gather in a large hall that seats 850. According to Bishop Nickolay Zalutskiy, “everything in this building is first class, everywhere one can see the hand of dilligence and love.”
As the building was constructed and equipped the most modern systems of heating, ventilation and lighting were used. Spacious classrooms allow to have Sunday school, choir practicies and training center classes. The building has a coffee shop, rooms for different ministries and offices of the church.
Here is some history of the church, its mission and ministries:
The history of the Pentecostal Church in Murmansk began in the spring of 1990, – says the web-site of the church – when the first evangelistic campaign was organized in Murmansk by preacher from Riga Taras Savelyuk. At that time, a group of evangelists from Latvia accompanied by the musical group held several evangelistic concerts.
The Pentecostal Church in Murmansk opened in September 1990. A young preacher Viktor Filyk became its pastor. He and his wife Svetlana came from Riga after graduating from the Bible College in Jelgava, Latvia.
Today the church is developing dynamically. Daughter churches were opened in 13 communities in the city and the region. The Pentecostal Church in Murmansk by the grace of God is striving to become a strong unified church with thousands of small groups in each community of the Kola Peninsula. This is the mission of the church.
The main goal of the Pentecostal Church in Murmansk is to preach the Gospel throughout the Kola Peninsula, as well as in other cities and towns of our country. The main characteristic feature of the northern city of Murmansk is a constant outflow of its population to the south. Reconciled with the Lord and gone through the necessary ministry training, when they move, they become “natural missionaries” and a blessing for many churches in the central and southern parts of Russia.
The church is a home to representatives of different nationalities who live peacefully with each other. Though most church members are ethnic Russian, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Tatars, Saami, Komi and representatives of other nations serve the Lord together.
The Church is growing as one body in the Murmansk region. In different cities and towns of Murmansk region it is represented by churches and groups that feel and recognize their unity with each other. In the church association there is a training program for all church members and leaders of different levels.
Church actively minister to children, teenagers and youth, using different methods. Almost every church has Sunday school, Royal Rangers and other ministries for kids, teens and youth.
Representatives of the Pentecostal Church in Murmansk visit hospitals, prisons, orphanages and homes for the elderly people to preach the Gospel and serve in every way.
Photos of the construction of the temple can be seen on page VKontakte: http://vk.com/album-1775133_95807049
The Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith
