PETROZAVODSK – This annual service called “Family and Church” was held on July 5–7. Traditionally the service is held on the eve of the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity. For the first time it was held in the building of the New Life Church, which after a long construction period opened its doors this year.
The inter-church service gathered married couples and ministers from several evangelical churches in Petrozavodsk: Good News, Cornerstone, and Living Spring. Believers from the congregations of the Karelian Association from Olonets, Kharlu, Belomorsk and others.
Bishop Vitaly Bushter, head of the Family Department of the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Pentecostal Faith, and his wife Natalia served at the event. Their wise counsel and spiritual authority had a beneficial effect on every family present at the service.
Before the service began, Vitaly and Natalia had a meeting with those who serve families: those responsible for family ministry in local congregations, pastoral counselors. At the meeting they discussed the principles of building family ministry, issues of doctrine within the family ministry. The Bushter’s answered questions of the participants.
The main part of the program was the speeches of ministers with important messages and instructions for couples:
- The purpose of man and woman
- Relationship and the basic needs of spouses
- The four seasons of relationships in every marriage
- Bad communication habits in marriage
- Conflict resolution in marriage
- Intimate relationships in the Christian family
Ministers took time to focus on family prayer. They taught how to pray for themselves, their role in the family, and how to pray together. And they immediately practiced what they talked about.
Participants felt that prayer — personal and communal — is a source of inspiration, comfort, and guidance.
Music has always been a powerful tool for uniting and praising God. At the inter-church service, participants sang Christian hymns.
The inter-church service included a children's program, where the kids participated in interesting and informative activities under the supervision of experienced educators: played wooden games in the open air, drew in a drawing contest.
An integral part of the service was common prayers for families to support each other spiritually. The opportunity to communicate, share joys and difficulties of life, and pray for each other always gives new strength and hope.
According to Anatoly Saveliev, the organizer of the event and administrator of the New Life Church, the instructions and advice of Vitaly and Natalia were simple, but profound. The practical part of the ministry added value to it. The participants saw the importance of developing family ministry in their churches. “We thank God and ministers Vitaly and Natalia Bushter for new knowledge, inspiration, wise advice and guidance for family relationships.”
The Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith/Pentecostals
