NOVOKUZNETSK – On June 14, a special worship service marking the 95th anniversary of Church on the Rock was held in Novokuznetsk. More than 1,300 people attended the celebration, including church members, missionaries, pastors of daughter churches, ministers, and guests from various regions of Russia.
Representatives of local government authorities were also present at the event. The church received a congratulatory message from the Governor of the Kemerovo Region.
Head Bishop of the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith (RCCEF), Eduard Grabovenko, took part in the celebration.
“Blessed is this church, and incredible is its story of God’s mercy and grace! Through persecution, hardships, and many obstacles, faith continued to rise and grow, like a shoot breaking through asphalt, enduring much along the way. The church has remained faithful, growing, and blessed,” he said in his greeting.
Eduard Grabovenko also expressed gratitude to the church’s lead pastor, Bishop Andrey Khoroshchenko, and his wife Marina for their many years of dedicated ministry and their contribution to raising missionaries, pastors, and leaders.
A special part of the celebration featured missionaries and pastors of daughter churches. Today, Church on the Rock in Novokuznetsk has 25 daughter churches, while the broader association includes more than 200 churches. During the anniversary service, these ministers were invited to the stage, their ministry locations were introduced, and they were honored for their work in spreading the Gospel. Some of them shared greetings and words of appreciation with the congregation.
Children also participated in the anniversary program. One of the most touching moments was a special segment called “There Will Be More of Us.” Families expecting children were invited to the stage, prayed over, and presented with commemorative gifts.
The history of Church on the Rock spans nearly a century. Throughout these years, the congregation has endured periods of hardship and restriction while remaining faithful to God and its calling. Today, the fruit of its ministry can be seen in dozens of churches, while many of its members and leaders continue to serve in various cities and regions: Saint-Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Tomsk, cities of Kemerovo, Altay regions.
To commemorate the anniversary, a documentary film was produced, telling the story of the church from its founding to the present day. The film features archival photographs, historical documents, and testimonies from believers of several generations.
It was symbolic that both missionaries serving in different regions and families expecting children stood on the stage during the anniversary service. Together, they served as a reminder that the story of Church on the Rock, which began 95 years ago, continues today and will carry on into future generations.
The Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith Pentecostals
