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Grow in Faith as You Serve on a Christian Mission Trip

Christian Mission Trips

Our Christian mission experiences give youth, teens, and adults the time to connect with Jesus and each other through home repair and community service projects. As you step out of your normal routine and serve others, you’ll learn leadership skills and strengthen your spiritual foundation. You’ll be stretched beyond your comfort zone, encouraged to focus on the needs of others instead of your own, strengthen your faith, and grow in Christian character.

The Group Mission Trips team dedicates extensive time and energy to create a new program experience that is woven throughout your mission trips experience, connecting your service to your Christian faith. Here’s how:

Morning Program – Jump-start the day with a morning program, an introduction to the daily theme, and thoughtful conversation before launching into service projects.
Crew Devotions – During lunch, share meaningful conversation about Jesus’ connection to your service and the daily theme with those you are serving with.
Evening Program – Gather for a high-energy experience that celebrates the way God is uniquely working in the community. You’ll also explore the daily theme using video, drama, music, and impactful conversations, all centered on Jesus.
Group Devotions – You’ll meet with your group to unpack the day, exchanging stories of how you saw God at work during the day. You’ll cap the day with conversation centered around Scripture, the daily theme, and prayer together.

With your involvement, residents are helped, communities are strengthened, and lives are changed!

Accreditations & Memberships

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Short-Term Missions.

Long-term impact..

Group Mission Trips creates the perfect environment for youth and adults to build relationships and make a long-term impact while serving on short-term mission trips across the world.

“I have been taking High School aged youth on mission trips for approximately 20 years. Over the last 12 years I have used GMT. They are by far the best I have used. Their programing is Christ centered and thought provoking.”

Terry O'Hanlon

Workcamp Attendee

“Been on Group Mission Trips for about 15 years! It is a tremendous program and gets kids (and adults!) to participate actively in the expansion of God's Kingdom. The leadership, administration, and staff have been wonderful for each experience. My youth group (as well as myself) have been blessed continually throughout the years!”

“Summer 2019 was my first experience with GMT. I took a group of high schoolers to a South Dakota for home repair on a reservation, and a group of middle + high schoolers to Denver. Both trips were very organized and communication with staff was wonderful! We are excited to use Group again this year! ”

Emily Pearce

Workcamp Participant

“Group Mission Trips provides everything you need to have an amazing, life-changing service experience! Their professional, caring staff is there to guide you in every step of the process.... ”

Beth Taylor

“I've been on 6 mission trips with this organization and I have grown so much because of these experiences. I can not say enough good things about this company! Thank you Group Mission Trips! ”

Sydney Lewis

“One single review cannot describe the life-changing experience that can be had with GMT. Taking middle school and high school kids to an experience that is outside of 'normal' for most kids, helping revitalize communities, and meet people outside their current home and social media bubble is priceless... ”

Brian Anderson

“ I always found the trips well organized and managed, with staff that were dedicated to serving the community hosting the Workcamp, as well as the growth of the youth involved. Having seen the positive outcomes for all involved, I sought out opportunities to continue my involvement with Group Mission Trips after my son graduated from high school.”

Marvin Rasch

“I have worked with Group Mission Trips since the early 90s. Each and every summer it is such a blessing to serve others and help in various communities. There have been so many life changing events over the years. I would definitely recommend Group Mission Trips to others... ”

Phyllis Looker

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate.

For Workcamps & Week of Hope

Due to liability, under-aged participants will be sent home at their own expense ( NO babies or any children under the required age).
Only registered participants are permitted at the lodging facility and on the project sites.
No special skills are required.
19 or 20 year olds are welcome to attend as participants! Remember that only those that are 21 or older will be considered “adults” at camp and count in your 1 adult to 5 youth required ratio.

Will our group be working together?

We normally split groups up into work crews. But, we are willing to work with your group on how you’d like to split into crews. Our work crews are made up of six people with usually one or two adults and four or five youth--typically each person from a different church. If you’d like to have your youth meet new friends and develop friendships outside of your youth group, then allow us to split up your group. If you have specific church safety rules that require your group to be together, we are more than happy to arrange that for your group as well. Our top priority is to partner with you to arrange the best experience for your youth group and help you meet your ministry goals.

What about safety?

Safety is our top priority!

We require groups to bring 1 adult (21 or older) for every 5 participants that are under 21 years of age.
We require participants that are 18 and older be screened and background-checked by their church. Their pastor signs off that they meet Group Mission Trips' requirements and that they are approved to attend.
Every staff member has been screened, background-checked, and reference checked by Group Mission Trips.
For overall protection, we have separate shower times designated for participants that are 17 and younger from those that are 18 and older.
We review safety procedures at camp.
Participants are not required to do any work that they consider unsafe.
Although we do serve in needy areas, we require crews to stay together at all times. No one should ever be left alone and all participants are back at the lodging facility by their designated check in time.
Group Mission Trips' staff visit the crews every day so they are aware of where a crew is working and any issues in the area.
Every crew has the direct phone number to the GMT office and directions to the closest hospital. If an injury occurs on the project site, and is not serious, GMT staff will contact the youth leader and coordinate any transportation needed. If the injury is serious, the adult on site will call 911 and GMT staff will offer support and ensure needed medical forms are delivered to hospital.
Each crew will have a small first aid kit and a bigger one for every vehicle.

The safety of your group is a top priority for us, as we’re sure it is for you. In all the areas we serve, we take extra precautions to make sure you or your group is as safe as possible. Guided by our local, experienced ministry staff partners, we avoid situations that are inherently dangerous. We’re also proactive by choosing lodging facilities and transportation that are safe and reliable. Our mission trip advisors are glad to answer further safety questions.

What about transportation?

For Domestic trips

Groups must provide transportation to and from the mission trip as well as daily to and from the sites.
All vehicles must be available for transportation to and from the sites. (Mileage or fuel costs are not reimbursed for any transportation costs.)
Vehicles with a minimum capacity of six passengers are requested, with seat belts. While adults will be driving their vehicles, they typically will not be transporting a crew that includes their own youth members. Typically, the youth from your group will be traveling in other vehicles with their crews.
Due to rough terrain and narrow roads, there are some locations that are labeled “Not Bus Accessible”. If you are serving at one of these, you’ll need to plan on bringing smaller vehicles.

What will we be doing?

For Workcamps

Your participants will provide home repairs at no cost for elderly, disabled, and disadvantaged people who need your help. Work crews typically serve the same resident for the entire trip, creating an environment where meaningful relationships develop.

Most projects are designed to be completed during the trip, allowing your group to experience the satisfaction of a job well done. You’ll serve the needs of others through projects like interior and exterior painting, building or repairing porches and wheelchair ramps, building or repairing steps, weatherization and other home repairs. No skills are needed!

For Week of Hope

Be ready to tackle any project and expect to interact each day with local residents from the community. Crews typically serve at the same organization for the entire camp (or at the most 2 organizations), creating an environment where meaningful relationships develop.

Projects could include working with children at a day camp, serving at a food bank or homeless shelter, leading a Vacation Bible School, improving the homes of people in need, assisting the elderly, tutoring struggling kids, working with disabled children, facilitating a sports camp, and/or serving churches and other human service organizations in different ways. If there are any minor repair projects, we may ask your group to bring a few small hand tools and paint brushes.

Where do we stay?

For Workcamps

A Workcamp can hold up to 400 participants and we house them all typically at a middle or high school. Group Mission Trip staff transforms the facility into a home away from home–there will be a separate boy’s hall and girl’s hall, a cafeteria for meals, adequate bathrooms and showers, and either a gym or auditorium for programs.

Participants need to bring twin-size air mattresses, pillows, sleeping bags or other bedding to sleep on classroom floors. Youth groups are assigned to sleeping rooms together, gender separate. Sleeping rooms may be shared with other youth groups, depending on the size of groups and the size of the room.

Registered groups can see more information about their lodging facility online on their Customer Account under Lodging Info. The primary contact will have access to the lodging facility’s address.

A Week of Hope can hold up to 100 participants and we house them all typically at a local church. Group Mission Trips' staff transforms the facility into a home away from home–there will be a separate boy’s hall and girl’s hall, a space for meals, adequate bathrooms and showers, and a space for the programs.

Participants need to bring twin-size air mattresses, pillows, sleeping bags or other bedding to sleep on floors. Youth groups are assigned to sleeping rooms together, gender separate. Sleeping rooms may be shared with other youth groups, depending on the size of groups and the size of the room.

What is the menu? What if there are special dietary needs?

For Workcamps and Week of Hope

Meals will consist of hot breakfasts, picnic-style lunches, and hot dinners. All meals will be prepared for participants by kitchen staff. Picnic-style lunches will be assembled in the mornings and brought to work sites. The first provided meal is dinner on Sunday and the last meal is breakfast on Saturday. IMPORTANT NOTE: Dinner is NOT provided on Wednesday, youth groups have free time this day and dinner is on their own.

For registered groups: If you have a participant that has to eat gluten-free--please let us know. We can have a few gluten free options at camp, but need to know in advance to plan. The sample menu is located on your customer account, under Helpful Resources, and under Schedule, Menu, and Packing. Share this with your participants so they can start planning. Participants with special diets or allergies are welcome to bring their own food items to fill in as needed during the week. Please know that we do have peanut butter on the menu. Group Mission Trips is unable to guarantee there will not be any cross-contamination during meal preparation by kitchen staff. There will be a staff member available at camp who will be able to answer any questions about food.

What are the programs like?

Focused on Jesus. Our goal is to point people to Jesus. Programs focus on Bible passages and daily themes that challenge us to respond to Jesus in ways we will never forget.

Interactive . People learn better by doing. Participants will be involved in sharing, speaking, acting, reflecting...not just sitting and watching.

Relevant. Through creative multimedia, thought provoking sound and video, our programs are designed to reach everyone.

Fun. Relationship-building activities, games and having fun are part of every program. Expect to have a great time!

What's included in the registration fee?

Lodging during the camp.
All meals, except for dinner on Wednesday for a Workcamp.
Site selection and organization.
Supplies and project materials for each work site.
Bible-based thematic, fun, faith building programs.
Devotions to do before, during, and after camp.
Highly trained staff to handle all the details.
Custodians and cafeteria staff to take care of lodging cleanliness and meals.
An online customer account full of camp information and resources to help prepare you and your group for camp.
Unlimited customer support from professional and courteous staff.
T-shirt and Mission Handbook for each participant.

For an expanded list of Frequently Asked Questions, please visit our FAQ Page for details about each experience we offer.

Have Questions?

Bri, our Customer Care Advisor, can answer any questions you have about serving on a Mission Trip.

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“Exalting His Name together”

Send us a message Year Planner

Church of God World Missions – Africa

On May 11, 1938 the Cunard White Star Lines landed at Lobito Bay, Angola; on board Pearl and Edmond Stark, the first Church of God Missionaries to enter Africa. Through their Missionary efforts the Church of God established its first Missions outreach on the African continent. Since then the Church of God, with International Headquarters in Cleveland TN. has spread throughout the African continent and has currently been established in 46 nations in sub-Saharan Africa.

With a membership of over 830 000 in 6974 congregations the Church of God is part of the Pentecostal movement of Africa and privileged to be part of God’s move on the great continent of Africa.

Philippines Mission Team Trip Announced

February 23, 2022 Asia , Press Release

Join us for a mission trip to the Philippines in early November 2022. Our mission team will spend eight to ten days in-country plus at least twenty-four hours travel to and from the Philippines.

The team will depart from Atlanta, and team members are responsible for their own travel to and from Atlanta.

The cost of the trip is approximately $2,800 and includes airfare from Atlanta, transportation while in Philippines, meals, and lodging.

Each team member should have a passport that is valid six months beyond the dates of the trip.

According to current Philippine Government regulations, all persons entering the Philippines must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, including having all necessary booster shots, at least fourteen days before entering the country. In relaying this information, we are not endorsing the vaccines, nor asking you to get vaccinated. This is a choice between you and God.

We kindly ask that you do not conduct Internet fundraising and that funds raised for this trip do not interfere with other offerings.

Download a Mission Team Application from our website. See you in Asia!

From Local to Global: The 7 Key Benefits of Short-Term Mission Trips for Your Church

April 4, 2024

As you read, I hope you are stirred to action and plug in more with their great organization. And, for further study, sign up for our FREE webinar where I’ll interview Pastor Jeff Mueller on April 11 th . It’s called “Helping Churches Do Outreach that Actually Reaches the Vulnerable.”

Without further ado, here are his words.

Why should churches be involved in a global mission?

In my over thirty years as a pastor, church planter and missionary, I have learned that churches who focus on both the local mission field (neighborhood, community, town, city) and at least one specific long-term global mission field, not only fulfill our Lord’s Great Commission in a much-greater capacity, but grow stronger, more faithful disciples, both across the street and across international borders.

It is my firm conviction based on God’s clear Word and my own personal experience that every alive and well, Spirit-led, Bible-believing, Christ-following Christian ministry is heavily involved in the “both/and” mission of Jesus. In fact, this is so important that Jesus’s very final red letters before He ascended into heaven points to this very truth. He says, in Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Spiritually healthy churches and those who lead them are passionate about reaching the lost and the most vulnerable. Their #1 mission is rescuing and restoring the “least of these”. They desire to fulfill the red letters of the Gospels as their primary purpose. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” Matthew 25:40

Spiritually healthy churches know that they have been rescued to rescue!

By God’s grace, power and design, Child Beyond International (CBI) has become a proven, effective and impactful global children’s rescue ministry.

And while there are hundreds of worthy global mission opportunities for a church to choose from, I believe that working with Jesus to rescue and restore abused, abandoned and neglected children is at the top of the list! I’ll talk more of Child Beyond International ’s strategy for reaching the vulnerable in our world with Pastor Zach Zehnder, author of Red Letter Challenge , in a FREE webinar on April 11 th .

But, for today, one of the things that is often misunderstood about global mission trips is the benefits that short-term mission trips can have on the sending church. Here are seven key benefits that we have seen in our organization through short-term mission trips.

The 7 Benefits of Short-Term Mission Trips for Your Church

1) the gumby effect – mission trips stretch people..

Every person that goes on one of our mission trips is generally stretched beyond their comfort zone. These trips build enormous confidence in people and allow them to more freely trust God in the future. “When you go beyond the levels of your comfort…you experience parts of God you would otherwise miss.” (Zach Zehnder – Red Letter Challenge pg. 213)

2) The New You Effect – Mission trips change hearts.

When teams come and interact and relate with the local people, especially children, God uses it to change their hearts and refocus their priorities.

3) The Growth Effect – Mission trips increase spiritual maturity.

Christians who go on mission trips are more open to digging deeper in the Word when they return which results in spiritual growth.

4) The Giver Effect – Mission trips increase stewardship.

Followers of Christ who go on mission trips tend to give more in the future.

Typically, those who go on short-term mission trips are more likely to give financially toward missions ongoing. They’ve seen the need firsthand, and their hearts have been softened to respond to the need. Jesus once said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.”

5) The Others First Effect – Mission trips motivate more service.

People who go on international short-term trips tend to serve the poor more actively at home when they return. They don’t use their trip as an excuse to sit on the sidelines as if they’ve met their serving quota. Generally, it’s quite the opposite.

6) The Go Effect – Mission trips inspire Christians to action.

For many people, short-term mission trips are a life-changing catalyst for them. Through short-term mission trips, when people experience serving God on a daily basis, they come back with renewed purpose. Many even make major life-altering decisions with their vocation, finances, etc.

7) The Gratitude Effect – Mission trips increase gratitude.

Short-term mission trips give American missionaries a more accurate perspective of their lives and blessings which creates a lasting sense of gratitude.

There are other positive effects the Spirit brings about through a short-term mission trip, such as discovering the value of teamwork; less focus on materialism; an enhanced cultural awareness and appreciation; new high-value friendships and much more.

Short-term mission trips with Child Beyond International have been the catalyst for an entire church’s rebirth of its bi-focal mission. Sending “rescue teams” down to Guatemala has been the launch pad for greater mission fervor not just globally but right across the street. Going on a seven-day mission adventure with other members of the congregation or sending others out to rescue and restore through their prayers and finances builds maturity of faith, a growing awareness of the needs of others in faraway cultures, and a stronger unity of purpose as the Body of Christ!

I invite you to learn more about Child Beyond International at the links and websites below. Together, we can rescue and restore orphaned children, one at a time, with truly effective and eternity-impacting strategies. And, at the same time, we can grow the Great Commission passion and spiritual maturity of your church!

Let’s do this!

Learn More About Child Beyond International:

1) Check out our website .

2) Contact Pastor Jeff Mueller via email with any questions you may have: [email protected]

3) Watch Jeff Mueller on the Red Letter Disciple Podcast Link here .

11 simple steps to doing high-impact mission trips

By Brian Frye

If you’ve grown up in the church, you’ve likely been on and heard about all kinds of mission trips. If you’re new to following Christ, mission trips are a great way to grow in your faith, to develop confidence in sharing Christ and to grow deeper in community with other believers. Here are a few pointers on planning and leading a high-impact mission trip:

1. Do a pre-trip visit

Before you go on a mission trip, be sure to have leaders in your church or ministry do homework on the ministry you’ll be working with and the “mission” you’ll be doing. Whether you are working with a ministry, a church plant, an agency or just doing your own trip, a scout team to the mission trip destination will be extremely helpful. During the visit, meet as many people as you can. Ask questions of any ministry leaders you’ll be working with in the field, and work through the logistics for the trip. Most importantly, spend some time prayer walking the areas where you’ll be doing your work.

2. Cultivate the team in the gospel before departure

Way too many mission trips happen with little focus on team building and even less focus on gospel preparation. Plan around two to three times, before the trip, to get to know each other. Personality tests and problem-solving scenarios help the individuals move from a “me-based” toward a “we-based” mindset. It is also critical to teach the gospel to the group, and teach them how to share the gospel. Our recommendation is that you share the gospel, have them share the gospel with family and friends, and then take them out sharing before you make the trip. Team connect and gospel reps, equals missional success.

3. Pre-plan the trip as a team

Two to four weeks before the trip begins, bring the team together for a trip-planning meeting. During the meeting, create a play-by-play for the trip. Have key activities mapped and field contacts available (e.g., housing, ministry leaders, rental companies, meal planning) so team members can own the process of planning and orchestrating a trip. We’ve found it extremely helpful to create the schedule collaboratively in Google docs so team members have accessibility to the document.

4. Do a devotion time with focused content each morning

Devotions times should be the most valuable and deliberate times of every mission trip, every morning. They give clarity to the mission, and serve as the catalyst for spiritual development in your team and fuel for gospel expansion. You can use excerpts of a course like Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby, a Bible study built on a missionaries biography or even something you’ve created on your own. The key is to ensure team members are reading Scripture, mediating on what they’ve read, sharing with team member and praying for God’s. Teaching and modeling communion with God is one of the most important things a mission team leader can ever instill in his or her team.

5. Share the gospel at least three times daily

Mission trips are about “the mission” and the mission is about sharing the gospel. If we don’t model, teach and require mission trip participants to share the gospel regularly during trips, can we expect them to be a fruit-bearing disciple-making believer back home? Three circles, The Bridge, Soularium, Gospel Appointments, Soularium and T4T are a few of the many tools you can use. Whatever you choose, make sure you teach and model the gospel to your students. Budget time each day daily for each student to share the gospel. Few actions will benefit your ministry culture more than repeated gospel sharing on mission trips and normalizing the practice upon returning home.

6. End the day with family time

If you are doing devotions in the morning and sharing Christ throughout the day, there will be much to talk about that night. Take an hour each night to allow the group to discuss their daily highlights and lowlight, and how they saw God at work. Leading a group to process their experience verbally draws the team closer, guides them to rely upon the Father and provides the leader prime opportunities for affirmation and instruction. Have the team pray 1) for God to guide the next day’s activity, 2) for an awareness/readiness to obey God’s prompting and 3) for divine appointments where people can hear and accept Christ.

7. Select a daily team leader

In all that we do, especially in leading mission trips, leaders should be lead with a “next man (or woman) up” mindset. You should ask: “What can I do now to ensure every person on this team leads a mission team of their own in the future?” We have found the best way to make this happen is assigning one person to be the point person for the team each day. While the mission team leader maintains overall leadership or the trip, the point person calls all the shots for the day (e.g., where to eat, what to do, where to share Christ, when to pray, etc.). When problems arise or decisions need to be made, the team also goes to the point person for answers.

8. Interact with the best kingdom multipliers you can find

One of the best steps to ensuring you pull off high-impact mission trips is spending time with ministry leaders and ministries having significant impact in their context. On first exposure to missions, students need to spend time where they can grow the most. When instilling a healthy concept of missions in students, they need exposure to health, fruit and growth. Don’t confuse health with easy. They need to see and face the challenge of missions, too.

9. Select strategic trip locations where you can plant

Most churches and ministries chose mission trip locations with minimal strategic thinking involved. What if you chose mission trips based on where your church could support, sponsor or send people to help start or accelerate church planting? Think about it for a moment. The natural outcome of sharing Christ is seeing people accept Christ and become disciples. The outcome of making disciples is starting new groups. Ultimately, the outcome of new believers making disciples and building new groups is starting new churches. Nothing will invigorate your church and students more than seeing this type of kingdom expansion take place.

10. Extend the trip with remembrance tools

Even the best short-term mission trips have a limited shelf life in the memories of participants. A phenomenal way to extend the impact of the trip is to budget time on the last day for trip extending activities. Have students write a letter of remembrance about what God is teaching them during the trip. Or, have the team formulate a plan to engage people with Christ back home. The driving goal here is to give the team tangible action steps for after the trip.

11. Take a hard ask to the mission field

It is important to call your team members to the mission field. This idea may seem radical, counterintuitive and costly, but you cannot miss this step. With the influence and authority that God has given you, you are obligated to beseech your team to leverage their lives for the gospel and return to this mission field for two years post-college to share the gospel, make disciples and accelerate church planting. Does this sound big and audacious? Sure! But consider the alternative. Whether or not any individual on your team moves to the mission field, at the end of the trip you have an opportunity to put it all on the table for them.

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Lifeway Leadership

Three Objectives for a Short-Term Missions Trip

By Scott Logsdon

When it comes to an international missions trip, there are all kinds of objectives for which you could plan. To start, work under the direction of your church and in partnership with the gospel ministers who serve in the area where your team will be going. Ultimately, the best short-term trips accomplish three objectives.

1. Short-term trips grow the heart of the church for the plight of the lost and for the spread of God’s greatness in the world.

This is what you want to fan into flame as you create a culture of mission in your church. You want God’s people to be gripped with the needs of others so that they will be moved to pray for your team while you are there and continue to pray when you return. The more that God’s people are considering the needs of the lost, the more they will be moved by the Holy Spirit to sacrifice much so that God’s fame will spread in the world.

Lead the team members to give a report to the church both before and after they return. Highlight your activities. Pray specifically for the names of people who may have heard the gospel during the trip. Also pray for all the gospel ministers and churches you supported on the trip.

2. Short-term trips support gospel ministers, whether individuals or churches.

There are many ways that your team can support gospel ministers on short-term trips. Your team could watch the children of gospel ministers so that they can attend a strategy meeting or retreat. You could walk through their local neighborhoods and pray for the gospel to advance through their efforts. Whatever your team does, do something that makes the gospel ministers in that area feel that your church values them as a trusted, supporting partner in the ongoing spread of the gospel in that area of the world.

3. Good short-term trips engage those who need to hear the gospel.

As you plan for your short-term trip, find ways that you can actively engage the lost with the gospel. If you are going to serve in a place where the local people do not speak English, follow the lead of your hosts about sharing the gospel through their translation. Make sure every member of the team is prepared to share the gospel, that they both know and can share it with those who live in that particular ministry context.

Spend time studying the culture, beliefs, and values of the residents in that area and lead your team to practice tailoring their gospel conversations to the specific needs and questions of the residents they might encounter. If language is going to be a significant barrier, ask your hosts whether there is a way you and your team could appropriately hand out Bibles, even as gifts to individuals they meet. But follow the lead of your hosts to ensure both their and your team’s safety.

As best you can, plan to accomplish these three objectives on your short-term missions trip. Sometimes, you may only be able to accomplish one or two objectives, and that’s okay. It will still be a good trip. Follow the lead of your church leadership and local hosts to grow the heart of the congregation for the lost and for the spread of God’s greatness in the world, to support gospel ministers, and to engage those who haven’t yet heard the gospel.

Adapted from Training Pathway: International Missions . Check out more training videos on Ministry Grid .

Scott Logsdon, PhD, and his family served among Muslims and led twenty-six church-planting teams in five countries. He currently lives in Richmond, Virginia, where he serves as the associate vice president of training for the International Mission Board.

Backyard Mission Trip

Initiated by college first church of god, the backyard mission trip has developed into an annual event involving volunteers from 30 congregations and civic groups serving more than 250 projects for homeowners across the city and county..

by Bill Reist

Ten years ago, as part of a Fall spiritual growth initiative, the congregation at College First read Rick Rusaw’s The Externally Focused Church . In the course of reading, reflecting and praying, the leadership team wondered what it would look like to serve our local community: if people could go to faraway places—the congregation had previously invested in mission teams to Haiti, Brazil and the American Southwest—could the congregation invest in its local community, in “the shadow of its steeple.” Simultaneously, one of the elders and member of the planning team (Bob Fry) brought back from a visit to his mother a newspaper article describing an outreach to the local community. Churches in the Canton, Ohio community organized themselves in teams of ten persons to serve their neighbors, raking leaves, cleaning gutters, picking up debris and other small (or not so small!) projects to benefit the homeowner. Judge Fry served on the municipal bench and sought input—and subsequently projects—from the city department responsible for answering complaints from neighbors about unkempt properties. During that first year approximately 125 members of the congregation worked on nine properties as a mission trip to the local community.

From that inauspicious beginning the Backyard Mission Trip (BMT) has developed into an initiative involving volunteers from 30 congregations and civic groups serving more than 250 projects for homeowners across the city and county. Leadership is provided by a steering committee that represents and coordinates the key areas of the activity—promotion and publicity, volunteer recruitment, identifying and vetting projects, providing food and hospitality for the day of the event and connecting work teams with suitable projects. The committee meets sporadically through the fall and winter and eventually weekly as the day approaches. The planning is held loosely as the committee has had to be extremely flexible to adjust to needs of the community. While the process cannot be franchised there are some experiences that may be adaptable to other settings. With broad strokes I’ll share some of the experiences of the Findlay group.

Volunteer recruitment happens best through the local church and is supported across the community with billboard and newspaper advertising beginning approximately 10 weeks prior to the event. Each congregation is asked to identify a church liaison who can identify team leaders and register volunteers. All are welcome, from skilled tradespersons who may need to tackle a complicated electrical or plumbing project to persons (including children) adept at handling a rake. Teams consist of five to ten people and choose one or more projects from a spreadsheet. We ask teams to care for homeowners in their own congregation as well as the unchurched who may live close to the church building in order to build meaningful relationships. Volunteers are encouraged to pray together with the homeowner at the beginning of the project and one of the volunteers may choose to spend an extended time visiting with the homeowner, again to build a caring relationship that will hopefully last far beyond the day of the BMT. Some congregations invite all volunteers and home owners back to the church building a week or two after the event for a meal and opportunity for debriefing.

While liability insurance has been underwritten by College First as an extension of its ministry, volunteers sign a waiver absolving the church or anyone involved in BMT of any liability. Any injuries or medical attention are processed through the volunteer’s personal health care policy.

Homeowners complete an application made available online and at several high traffic locations throughout the community. Criteria are fairly relaxed, however no project is undertaken (such as roof repair or mold remediation) that would put a volunteer at risk. Projects are meant to provide care and support for those who may have physical or financial limitations that preclude their ability to complete the project. The whole BMT experience is not meant to exclude work (and livelihood) from tradespersons, but to lend a helping hand to those with some need. Our planning committee has often talked of giving preferential treatment to projects that create “warmer, safer, drier” conditions for the homeowner, but we recognize that many projects (cleaning up an elderly widow’s lawn) would not fit that criteria.

When the project is submitted on a hard-copy application, a planning team member enters the data on the spreadsheet. In many cases someone from the Project Management team or team leader will “scope out” the project, i.e., visit with the homeowner to introduce him/herself, and estimate the skill level, the extent of work, time and materials needed to complete the project. By providing early review of the project and posting information on the master project page, the team leaders have a better opportunity of matching an appropriate project with the skills of their team.

Project applications are submitted on a google doc that populates a single comprehensive spreadsheet with all necessary information about the project. Team leaders are able to view that spreadsheet to choose projects from their congregation or neighborhood that match their team’s skills. To maintain confidentiality, only team leaders are given access to the spreadsheet. At the end of the event each team leader completes and returns a “project status sheet” so that the planning committee is able to track which projects are unfinished.

Projects that exceed teams’ skillset on the day are referred to the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Habitat has access to a network of skilled volunteers often able to complete more difficult projects. Projects not completed on the day of the event (representing about 10% of the registered projects) are either referred to Habitat or put in a pool for congregations to pick up through the summer. In either case homeowners are alerted by phone call regarding the disposition of their project.

The mission trip is carried out with limited financial support from the planning team. Breakfast sandwiches are purchased but volunteers donate yogurt, granola bars, fruit and coffee for participants to enjoy on the morning of the event. Registration and breakfast begin at 7:00am leading into announcements, worship, prayer and sending by 8:00am. Teams are responsible for their own lunch although several downtown churches have made a light lunch available for teams who may want to drop in. Others order pizza to share with the homeowner. In some cases homeowners have provided lunch for the entire team.

Homeowners are encouraged to purchase any supplies needed by the team. When financial resources are limited some teams have chipped in to make the purchase. The steering committee has a budget of contributions from local congregations and corporations and is available to provide limited financial help for homeowners.

The Backyard Mission Trip has been strengthened by the involvement and cooperation of the city. From the first experience in 2011, the City of Findlay helped identify properties in need of service and gathered permission and support from homeowners. In subsequent years, both the city and county have provided staff and trucks to pick up trash and have extended the hours of the landfill and green space to receive refuse. This past year the city provided multiple roll-offs for teams to dispose of smaller amounts of trash and avoid a trip to the landfill.

The website (www.findlaybmt.com) provides a wealth of forms and information for both homeowners and volunteers. The BMT maintains a phone number for individuals with questions and/or homeowners who are unable to complete applications by computer.

The Backyard Mission Trip has provided an extraordinary opportunity to serve our community. It is scalable and reproducible, and I would encourage any congregation to pray through the opportunity to serve “in the shadow of the steeple,” even as we serve in cross-cultural settings far beyond our homes.

About the Author

Pastor College First Church of God- Findlay, OH https://findlaybmt.com

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History of WMA

How We Began

World Missions Alliance was founded in 1999 by Chuck and Helen Todd to fulfill a 2 fold vision: preach the Gospel in the world’s “hot spots” and give Christians the opportunity to fulfill themselves in the Great Commission.
The vision was birthed in 1991 when Chuck Todd, an American missionary, met his future wife, a Russian interpreter Helen, while pastoring a church in post-Communist Moscow. Both of them have had powerful encounters with God, Chuck – when he was miraculously healed by God at the age of 3 and Helen – having received faith through a Gospel tract smuggled into the Soviet Union by missionaries.
While in Russia they have witnessed the Moscow coup in 1993, Chuck saved Helen from the crossfire of the battle, and soon after they were married.
Driven by the passion to spread the Gospel in the closed nations they have personally witnessed historic events and experienced God’s protection under most dangerous circumstances – outbreak of SARS in China in 2000, the Fallujah crisis in Iraq in 2004, the Sichuan earthquake in China in 2008, the earthquake in Nepal in 2015 and many others.
Today World Missions Alliance reaches into 20 countries (former Soviet Union, China, Iraq, Nepal, Ireland, France, Indonesia, Argentina to name a few) around the world meeting the needs of local churches, helping the needy and the poor and opening doors for Christians to experience the blessing of God’s harvest.

We Serve a Global God, We Must Not Forget the Global Church

I often can only consider the needs that are right in front of my face. Sometimes that is very purposeful; because we live in such a loud world, I need to quiet those voices that want to distract me by pulling me towards focusing on problems I can’t fix. I intentionally lean into my little world seeking to be faithful in my little. But in my efforts to protect my sanity, I cannot forget God’s call to care for and spread the good news of Jesus to the nations ( Matthew 28:18 –20; Acts 1:8 ).

The nations feel far, their needs hard, and we also have so many issues right here. How can we be worried about the unreached people of the world? Yet, sharing the good news is very close to God’s heart. It matters because God needs us for the good news to be shared across the globe.

Thankfully, missions can be something we engage in with more ease than we might expect. So much of the American church is so focused on our projects here that even the smallest shift towards global missions can make a massive impact on more of the world.

Supporting Global Missions Financially Matters

We know that only 0.1% of all Christian giving is directed toward mission efforts in the 38 most unevangelized countries in the world. A vast majority of mission giving goes towards those who are already a part of the Christian church. In general, American Christians give about 95% of their offerings to home-based ministries, leaving global missions vastly underfunded and undervalued in our faith communities. An easy way to expand your participation in God’s call to spread the gospel is to expand the ways you give your money.

We live in a part of the world where we are blessed with much, so we are expected to give with a great level of generosity. We do not want to give blindly, however so many missions organizations and individuals that are willing to dedicate their lives to mission work cannot expand because they are not well funded. Loving our global neighbor well can begin with us prioritizing giving to those who are called.

Connect with a work that overlaps with your life. Do you know a church that invests in a specific community in a different part of the world? Do you really love a particular type of food or learning about a specific culture? Is your heart moved by the idea of undernourished children? Lean into those places of interest and ask God to reveal a way to invest in making a difference through those who work in these places for God’s glory.

Pray for the Global Church

We read the psalmist call for God’s glory to be declared among the nations and his great works to be seen among all peoples ( Psalm 96:3 ). We serve a great and glorious God who spurs us to pray that the whole world would bow in worship. There is such beauty when those from different places and backgrounds come together in unity to worship the one true God!

As we see the nations worship, we see a more complete picture of God’s beloved bride. This bride is not called to be a western, white, or rich one. It includes people from every tongue, tribe, nation and culture. Such unity is more stunning than we could ever imagine. Seeing the world come to Jesus should excite our hearts as it’s the best glimpse we have of Heaven while here on earth.

While we may not all have the chance to go and share the good news in Iraq or other closed nations, we can pray for God to reveal himself powerfully in these places. The exciting truth is that God is showing up in power across the globe and really when we join in prayer, we get the privilege to become a part of this exciting reality.

My brother recently spent time in Iraq praying and sharing with native Christians from the area. They shared reports of meeting a man with a face of fire in visions, and they responded by giving their lives in service to him. They are meeting Jesus through divine encounter. God’s grace is so abundant and his love is unfailing. He is being revealed in every part of the globe and when we join in praying for the nations, we join in His glory, which is being revealed through good works across the nations.

Go When You Can

The small Christian college I went to required every student to take a cross cultural trip. This was an intentional requirement, so that students would graduate with a broader, more gracious view of the world we live in, the world God created. In your life, the same push to discover God in a different place opens your eyes and heart to parts of God that are undiscoverable as a middle-class American church-goer.

Going is about sharing and praying and giving in a place that needs the hands and feet of Jesus to show up. But it's also about seeing God with fresh eyes as we realize he is alive and active across the world. God wants to give us a greater view of who he is, how he loves, and what the church is called to be. If you can, go to give, to learn, and to see God in a new way.

Resources to Learn More

David Platt is a wonderful teacher who helps us catch the vision of our global God. Stratus is a resource he points to that helps us learn about the global church.

Learn more about missions work though AGWM . Maps Global works to train and send groups to unreached areas of the world with the mission of sharing the Gospel. Convoy of Hope offers practical support and shares God’s love with people groups across the globe.

These are just a few to get you started! There are so many ways to get involved in what God is doing across the globe.

Let’s be a people of God that love beyond reason, seeking that God’s Kingdom will come and will be done across the globe as it is in Heaven.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/steve007

Called to Go: 7 Inspiring Bible Verses for Your Next Mission Outreach

08 Nov Called to Go: 7 Inspiring Bible Verses for Your Next Mission Outreach

Going on a mission trip can be an incredibly rewarding yet challenging experience. While you may be excited to serve others and share the good news of the gospel, you may also feel hesitant about being in a new environment and culture. Fortunately, the Bible offers many encouraging verses to motivate and inspire us for mission work and outreach. Here are 7 uplifting scriptures to fuel your passion and purpose for your next mission trip:

Matthew 28:19-20 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This famous verse is known as the Great Commission. Jesus commands us to go to all peoples and make disciples through baptism and teaching. We can take comfort knowing that Christ is always with us in the mission field.

Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus promised spiritual power through the Holy Spirit to enable us to be effective witnesses for Him locally and globally. Rely on that supernatural strength for your outreach efforts.

Isaiah 6:8 – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

When God asks for someone to go to spread His message, may our response be like Isaiah’s – full of willingness and eagerness to serve God wherever He calls us.

1 Peter 4:10-11 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms…so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

Use your unique talents and abilities to serve others and bring glory to God on your mission outreach. Share His love creatively and faithfully.

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

If you feel fearful or discouraged, remember God’s ever-present help and strength for every mission task ahead.

Mark 16:15 – “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'”

Jesus’ command is to spread the good news to everyone everywhere. Be bold in proclaiming Christ on your outreach.

Psalm 96:3 – “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

Lift up God’s Going on a mission trip can be an incredibly rewarding yet challenging experience. While you may be excited to serve others and share the good news of the gospel, you may also feel hesitant about being in a new environment and culture.

Fortunately, the Bible offers many encouraging verses to motivate and inspire us for mission work and outreach. Here are 7 uplifting scriptures to fuel your passion and purpose for your next mission trip:

Mark 16:15 – “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” Jesus’ command is to spread the good news to everyone everywhere. Be bold in proclaiming Christ on your outreach.

Psalm 96:3 – “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” Lift up God’s wonderful acts and character as you connect with different cultures. Help draw diverse people to Him.

Lift up God’s wonderful acts and character as you connect with different cultures. Help draw diverse people to Him.

As you embark on your next mission endeavor, meditate on these motivating words. Let God’s truth inspire you to answer His call, rely on His power, use your gifts, overcome challenges, preach the gospel, and glorify Him wherever He leads you to go. You are appointed for an important purpose – to reach the world for Christ!

What is a Mission Trip and Why You Should Go On One

You may have heard about mission trips from your church, school, or social circles and are curious to learn more. Mission trips are impactful and life-changing experiences that involve helping others while exploring your faith. This article will teach you what you need to know about mission trips, possible reasons to go on one, and how to connect with an organization or trip leader.

What is a Mission Trip?

There are two main types of mission trips: religious and non-religious. In both options, participants undergo deep self-exploration, make a positive impact, and learn about other communities while completing volunteer work.

However, Christian mission trips, which will be the focus of this article, always involve a component of faith.

Christian Mission Trip Overview

Christian mission trips are opportunities for Christians to serve the world around them through community outreach. Churches or religious organizations typically arrange them.

All sorts of people go on Christian mission trips; high school students, college students, retirees, seniors, and everyone in between. Some trips are designed for a specific age group or skill set, so check with your church or religious organization about which trips are most suitable. For example, there are youth mission trips for younger kids or medical mission trips for nurses and doctors.

What Do You Do on a Mission Trip?

During the mission trip, participants will connect with the local communities, helping them, learning from them, and sharing their experiences with Christ.

Your exact role will vary depending on the type of mission. Usually, mission trips focus on one type of community project, such as teaching English, painting churches, helping with natural disaster recovery, building homes or medical clinics, or providing other services needed in the area.

The community service component is complemented by prayer, religious discussions, and other faith-based activities. More examples of Christian mission trips include church planting and Bible education, also known as Vacation Bible School (VBS).

Usually, Christian mission trips have a set daily schedule. Your day will involve service, prayer sessions, activities with local people, reflection, and entertainment, often organized by the group or congregation running the trip.

Length and Destination

Missions vary in length and location. Short-term mission trips can be around one week to one month, while long-term assignments can last up to 2 years or more.

Trips arranged by church groups or Christian university organizations typically lean more toward the short-term end. However, if you’re looking to spend more time away, you can check out other mission trip providers and organizations, which we will review later on.

Additionally, trips take place both near and far. For example, many Christian mission trips go abroad to developing countries, like parts of Africa, South America, and Asia. However, you can also choose a closer destination, like an inner city near you. Get in contact with your church or Christian college to see what destinations and types of projects are available.

Reasons to Go on a Mission Trip

Mission trips are eye-opening experiences that provide personal and spiritual fulfillment, while helping communities in need. The reasons to go on a mission trip are endless and can often be very personal. The following section will name a few key motivations for embarking on a Christian mission trip.

Gain a New Perspective

Mission trips teach you that there’s more to the world than what you’ve previously seen. It teaches you how to put others before yourself and the true meaning of selflessness. It may even get you thinking about your higher purpose.

Learn Valuable Skills

Whether you’re building a house, teaching English, or helping with disaster recovery, you’re going to learn new, valuable life skills. In addition, you’ll discover capabilities and things about yourself that you never knew you had!

Get out of Your Comfort Zone

Many missions take place in foreign countries. The language, culture, food, people, and environment might be new to you. You’ll be entirely out of your comfort zone and immersed in something unfamiliar, which will help you grow.

Cross-Cultural Exchange

Related to the previous point, an immense amount of cultural exchange will occur on mission trips abroad. You’ll make connections with people from entirely different backgrounds than yours. Experiencing culture will help you reflect on yourself, who you are, where you come from, and in which direction you want to go, all while learning something new.

Connect with God

A key part of Christianity is helping and serving others. Mission trips do just that and beyond. In addition to completing a service project, you will participate in faith-based activities and share your love for God.

How Do You Go on a Mission Trip?

A good starting point is to check with your local church or university (if you’re a student). If you can’t go with either of those groups, you could ask another church in your area about their programs. Make some calls and get an idea of what options are available. You can also check out organizations that lead faith-based mission trips.

Once you know your options, consider what type of trip best suits your needs, timeline, and preferences. Ask yourself what type of project you are looking for, where you want to go, who you want to serve with, and when and for how long you’re able to go. Then, choose the program that most closely matches your answers.

Make the Most out of Your Trip

A mission trip is your chance to make tangible and intangible differences in communities that need your help. So go on a mission trip with your whole heart. Challenge yourself, serve others, try something new, and give, give, give!

You’ll feel greatly satisfied knowing your positive impact on another person’s life. Then, reflect on your mission trip experience and talk about it with others back at home.

Sasha Tsutserov

Sasha Tsutserov’s parents were members of the Communist Party in Russia. They never spoke of God or the Bible. However, when he was five years old, his grandmother insisted that he was baptized in the Orthodox Church. This was all done in secret—miles outside of Moscow, inside a dimly lit sanctuary. Although he was young, the Holy Spirit touched a hidden yearning in his heart for spiritual reality.

As an adult, Sasha became a member of the Communist Party and worked for the KGB. He had a beautiful wife Natasha, a precious daughter Julia, good friends, a bright future, and all that he dreamed of as a young man.

Julia befriended an American girl whose father was a missionary in Moscow. Natasha became their Russian language tutor. As the head of his home and a KGB agent, Sasha felt obligated to investigate these foreigners who had made such an impact on his family. He was awestruck by the humanitarian aid distributed by their church, and he was irresistibly drawn to their joy for life, for each other, and for the Lord. Step by step, he began to realize their generosity and joy stemmed from their love for God. At first, he gave God a 50/50 chance: since no one could prove God’s existence, then no one could deny him either. Sasha stepped away from his aggressively atheistic lifestyle. Then, while praying at a church retreat, he had a vision. He saw God standing on the top of a mountain. He felt he was a jar of clay. God was pouring down the pure gold of the Holy Spirit into the jar—Sasha. From that moment on, he needed no evidence for God’s existence, for he knew God in Jesus Christ. He returned home that day, and when Natasha saw him, she said, “What’s wrong with you? You are smiling!” Sasha had never smiled before. But that day, Jesus made him smile. He admitted that he had become a Christian. Natasha, in turn, confessed that she had become a Christian earlier, but she was afraid to talk about it with her husband, a KGB agent! In July 1993, Sasha was baptized and openly proclaimed his faith in Jesus Christ.

Sasha knew he could not keep his faith and his job, so he quit working for the KGB. He helped planted a church in Moscow. Sasha knew that God had called him to ministry in education. But no school in Russia offered a degree in biblical studies because the Communists had prohibited theological training. He attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and graduated with an M.Div. in 1997. In 2004, he earned a Ph.D. in New Testament at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. While studying, he also worked at the Moscow Evangelical Christian Seminary by working in every position at the school—from a secretary to the provost.

Sasha now serves as director and professor at the seminary in Moscow, where they are raising up a new generation of Christian leaders.

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25 Important Bible Verses For Mission Trips

Embarking on a mission trip is a transformative experience, and finding guidance in the Bible can provide the strength and inspiration needed for your journey.

Today, we’ll explore powerful Bible verses that will uplift your spirit and guide you during your mission trip. Whether you’re spreading the word of God or providing humanitarian aid, these verses will be your source of encouragement.

Also Study: 20 Prayers And Bible Verses For The Persecuted Church

Bible Verses For Mission Trips

The Great Commission

The Great Commission is a command given by Jesus to his disciples before ascending to heaven. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” This commission is a call to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and to make disciples of all people.

As Christians participating in mission trips, we are tasked with the responsibility of fulfilling the Great Commission. We are called to go to different nations and share the gospel, baptize new believers, and teach them to follow the teachings of Jesus. It is through this commission that we have the opportunity to bring others into a personal relationship with Jesus and introduce them to the life-transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19-20

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This verse is a clear directive from Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations. It emphasizes the importance of spreading the good news and teaching others to follow Jesus’ teachings. The promise of Jesus’ presence provides encouragement and assurance that He will be with us throughout our mission trips.

“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'”

This verse echoes the Great Commission and instructs believers to go into the entire world and share the gospel with all people, emphasizing the universality of the message. It emphasizes the importance of sharing the good news that salvation is available to everyone.

“He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'”

This verse highlights the need for more workers in God’s harvest field. It encourages believers to pray for and actively participate in the work of evangelism, recognizing the abundance of opportunities to share the gospel with those who are ready to receive it.

“Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'”

In this verse, Jesus declares that just as the Father sent Him, He is sending His disciples. It affirms that believers are sent out as representatives of Christ, bringing His message of peace and reconciliation to the world.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This verse emphasizes the empowerment that believers receive through the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Jesus. It highlights the geographical scope of their mission, starting from their local area to the farthest reaches of the earth.

Trusting in God’s Provision in Mission trips

When embarking on a mission trip, it is essential to trust in God’s provision. Throughout the Bible, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness and his ability to provide for his people. In Philippians 4:19, we read, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” This verse serves as a reminder that God will meet our needs as we serve Him.

As we prepare for mission trips, we may encounter various challenges, including financial constraints, limited resources, or unforeseen obstacles. However, as Christians, we are encouraged to trust in God’s provision and have faith that He will provide for us. We can seek His guidance through prayer and rely on His faithfulness to supply the necessary resources, whether it be financial, physical, or spiritual, for the mission trip.

Philippians 4:19

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

This verse assures believers that God will provide for their needs abundantly, not just during mission trips but throughout their lives. It’s a reminder to trust in God’s faithfulness and depend on Him for all provisions.

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

This verse encourages believers to prioritize seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness, trusting that God will provide everything they need. It reminds us that our focus should be on fulfilling God’s purposes rather than worrying about material provisions.

Luke 12:22-24

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap; they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!'”

This verse reminds believers not to be consumed by worries about daily provisions. It draws attention to God’s care for even the birds, assuring us that He will also take care of His children as they step out in obedience and faith.

Psalm 34:10

“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.”

This verse declares that those who seek the Lord will not lack anything good. It strengthens the trust of believers, reminding them that God will provide for all their needs as they seek to serve Him and follow His will.

2 Corinthians 9:8

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

This verse assures believers that God is able to bless them abundantly so that they will have everything they need to abound in every good work. It encourages believers to trust in God’s provision and to continue serving Him with confidence.

Courage and Boldness during Mission trips

Mission trips often require us to step out of our comfort zones and share the gospel with people from different cultures and backgrounds. In these moments, we rely on the courage and boldness that comes from our faith in Christ. In Joshua 1:9, we are encouraged, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Jesus also assures us of his presence and support as we carry out the Great Commission in Matthew 28:20, where he says, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” These verses remind us that we are not alone in our mission, and we can draw strength from knowing that God goes before us and empowers us to be courageous and bold in sharing His love and truth.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

In this verse, God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous as he leads the Israelites into the Promised Land. It encourages believers to have the same courage and not to be discouraged, knowing that God is always with them.

Acts 4:29-31

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

This passage recounts the prayer of the believers after facing opposition. It emphasizes the need for boldness in proclaiming the word of God and calls upon the Holy Spirit for empowerment in fulfilling the mission.

2 Timothy 1:7

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

This verse encourages believers to embrace the Holy Spirit, who empowers us with courage, love, and self-discipline. It reminds us that fear should not hinder us from fulfilling our mission but instead, we can rely on the Spirit’s power to overcome any obstacles.

1 Corinthians 16:13

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

This verse calls believers to be on guard, firm in their faith, courageous, and strong. It reminds us to stand resolute in the face of challenges and to trust in the strength and courage that God provides.

Ephesians 6:19-20

“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

This verse highlights the apostle Paul’s request for prayers to boldly proclaim the gospel. It serves as a reminder for believers to pray for each other, that they may fearlessly share the gospel and fulfill their role as ambassadors of God’s kingdom.

God’s Guidance in Mission trips

Seeking and following God’s guidance is crucial when embarking on a mission trip. In Proverbs 3:5-6, we are instructed, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” As we trust in God and seek His direction, He promises to guide us and make our paths straight.

During a mission trip, we may encounter unfamiliar situations, language barriers, or cultural differences that require wisdom and discernment. By constantly seeking God’s guidance through prayer, studying His Word, and listening to the Holy Spirit, we can navigate these challenges with confidence. God is faithful to provide the wisdom and direction we need to effectively carry out His mission.

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

This verse encourages believers to trust in the Lord completely and to seek His guidance in all aspects of life, including mission trips. It assures us that as we submit to God’s leading, He will direct our paths and make them straight.

Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

This verse portrays the Word of God as a guiding light in our lives. It reminds believers that God’s Word provides direction, wisdom, and illumination in making decisions and discerning the right path to take.

Isaiah 30:21

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”

This verse assures believers that as they seek God’s guidance, His voice will guide them in the right way to walk. It encourages believers to be attentive to His leading and ready to follow the path He directs them.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

This verse shows God’s promise to instruct and teach believers in the way they should go. It reminds us that God’s counsel and guidance are filled with love and care for His children.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

This verse encourages believers to seek God’s wisdom when facing decisions or uncertainties. It assures us that when we ask for wisdom, God will generously provide it without finding fault.

Faithfulness and Endurance in Mission Trips

Mission trips can be physically and spiritually demanding, requiring faithfulness and endurance. We are called to persevere in carrying out the Great Commission, even in the face of obstacles and challenges. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”

As we engage in mission work, we may encounter setbacks, opposition, or fatigue. However, we must stay focused on Jesus, who is our source of strength and perseverance. By relying on Him, we can press on in fulfilling our mission, knowing that our labor is not in vain. Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Hebrews 10:36

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

This verse encourages believers to persevere and endure, knowing that there is a reward waiting for those who faithfully do the will of God. It reminds us to stay steadfast and hold onto our faith, even in challenging times.

1 Corinthians 15:58

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

This verse admonishes believers to stand firm and be immovable in their commitment to the work of the Lord. It assures us that our efforts in serving God have eternal significance and are not done in vain.

Galatians 6:9

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

This verse encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good, reminding us that there will be a harvest if we do not give up. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance and endurance in the work of the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.”

This verse reminds believers to never tire of doing what is good, reinforcing the call to remain faithful and steadfast in serving God. It encourages believers to continue doing good deeds, even when faced with challenges or discouragement.

Revelation 2:10

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”

This verse speaks of the need for faithfulness, even in the face of trials and persecution. It assures believers of the reward and eternal life that awaits those who remain faithful to God, no matter the cost.

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Woman recalls alleged sexual abuse at age 3 in Michigan church, lawsuit says

Photo illustration of Marian Ippel as an adult and young girl; next to image of a church and in image of the back of a church minister

As a young girl, Marian Ippel was consumed by recurring thoughts and dreams of herself and other children being raped. Her yearly physical provoked fear.

It wasn’t until 2020, after months of therapy to address her anxiety and depression, that the inexplicable feeling of dread began to click: Then 17, she recovered memories, she said, of sexual assault by fellow church members abusing her when she was around 3 and 4 years old.

Now 21, Ippel is accusing her Grand Rapids, Michigan, church of creating a culture that fostered alleged abuse in a lawsuit that is not typical: Her complaint, filed Monday in Kent County Circuit Court, claims harm was done to her at such a young age, while hinging on memories that she says she retrieved later in life.

“Even though it happened almost 20 years ago, it has had a devastating effect on me since then,” Ippel told NBC News, “and that is a big reason why I feel so confident stating the facts and the extensive therapy I’ve gone through.”

Her lawsuit names as defendants the Grace Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids and affiliates, including the Christian Reformed Church in North America, a Protestant Calvinist Christian denomination also based in Grand Rapids. The suit says the church was responsible for preventing abuse and accuses it of creating an environment that Ippel believes gave a deacon “unfettered access to one-on-one meetings with young children including Plaintiff, who trusted him and Defendants to provide a safe environment for their education and counseling.”

Ippel is seeking a jury trial, damages and court orders that would require the church to investigate others who may have been harmed by her alleged abusers, overhaul its practices and policies, and secure “proper training” for those in positions of authority and who are responsible for minors and other vulnerable people.

“Churches are places where people are supposed to be safe,” she said.

The Grace Christian Reformed Church said in a response Tuesday that it could not provide further detail into ongoing litigation but said it was actively investigating Ippel's case "as we believe all abuse is unacceptable" and "these allegations are deeply troubling to Grace Church and the entire congregation."

The Christian Reformed Church in North America also did not comment specifically about Ippel’s allegations but said in a separate response that it has “developed strict policies and procedures” meant to keep children safe and encourage prompt reporting of abuse.

Lynne Cadigan, an Arizona attorney who has represented victims in Mormon and Catholic church-related sex abuse lawsuits, said recovered memory cases can test the bounds of such litigation because they require judges and juries to scrutinize an accuser’s credibility.

While Ippel is the only person to have come forward publicly against those accused in her suit, her lawyer believes that there are people who have had similar experiences or can help corroborate her account.

“Recovered memory cases are difficult because you may need corroborating evidence, particularly when a child is very young,” Cadigan, who is not associated with Ippel’s case, said. “It requires a lot of investigation into the perpetrator, finding out if there were other victims, other witness statements and could the perpetrator have had the opportunity to do this.”

Abuse allegations

Ippel says the repression of traumatic memories from her childhood was not a conscious decision. She grew up excelling in school, surrounded by a loving family.

“I was an example of someone you thought was a very good kid,” she said.

But inside, the anxiety was overwhelming, according to her lawsuit. She told no one that she felt suicidal. When she was 16, she said, she began counseling. It was through psychotherapy, including an approach known as “Lifespan Integration” therapy , which involves a person going through a timeline of their memories to heal from past trauma, that she says she pieced together what happened.

In her complaint, she alleges how a deacon led her by the hand to the church basement after a Sunday children’s worship service in 2006. She wore a pink, green and white summer dress, according to the lawsuit. The deacon allegedly sexually assaulted her before having her return upstairs alone, where her parents were distracted.

According to the suit, Ippel’s parents gave her a cookie after church. “Around this same time, Marian’s mother remembers finding blood in Marian’s underwear,” the suit says, “but could not fathom why this was so.”

The deacon named in the complaint died in 2010 at age 66.

The Christian Reformed Church in North America said it was unaware of any other complaints against the deacon, but said it investigates claims when people come forward.

“Survivors will forever be in our prayers,” the church said in a statement. “We commend their courage to come forward, even when abuse may have occurred many years ago, and we are investigating this further. The Christian Reformed Church in North America desires for all our congregations and programs to provide a safe and welcoming environment for children and all members of the community.”

But Ippel says the incident with the deacon wasn’t the only abuse she recalled. When she was 4, during a church mission trip with her family in Guinea, the 12-year-old son of another missionary family began sexually abusing her, according to the suit. The boy, identified by the initials M.H., had himself allegedly been abused by another child in the church years earlier, and that had previously been reported to mission trip organizers, the suit also says.

In 2020, when Ippel says therapy helped recover her memories, she spoke with her parents and said they reported the alleged abuse by M.H. to his parents, the mission trip organizer and the church’s human resources. The suit says the family spoke weeks later to a pastor who referred them to the office within the church that deals with abuse, but staff told the family they were not informed about any alleged wrongdoing in Guinea by another child. Later, the office apologized to the family and offered them $500 for counseling, according to the suit, but they refused the money.

Abuse awareness

The Christian Reformed Church, which counts about 230,000 followers in North America, has known of a history of abuse within its member churches, according to the suit.

The church first commissioned a survey about forms of abuse among its members in 1989, and found 28% of adults said they had experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse; 15% of adults said they had abused another person physically, sexually or emotionally; and children under age 12 were at “greatest risk” of abuse. It’s unclear how much of the abuse took place at the hands of church members.

In 1994, the church established an Office of Abuse Prevention, tasked with providing its member churches with the “resources necessary to both prevent abuse and deal with its ugly realities in the church.” Five years later, the church’s agenda noted reports of alleged abuse were being received on a weekly basis from member churches across the country.

“Concern for the victim is rising, but people remain in a quandary about responding to the offender. Alleged offenders who are patriarchal family members or church leaders who are popular, well-known, and undergirded by a support network are still likely to escape consequences and/or to have the incident covered up,” the church’s 1999 agenda acknowledged .

Churches are places where people are supposed to be safe.”

lawsuit plaintiff Marian Ippel

The following year, the church said it had 125 cases related to reported abuse and, in the years after, continued to note “uneven” handling of cases. The church does not have a top-down, hierarchical approach, but places most authority at the local church level where a council of deacons and elders is elected by congregants to make most decisions. And while there is a church ministry that offers resources for abuse awareness, it is up to each member church to utilize the larger church’s support.

The state of Michigan adopted a law in 2002 requiring religious clergy to be mandatory reporters of abuse.

“The church needs to hold offenders accountable for their misconduct, sometimes years after the offense occurred,” the Christian Reformed Church said in its 2005 agenda , a year before Ippel alleges her abuse began. “The church should engage in learning to restore people to one another, to the church, and to our Lord.”

A spokesperson for Grace Christian Reformed Church said it has a Safe Church Committee that reviews policies and procedures annually to "ensure alignment with recognized best practices for abuse prevention and reporting — including mandatory background checks for all individuals interacting with children in their roles."

"We are committed to maintaining the safety and well-being of all children and congregation members and will continue to uphold Grace Church as a welcoming environment, open to all those who wish to worship," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Ippel’s lawyer, Megan Bonanni, who has represented sexual assault victims in other cases, including those against the Catholic Church and disgraced sports physician Larry Nassar , said the problems within the Christian Reformed Church in general were well-documented for years. She believes other survivors may eventually come forward like Ippel.

“We know there are others out there,” Bonanni said.

Recovered memories

The concept of recovered memories, particularly related to childhood sexual abuse, has been debated in the field of psychology for its reliability.

In the 1980s and ‘90s, a wave of cases of children alleging abuse gained national attention, with some going to trial . Jurors were warned against the dangers of therapists and interrogators implanting false memories in impressionable youth or children feeling pressured to fabricate memories altogether.

One of the first cases to make national headlines involved the McMartin Preschool in Manhattan Beach, California, where the owner, her family members and several teachers were arrested on charges of abusing the children in their care. After years of investigations and trials, including interviewing hundreds of children who claimed to have been abused and subject to bizarre rituals, charges against five of the defendants were dropped because of weak evidence, one other was acquitted and the final defendant’s charges were dropped after a jury deadlocked at his retrial.

John Wixted, a distinguished professor in psychology at the University of California, San Diego, who specializes in episodic memory, told NBC News that the issue with memory is that both false and real ones can manifest similarly.

“It might be true,” he said of a memory, “or it might instead reflect a false memory that was unintentionally implanted by a therapist. The frustrating problem is the memory itself, the qualities of the memory, the sincerity with which the memory was held — none of it will be usable to determine whether it really happened.”

People don’t generally remember anything from before they were about 3 years old at the earliest, researchers say .

But Wixted said that it would be a mistake to treat what comes out in therapy as blatantly true or false. In litigation, he added, “the jury’s job is to figure this out and decide what’s true based on whatever evidence can be brought to bear it out.”

Clinical psychologist James Hopper, who is familiar with Ippel’s case, said some details from high-stress events can be burned into a person’s brain and research suggests this can be true even for events that happen at ages 3 or 4.

Events stored in memory may not be retrieved at any particular time, but if they are, he said, it is largely a function of contexts and cues, such as being in a similar emotional state of fear or helplessness.

Cadigan, the Arizona attorney, said therapists in recovered memory cases will also be subject to intense scrutiny on the stand, and it should be up to juries, not judges, to decide whether the accuser can be believed. Even if it’s one accuser, going public can encourage others to step up and “then we can see what was truly happening,” Cadigan added.

Ippel is so adamant about what happened to her that she’s willing to come forward.

“This is not something I need to defend,” she said about her past.

“Imagining a 3-year-old child and how they’re really incapable of having a voice,” Ippel said. “That’s part of why it’s so important for me to be doing this. I do have a voice now.”

Erik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality.

Mary Mother of God Mission Society

The mission society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the united states. it exists to revive the roman catholic church in eastern russia. we are in union with the holy father and the magisterium of the roman catholic church. our members are individuals, families, and organizations that prayerfully or financially support this effort, or who volunteer time or talent. if you are interested in joining this work, please contact us..

Home > Catholicism in Eastern Russia

Catholicism in Eastern Russia

This page briefly covers the history of the Catholic Church in the territory that is now the Diocese of St. Joseph in Irkutsk.

T he existence of Catholics in Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East is closely linked with the Russian policy of political and penal banishment of the 17th-19th centuries.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the first Catholic missionary priests arrived. From 1806 to 1812 a mission of the Dominican Fathers was realized in Irkutsk. In 1812, priests of the Jesuit order began to work there. In 1820, the Bernardine Franciscans replaced them.

That same year, the parish was officially established, and in 1825 the Church of the Assumption of the Most Holy Mother of God was built. The establishment of the parish was actually the first official, organizational structure of the Church in the territory that would later become the diocese of Saint Joseph in Irkutsk.

At the time, this parish was the largest in the world in square miles, taking in the immense territory of the province of Irkutsk and the entire region of Yakutia in the northeastern central part of Eurasia.

Up to the middle of the 19th century, the territory of eastern Siberia included only three parishes: the one in Irkutsk, one in Krasnoyarsk (formed in 1836), and another in Nerchinsk (formed in 1842). There were no known formally established parishes in the Russian Far East. At that time, there were about 1,350 Catholics in the Irkutsk parish, nearly 1,500 in the Krasnoyarsk parish, and around 1,000 in the Nerchinsk parish.

Polish Uprising of 1830

Also called the November Uprising, this was a result of Polish dissatisfaction with Russian rule of the Congress Kingdom of Poland and the Polish provinces of western Russia. Initially, it was a reaction to reports that Tsar Nikolas I of Russia intended to use Polish troops to fight a rebellion in France, but it grew into an effort to restore a Polish state. Ultimately, the uprising was suppressed and punishment followed. Wealthy Poles in Russia saw their land confiscated. Many Poles saw their schools destroyed and their families sent to Siberia and the Russian Far East.

In 1866 another parish was begun in Nikolaevsk-na-Amur, a military headquarters, which was transferred to Vladivostok in 1890. All these parishes belonged to the Archdiocese of Mogilev, a city 500 miles southwest of Moscow.

During the entire 19th century, the main reasons for Catholics to be in Siberia and the Russian Far East was for prison labor and banishment, as it had been for the last two centuries. After thousands of participants in the Polish Uprising of 1830 were sentenced to hard labor and banished to Siberia, Poles became the largest ethnic group among Catholics in the Asian part of Russia (i.e. all lands east of the Ural Mountains).

At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the construction of the Trans-Siberian railroad caused a large influx of Catholics, creating many workplaces. Another major cause of Catholic immigration was the resettlement of peasant farmers from the western regions of the Russian empire during the Stolipin agrarian reform. (Stolipin was a Russian Minister of Agriculture.) Between 1894 and 1911 the number of Catholics in the province of Irkutsk increased almost five times and reached 30,000 people, while in the province of the Yenisey, the number rose from 5,000 in 1898 to 15,000 in 1912.

At this same time there appeared many new Catholic churches and chapels: in Irkutsk, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Alexandrovsk on Sakhalin Island, and other population centers.

In 1922, the deaneries of Irkutsk, Vladivostok, Omsk (Western Siberia), Tomsk (Western Siberia), and Tashkent (Central Asia), were separated from the Archdiocese of Mogilev and became an independent Apostolic Vicariate. Then on February 2, 1923, the diocese of Vladivostok was established by papal bull. To this new diocese were transferred the Primorye and Amursky provinces and also the northern part of Sakhalin Island. (Sakhalin Island’s southern part passed at this same time to the Japanese diocese centered in the city of Sapporo.)

At this time in the Soviet Union, however, a massive attack on religion began. Priests were murdered, and church buildings were closed and destroyed. At the end of the 1920s, the church in Krasnoyarsk was closed. In the early 1930s, those in Chita, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, and Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky were closed. And in 1938 the churches in Irkutsk were also shuttered. By the end of the 1930s, practically the entire structure of the Catholic Church in Russia had been destroyed.

In the 1930s and 40s, the Stalinist repression sent thousands of exiles from western Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltic countries to Siberia and the Russian Far East. Many of them were Catholics, but were forced to hide this fact and no parishes could be revived or established. This remained the situation until the early 1990s,

The Rebirth of the Catholic Church in Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East

On April 13, 1991, two apostolic administrations were organized on Russian soil—one for the European part of Russia (west of the Ural Mountains) and one for the Asian part (east of the Urals). Bishop Joseph Werth was named the Apostolic Administrator of the Asian Part of Russia. All of the Catholic communities in this immense territory came under his jurisdiction.

Church of the Nativity in Magadan. At more than 3,000 miles to the north of Vladivostok, Magadan is actually closer to the city of Anchorage, Alaska.

The parish of the Nativity of Jesus in the city of Magadan became the first parish officially registered by the Russian government in what was then called the Apostolic Administration of Eastern Siberia. It received its legal registration on January 3, 1991. In large part this was due to the activity of Archbishop Francis T. Hurley, D.D., of Anchorage, Alaska.

Soon afterwards, parishes in other large cities were established: Krasnoyarsk (May 15, 1991); Irkutsk (September 14, 1991); Vladivostok (January 4, 1992); South-Sakhalin City (February 25, 1993); Aldan (July 1992); and Khabarovsk (October 1, 1993). From these main centers, priests traveled to outlying towns and villages to organize parish life in other Catholic communities.

With pastoral activity growing, the bishops and Papal Nuncio of Russia appealed to the Holy See to appoint auxiliary bishops for both apostolic administrations. As a result, during the summer of 1998, the Church in Russia received Bishop Klemens Pickel for the city of Saratov in European Russia, and Bishop Jerzy Majzur, S.V.D., for the city of Irkutsk in Asian Russia.

After one year, Bishop Mazur became the head of the new Apostolic Administration for the Latin rite Catholics of Eastern Siberia, established on May 18, 1999, and centered in the city of Irkutsk. Here construction of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was begun in June of 1999. Its solemn consecration was on September 8, 2000.

By a November 10, 2000 decree of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, the head of the Apostolic Administration of Eastern Siberia, Bishop Jerzy Mazur, was also named the Apostolic Administrator of the former Prefecture of Karafuto. In this area are located the territories of South Sakhalin Island and the Kuril Islands. Until this decree, the former prefecture, established in 1938, belonged to the jurisdiction of the bishop of Sapporo (Japan).

In 2002, Pope John Paul II established the diocese of St. Joseph in Irkutsk to serve eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East. Since then, new parishes have been formed in Trans-Baikal (Chita, Ulan Ude, Angarsk, Bratsk, Usole-Siberskoe, Achinsk, Eniseysk, Kansk, Lesosibirsk, Norilsk, Abakan, Yakutsk, and others); and in the Far East (Blagoveshensk, Arsenyev, Ussurisk, Komsomolsk-na-Amure, Nikolaevsk-na-Amure, Lesozavodsk, Petropavlosk Kamchatsky, Ola, and others).

Bishop Cyryl Klimowicz

In April of 2003, Bishop Cyryl Klimowicz became the bishop of the Diocese of St. Joseph in Irkutsk. Born in Kazakhstan to Belarusian parents, he later moved with his family to Poland. After graduating from high school in 1974 he entered the Major Seminary in the city of Olsztyn, later graduating in 1980. He was ordained as priest on June 8, 1980 by the Primate of Poland Cardinal Józef Glemp.

Priests and Religious Return to Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East

Members of various religious congregations and orders of men and women now labor in the diocese of St. Joseph. In 1991 after preliminary talks with Bishop Joseph Werth, the congregation of Claretian Missionaries sent two of its members from Poland to work in Krasnoyarsk. In September 1992 a monastery of Claretian missionaries was founded there, and in 1997 another community of Claretians was established in the city of Achinsk.

After the founding of the Irkutsk parish in September 1991 with the appointment of a member of the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians) as pastor, the Polish Salvatorians began working in Irkutsk.

In January 1992, members of the Congregation of Salesians of St. John Bosco arrived in Aldan. They went there to decide whether or not to have a permanent presence of priests of their order in that region. In July 1992 three men of the Salesian religious arrived there for service.

February of 1992 brought two Americans from a new order, the Canons Regular of Jesus the Lord (CJD) to Vladivostok. Fr. Myron Effing, CJD and Br. Daniel Maurer, CJD, came at the invitation of Bp. Joseph Werth, SJ. They have since been instrumental in founding or re-founding 12 parishes throughout the Russian Far East.

Also in 1992, sisters of the Congregation of Adoratrices of the Blood of Christ arrived in Krasnoyarsk, as did sisters of the Order of Sisters of Charity of St. Charles Borromeo. Because of the growth in number of local vocations, the General Council of the Order of Sisters of Charity of St. Charles Borromeo decided to open a Russian House of Formation. In 1999, with the blessing of Bishop Jerzy Mazur, such a house was opened in Irkutsk.

In November 1997 two priests of the Foreign Mission Society of America (Maryknoll) arrived in Khabarovsk. One of them went to work on Sakhalin Island. The other stayed in Khabarovsky Krai. Not long afterward, three more members of their society joined them. In addition, the religious sisters of the Japanese order of Sisters of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary began working in the parish communities of Khabarovsk and Khabarovsky Krai.

From 1999, at the initiative of Bishop Jerzy Mazur, SVD, and the Apostolic Nuncio in Moscow, Archbishop John Bukovsky, SVD, members of the Society of the Divine Word have been present. The Divine Word community was established in Blagoveschensk in 1999. During the same year, Fr. Aleksander Pietrzyk, SAC, a Polish Pallotine priest, started to work in Irkutsk.

In August 1998 a community of the Sisters of Charity of St. Ann was founded in Vladivostok, with the arrival of four sisters from Spain. The Sisters of the Congregation of St. Paul of Chartres (Paulist Sisters) from Korea also began working in Vladivostok.

Sister Catherine Marie provides flute music for the Christmas Mass in Vladivostok.

Since 2000 there have arrived the Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit from Poland; sisters of the Order of St. Dominic; Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Conception of Mary; members of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity from the U.S.; Maryknoll fathers from the U.S.; Carmelite friars and nuns from Poland:, and diocesan priests from Poland and Slovakia, India and Korea.

In 2013, the Sisters in Jesus the Lord came to the Russian Far East to serve on Russian Island as well as in Vladivostok and the surrounding area. The Sisters were from a new order in the U.S., and had visited southeastern Russia several times before establishing a permanent home.

The Truth About Moscow

Jamin Wight, Kirk Missionary

A corruption of justice primer.

H ere is an email from the pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (which is Christ Church lite) to the membership regarding Kirk missionary Jamin Wight. It’s dated 3 ½ years after his release from North Idaho Correctional Institution and 3 ½ years before his conviction for battery & perjury.

CORRECTION: A reader points out that the state ordered an early release for Mr. Wight from probation, which means he was not on probation when the Kirk sent him. Apologies for the error.

10/13/2006 Probation Ordered (I18-1501(1) {F} Children-injury To Child) Probation term: 4 years. (Supervised)
05/14/2009 Order for Early Release from Probation

Pastor Douglas Wilson of Christ Church, Moscow, blame-shifted responsibility for Jamin Wight’s serial rape onto the victim’s parents and consequently neither he nor anyone else in the Kirk ever took Jamin Wight’s crimes seriously. Mr. Wilson protected the predator; rehabilitated his public image; and sent him on a missionary trip. It’s a culture of death. He cultivates it and he exports it. As I wrote here , the words “CREC PASTOR” fit Jamin Wight just fine.

From: Trinity Reformed Church Date: Thu, May 13, 2010 at 10:44 AM Subject: Prayer for Jamin Wight in Haiti To: TRC Trinity Saints, Just wanted to let you know that after a several months of investigating, we are finally using the funds that we raised for relief efforts in Haiti. Jamin Wight is leaving tomorrow (Friday, 5/14) to go down to Haiti for a week. The special offerings that we took up during January and February amounted to around $3000. We are using these funds for Jamin’s travel, lodging, and food needs, but then he will be working with a construction crew through Mission to North America, a ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America. Jamin will be purchasing a number of tools and supplies both here and down in Haiti to use while he is there and then to leave there for future use by other crews. This particular team is working on building churches which can also be used as shelters for the thousands who are still living in tents. With rainy season coming on and hurricane season to follow, this is a pressing need that we are excited to be part of. Jamin will also be leaving leaving a portion of the funds raised with local church leaders to be dispersed to Haitian families in need. Please pray for traveling mercies, that Jamin would stay healthy, and be protected from all harm. Pray that there would enough organization in place on the ground that he would be able to use his skills effectively and efficiently. And pray that the Haitian Christians would be encouraged and blessed by his time down there. Of course keep [redacted], [redacted], and baby #2 in your prayers as well while Jamin is away. Thanks, Toby Sumpter __ Toby Jacob Sumpter Trinity Reformed Church www.trinitykirk.com www.havingtwolegs.blogspot.com Phone: 208.310.0898 Email: [email protected] __ Melissa Dow Trinity Reformed Church Secretary 502 S. Jefferson Street PO Box 9029 Moscow, Idaho 83843 208-882-2300 [email protected]

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13 Comments

I wonder while they were asking prayer that no harm would come to him that someone had the sense to pray that he would DO no harm. What were these people thinking? I have heard of many of these type of perverts being sent on missions trips. What is wrong with Christians . My daughter went on a missions trip to an isolated Island in America and she told us the people don’t trust God and think He is less powerful then the devil because for years missionaries have come in, sexually abused the young and robbed from the natives. Is that all we have to offer for missionaries are church rejects? I have quit giving to missions and have found faithful lay people who are known for holiness, good works and great personal sacrifice to give my support to. I think the church in America as we know it has sold out to pride and greed and the real church has gone underground sort of speak. God help us !

Amen. Doug Wilson is a shame to Christians everywhere.

Exactly! How could Toby, Doug and the Elders could think that sending someone with a history of violent sexual abuse on a missionary trip? Do you suppose they properly notified the organization he was to be working with, and if they did, why would THEY take them.

I completely understand the hopes and wishes that someone has truly repented, reformed and changed, but some things are just not worth the risk.

“I have quit giving to missions and have found faithful lay people who are known for holiness, good works and great personal sacrifice to give my support to. ”

Donna, this is a very interesting approach. I give away substantial sums and am dismayed at the prospect of giving to organizations that I later find out to be abusive and/or fiscally irresponsible. Are these people you find in your daily life/local area?

The Lord has lead us to a few people simply from sending my adult kids out to share the Gospel. If you’d like to contact me personally, the moderator has my permission to give you my email and Id be glad to tell you about a wonderful old women in Alaska that is doing it all for Christs sake.

“We have often wondered what the blind who have been led into a ditch by the blind do after they get there. Now we know.”

—From Credenda Agenda, Volume 4, Number 7

Sad to see my own denomination doing such an inadequate job vetting candidates for missionary service.

To “vet” means to do a thorough background check, to see if there are any red flags.

The problem here is that Doug Wilson and Toby Sumpter already knew about Jamin Wight. They knew about his prolonged sexual abuse of Natalie Greenfield. And they sent him anyway.

Ask yourself why? Better yet, ask them.

Peter Leithart apologized for trusting Jamin too much (and this is case in point that he trust Jamin way, way too much). Fun trivia, though: At the CC Head of Household Meeting, Doug stated, ““it would be disingenuous for me to apologize for having trusted [Jamin] when I didn’t.” (possibly in reference to the Leithart apology??) http://kbotkin.com/2015/11/12/fact-checking-what-doug-told-the-church/

Now, obviously, TRC was Leithart and Sumpter’s church and they are responsible for sending Jamin on a mission trip (!!), but are we to believe that a) Doug had no knowledge they were sending Jamin or the b) he knew and objected and Sumpter and Leithart sent Jamin anyway? I think that is implausible.

Doug trusted Jamin Wight.

What people don’t know about TRC: Wilson planted it in 2003 to diffuse the possibility of a church split at the Kirk. He was neck deep in scandal and more than one kirker was getting sick of his BS. So he planted an outlet for them to attend on Sundays and still keep them in his universe. He planted it. He appointed Peter pastor, and he designated the elders (it was a lateral move since they all came from Christ Church). Every elder there is beholden to Wilson, which is why they’re there. They answer to him; they report to him; they watch for him. Nothing happens at TRC without Wilson’s knowledge and approval. Wilson runs TRC.

I’m with you there, but I’d like to note that even the most innocent construction (the two churches are sisters, closely united in ministry) implicates Doug in this. There’s no way he lacked knowledge of this or lacked ability to influence the leaders of TRC.

My fiance was in Youth With a Mission. He said they received training about missionaries going to third-world countries to exploit women. They provided this training even though they had no known sexual predators in their midst.

This is a very real concern in the missions world. TRC actually sent a known sexual offender as a missionary. How can this be justified?

Comments are closed.

Ukraine war latest: 'Mass disruption' to messaging apps in Russia; Moscow comes under huge drone attack

Moscow has come under one of the largest attacks by Ukrainian drones yet, with Russia saying it destroyed 45 Ukrainian drones overnight. It comes as Kyiv's forces continue to push into Russia's western Kursk region. Meanwhile, major messaging apps are disrupted in Russia.

Wednesday 21 August 2024 14:54, UK

Moscow comes under one of largest drone attacks yet, Russia says
'Mass disruption' of Telegram and WhatsApp in Russia
Ukraine making 'marginal advances' in Kursk
Russia claims to have taken control of Donetsk town of Niu-York - saying it's strategically important
Michael Clarke : Battle of bridges is about to begin
Your questions answered: What is Ukraine hoping to achieve with invasion of Russia?
Live reporting by Samuel Osborne

Moscow has closed airports in its northwestern cities of Murmansk and Apatity and restricted the use of airspace over those cities, the TASS news agency has reported.

Such measures are usually taken in Russia because of potential or actual Ukrainian drone attacks.

Ukraine attacked Moscow earlier today in one of the largest attacks yet on the Russian capital since the start of the war in 2022 (see 09.51am post).

Russian authorities said they had destroyed all of the drones headed towards the capital.

Kyiv has said its forces are using US-made HIMARS rockets to destroy pontoon bridges and engineering equipment in Russia's western Kursk region.

Ukraine has destroyed or damaged at least three bridges over the Seym River since Kyiv launched its attack three weeks ago.

"Where do Russian pontoon bridges 'disappear' in the Kursk region? Operators... accurately destroy them," Ukraine's special operations forces said on Telegram.

It said HIMARS rocket systems were used - the first official statement from Kyiv that Western weapons had been used as part of the offensive.

We are now seeing "the battle of the pontoon bridges," says our defence and security analyst Professor Michael Clarke .

He says Russian vehicles carrying the pontoon equipment "are pretty obvious from the air because they've got bridge pieces on them," and the Ukrainians are using drones to go after the individual vehicles.

"When they see a pontoon bridge beginning to emerge they try and attack it. The Russians have been trying to build lots of these and the Ukrainians have been trying to attack them."

Russians in the border region invaded by Ukraine have been told to avoid using dating apps to prevent Kyiv's forces from gathering intelligence.

Moscow's interior ministry told residents, military and police personnel in the Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod regions to avoid "online dating services".

"The enemy actively uses such resources for information gathering," it said on Telegram.

Ukrainian forces are continuing to push into Russia's western Kursk region in an offensive that began two weeks ago.

Ukraine's parliament has voted to ratify the Rome Statute, allowing the country to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) - a key part of its drive to join the European Union.

The move would allow authorities "to more effectively punish" suspected Russian war criminals, according to Ukrainian politician Oleksiy Honcharenko.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for several Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin and former defence minister Sergei Shoigu for their roles in alleged crimes against Ukrainian civilians - Russia has denied targeting civilians.

"Ukraine has already worked effectively with the ICC to ensure comprehensive accountability for all Russian atrocities committed in the course of Russian aggression," Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted.

"This work will now be even more effective."

Ukraine's drone attack on Moscow and surrounding areas is "something to be remarked on", our defence and security analyst Professor Michael Clarke says.

Kyiv is "launching drones in lots of places" and there is a fire at a refinery fire in Rostov targeted by Ukraine "which is still going on after four days", he says.

"The Ukrainians are trying to worry the Russians as much as they can across the whole border to make the most of what they're doing in Kursk," says Prof Clarke.

"From the Ukrainian point of view they had the effect in Moscow of closing the airports for a while. And that brings home to the Russian people that this is war and you can't insulate yourself from this.

"And that's the message that the Ukrainians are trying to send out. They know most of these drones won't get through but if one or two get through they score the point and they inconvenience ordinary Russians in Moscow who pretend this isn't really happening."

Asked how Russia is responding to Ukraine's invasion of its territory, Prof Clarke said Moscow's forces "are still at sixes and sevens over what is happening in the Kursk region in this incursion".

He explains: "They don't seem to have been able to sort out exactly who is in charge."

Prof Clarke says there are "three different forces" on the ground in Kursk, and adds this is "one of the reasons why they're not doing very well".

He says: "So it's apparent that 16 days after this incursion began the Russians are still struggling to create a coherent response... it's partly because Putin operates a sort of medieval court in the Kremlin and when it's struck with a crisis like this people just vie with each other to be closer to the king."

Russia's state telecommunications monitoring service is reporting mass disruption to the Telegram and WhatsApp messaging apps.

The service did not say what could have caused the disruptions.

Monitoring service DownDetector has reported a spike in reports of issues with Telegram this afternoon.

Moscow's forces have taken control of the Ukrainian settlement of Zhelanne, in the Pokrovsk district of the country's eastern Donetsk region, Russia's defence ministry has claimed.

Russian forces have been pushing towards the key strategic hub of Pokrovsk city for months.

Capturing the city would compromise Kyiv's defensive abilities and supply routes, bringing Russia closer to its stated aim of controlling the entire Donetsk region.

Moscow's troops have been driving forward slowly in eastern Ukraine, where they control around 18% of the territory.

It is pushing for total control of Donetsk and neighbouring Luhansk, which together form the Donbas industrial region.

These pictures show service dogs training to search for landmines in the Kyiv region.

Members of the APOPO non-government organisation can be seen with Belgian shepherd dogs during the training session.

One person has been killed and two wounded after a Ukrainian drone dropped an explosive device on their car in Russia's Kursk region, acting regional governor Alexei Smirnov has said on Telegram.

At least 31 people have died since Ukraine's invasion into Russian territory began on 6 August, Russian state news agency TASS reported, citing an unnamed source in the medical service.

It said around 143 people had suffered injuries, of whom nearly 100 were hospitalised - including four children.

Moscow's reported use of aerospace forces to defend against Ukraine's invasion into its western territory "likely demonstrates continuing personnel shortages", the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

In its latest intelligence update, the MoD said a report by Russian investigative outlet Vazhnyye Istorii found one of the units deployed by Moscow is a specialised motor rifle regiment "formed unusually" of aerospace forces personnel.

It said personnel in the regiment include "those previously in specialist roles such as early-warning radar operators and at long range aviation heavy bomber regiments".

"Diverting personnel from these previously high priority areas likely demonstrates continuing personnel shortages," the MoD said.

"By employing them in an infantry role, they are also being misused, which could reduce Russian capacity to re-take territory in Kursk oblast."

It said Russia is continuing to develop new units and recruit more personnel "to sustain its mass attritional warfare approach against Ukraine".

"The high casualty rates that result mean that Russia needs to continuously replenish front line infantry personnel, which will almost certainly continue to limit Russia's ability to generate higher capability units."

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Aside from mission trips sponsored by your local church, the Church of God offers several programs for short-term missions work. Missional Inspiration. The Church of God World Missions Pastors Coalition has made an incredible global impact over the previous seven years. Pastors have been key partners in strategy development, training ...
Church of God World Missions
The 365 Kids Club is a free, fun, and creative way to connect children to the need for their involvement in the global gospel. Jesus gave every believer a command to "Go into all the world" (Matthew 28:19-20), yet we rarely teach or prepare children to follow through with this key responsibility. The 365 Kids Club is a great step towards ...
Explore
To bring men and women to the knowledge of God and to His redeeming grace (John 3:16; Romans 10:13-15). To obey Christ by confessing Him to the world (Matthew 10:32,33; Matthew 24:41-46). Church of God World Missions exists to: Preach the gospel of Christ; Develop mature disciples for the Kingdom of God; Lead non-Christian people to salvation
World Mission Department
Missions are an essential part of the work of The Church of God. The World Mission Department is tasked with overseeing the challenge of global evangelism. Christ, in His final commandment to His Church, stated, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching ...
Grow in Faith as You Serve on a Christian Mission Trip
Christian Mission Trips Our Christian mission experiences give youth, teens, and adults the time to connect with Jesus and each other through home repair and community service projects. As you step out of your normal routine and serve others, you'll learn leadership skills and strengthen your spiritual foundation. You'll be stretched beyond your comfort zone, encouraged to focus on the ...
Global Reach
Mexico (Full/Closed) July 18-25, 2024 $1,550. "The ACTS team enabled me to step out of my comfort zone and experience a culture so different from my own while also allowing me to share the universal love of Christ with others. I loved my experience with ACTS teams so much that I wanted to take on more roles in my home church & they eventually ...
Mission Teams
It is for this reason that mission teams are a vital asset to The Church of God. The purpose of each team may vary; however, they generally fall into two categories. Evangelistic teams visit a country to minister through the means of preaching and teaching to satisfy spiritual needs. Other teams travel to nations to assist with physical needs ...
Church of God World Missions
On May 11, 1938 the Cunard White Star Lines landed at Lobito Bay, Angola; on board Pearl and Edmond Stark, the first Church of God Missionaries to enter Africa. Through their Missionary efforts the Church of God established its first Missions outreach on the African continent. Since then the Church of God, with International Headquarters in ...
Philippines Mission Team Trip Announced
Philippines Mission Team Trip Announced. February 23, 2022 Asia, Press Release. Join us for a mission trip to the Philippines in early November 2022. Our mission team will spend eight to ten days in-country plus at least twenty-four hours travel to and from the Philippines. The team will depart from Atlanta, and team members are responsible for ...
YD MISSIONS TRIP, POZA RICA, MEXICO
YD MISSIONS TRIP, POZA RICA, MEXICO. July 3, 2020 @ 8:00 am - July 10, 2020 @ 5:00 pm. For additional information contact [email protected]. Add to calendar.
Assemblies of God (USA) Official Web Site
Most mission trips include extra daily abiding time spent in prayer, devotion, and Bible reading, as the experience allows God to move in participants' hearts in new ways. This became the easiest aspect to recreate virtually, as teams spent time together either in central locations or at set times throughout the day. However, to recreate ...
From Local to Global: The 7 Key Benefits of Short-Term Mission Trips
6) The Go Effect - Mission trips inspire Christians to action. For many people, short-term mission trips are a life-changing catalyst for them. Through short-term mission trips, when people experience serving God on a daily basis, they come back with renewed purpose. Many even make major life-altering decisions with their vocation, finances, etc.
11 simple steps to doing high-impact mission trips
Here are a few pointers on planning and leading a high-impact mission trip: 1. Do a pre-trip visit. Before you go on a mission trip, be sure to have leaders in your church or ministry do homework on the ministry you'll be working with and the "mission" you'll be doing. Whether you are working with a ministry, a church plant, an agency ...
Three Objectives for a Short-Term Missions Trip
Ultimately, the best short-term trips accomplish three objectives. 1. Short-term trips grow the heart of the church for the plight of the lost and for the spread of God's greatness in the world. This is what you want to fan into flame as you create a culture of mission in your church. You want God's people to be gripped with the needs of ...
Backyard Mission Trip
Initiated by College First Church of God, the Backyard Mission Trip has developed into an annual event involving volunteers from 30 congregations and civic groups serving more than 250 projects for homeowners across the city and county. ... The mission trip is carried out with limited financial support from the planning team. Breakfast ...
Frequently Asked Questions
Your financial support may be mailed to Church of God World Missions, P. O. Box 8016, Cleveland, TN 37320-8016. Make all checks and money orders payable to Church of God World Missions with reference to project or missionary number. For online donations, use our online giving portal.
History of WMA
Mission Trips; How to Join the Team. How to Join a Mission Trip Team; Join the Prayer Team; ... a Russian interpreter Helen, while pastoring a church in post-Communist Moscow. Both of them have had powerful encounters with God, Chuck - when he was miraculously healed by God at the age of 3 and Helen - having received faith through a Gospel ...
We Serve a Global God, We Must Not Forget the Global Church
Learn more about missions work though AGWM. Maps Global works to train and send groups to unreached areas of the world with the mission of sharing the Gospel. Convoy of Hope offers practical support and shares God's love with people groups across the globe.. These are just a few to get you started! There are so many ways to get involved in what God is doing across the globe.
Called to Go: 7 Inspiring Bible Verses for Your Next Mission Outreach
1 Peter 4:10-11 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms…so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.". Use your unique talents and abilities to serve others and bring glory to God on your mission outreach.
What is a Mission Trip and Why You Should Go On One
Mission trips are eye-opening experiences that provide personal and spiritual fulfillment, while helping communities in need. The reasons to go on a mission trip are endless and can often be very personal. The following section will name a few key motivations for embarking on a Christian mission trip. Gain a New Perspective.
Sasha
Sasha Tsutserov. Sasha Tsutserov's parents were members of the Communist Party in Russia. They never spoke of God or the Bible. However, when he was five years old, his grandmother insisted that he was baptized in the Orthodox Church. This was all done in secret—miles outside of Moscow, inside a dimly lit sanctuary.
Resurrection Church Sunday Service // August 18th, 2024
Resurrection Church was live.
25 Important Bible Verses For Mission Trips
This verse encourages believers to trust in the Lord completely and to seek His guidance in all aspects of life, including mission trips. It assures us that as we submit to God's leading, He will direct our paths and make them straight. Psalm 119:105. "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.".
Woman recalls alleged sexual abuse at age 3 in Michigan church, lawsuit
When she was 4, during a church mission trip with her family in Guinea, the 12-year-old son of another missionary family began sexually abusing her, according to the suit. The boy, identified by ...
Catholicism in Eastern Russia
From 1806 to 1812 a mission of the Dominican Fathers was realized in Irkutsk. In 1812, priests of the Jesuit order began to work there. In 1820, the Bernardine Franciscans replaced them. That same year, the parish was officially established, and in 1825 the Church of the Assumption of the Most Holy Mother of God was built.
Jamin Wight, Kirk Missionary
10/13/2006 Probation Ordered (I18-1501 (1) {F} Children-injury To Child) Probation term: 4 years. (Supervised) Pastor Douglas Wilson of Christ Church, Moscow, blame-shifted responsibility for Jamin Wight's serial rape onto the victim's parents and consequently neither he nor anyone else in the Kirk ever took Jamin Wight's crimes seriously ...
Ukraine war latest: Russia takes 'strategically important' town
A new bill passed in parliament bans the Russian Orthodox Church and the government will assemble a list of "affiliated" groups who will face similar treatment. 15:20:10 15:18:57