PROJECTS

SGA/Australia works alongside national churches and under the direction of the Union Evangelical Christian-Baptists (UECB) in the CIS by supporting projects that have been determined by church leaders.

Financial support of national pastors and church planters

Church leaders in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other CIS republics are seeking sponsors for their pastors and church planters. It costs approximately $100 - $500 per month to sponsor a family, depending on the location and size of the family. Currently some 65 pastors and church planters in the CIS are being supported by Australian churches and individuals through SGA. When a church or individuals expresses an interest to sponsor a pastor or church planter, SGA recommends a suitable person for consideration. We arrange for information, testimonies and photographs to be sent. Those supported are requested to write at least 3 reports per year to their sponsors and SGA/Australia provides language translation and communication by e-mail or post.

Support of Bibles Schools and Seminaries

During the communist era, such training institutions were forbidden. By God’s grace we have been able to direct finances to Bible schools and seminaries in various parts of the CIS. Other SGA International Offices fully sponsor several such training institutions. More have requested similar sponsorships.

Teaching Ministry and Seminars

Our Interim Executive Director, Dr. Nickolai Porublev, travels to the CIS to teach at seminaries, Bible Schools and conducts seminars for pastors and Christian workers. He specialises in teaching on ‘Cults and World Religions’. False teaching and cults are a real problem in the CIS.

Evangelism

SGA/Australia has worked together with Bill Newman International in organising evangelistic outreaches for the well-known Australia evangelist Dr. Bill Newman. Crusades have been conducted in Ukraine and Russia. Dr. Nickolai Porublev usually acts as a liaison and interpreter. There are more invitations to conduct crusades both in Russia and Ukraine.

Bibles and Christian Literature

Two decades after the collapse of communism there is still a great need for Bibles and Christian literature in the CIS. SGA provides the opportunity for Christians in Australia to help fund the printing of Bibles and Christian literature for free distribution in the CIS.

Church Building Projects

Freedom of worship and the planting of new fellowships have created a need for places of worship which Christians in the CIS call “Houses of Prayer”. This need is evidenced both in cities and villages. Verbal and written requests are often submitted to SGA/Australia seeking financial assistance, both to build Houses of Prayer, or purchase existing buildings which can be renovated into suitable facilities. SGA/Australia has had the privilege of providing funds for such projects. The need is ongoing.

Assistance for Urgent Needs

Pastors and Christian workers in the CIS ask for assistance in meeting special needs, ranging from the cost of a car repair, medical treatment, Christian camps for children and young people, local conference, funeral expenses, church musical instrument etc. As finances allow we endeavour to respond to such needs through our CIS ministry fund.

Ministry of compassion

There is much poverty in the CIS today. The economies of all the CIS republics remain in dire straits. There is much corruption, theft and cronyism. The result is suffering, alcoholism, domestic violence, drug addiction, prostitution and crime. The population of Russia, Ukraine and other CIS republics is declining at an alarming rate. SGA/Australia believes that together with the preaching of the Gospel it is necessary to exercise a ministry of compassion. Through SGA’s bi-monthly magazine “Slavic Gospel News”, as well as deputation visits to churches, we invite Christians to donate to this purpose. We praise God that we have been able to provide shoes and clothing for the poor, packages for families of prisoners, humanitarian aid to orphanages, financial assistance for funeral expenses for relatives of poor families and other urgent needs.