Bryansk, Russia…

is a regional capital city of about 500,000 people, as well as an “oblast” (state) with a population of about 1.5 million, located 250 miles SW of Moscow .  After WWII Bryansk became known as the “City of Partisan Glory” due to the defiant actions of the local militia, or “partisans” who fought bravely against the Nazi invasion and occupation. But the history of Bryansk reaches back to as early as A.D. 985, making it an older city than even Moscow. Bryansk has seen great changes over the centuries, but none as dramatic as what is happening in the early 21st century. Rapid changes have come economically, politically, socially, and most definitely spiritually. There is a new openess to the gospel here as people are searching for eternal answers to the meaning of life. The prayer is that a we are seeing the foundation laid for a “movement of God.” in this 1000 year old city.  No one can dicate where and how God may move, but there is now a generation that is opening up their hearts and minds in such as way as to invite God to take over.  At the end of

the 19th century thousands came to follow Christ in a spiritual movement initiated by a group of Christians who locally became known as “people of the book.” Village to village and house to house,

people came to faith in Christ in large numbers. Today our prayer is that the “City of Partisan Glory” will also become the “City of God’s Glory,” as we see a new movement of God take place.  This is Bryansk, Russia!

Focus of the Ministry in Bryansk, Russia:

“Healthy things grow… and growing things multiply.” This is the theme of the ministry in Bryansk in the 21st century.  This is  true in the natural and agricultural world, it is also a truth in the spiritual world as well. Good HEALTH... leads to good GROWTH... which ultimately leads to MULTIPLICATION. With this path in mind, this ministry in Bryansk is focused in 3 primary areas:

1. Church Health for Existing Bryansk Churches:

There are existing Churches that have a desire to grow healthy.  These churches are invited to join what is called the “Church Health Plan;” a 5 year covenant agreement to takes important steps toward health, growth, and ultimately a commitment to multiply by planting new churches and starting new ministries. Each of these churches in the Church Health Plan will have a partner from a different culture who desire and commitment to health and multiplication int their culture as well.

2. Church Planting among the Younger Generation:

The generation who are under 35 years old are different than any generation in 1000 years of Russian history. They have choices that none of their ancestors had. They are the most receptive to the gospel today as well.  We are seeing church planting happen with a focus on this generation. We stand with this movement in as many ways as possible to see it grow healthy and multiply throughout Bryansk and beyond.

3. Support Camp & Training Ministries:

Summer Christian Camps for children and youth; Training events for church leaders; and the development and follow up of children and youth ministries, are all a vital part of this support work. There is a privately owned Christian campground called “Yolchka” that is a key tool for seeing these ministries develop.

Who are the PARTNERS and Personalities in this ministry?

This whole ministry is a cooperative effort of many, including a growing number of partner churches and ministries.  Billy and Patty Arnold are the primary American

directors, with the primary support from LifeWay Church in Federal Way, Washington.  Billy has served as a staff pastor at LifeWay Church for 25 years now. He was the church planting pastor for one part of LifeWay Church in 1984 (orginally called The Church at Palisades). Today, Pastor Don Turner (the church planting pastor for the other part of LifeWay) serves as the key lead pastor at LifeWay while Billy dedicates much of his pastoral time to this work in Bryansk, Russia. (barnoldlifeway@gmail.com)

• LifeWay Church, of Federal Way, WA (lifewayconnect.com) has been intricately involved in ministry in Bryansk, Russia since 2000, and is the lead and key partner even today. At LifeWay
  

  Rich Long, LifeWay Church team leader, at a summer camp

  Church, Rich Long (Elder at LifeWay) is the team leader of summer teams, and trains teams to partner with Russia projects. Scott & Diane Jackson are the

  

  Diane Jackson

  coordinators and developers of the Summer

  

  Scott Jackson

  Programs in Bryansk working with a host of existing churches and new churches. Scott and Diane also speak fluent Russian.

• This entire project is also under the supervision of the International Mission Board (SBC) of Central and Eastern Europe and the USA. Billy & Patty are the “Virtual Strategic Coordinators” for this IMB approved project plan. Buck & Leslie Burch who reside in
  

  Buck Burch, International Mission Board missionary, Russia

  Moscow, are the “in country” IMB missionaries we work most closely with. (imb.org)

• We also work under the Russian umbrella of “New Life Ministries” in Bryansk, Russia, a legal non-profit religious organization that itself works under the legal entity of the Russian Baptist Union. Brothers Gregory and Gideon Lisitsyn are
  

  Gideon & Gregory Lisitsyn (left and right), directors of New Life Ministries, Bryansk

  the directors of New Life Ministries of Bryansk.

• The Puget Sound Baptist Association in the Seattle, Washington area plays a key partner, helping in many different roles, including finding specific “church health” partners for Russian Churches. Dr. Ron Shepard is the Executive Director of the PSBA. (psba.net)
• Beverly Park Baptist Church in Seattle,
  

  Pastor Travis McIntosh of Beverly Park Church Seattle, and Pastor Dema Redin of New Life Church Bryansk - Partners

  Washington is now a partner with one of the Russian Churches. Their relationship began in the winter 0f 2009 and will continue for several years. Travis McIntosh serves as the lead Pastor at Beverly Park. (beverlypark.org)

• Glowing Heart Ministries from Dallas, Texas is now a partner with the new
  

  Henry Loftin of Glowing Heart Minstries partners with church planting

  generation church in Bryansk. During the summer of 2009 Glowing Heart will help host and lead a camp for the new “History Makers Church.” Henry Loftin is the director of Glowing Heart Ministries and a participant himself in the Russia Ministries. (glowingheart.org)

Consider joining in what God is doing in Bryansk, Russia!  Pray…  give… go… serve… all for the Glory of God.