Leaders from 124 countries gathered in Seoul, South Korea, for the World Evangelical Alliance General Assembly from October 27 to 31. The event, hosted at Sa-Rang Church, drew approximately 900 international delegates and 5,000 local pastors. Vitaliy Vlasenko, general secretary of the Russian Evangelical Alliance, represented Russia at the forum. The assembly focused on the theme 'Gospel for All by 2033,' coinciding with the 2000th anniversary of Christ's resurrection. Organizers highlighted the growth of the evangelical movement in the Global South, noting that 70% of believers now reside in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The meeting also saw the inauguration of Botrus Mansour as the first general secretary from the Middle East.
The ROCHEV (P) Synod 2025 convened 650 participants from 116 Russian cities in Moscow. Led by Senior Bishop Sergei Ryakhovsky, the event focused on the theme 'Good Deed of Faith.' The gathering addressed challenges in state-religion relations and highlighted legal pressures on Christians, including Pastor Sergei Artemyev in Izhevsk and two Brazilian priests in Krasnodar. Seven thematic streams covered topics such as missionary work, youth ministry, and legal issues. The event took place at two venues, 'Good News' and 'Word of Life,' with the next synod scheduled for October 2026.
From July 7 to 13, the Living Water church in Evpatoria, Russia, hosted a free exhibition of art reproductions at the historic Solomon Bott House. Organizers stated the project aimed to share the Christian gospel through discussions of works by artists such as Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Over 100 attendees heard the message during lectures by experts Alexander and Raisa Prodonov. Pastor Vladimir Eremeev described the event as a bridge between culture and faith, noting that the initiative seeks to address spiritual questions through art. The exhibition was organized by the Russian Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith.
The 23rd Congress of the World Baptist Alliance took place in Brisbane, Australia, from July 7 to 12, 2025. The event gathered representatives from 134 countries to discuss the theme 'Living the Good News,' based on Luke 4:18-19. Peter Mitzkevich, Chairman of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, attended with his wife and was elected to the 'Acts-2' committee preparing for the 2000th anniversary of Christ's resurrection in 2033. He met with General Secretary Elijah Brown and pastor Rick Warren. The congress emphasized global evangelism, Bible translation access, and support for persecuted Christians, particularly in Muslim-majority nations. Mitzkevich highlighted Russia's role in the worldwide evangelical movement during his participation.
From June 25 to 27, 2025, the annual Christian conference 'Fire' took place at the Word of Life church in Moscow, Russia. The event gathered over 1,200 participants, including teenagers, ministers, and parents from various Russian cities. For the first time, a special program for parents was introduced to foster intergenerational dialogue and strengthen family values. Key speakers included youth pastor Alexey Romanov and youth leaders Timofey Lysov and Milena Arutyunova. The three-day schedule featured worship services, workshops, and prayers. Organizers reported that 30 teenagers made a decision to practice chastity until marriage. The event was organized by the Word of Life religious organization.
From August 15 to 18, Russian Church of God of Faith Evangelical leaders visited South Korea. Chief Bishop Eduard Grabovenko and administrator Ivan Borichevsky met with Pastor Yoon-Hun Lee of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul. The group also attended a conference by the Association of Evangelical Churches of Korea. On August 17, they participated in the ordination of Nikolai Zhen and his wife Svetlana as bishops. Grabovenko invited Lee to celebrate the Russian church's centenary in 2027. The outlet reports that the Russian denomination plans to expand its work in Korea.
From August 6 to 11, 2025, a delegation from the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (RUECB) visited churches in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Led by First Deputy Chairman Viktor Ignatenkov, the group met with local clergy and congregations to discuss post-war ministry and social needs. The outlet reports that services continued despite ongoing shelling, which damaged buildings in Holaya Prist. The visit also included meetings with volunteers providing social aid in Mariupol. The RUECB stated that believers in these areas are seeking spiritual support amid the conflict.
Bishop Pavel Goncharuk of Kharkiv told Vatican News that the Catholic Church stands in defense of the Ukrainian people during the ongoing conflict. He described a brief meeting with Pope Francis, who offered a blessing to the clergy and the nation. Goncharuk highlighted the severe challenges faced by communities near the Russian border, including constant bombardments and fear. He emphasized that priests remain with their congregations, providing spiritual and emotional support. The bishop also discussed the psychological trauma experienced by soldiers, noting that while love gives them strength, taking life leaves a heavy burden on their souls. Despite the destruction, he affirmed that faith and hope endure.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association organized the European Congress on Evangelism in Berlin from May 27 to 30. Franklin Graham, the organization's president, stated that the event aims to encourage clear and bold proclamation of the Gospel, noting that Europe needs Jesus Christ. The gathering brought together over 1,000 church leaders and ministers from 55 countries, marking the largest such assembly since the 2000 Amsterdam conference. Twenty-seven preachers from 18 countries delivered sermons based on Romans 1:16, with translations into ten languages. A delegation from the Russian Church of Evangelical Christians of the Baptist faith, led by Bishop Eduard Grabovenko, also participated. Organizers hope the event will inspire renewed passion for evangelism among believers.
The Moscow Theological Institute in Russia has completed a one-year program training 27 students in Christian media communications. The curriculum covered journalism, social media management, video production, and graphic design, alongside theological ethics and church history. Participants applied their skills during the All-Russian Conference of the Russian Church of Evangelical Christians and Baptists. Organizers, including Pavel Evteev, stated the goal is to equip graduates to share faith through digital platforms. Students presented final projects such as media guides and content strategies. Graduates are now actively creating religious content for churches and media outlets, aiming to bridge the gap between the church and the modern digital world. (Source: Protestant.ru)
The Wycliffe Bible Translators mission marked its 25th anniversary with a gathering in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The event highlighted the work of over 60 staff and volunteers who translate the Bible into languages across Africa, Asia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. The organization aims to provide Scripture in native tongues for communities that currently lack access. Attendees shared testimonies from dangerous regions and viewed cultural artifacts, including a 300-year-old Torah scroll. David Westrom, a pastor in Moscow and mission servant, emphasized the group's commitment to supporting churches and distributing the Bible globally.
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From July 7 to 12, 2025, approximately 1,200 participants from various Russian regions attended the annual Christian retreat 'Island of Transfiguration' in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The event was organized by the Church of Jesus Embassy in Nizhny Novgorod. Key speakers included Pavel and Vera Ryndich, founders of the project, along with other pastors and musicians. The program featured worship services, seminars, and youth activities. According to Pavel Ryndich, the gathering may have been the largest of its kind in Russia. The retreat has been held since 1999 to foster spiritual growth among believers.
Pavel Mitkevich, chairman of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, issued an Easter appeal urging believers to pray for spiritual awakening in Russia and global peace. He highlighted specific concerns regarding religious freedom, citing reports of a sealed prayer house in Kurganinsk, Krasnodar Krai, and a prosecutor’s inspection of a church in Novocherkassk, Rostov Oblast. The union seeks divine wisdom for authorities to allow free worship and preaching. The statement emphasizes loyalty to the gospel ministry during the holiday season. (Source: Protestant.ru)
Representatives from five Protestant denominations addressed the opening of the Russian Church of Evangelical Christians (RCHVE) conference on May 1 in Russia. Leaders emphasized unity, mission, and the defense of evangelical faith amid historical restrictions on religious freedom. Sergei Ryakhovsky highlighted the need to protect the right to worship according to conscience. Leonid Kartavenko compared interdenominational cooperation to harmonious choir singing. Vladimir Miskyevich noted that many self-identified Christians have never read the Gospel, urging active preaching. Yevgeny Ekimov and Vladislav Telegin also spoke on resilience and peace. The group stated that despite challenges, they remain committed to joint service and spreading the Gospel together.
The second Interfaith Women's Forum 'Soziday' will take place in Moscow on April 9–10, 2025. Organized by the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians (Baptists) with support from the Public Chamber of Russia, the event aims to unite women from various Christian denominations around traditional spiritual and moral values. The forum focuses on family values, social architecture, culture, and women's personal development. According to the organizer, the goal is to create a platform for discussing the role of women in society and strengthening traditional Russian values. Previous editions included government officials and hundreds of participants.
From April 3 to 5, 2025, the fifth All-Russian conference titled 'City on a Hill' took place in Moscow at the Golgotha church building. Organized by the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, the event focused on media ministry strategies. Although attendance decreased slightly due to economic conditions, many participants joined online. The forum featured speakers from various denominations, including Orthodox blogger Serafim. The General Secretary of the Russian Evangelical Alliance attended, emphasizing the importance of the church's message in secular society. Attendees praised the high organization level and the atmosphere of interconfessional dialogue.
The All-Russian youth conference Generation for Christ 2025 took place in Moscow at the Amber Plaza venue. According to the press service of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians Baptists, more than 1,500 participants attended the four-day event. The gathering focused on the theme Living Church. Over 20 speakers shared their experiences and knowledge with attendees through sermons and seminars. The annual meeting aims to help young people strengthen their faith and address relevant questions regarding life and ministry.
The Kaluga Regional Court in Russia has deregistered the local branch of the Evangelical Lutheran Church following a lawsuit by the Ministry of Justice. The state authority cited a report claiming the organization failed to hold regular worship services. Vitaly Vlasenko, Secretary General of the Russian Evangelical Alliance, criticized the decision as unjustified interference in internal church affairs. He argued that the Ministry overstepped its legal boundaries and ignored testimony from Archbishop Alexander Franz. Vlasenko warned that this ruling sets a dangerous precedent for state-religion relations and urged immediate appeal to higher courts to protect religious freedom and social stability in the region.
On January 21, 2025, services for Christian unity took place in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. The events were part of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Catholic bishops Paul Pecchi and Nikolai Dubinin led the liturgies in their respective cathedrals. The gatherings coincided with the Catholic Jubilee Year and the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council. Representatives of the Russian Union of Evangelian Christians (ROSEVE) also participated. Pastor Dmitry Taranov and Alexander Kholemenko emphasized that Jesus Christ is the center of unity and stressed the importance of mutual support among different denominations. The services included reading the Nicene Creed together.
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