On September 23, 2026, the World Evangelical Alliance celebrated its 180th anniversary through two online Zoom meetings. Hundreds of participants from over 20 countries joined the event, which highlighted the organization's history since its founding in London in 1846. General Secretary Rev. Botrus Mansour opened the gatherings, emphasizing unity amidst cultural diversity. The alliance, representing more than 650 million Christians in 160 countries, also introduced a new website and discussed its Call 33 initiative. Godfrey Yogaraja, chair of the International Council, described the group as a global voice for evangelicals. The outlet Protestant.ru reported on these developments.
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Evangelical Christians in Russia participated in a TASS press conference in Vladivostok marking the 150th anniversary of the Synodal Bible translation. The event included officials from Primorsky Krai, representatives of the Russian Bible Society, and academics from Far Eastern Federal University. Bishop Andrey Manzhosov emphasized the translation's role as a common platform for interconfessional dialogue. Participants discussed the text's impact on Russian culture, translation into indigenous languages, and theological education. The conference highlighted the Synodal version's ability to bridge different Christian traditions through a shared linguistic foundation.
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On September 30, 2026, Marina Matievskaya, head of the ROSKhVE Department of Sustainable Development, attended the Interfaith Conference 'Mercy in Russia' in Moscow. Held at the House of Russian Abroad, the event was organized by the Moscow Muftiat to mark the Year of Unity of Peoples of Russia. Matievskaya read a message from ROSKhVE leader Sergei Ryakhovsky, emphasizing mercy as a core religious principle. The conference featured speakers including Muftir Albir Krganov, who highlighted aid for special military operation participants. Representatives of traditional religions shared experiences on social service and charitable projects.
In June 2026, German theologian Heinrich Leven visited Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia, to engage with local Protestant communities. The visit aimed to foster dialogue on preserving traditional values and church development. Leven, a polyglot and expert in the evangelical movement, praised Russian Christians for their societal contribution and spiritual resilience. Bishop Garik Kurginyan of ROSKhVE described the event as a significant spiritual opportunity for the North Caucasus region, highlighting the mutual respect and encouragement shared during the meetings.
The second roundtable on 'Church and Society' took place in Sochi, Russia, focusing on combating drug abuse and illegal trafficking. Organized by the Council of Evangelical Church Heads in Sochi, the event gathered city officials, pastors, psychologists, and social workers. Pastor Vitaly Lyubchenko of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians of Faith (Pentecostals) delivered a welcome address from Bishop Sergei Ryakhovsky, emphasizing the need for holistic support combining spiritual, psychological, and medical aid. Lyubchenko also presented results from a pilot project called 'Parent Meeting,' which aims to educate families on healthy communication. Participants decided to expand this initiative to include suicide prevention and plan to establish a crisis hotline center for families.
On April 27, 2026, the third Interfaith Women's Forum 'Soziday' took place in Moscow at the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. Over 300 women from various Christian denominations gathered to discuss traditional spiritual values and social responsibility. Organized by the Russian United Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals) with support from the Public Chamber, the event featured speeches by Vladimir Zorin and Bishop Sergei Ryakhovsky. Participants addressed topics including family support, NGO collaboration, and aid for families affected by the special military operation. The forum aimed to foster unity and promote harmonious societal development through shared experiences and joint initiatives.
According to Protestant.ru, Katti Giray, a descendant of Crimean Tatar royalty, became the first North Caucasian evangelist after converting to Christianity in the early 19th century. Supported by Scottish missionaries in Karas and Emperor Alexander I, Giray studied theology in Edinburgh and London. He proposed establishing a missionary school in Crimea to train Muslim children for evangelism among their peers. Although the Scottish Missionary Society could not fund the project, Giray secured support from Irish missionaries. His work highlights early cross-cultural religious efforts in the Caucasus region.
The Russian Evangelical Alliance has written to the Prosecutor General of Russia regarding a controversial inspection at the Evangelical Christian Baptists church in Odintsovo. The letter, dated March 18, 2026, describes the March 1 event as a humiliating raid involving armed officers in masks who blocked exits and demanded personal documents during Sunday worship. The group claims the actions caused moral distress and offended religious feelings. Similar inspections reportedly occurred in nearby settlements. The Alliance requests a public evaluation of these methods and asks for new regulations that respect religious sensitivities to improve state-church relations.
The Russian Church of Christ and the Bible (RCCVB) held a three-day national conference in Moscow, Russia, attended by approximately 1,500 participants from over 130 cities. The event, titled 'In the Beginning Was the Word,' marked the brotherhood's theme year and the 150th anniversary of the Synodal Bible translation. Senior leaders, including Bishop Eduard Grabovenko and Bishop Alexander Tsvetkov, delivered sermons emphasizing the living power of Scripture and the Gospel. The gathering featured workshops, including a discussion on faith in the age of artificial intelligence, and presentations by the Wycliffe Bible translation mission. Organizers also announced preparations for the RCCVB's upcoming centenary celebration.
Delegates from the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians and Baptists held their XXXVII Congress in Moscow on May 12-13, 2026. The assembly elected Peter Mitkevich as chairman and Alexey Pichugin as deputy chairman. In a letter to President Vladimir Putin, the group thanked the administration for helping return the House of the Gospel in Saint Petersburg. They also requested assistance in registering worship spaces in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Additionally, the delegates expressed concern over State Duma bill No. 1149587-8, arguing it restricts home worship and contradicts biblical teachings. The group emphasized its commitment to peacebuilding and traditional family values.
A scientific and theological conference was held in Moscow to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Russian Bible. The event took place at the Golgotha church and the seminary of Evangelical Christians Baptists. Speakers included clergy from Russia and other Commonwealth countries, as well as biblical scholars, historians, and theologians. They delivered educational lectures focused on the Synodal translation of the Bible and its translation into other languages. The report was provided by the Spectrum Information Bureau in Moscow. The gathering aimed to highlight the historical and theological significance of this major religious text.
On February 13, 2026, a draft law was submitted to the State Duma that would prohibit religious gatherings in residential buildings, including apartments and basements. The initiative, supported by multiple parliamentary factions, aims to restrict worship in private homes. The Russian Evangelical Alliance, represented by General Secretary V.K. Vlasenko, argues this violates previous Constitutional Court rulings and limits believers' rights due to a lack of alternative venues. Authorities often refuse to allocate land for religious construction. The group urges citizens to contact deputies and join a day of fasting and prayer on March 3, 2026, to oppose the measure.
The Eurasian Federation of Baptist Unions and the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists are organizing a jubilee conference in Moscow on February 7, 2026. The event, titled '150 Years of the Russian Bible,' will feature speakers from Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Central Asia. Topics include comparisons between the Synodal translation and modern Russian versions. The conference also includes an exhibition of the Bible Museum and Wycliffe Mission, showcasing rare artifacts like the Arkhangelsk Gospel. Registration is required for attendees.
The Russian Evangelical Alliance (REA) concluded its international prayer week on January 18, 2026, in Russia. The event focused on the theme of God's faithfulness to His people. According to the REA press service, the initiative united evangelical Christians from various denominations within the country and connected believers across East and West. Prominent pastors, including V.V. Romanenko and A.Yu. Petrov, participated in the program based on Psalm 77. The alliance states that the event demonstrated spiritual unity and a commitment to cooperation among different evangelical groups for evangelization purposes. A participant from the Evangelical Alliance of Germany noted the thematic alignment with European prayers.
The Russian Christian television channel TBV reported that its audience grew to 1.5 million viewers in 2025, according to Mediascope data. The channel expanded its distribution to two hundred cable networks and added platforms like Peers.TV and Vintera.TV. New programs included Maria Butina’s “Common Denominator,” which won an award for best interviewer, and Bible analysis with Kirill Didenko. The channel also covered major events and supported the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. Executive Director Yury Ruls stated that the network plans further expansion into online and satellite services in 2026 while improving relations with traditional Christian denominations.
On November 11, 2025, the National Spiritual Supper took place at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Moscow, Russia. The event gathered religious, state, and public figures to strengthen interreligious dialogue and consolidate society around traditional moral values. Organized by the National Spiritual Supper Foundation, which was established by the Evangelical Unions of Russia, the gathering aimed to promote biblical principles for building a strong nation. Sergei Ryakhovsky, Chairman Bishop of ROSKhVE, and Foundation President Andrey Gaidamaka spoke about spreading these values beyond church walls. Participants discussed topics such as business culture, education, social service, and media ethics in thematic sections. The event concluded with a concert by the Annenkirche team.
A senior leader of the Russian Evangelical Alliance recently appeared on a Christian radio station in Russia. He discussed the upcoming 2033 celebration of Christ's birth and the shift of Christianity's center to Asia and Africa. The interview highlighted severe persecution faced by believers in Sudan, Syria, Nigeria, and India, noting concerns raised by the UN. The discussion emphasized the importance of spreading the Gospel and understanding God's Kingdom. The event included a studio recording and commemorative photos, as reported by the Protestant.ru outlet.
Vitaliy Vlasenko, general secretary of the Russian Evangelical Alliance, met with Pastor Rick Warren in Seoul from October 26 to 31, 2025. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the World Evangelical Alliance Assembly. Warren, known for his books and leadership at Saddleback Church, served as a main speaker at the event, which gathered over 900 representatives from global Christian organizations. During their conversation, Vlasenko thanked Warren for his ministry and conveyed greetings from the Russian Evangelical Alliance. According to the outlet, Warren requested a photograph to pray for Russia, while Vlasenko praised Warren's writings for helping people find life purpose.
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.
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