In
the late 1980s, during the fall of the Soviet Union, The United
Methodist Church re-established its work in Russia, reconnecting
with a long tradition of missionary outreach to the nations of
Russia that dates back to the 19th century. In this new wave of
evangelism, new churches have been established. Under the leadership
of Bishop Ruediger Minor, the Russia United Methodist Provisional
Annual Conference was established in 1997. At its September 7-8,
2002 session the Russia United Methodist Church celebrated 10
years of renewed United Methodism in Russia.
The four United Methodist Annual Conferences are
divided into 11 districts. There are now 188 Sunday schools and
110 congregations with an average of 50 members. One hundred and
twenty-seven men and women are under appointment including 37
ordained clergy and 38 commissioned workers. Through the Russia
Initiative, people-to-people exchanges, and work projects, about
5,000 U. S. Methodists have visited Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine,
Belarus. Nearly 4000 persons from those countries have visited
the U.S since 1991.
Decades of Evangelism
Ten years ago there were
no United Methodist Churches in the former Soviet Union. Today
there are: • 110 churches
• 188 Sunday schools
• 4 United Methodist Annual Conferences divided into 11 districts
The United Methodist churches
throughout Russia and the former Soviet Union are served by: • 127 men and women under appointment including
• 37 ordained clergy
• 38 commissioned workers
In 1995 the United Methodist
Church established the Russia United Methodist Theological Seminary
to train indigenous leadership. Currently there are: • 47 graduates
• 13 full-time resident students
• 40 distance learning students
Send contributions to: U M General Board of Global Ministries
Russia Seminary Building Fund
Attn: Peter Siegfried
475 Riverside Drive
New York, New York 10115
Advance No. 012173-8AN
In
the late 1980s, during the fall of the Soviet Union, The United
Methodist Church re-established its work in Russia, reconnecting
with a long tradition of missionary outreach to the nations of
Russia that dates back to the 19th century. In this new wave of
evangelism, new churches have been established. Under the leadership
of Bishop Ruediger Minor, the Russia United Methodist Provisional
Annual Conference was established in 1997. At its September 7-8,
2002 session the Russia United Methodist Church celebrated 10
years of renewed United Methodism in Russia.