Siberia – a light shines in darkness

I have just arrived to China after a very early arrival after a night flight from Siberia. While waiting for my connecting flight I sum up my experiences over the weekend in Novosibirsk. Siberia might be mostly known for their GULAG camps during the soviet times. Siberia is so much more than that.

The Cornerstone network, which is part of Word of Life in Russia, is centred in Siberia. They had their yearly leadership conference. Pastors and leaders came in from far distances and we had a great weekend together. The work is quite unique, because of their success in reaching out to and getting drug addicts free.

Leaders' Conference in Novisibirsk

Here we see evangelisation, church planting and social mercy work in a winning blend. It all started 17 years ago as Pastor Sergey Nepomnjashikh came to a conference in Abakan, where Ulf Ekman prayed for him and prophetically mentioned the exact prayers Pastor Sergey had prayed. Very soon thereafter the work started to grow significantly. And they started to see how they could help drug addicts coming off drugs. They started a rehab and this has since become a central tenet in their work.

Today they work in about seventy cities, where their churches have an average of two or three small rehabs. Currently they have about 1500-2000 in their programs. Faith in Jesus is the remedy. The newly saved drug addicts join for a four-month program where prayer, studies in the word of God and discipline start to transform their lives. Many choose to stay for another period of four months to help new arrivals. After this they can go to missionary school, which this year has about seventy students. After school they are sent to new cities to plants churches and open rehabs. I need to point out though, that the churches consist of people from very varied backgrounds.

It is a joy to fellowship with these brothers and sisters. First of all, looking at them you witness miracles. Secondly they are so thankful to God for their second chance and a new life. Further, they are very committed to serve God and reach out to people in need.

My heart is filled with gratitude and a strengthened faith in God’s ability to transform peoples’ lives, even those who seem to be beyond rescue!

Now I will spend two weeks in the great land of China. Very exciting!