- Russia Family Camp, August 2002  (other Mission Reports)
 

     On August 18-27^th, the first Family Camp ever held in the nation of Russia was held with overwhelming success. In a nation where, only a few short years ago, such meetings by independent Christians would never have occurred. The Communist regimes in place never encouraged meetings of any kind not connected with some state program. Since the introduction of the Message in the former Soviet Union, rapid growth has occurred in the Churches and the Message has spread in supernatural proportions. Sermons of Bro. Branham are translated and are being printed in Lithuania, Ukraine and now Russia itself. Taped sermons are being duplicated and translated in Lithuania and shipped to Russian speaking Believers all over the world.

     The first thrust of the ministry helping in the post-Communist region was to establish the basic doctrines of the Message. Bro. Lonnie Jenkins and others traveled throughout the nations where Russian is the native language and  laid a firm foundation. This year it was expressed by the ministers in the former Soviet Union to hold a camp meeting designed to minister to the needs of families. Without a doubt, the need for foundational instruction to husbands, wives and families is very real. Coming from a background of “Communist” thinking, the individual experiences of many of the people is heartbreaking. In a society where the state dictated and tightly controlled all aspects of social structure: education, morality, and religion, the people coming into the Message were beset with many un-Biblical family problems. There are huge problems with marriage, divorce, children born out of wedlock, and generally “amoral” (without morality) views of basic Christian living. 

     As the Message is introduced, and the strict government controls are lifted, the families go through radical change and readjustment. The need for basic Bible teaching in this area is urgent. Thanks to the support and vision of Believer Christian Fellowship in Lima, Ohio and other supporting churches and individuals, the Family Camp in Veliukia Like was held about five hours drive from Moscow.  A total of 12 services were held from Wednesday to Sunday on subjects ranging from family life to Courtship, a minister’s meeting and a special session for young ladies. The response was very positive and almost 500 saints arrived from Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Armenia, Ukraine, Belarus and even Poland. Bro. Sasha and his team did an excellent job in organizing the meetings, the facilities, meals, afternoon activites and the endless details in running such a meeting. Even an international soccer tournament was played throughout the week (which was won by the Ukranian team.) Sunday school classes were held for various age groups in small rooms in the meeting hall to accommodate the crowd in the main meeting hall. By all appearances, it was hard to think of this camp as the very first family camp. About 7 people were baptized and Bro. Nickolai, who has recovered wonderfully from his slight stroke, performed about 5 marriage for couples who were married by the State. Whatever is done to strengthen families will undoubtedly strengthen a local Church, and in turn strengthen the Bride collectively. It is with real sincerity that we thank God for the many people and Churches who are working toward strengthening the Russian speaking members of the Bride of Christ.

Bro. Barry Coffey