Country Profile: Russia / Россия

For more information: www.ru.om.org

Rich in beauty, history and culture, Russia is the biggest country in the world, stretching across 11 time zones and many changes in culture and climate. As OMers we count it a huge privilege to live and work in this great country alongside many Russian team mates. After the tremendous social and political upheavals of the twentieth century, Russia is still undergoing a time of change and transformation. The horrors of World War II and seventy years of communism have left an indelible impression on the older generation, while social problems such as alcoholism, drug abuse, a rapidly increasing HIV rate, divorce and a growing contrast between the super rich and desperately poor are deeply affecting the daily life of Russians today. How to make the Gospel real and Christianity relevant in the middle of all these challenges? This is a big question facing the Russian church and OM today. As OM Russia, we count it a privilege to partner with Russian churches in their lives, projects and outreaches, supporting them in many varied ways. Nearly half our team is made up of Russians; their fluency in both language and culture is a hugely positive influence on OM's ministry and effectiveness.

Our main ministry goals are:

To co-operate with Russian churches and mission groups in discipling and church-planting ministries including leading Bible studies, teaching seminars, outreach and discipleship.
Working with children, teenagers and young people - focusing on the generation which holds the key to Russia's future.
Motivating the Russian church to world mission through prayer, giving and going. It's exciting to be involved with the first new generation of Russian missionaries both within the Russian Federation and further afield.

OM Russia today consists of around 15 people in Novosibirsk - a city of 2 million and the capital of Siberia.

We have a special one or two year Global Action training programme for both non-Russian speakers and Russian Speakers. If you are studying, or have studied, Russian at university or can already speak Russian then why not consider this new programme:

6 months of intensive, residential Biblical and missiological training in Russian, alongside Russian young people (with the option of writing assignments in English).
Practical ministry experience as part of the training course.
A high emphasis on team work - building close relationships with Russian colleagues and then serving local churches in these teams.
After training, the opportunity to continue working in ministry along side the full time OM team in Novosibirsk.

So many opportunities, such a big country, so few people! Why not This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ?