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For many years I have thought of America and tried to imagine: what it is like in reality. I’ve read books, watched movies and documentary films about USA. In my school years I had a dream to move to USA and became a millionaire (billionaire possibly). But God thinks differently. Instead, He gave me a chance to visit the USA as a Christian and see with my own eyes the real Christian America!

I started my journey by taking an overnight train from my home in Penza to Moscow. From Moscow I flew to Washington, D.C. and from there by plane to Minneapolis, MN. In Minneapolis, I was met by dear brothers Oleg Volkov and Jack Phelps. They took me to my hotel where I finally could have some rest after a long trip from Russia.

Above L to R 6 of the 9 pastors in Minneapolis, MN:
pastor Eduard, pastor Timur, seminary student Alexander,
pastor Eugene, pastor Ruslan, pastor Oleg

Then the Conference started. I could see the spiritually matured brethren who had taught me with their acts and behavior what it means to be a Christian. Also it was a great experience for me to learn about church operations, how to serve people, and how to solve the problems in the spirit of humbleness and obedience to the Word of God.

Eduard Ivanov, Sasha Ignatov and Timur Anichkin participated in the CREC Missions conference

I enjoyed this beautiful fellowship for a week. Every day some of the brothers invited me to have a lunch or a dinner with them, making my time in the USA very comfortable. Dear brother Eric Sauder was very kind, and he took me and pastor Timur of Latvia to the nearest Christian Book Store where we had an opportunity to purchase some Bibles and Christian souvenirs. On the last day in Minneapolis, Eric took me and pastor Ravil of Siberia on a short trip around Minneapolis and shared with us a good lunch before we went to the local airport and said good-bye to each other.

Eric Sauder took me and pastor Ravil to share with us a good lunch!

After the Conference, I traveled to Lexington, KY, where I was met by dear brother Ben Burgher and his wife Sherrill. I stayed at their nice dacha (farm) for another week. They were so kind to me! I even called them “my second family”. During my last week in USA we had a lots of events and activities. I spoke to the Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church before the Sunday worship, where I gave my testimony and made a short presentation of myself and my hometown and church.

Lexington, KY, where I was met by dear brother Ben Burgher

After the Service we had a nice party at the Burgher dacha where we ate the Burghers’ burgers, drank some wine, and then we shoot the guns a lot! Unforgettable!

we shoot the guns a lot! Unforgettable!

Also we visited Clay City Elementary School where I had a chance to speak to the kids about Russia. They were so attentive and quiet while I speak! After I finished they shot me with many questions. I was glad to tell them that there are no bears walking around the streets in my hometown (except in the Zoo) and that we have two McDonalds in Penza, which made them very happy. Next we visited a local attorney and famous writer and champion Joe Bowen, who kindly presented me his book.

On the day before my departure Ben took me to the Christian School where we met brother Todd Van Campen.  After the lesson we said good-bye to Ben and moved to the Van Campen’s home where I had an opportunity to meet Todd’s wife Guinevere and their three lovely sons and daughter.  After the lunch we had a short home worship during which brother Brian O’Leary joined us.  After the worship he took me to his car, and we made a trip around the city, visiting some interesting places: churches, horse farms, etc.  In the evening we went to a restaurant and had a delicious dinner. After dinner Brian brought me to a hotel where he kindly provided a nice room for me.  On the next morning he picked me up and took me to the airport where we said good-bye to each other, and I began my trip back home to Penza.

Dear Prayer Partner,

Your prayers for the CREC Eurasia (SRS) March Intensive Course for pastors in St. Petersburg, Russia were gloriously obvious. 

First of all, the Lord answered your prayers for financing the course through generous gifts given in January.  (We were able to pay for 6 students to fly 7 time zones.)

Secondly, your prayers were heard-- the Lord brought together more seasoned pastors and ministers of the Gospel than we have seen since 1990.  Pastors Yuri, Ruslan, Costya, Kyril, and Eduard flew 10 hours from the far east of Russia.  Additionally there were pastors from Kazakhstan, Latvia, and European Russia.

The most amazing student was Zarik from Uzbekistan.  He left the Intensive course to become Uzbekistan's first known native evangelical preacher, an Uzbek for the Uzbeks. A humbling privilege to teach such a man!

Thirdly, the Lord heard your supplications for laborers for the harvest. He provided Brian Nolder, Jim Jordan and of course, Blake Purcell and me. I told my congregation that I am the poster boy for the CREC. If the LORD can use me in such an effective way, then He can use other CREC pastors.

Blake’s leadership and personal commitment to these men was inspiring. Many of these men did not have fathers and Blake is an effectual father providing the mentoring and training they did not receive in their childhood. In turn this enables these pastors to be become effective husbands and fathers and teach their congregations which are desperate for this kind of ministry.  

Six hours a day, six days a week were spent teaching from the book of Philippians, Genesis, the doctrine of the Word from the Westminster Confession of Faith, and biblical conflict resolution. The Lord filled our hearts daily through the robust singing of the Psalms.

I shared with you on our live webcast that meeting so many men of God, eager to study and apply the Word of God was life-changing.  If you did not see it—here is the link:

http://slavicreformationsociety.com/2011/04/Webinar-BTS-part_1


The men wrote final exams for two days, mostly passing with sound 80% averages. Ruslan commented, that Blake’s exam, requiring 6 hours of exegetical and problem-solving work, was the hardest but most rewarding test he had ever taken.

Prayer Requests

1. The Purcells’ summer in the US where they will visit churches, friends and family and leave Zachary as a freshman at the University of Texas. (If you would see them this summer email Blake at  blakepurcell2000@yahoo.com)

2. The CREC Eurasia Mission's first leadership meeting June 7-9 in Mississippi, led by pastor Eric Sauder.

3. For long-term sponsoring/mentoring churches for pastors and preachers Yuri, Ruslan, Eduard, Kiril, Jenya, Artyum, Timur and Zarik that will enable them to  join the CREC and travel to the CREC council meeting in Minneapolis, MN, in October 2011.

The fervent prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects,

Terry Tollefson, on behalf of the executive board of CREC Eurasia and SRS
May, 2011
Enterprise, Oregon

Biblical Theological Seminary in St. Petersburg, the education facility of SRS, is getting ready to have our winter 2011 intensive training for c. 10 pastors and ordinands. The dates of March 7-20. Lord willing, three of the men will be graduating at this intensive training.

Three pastors and teachers from the States will be joining the local staff to teach: the Rev. Terry Tollefson (CREC, Enterprise, OR), the Rev. Brian D. Nolder (CREC, Pella, IA), and the Rev. Dr. James Jordan (BTS Prof. of OT, Biblical Horizons ministry). Pastor Terry will teach on biblical peacemaking and possibly the psalms; Dr. Jordan will teach on Genesis; Pastor Brian on Paul's letters (special focus on Philippians); Blake Purcell will teach on covenant theology and biblical interpretation.

In order to accommodate all of the expenses related to the training, SRS has an immediate need of $1500. We would like to reprint Doug Wilson's book on infant baptism and Blake Purcell's book on communion for trainees to take back to their congregation. And ticket prices for students are never exactly what we expect them to be. Would you pray about going to the website right now and donating $100 toward this need? (http://slavicreformationsociety.com/donations.htm) Or you could make a check out to SRS, with "2011 winter intensive" in the memo, and send it to 1109 W. Third St., Pella, IA 50219.

Less than four weeks until this training! Please for safe travel for teachers and students, fruitful learning, and for all involved to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world!

Every blessing in Christ, 
Brian D. Nolder
SRS Rep

I have been back home now for two weeks after my wonderful trip to the USA in January.  During the 2 weeks of my stay, I visited, preached, and shared about our ministry in Eurasia in Lexington, KY, Sulphur, LA, and Arlington, TX.

This trip also allowed me to attend the 30th reunion of the Corps of Cadets of Texas A&M, class of 1981, and just as importantly spend some time with my aged father in Wichita Falls, TX, and visit my new grandson in Dallas, TX.  It really doesn’t get any better than that!

From March 7 - 21 seventeen pastoral students will be  in St.Petersburg for our Winter\Spring intensive course. We have an outstanding group of visiting pastors to assist in this course:  Pastor Brian Nolder will teach exegetically on Philippians, James Jordan on Genesis, Terry Tollefson on Conflict Resolution, and I will teach on the Doctrine of the Word of God.

This is without a doubt the strongest line up of speakers and topics we have ever had in my 20 years of living and working for the Lord in the former Soviet Union.

The most encouraging thing about this upcoming intensive course in addition to the spiritual firepower of the men that will be teaching will be that we have 2 Eurasian pastors who will graduate at the conclusion of this intensive course. We hope and pray that we can celebrate the wonderful achievements of pastor Jenya of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, and pastor Kiril of the Far East of Russia. They have all been studying in our extension program for the last 3 years or more.

It will be especially exciting for them to see their hours of study, travel, and discussion recognized and affirmed by 4 American and 9 of their Eurasian pastor brothers!

Please pray that we will be examples for all seventeen pastoral students attending of 1Cor.16. Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.

Yours in Christ,

Blake

Igor Krutogolov (left) and Sergey Matsuk (right) graduated St.Petersburg seminary in 2006 and 2010