Our support in Russia is focused on Jesus is Lord Church in Kingisepp, a two hour drive west from St Petersburg. The initial contact began in 1998 through a gap year student from SCF who worked at one of the Drug Rehabilitation Centres the Kingisepp Church supports. Subsequently, teams from SCF and related churches have been involved with various projects.
In June 2002 the church had to leave its rented accommodation and a member of SCF purchased an old Soviet army music school. This was in need of renovation and since then teams have worked on the building. These teams pay for their own air fares and accommodation, and raise money over and above this for essential building materials. They have visited local orphanages, the local hospital, helped with a holiday programme for children from the local community and visit the two Drug Rehabilitation Centres, leaving gifts which are often donated by our café regulars. Other teams from SCF have also visited the church to teach, preach and build relationships. We have hosted several couples and individuals from Kingisepp in Southend.
The Kingisepp Church is actively involved with their community and support disadvantaged families, children and individuals. Alcohol and drug addiction is a significant problem in Russia and the Christian rehab centres supported by the church are seeing significant success in destructive cycles being broken in peoples' lives as they discover God's heart of love. As well as practical and spiritual support we give financial support for the full time church workers and a child from a disadvantaged family.
Our most recent trip was to the Kingisepp church in March this year, please click on the link below to read all about what God did during their time there.
Last year we sent out two teams to visit and support the Kingisepp church, the August team was lead by our community and youth worker Steve Dalley in July. His report is available below.