Russian Report # 1.

Thanks to all who prayed and supported Steve's and my trip. The flights were smooth and we made most of the connections. Jet travel sure is glamorous with those 10 hour trips with 300 people on a crowded steel box surrounded by sneezing adults and crying kids. Welcome to modern travel. Despite these challenges our health was good and we avoided the viral infections so prominent in Russia.

Our time in Russia was fruitful. We had the sense before going that our 15 years of ministry trips there and bringing people here were about to "TIP" into a broader opportunity for leadership development. Our goal has always been to set up a training program and process that enabled nationals to expand their effectiveness and reach. Many things point to that happening with this trip.

Our first week was spent in a Roman Catholic retreat center just outside Moscow. We have met there three times and it is a great place of peace and quiet to study, pray, train leaders and experience God's presence. We celebrated Pentecost/Trinity Holy Day in the chapel with Brother Michael preaching a great sermon on Unity in the Spirit.

Our ministry in Russia is unique in that it includes folks in the leadership team from Russian Orthodox, Baptist, Pentecostal, Charismatic and Reformed backgrounds. In Russia that is almost miraculous. The Communists did almost everything possible to divide and conquer the faith community and they are still recovering. Our ministry is a strong leader in developing fellowship across denominational lines in our groups, classes and training sessions.

We spent several days of learning and small group work empowering over 20 men and women leaders who already have key positions in their local and regional ministries. Some are clergy, some teach in seminaries and schools, some are lay leaders, some are professional counselors and all are influencers.

Our topic that first week was "Advanced Counseling Skills" and we showed them how to move beyond 12 step groups and addictions to deal with other issues. They are amazingly open and eager to learn and apply their insights to their personal lives and ministries. Their healing testimonies are incredible and encouraging.

(See www.liferoute.ru for more information.)