Evangelism: An Open-Air Crusade in the Soviet Union? Believe It!

CHRISTIANITY TODAY/October 20, 1989

In a country that for years tried to stamp out religion, thousands came forward to give their lives to Christ.

Christian evangelism is not unprecedented in Russia. Vladimir I, the tenth-century prince of Kievan Rus’ whose adoption of Byzantine Christianity led to the establishment of the formidable Russian Orthodox Church, evangelized by princely fiat.

Peter the Great, known by historians as the great Westernizer of seventeenth-century Russia, imported hundreds of thousands of German Lutherans, hoping to evangelize indigenous Russians to a more Western Christianity by osmosis. And even in the last year or two, scattered open-air events have been held in cities throughout the Soviet Union, mostly by indigenous Christian groups.

But big-time, Western-style crusade evangelism waited for Luis Palau, whose September 9–17 open-air meetings were greeted by enthusiastic audiences in the cities of Riga, Leningrad, Kishinev, Kiev, and Moscow.

And judging by how Palau was received, there might well be many more such meetings in the USSR. In churches and stadiums holding from 7,000 to 70,000 people, thousands came forward to dedicate their lives to Christ. It happened in a nation that for the better part of 70 years has tried to eradicate religion from its culture.

Landmark Occasion

Many Western observers viewed the Palau crusade as unique, a landmark event. “It’s the first open-air evangelism of its kind allowed by the authorities,” said Soviet specialist Kent Hill, director of the Washington-based Institute on Religion and Democracy. “It signals even more openness to Western techniques and religious freedom,” Hill said.

Palau’s campaign began in Riga, a city in the Baltic state of Latvia. After bringing greetings from Christians all over the world to his audience of 5,000, Palau said that the world is out of control without Jesus Christ. Stating that it is not enough to be rich or accomplished, Palau emphasized that after hearing what Jesus could do for their lives, listeners “dare not leave here this afternoon without deciding about Jesus.” About a thousand came forward; each received a copy of a Russian New Testament.

In Leningrad, Palau and his team were surprised to learn that local church officials had been able to book Kierova Stadium, a 70,000-seat soccer field built for the 1980 Olympics. Although there were no thoughts of filling the stadium (about 7,500 attended), the symbolism of being able to use the largest, most modern meeting facility in the city was not lost on Leningrad’s Christians. Said one Baptist pastor, “You must realize that in a country that in the past has not allowed any public meetings outside of officially recognized churches, this is a major step.”

The meetings were advertised on state-controlled television stations, in newspapers, and on posters and leaflets that covered the city. It was public promotion of religion unheard of in days past.

Widespread Support

Almost as significant was the broad support Palau’s team received from the various branches of the Russian church, including official sanction from the Russian Orthodox Church, the Council of Churches for Evangelical Christians and Baptists, and the All Union Council of Evangelical Christians and Baptists. He also had support from various independent churches and denominations not officially recognized by the government. Given the past, acute disagreements among these groups on church-state issues, their working together to support Palau was widely viewed as a significant achievement.

“I have prayed for years that the Lord would allow me to preach in Russia,” said Palau. “Preaching in Moscow was my great dream. Now it’s a dream come true.

“I am thankful to people like Billy Graham, who laid the groundwork for this opportunity,” the evangelist continued. “And I am anxious to come back to Russia for more extensive campaigns in the future.”

Not all ran smoothly, however. The government had granted permission for a million copies of Palau’s book What Is a Real Christian? to be printed in the country by Biblical Literature International for distribution and use in conjunction with crusade activities. But although the booklets were printed on time, they were not available for the meetings. Government authorities claimed they needed extra time to examine the literature for possible subversive material.

The books were eventually released, but too late for any of the meetings. Local churches, however, will use the literature in conjunction with their own ministries.

By Terry Muck in the USSR.

Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.