2 of 2

In building our seminary, we worked with a woman who is one of the new Russians. She is a president of a very successful company. In the process of helping us she found that she needed something else. I invited her to teach the course on management at our seminary. Later she called and said, "I manage my money; I manage my company; but I'm not managing my life." Now she is visiting our church, singing our hymns. There are a lot of people like that.

These New Russians value their time, they treasure their powers, and they will not go to the churches that will not give them what they expect. This is a great challenge for the church—to be ready for the actual needs of today's people. This is why theological education is so important for our leaders. In Russia, evangelical Christianity is young, but I believe it can be the spark of reform in mainline churches and the beam of hope for a hopeless country. Overall, I am very optimistic about the way evangelical Christianity is developing. Our numbers are small, but our opportunities are great.

The son and grandson of evangelical pastors, Sergei I. Nikolaev, 49, translated for Billy Graham's historic preaching tours in the Soviet Union. He now serves as president of Saint Petersburg Evangelical Theological Academy and is pastor of Temple of the Gospel Church in Saint Petersburg. E-mail: thacadspt@aol.com

Copyright © 1998 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

first page |  2 of 2

share this page

November 16 1998, Vol. 42, No. 13