Mission Eurasia works in Russia and other countries of Eurasia to train and equip young Christian leaders for effective ministry.

 

Mission Eurasia works in Russia and other countries of Eurasia to train and equip young Christian leaders for effective ministry.

Russia is the world’s largest country, spanning nine time zones, and is home to 176 different people groups, speaking 137 different languages. Sadly, about half of these people groups have never heard the gospel.

President Vladimir Putin is increasing state control over political institutions and media outlets, and growing feelings of nationalism have led Russia to assert its interests in other former Soviet states, such as Ukraine. The government also remains suspicious of Western organizations, accusing them of having political agendas. In fact, a law passed in 2012 requires all NGOs to register as “foreign agents,” and a newer set of laws known as the “Yarovaya package” requires all religious organizations to receive government permits in order to operate. However, even if they obtain permits, the government can still regulate their ministry activities. These laws also give the government the authority to track citizens’ online activity and fine anyone engaging in evangelism.



The majority of Russians identify with the culturally and politically strong, but spiritually weak, Russian Orthodox Church; however, Islam is the nation’s fastest-growing religion, primarily in the North Caucasus. There are also sizable Muslim populations in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and parts of Siberia. Russia’s lingering legacy of atheistic communism attempts to fill spiritual emptiness with wealth, sex, and other material pursuits. As a result, in 2015, Russia had the world’s third-highest rate of new HIV infections, most of which were related to drug use. The nation also has high human trafficking and teen suicide rates, and recently created social media suicide games are claiming the lives of hundreds of young people.

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