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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