For years, we as churches have supported the missionary work of Brother Oleg Lyubich above the Arctic Circle. The congregation he serves is affiliated to the International Union of Evangelical Christian Baptist Churches (EChB). On behalf of the Mission Deputation, Rev Jeroen van Limbeek and Rev Arie van der Zwan attended the EChB's general brothers' congress, comparable to our General Synod.
The congress reported on the progress of the work over the past eight years. That is a longer period than intended. The congress was first organised in 2017 and was supposed to meet every five years, but due to the corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine, this was not possible earlier. Moreover, because of the political situation, it was not possible for the delegate brethren from Finland, Ukraine, the Baltic states, Germany, Canada and the United States to travel to Russia, where the congress is normally held. It was diverted to Georgia.
Growing community
The fraternity is growing. That is something to be immensely grateful for. Over three hundred new places of meeting have been created and 21,320 members baptised. The number of ministers of the Word has increased by 792. In the coming years, extra attention will be paid to Bible teaching tor the youth so that even more consecrated brethren can be sent out to proclaim the Word of God.
Thanks were given for the financial and theological contribution made by churches from the Netherlands and elsewhere.
Concrete concerns
Geopolitical developments are causing great concern. The anti-terror legislation in Russia and the occupation of parts of Ukraine, as well as the closed borders of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, leaving communities there highly isolated.
On the spiritual front, the temptations of the internet, smartphone and materialism were mentioned. The brethren are also very alert to the error that knowing God's grace makes the law redundant in the lives of believers.
In his contribution to the conference, Rev Van der Zwan mentioned the current concerns about our church, due to a deep difference of opinion regarding hermeneutics, ethics and church law. At the same time, he encouraged the brethren that there will always be a church in the Netherlands that will fight with the brotherhood in the gospel.
Meeting with brother Lyubich
Evangelist Oleg Lyubich has been serving the church in Norilsk in Siberia for 30 years. Recently, there have been concerns about his and his wife's health. Yet he remains in his post because he feels called by the Lord to do this work.
Brother Lyubich said that partly thanks to the financial support of the CGK, the burnt down prayer house in Novoribnaya could be rebuilt in a week. Last summer's evangelisation work went well.
At the farewell, we wished Brother Lyubich, his family and co-workers God's blessing and encouragement with Romans 15: 13 - May God, who gives us hope, fill you in faith wholly with joy and peace, so that your hope may continue to increase continually by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual unity
There were repeated prayers and thanks at the congress. Also for our churches. Several sermons were delivered and Holy Communion was celebrated together. Celebrating this sacrament together with six hundred brethren makes a great impression. What binds together is the expectation of God's kingdom, the confession of Christ as Saviour and King, and bowing together before His throne of grace.
May the Lord have mercy on the brotherhood and use the joint missionary work under His blessing to expand His kingdom.
