Evangelical Alliance in Russia starts a chaplaincy program

In Fall of 2021 the Russian Defense Ministry officially invited the Russian Evangelical Alliance (REA) to provide Evangelical Pastors for military chaplaincy.

To my knowledge this is for the first time ever that Russian Army considers to employ Evangelicals as military councilors and pastors. Consequently, the invitation comes for the Evangelicals unexpected, and Evangelicals are ill prepared.

But action is in motion. The General Secretary of REA, Vitaly Vlassenko, signed an agreement with the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Christians in Moscow to start a training program for chaplains in January. The Peace and Reconciliation Network of the World Evangelical Alliance (PRN WEA) provides the needed financial support and assistance.

Similar programs in other European countries will share the available training resources in the Russian language. An exciting door for transformation of the Russian society is opening. The PRN WEA invites your prayer and financial support. Let us bring the gospel to the hearts of Russian soldiers.

Johannes Reimer, professor of Mission Studies and Intercultural Theology at the Ewersbach University of Applied Arts (Germany), and director of the department of Public Enagegement of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).