A Legacy of Next Generation Ministry Training in Russia and Eurasia
12.02.2019
St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia
Not long ago, the Soviet Union was held in the iron grip of atheistic communism, and during that dark time, Christians could not receive the training or education they needed to share the hope of Christ with their hurting neighbors. But, when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, many young believers, including Mission Eurasia’s president, Sergey Rakhuba, suddenly had the unprecedented opportunity to receive life-changing ministry training.
Dr. John A. Bernbaum
During this time of newfound religious freedom, the mysterious red door opened, and faithful Christians from around the world flocked to Eurasia to equip young leaders to proclaim the Good News in their communities and nations. One of the most extraordinary stories from this era is that of the Russian-American Christian University (RACU), the very first Christian liberal arts university in Russia. This story is told in a fascinating new book called Opening the Red Door by Dr. John A. Bernbaum, the founder and president of RACU.
While RACU was unfortunately closed by the current Russian government, Mission Eurasia has had the honor of working closely with Dr. Bernbaum and the Business and Education as Mission (BEAM) Foundation, which formed after RACU closed. During the last few years, Russia has only continued its attack against the church with repressive laws that threaten to close the door on evangelism. But, in the midst of escalating religious persecution, Mission Eurasia remains committed to carrying out RACU’s dream to equip the Next Generation of Christian leaders in Russia and throughout Eurasia for transformational ministry.
Sergey Rakhuba, president of Mission Eurasia, with two Next Generation leaders
In fact, we are deeply grateful to Dr. Bernbaum and the board of the BEAM Foundation for their ongoing support of Mission Eurasia’s two flagship Next Generation training programs: School Without Walls (SWW), which trains and equips young Christian leaders in Eurasia to develop and carry out strategic ministry initiatives in their own communities and nations, and the Next Generation Professional Leaders Initiative (NGPLI), which equips young Christian professionals in the key fields of education, medicine, law, business, and media to effectively share the gospel with their students, patients, clients, and peers. The Next Generation leaders who receive training through SWW and NGPLI are now boldly living out their faith in every sphere of society.
As we look to the future, Mission Eurasia would like to warmly invite you to help us train and equip even more Next Generation leaders in Eurasia to bring spiritual transformation to their communities and nations, despite any challenges they may face.
Opening the Red Door
For a generous gift of $20 or more, we will send you one copy of the inspiring book Opening the Red Door by Dr. John A. Bernbaum, which is an eye-opening tribute to the amazing ways that God is working around the world. Once you start reading this book, I guarantee that you won’t be able to put it down!
You can give a gift by visiting our Donate page and selecting the “Next Generation-Opening the Red Door” designation. You can also give over the phone by calling our office at (630) 462-1739, or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 496, Wheaton, IL 60187. Please make checks out to Mission Eurasia and write “Next Generation-Opening the Red Door” in the memo line.
Please consider partnering with Mission Eurasia to fuel the fire of the gospel that Dr. Bernbaum and RACU ignited after the Iron Curtain fell and the red door opened—a legacy to which Mission Eurasia is steadfastly committed.