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By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
MOSCOW, RUSSIA (ANS) - Christian broadcasters from all over Russia gathered in
Moscow from May 17-19 for the Association of Christian Broadcasters (ACB) fourth annual
conference. ACB is an umbrella organization registered by the Ministry of Justice in
Moscow.
Two hundred fifty delegates from all parts of Russia and the surrounding republics came
together for three days of training in media, strategizing, equipping, fellowship and
prayer for the spiritual condition of Russia.
A DESTRUCTING RUSSIA
One of the most moving moments at the conference was the joint prayer on behalf of a
critical spiritual condition of Russia.
Delegates from the northern Russian city of Murmansk delivered a powerful plea for help.
Their spokesman said, "The people of our area are drinking themselves to
death! They are dying before our eyes. We need help. We do not know where our help will
come from. But, of this we are sure that the Lord wants these people to be saved!"
He revealed that the local TV channel has been shut down and "the delegates want to
reactivate the channel for the proclamation of the Gospel."
Said veteran Christian broadcaster, Hannu Haukka, who heads up International Russian
Radio-TV (IRR-TV), "They have little media experience, no equipment, no funding
only faith that God sees, hears, and answers prayer. Members of the organizing committee
of the ACB led the 200 conference delegates in fervent prayer for northern Russia and
other regions represented. Sizable segments of the Russian population are self-destructing
across the country. Their philosophy is 'Tomorrow will be no different. Therefore, it
matters not what happens today.'
"For this reason IRR-TV has significantly revised its strategy for Russia. We want to
strengthen the work by redirecting our efforts and resources to the large cities of Russia
and by using every existing media possible to bring the message of Christ to the
people."
WHAT HAPPENED?
Training at the conference was delegated to experienced media organizations. HCJB a giant
in missionary radio provided teaching for the radio boot camp and several radio related
seminars.
Phil Cooke of Phil Cooke Productions based in Burbank, California, and a National
Religious Broadcasters (NRB) veteran, led the television seminars plus a plenary on 15 of
the worst mistakes of a broadcaster. Cooke said that he had made them all and wanted his
Russian colleagues to avoid making them. Assisting Cooke was Edward McDougal of the
Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), which has extensive experience in the broadcasting
in the former Soviet Union.
INTERNET TRAINING
The newcomer to the conference was the Internet. Use of the net has spread rapidly in
Russia. Sebastian Traeger of christianity.com from Washington D.C. also an NRB instructor
explained how the net can serve the purpose of the Church in Russia.
HONORING THE VETERANS
A tender spirit was present when Alex Leonovich, the ACB conference committee presented a
veteran in Christian broadcasting to Russia with an award. Leonovich has served the cause
of Christ for 57 years in radio. God's faithfulness seen in the life and ministry of Alex
Leonovich who has served as an example to the whole conference.
"These fathers in broadcasting have left footprints for us to follow. The same God
who saw them through trials and tribulations will also see us through ours!" said
conference chairman Hannu Haukka.
DELEGATES FROM ACROSS RUSSIA
Participants had come from Azerbaijan bordering Turkey, the Chechnya region, the Caspian
Sea, Yakutsk province in Siberia. One delegate had traveled 4 days by train from Chita,
which is located at the Mongolian border.
COME TO CENTRAL ASIA AND HELP US!
A special message from Kazakhstan was delivered to the ACB conference committee. It was an
invitation to hold a regional conference especially for Christian broadcasters in Central
Asia in October of 2002. Delegates from the predominately Muslim Central Asian States of
Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Takzikistan, and Uzbekistan are expected to attend. The conference
would be a first in Christian broadcasting for the region.
RUSSIA'S FUTURE
The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church addressing the efforts of the Catholic Church
to resurrect its activities in Russia declared: "There is a vicious struggle going on
for the souls and minds of the Russian people the future of Russia depends on who
wins!"
At a press conference the ACB expressed its view that the battle for every Russian heart
and mind would be won by the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
A spokesman said, "Russia does not need a religious war to complicate its present
critical spiritual condition. Only reconciliation forgiveness can restore the soul of
Russia and the lives of its citizens. ACB is there for this very purpose, to tell
Russia of the One who restores and reconciles."
Hannu Haukka can be contacted by e-mail at pirjo@irrtv.org.
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