October 1-4, 2001

In October Pastor Rick Ives led a short-term missions team from New Life Christian Fellowship in Chesapeake, VA, a VM partner church. They partnered with Russians Reaching Russians and brought teaching, outreach and service ministry to several churches in the St. Petersburg area of Russia. The last week of the trip was spent in St. Petersburg supporting and ministering as a team at a Church Planting Conference sponsored by RRR.

Bobby Hill, International Director for VM, taught over 60 pastors and leaders for two days of sessions. The participants soaked up the material that focused on "Principles for Successful Church Planting." The goal was to instruct and motivate the pastors of this region to actively pursue a "mother church-reproducing-other-churches" model for the end-time harvest. There was also time allotted for interaction, small group prayer, and Q&A.

At the close of the conference there an opportunity for a presentation of Vanguard Ministries for the Russian pastors. The vision and purpose of VM was explained and there was interest expressed in VM expanding into this region with its network of churches and ministers.

Below are some comments regarding the conference shared by Pastor Rick Ives of RRR and one of the Russian pastors:

Pastor Bobby spoke with tremendous zeal, based on his personal experience and the clear biblical commands to start many new churches in all places. The heart of God for having vessels in which to receive, love, and equip his people was revealed to these Russian pastors in a way that inspired them to become church planters. Pastors told me afterwards that Bobby's presentation had caused them to realize that they need to go to where the people are instead of waiting for the people to come to them. In my 10 years of experience in Russia, this conference was the most effective, practical, and timely that I have been involved in.
- Pastor Rick Ives

The Church Planting Seminar for Russian Pastors and Leaders was supernatural! As I meet with people who attended the seminar they are telling me they are still being affected and impacted by it. During our conversations I hear them quoting the words and expressions. Everyone says they have heard nothing like this before.
- Pastor Sergei Morozov

The true results will be proven by the fruit which is produced. Our prayers go with the Russian pastors as they walk out God' direction for them and their people.