Rich in beauty, history and culture, Russia is the biggest country in the world, stretching across 11 time zones and many changes in culture and climate.  As OMers we count it a huge privilege to live and work in this great country alongside many Russian team mates. After the tremendous social and political upheavals of the twentieth century, Russia is still undergoing a time of change and transformation. 

The horrors of World War II and seventy years of communism have left an indelible impression on the older generation, while social problems such as alcoholism, drug abuse, a rapidly increasing HIV rate, divorce and a growing contrast between the super rich and desperately poor are deeply affecting the daily life of Russians today. How to make the Gospel real and Christianity relevant in the middle of all these challenges? This is a big question facing the Russian church and OM today.As OM Russia, we count it a privilege to partner with Russian churches in their lives, projects and outreaches, supporting them in many varied ways. Nearly half our team is made up of Russians; their fluency in both language and culture  is  a hugely positive influence  on  OM's ministry and effectiveness.
 
Our ministry goals are:

1. To co-operate with Russian churches and mission groups in discipling and church-planting ministries including leading Bible studies, teaching seminars, evangelism and discipleship.
2. Motivating the Russian church to world mission through prayer, giving and going. It's exciting to be involved with the first new generation of Russian missionaries both within the Russian Federation and further afield.
3. To provide opportunities for both Russians and internationals to be involved in short and longer term mission programmes, both within Russia and further afield e.g. through such programmes such as Global Challenge, the Spring Campaign and Global Action. The team languages in Russia are English and Russian.
4. To help provide aid and resources for local churches in order to facilitate opportunities for sharing the Gospel and helping those in need e.g. supporting Christian drug rehabilitation centres, feeding programmes, helping orphanages, sponsoring study and libraries for Russian partner churches etc.
   

OM Russia today consists of around 30 people on two teams in St Petersburg and Novosibirsk.

Why not come and join us for a summer outreach (2-4 weeks working with local churches, kids' camps or even taking the Trans Siberian express all the way to Vladivostock, stopping to work with churches and camps en route?)

Or consider our two year Global Action programme with intakes in September and January including -:
*initial orientation to OM and Russia
*three months intensive Russian study in St Petersburg (unless you are Russian or a fluent Russian speaker already)
*21 months on an OM ministry team with some training, weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings
*diverse ministry opportunities from evangelism to administration, bookkeeping to Bible studies, teaching English to student work and so much more depending on your gifts, desires for ministry and OM team leaders' assessment.

OM Russia teams always work alongside a local church looking for ways to partner and support them.
Why not join us in St Petersburg and help support ministry teams and churches in Russia through organising short term campaigns and conferences, editing our bi-monthly Russian prayer letter and other communications, helping with literature distribution, financial management and fund raising, teaching and training in co-operation with local churches and Bible schools, preparing Russians to serve as missionaries both within Russia and further afield, general admin. IT, and so much more ....

Or join our dynamic ministry team in Novosibirsk. Working alongside Russian churches, the team are involved in working with children, teenagers and young people, preaching, teaching, leading Bible studies, a lively student work, supporting several local orphanages, and helping with Russian led church planting projects. September 2006 will see the opening of a new discipleship centre with a six month programe for young Russians who want to grow in their Christian faith.

So many opportunities, such a big country, so few people!  Why not join us?