Russia (MNN) — The Bridge International's Bible Training School in St. Petersburg, Russia
is sending out passionate disciples. The Bridge aims to reach the unreached in the 10/40 window, and this goal is being achieved in small steps as devoted Christians graduate from their schools with a heart to reach the unsaved.
Igor Panfilov graduated from the school in 2001 and began extended training in Biblical leadership and the Word of God at another of The Bridge's schools in Western Russia. Upon graduation, his heart's desire was to go to more unreached areas of Siberia. He found himself serving in prisons.
There he established fruitful ministries simply by sharing his faith and love. While beginning Bible schools within the prisons was on Igor's heart, authorities shut down his
ministry.
Later, there was opportunity for full-time ministry in an Orthodox church. The Orthodox church is generally accepted by evangelicals as unopen to the Gospel, but Igor wrote to the Bridge explaining his decision to minister there. "By tact and by example we can bring to the
Orthodox church all good things from the Bible–first of all the message that we can have a real, alive relationship with Jesus Christ through God's Word, and also that we walk in life with Him."
After some time there, Igor was invited by the head priest to become Director of the Orthodox Gymnasium, or high school. This provided opportunities to share the Gospel with students, teachers and community leaders. As the Orthodox church alone is entrusted to work in state schools and prisons, Igor again had the opportunity to reach the unsaved. However, administrative tasks slowly began taking priority over sharing the Gospel.
The Bridge International supports Igor as he follows God's call to him this summer into vocational ministry. He believes his broad relational connections and a position as an entrepreneur in the
marketplace will be a great place for evangelism.
The Bridge sponsors many missionaries like Igor, and you can help.
