Story number 3 for 18 Aug 2003

(Russia)–Youth culture in Russia is punctuated by growing sub-cultures. Many of the groups find heavy exposure to substance abuse and a desperation of future. Russian Ministries’ Sergey Rakhuba says this poses a challenge to the local church. “Today, there is the tremendous freedom for the Gospel, but unfortunately, the young generation is having different challenges or different orientations in their lives.” Rakhuba reports that the church leaders are rising to the test. He says there is a surge of growth in youth outreach. What’s more, Rakhuba believes the young people are responding to the Gospel. “Ministry is growing in this direction, reaching out to younger people that at certain point, they lost their hope, but, due to compassion of national workers, they’re coming back to a normal life, and they find hope in Christ.”