A Christian school group looks to assist schools in the former Soviet Union.

Russia (MNN)–In the wake of Communism’s fall, Christian schools entered the former Soviet Union. There are now 50 Christian schools, where none existed before.

The Association of Christian Schools International’s Dan Egeler returned from a trip to the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Baltic region. His purpose: “…to establish some effective Christian schools in that context, but truly schools of excellence; then, secondly, to encourage some of these leaders, to unify them, to equip them. They truly are doing noble work through tremendous challenges, but they’re discouraged there’s such a heavy load that they’re trying to carry. We need to come alongside them and encourage them.”

Since 1992, the Lord has given many believers a vision for Christian school education and ACSI has helped many to act on and expand this vision. According to records, there are at least 80 Christian schools of various sizes and denominational affiliations in the countries of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Kyrgyzia.

Many of the schools are still fragile, their existence nothing less than miraculous when seen in the light of prevailing political and economic conditions, bureaucratic difficulties and frequent lack of adequately trained Christian teachers to staff them.

Egeler urges prayer as they grow with the partnering schools. “There’s just many opportunities to get involved, open doors to truly make a difference in the society that God had been stripped clean [from] for over 70 years; (and) now we have a chance to shape the hearts and minds of the next generation of young people there in the former Soviet Union.”

The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is a ministry with the goal of being an “enabler” for the evangelical Christian community of preschools, elementary and secondary schools, and post-secondary schools. ACSI works to accomplish its mission by providing information, services, and products needed by more than 4,800 member schools in 95 countries.