USA (MNN) — SOAR International Ministries works in Russia, providing for the needs of orphans, though currently the ministry is gearing up for Winter Olympic outreach in Sochi in February.
SOAR’s Greg Mangioni says, “I’m just thankful to be a part of this ministry, frankly. I’m just always grateful for how the Lord brought me here and for whatever small part I can play in reaching the people of Russia. My wife is Russian, and my children are dual citizens. Russia has really become more than just a mission field: it’s become a part of my home, too.”
The 2014 Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi, Russia, February 7-23, 2014.
SOAR International Mission is already planning with Sochi churches for three weeks of Olympic outreach. While other organizations will focus on the international crowd, SOAR and the local churches will reach the Sochi population.
Over the three weeks of the 2014 Winter Olympics, SOAR will send three different mission teams to Sochi–one team per week.
SOAR Director Dick Page explains, “[The churches] are creating Fun Zones at 4-10 local churches. In most cases, it will be their sanctuary, kind of converted. It’ll be a hospitality center: it’ll [have] a big screen for watching Olympic events, refreshments, and then it’ll be staffed with people who can visit and share the Gospel.
“Teams will go out to a number of local parks and other public centers [doing] some fun ministry like balloons and bubbles…and invite people to come back to the Fun Zones at the churches,” says Page.
Click here to find more about each of these ministries.
