Dear Friends,

Welcome to the Virginia Conference Russia Initiative Website!

While Christianity has been a vital part of the life of the Russian people for more than a millenium, the collapse of the Soviet Union afforded new opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We in Virginia have been a part of Russia Initiative of The United Methodist Church since the early 1990s and exciting things continue to happen in this special part of God's world.

In recent years, our work in Russia especially has been highlighted through the Virginia Conference's Initiatives of Hope (IoH) program. While 2008 brings the conclusion to our involvement in IoH, we still have much to do and many opportunities to be Christ's servants as we share in ministry with our Russian brothers and sisters. Most Russians will continue to be a part of the Russian Orthodox Church but our Wesleyan approach to Christ will touch the lives of those who hunger for caring communities, vital and joyful worship, opportunities for growth in faith through small groups, and a holistic view of faith that combines love for God with a commitment to love of neightbor expressed through acts of mercy and justice.

We invite you to join us in this great ministry. There are many avenues for service. You or your congregation can provide support for a Russian pastor and congregation; you can join us on a mission team; you can pray for God to use us for good and to bless these young Russian churches as they face daunting challenges we can barely imagine.

Thank you for visiting our website. We are currently updating the site and hope you will visit us often; but even now you can learn about upcoming UMVIM trips planned this summer! Let us know what you would like to see here, and how we can best serve your interests and needs. We covet your prayers, encouragement and support!

Grace and peace,
David M. Hindman (email David)
Chairperson
Virginia Conference Russia Initiative