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Come Sunday, April 27 at 9 and 10:30 a.m. to hear the story of God's miraculous work behind these photos taken during Wayne and Kathy's Russia trip this past week. Read below the story behind the mission of this trip and the influence of our church leadership to spread the Gospel to the nations.

Pastor Graumann Helps Expand the Church's Leadership Efforts in Russia

April 10 Travel Note

Salem is an important agent in God’s hands and, by God’s grace, will be an influence for Christ around the world. This happens in many ways, but also through our work with the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod through Pastor Graumann’s leadership efforts. Our ministry truly makes a difference. Pastor Graumann remembered that, in past years, prior to Salem’s church fire, and, as he struggled with spiritual issues, he often prayed these words at the close of his messages: “Help me to be different, so that I can make a difference; change me, so that I can help change the world.” God is, indeed, good.  

A little Latvia history:

  • Most Latvians were Lutherans prior to World War II. First, Hitler ordered stiff opposition and then, after the war, Russian communism brought unrelenting persecution of the church and, especially, of its pastors. Serious and strong efforts are now underway to train a new generation of leaders who will be faithful to Jesus and God’s Word in this nation where Lutheranism almost disappeared. Archbishop Janis Vanags, who visited Salem for World Church Leaders' Sunday in July 2007, will escort Pastor and Mrs. Graumann to some of the places where the seminary and Latvian church are conducting evangelical work and pastoral training. The church is now back to 400,000 members and growing rapidly; still, it is a far cry from its strength prior to the war, and so there is much work to do, since most Latvians have no church affiliation today.  
  • Novosibirsk is in Siberia. Under communism, it was Russia’s secret city, its technological center and space city, cut off from the world. It is old Russia, yet, modern Russia, and although most people have never heard of it, Novosibirsk is Russia’s third largest city. Here, Christianity was severely persecuted for 70 years. Churches, especially Lutheran churches, were demolished in this part of the world. With work being done for about ten years through the seminary's training center, the church is reaching out once again across Siberia. Pastors are being trained as quickly as possible, and evangelical work is moving rapidly forward. Pastor and Mrs. Graumann will visit the seminary campus, meet with professors and students, and travel to ministry sites to encourage those involved in this important ministry.

A Side note on the movie, Expelled, out in theaters:

The movie documentary, Expelled, featuring Ben Stein is in local movie theaters. Since we have not seen the movie, we cannot yet endorse it, yet many respected Christian leaders are urging Christians to view it. The movie is a great follow up to the Truth Project that Salem’s small groups used this past year. Expelled is a look at the systematic quieting of any who propose a Christian worldview in academic and scientific communities, being expelled from the arena of thought so to speak. It promises to be a thorough and compelling look at this straight out attack on the reality of God in modern arenas of influence. It would seem as if this would be an important issue to us.

Movie Trailer

Let me know if you saw it and give me your thoughts! Email me.