From the Fields of Siberia

Missionary News from the Thormodsons

June 2002

 

    Earlier this month Pastor Jeff confirmed three adults, Sergei, Alexander and Elza.  Memember are confirmed after faithful attendance in worship and completing a four month course in Christian instruction.  These courses are now being taught by confirmed members of the congregation, as we continually prepare them to continue the work started by our mission.   Please join us in praising God for these new additions to Christ the Savior Lutheran Church.  Please also ask that He would guide them in their spiritual lives as they become active in our church and in the whole body of Christ.

 

    Also this month, we were pleased to welcome Reverend, Dr. Robert Kolb and his wife to our mission in Novosibirsk.  Dr. Kolb has been coming annually to Russian, to assist with the training of Church leaders.  This was the first time he was able to come to Novosibirsk, and led a two-day seminar on the Christian faith, based on his book by the same title.  His book was recently translated into Russian by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, and has been distributed among the congregation.   On average, the seminar was attended by 10 people each day.  Seminar participants came from as far as Khazakhstan (the country to the south), Irkutsk and Byratia (a region further east).  The seminar participants were quite amiable and carried on some great arguements and discussions.  One such discussion involved an important topic to growing congregations - propriety in worship.  Other serious questions ranged from original sin to complete forgiveness through Jesus Christ alone.  On Sunday after the church service, Dr. Kolb held a basic question-and-answer session.

  

  Please join us in thanking God for the opportunity we have to study and hold seminars with theological professors.  Please ask God to guide us as we plan future seminars for leadership training in the Russian Lutheran churches. 

  

Rev. Jeff Thormodson
LCMS World Mission, Russia
1333 S. Kirkwood Road
St. Louis MO  63122
011-7-3832-234-156   Novosibirsk Apartment
011-7-3832-46-19-58  Novosibirsk Office/Fax
011-7-3832-19-28-15  Mobile in Russia
Permanent e-mail address:  jthormodson@excite.com  (active during furlough)
Mission e-mail address:   lutheran@online.nsk.su
Visit our site: http://www.lcms-cis.org
On furlough July 10 - January 20, 2003