A Shining Light In Belarus
An update from Ed O’Mara, Lead Pastor of Chiesa Grazia Sovrana di Torino, Italy and SGC Area Leader for Europe…
Ministry in Belarus comes with distinct challenges. The church operates under a highly restrictive and difficult governmental landscape. These oppressive conditions have isolated local churches, hindering their maturity and making interconnected fellowship tough to sustain. Yet, in the midst of these hardships, God’s grace is strikingly on display. The local Baptist Union has made some inroads in leadership training, and through this training network Kyle Huber (Lead Pastor of Greentree Church, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey), began building gospel-bridges to Belarus years ago. I am so grateful to God for Kyle's years of labour and the relational equity he has built. Thanks to his faithful, long-term relational investment, Sovereign Grace is not entering as strangers, but as friends. Today, there is a growing group of local pastors who are interested in our shared values and family of churches and curious to explore future steps.
Kyle and I spent the majority of our time in the capital city of Minsk, with Valery and Irina Beza. Minsk bears the distinct marks of a cold and former Soviet imprint, yet Valery and Irina carry themselves with grace and humility that stands out as light in this city. Valery is a remarkably faithful pastor who has caught the vision of SGC culture, doctrine, and values. He desires to see our family of churches partner together with many Belarussian churches as he himself has benefitted from our growing relationship. Valery introduced us to many of the pastors with whom he relates in and around the area. We also spent time connecting with leaders at the Baptist Union Seminary to ensure we are building our efforts on a foundation of trust, clarity, and mutual respect in Belarus, which is a key step when working in a new country like Belarus.
From Minsk, we traveled to Brest, on the border with Poland in the west of Belarus. We joined the Sunday meeting of a local church pastored by Igor Kanyuchko. There we worshipped together, celebrated the installation of new leaders, and both Kyle and I had the privilege of preaching the Word. Over the days in Belarus, we met with around 25 different pastors and leaders to share the heart behind Sovereign Grace, extend care, and enjoy fellowship. Throughout this trip, we were witnesses to God at work among emerging leaders who desire to see gospel-centered, healthy churches in their country.
While we fully expect things to move slowly and deliberately, it is clear that Valery is a central leader and that he carries a high degree of respect among his peers. He has a clear alignment with SGC and, as we look to the future, we were able to put a plan in place for our next steps. Valery is currently bringing together a small group of interested pastors with whom we can work. I will begin meeting with these men regularly via Zoom as we study our Statement of Faith and Book of Church Order and evaluate theological and practical compatibility.
As we move through that process our hope is that some of these brothers will take the step toward formal candidate status and then move toward ordination and partnership. As such, Kyle will continue investing relationally and serving the local seminary through teaching, while I focus on guiding these pastors through the SGC candidacy and partnership process.
Being among these brothers and sisters reminded me of the privilege it is to serve in our family of churches and to invite others to consider joining in partnership for the sake of Christ. Please continue to pray for Sovereign Grace Europe, for Valery and Irina, and for the pastors of Belarus as they proclaim Christ crucified to the glory of the Lord!
