Seattle Nazarene Church Growth from Moscow??

On July 13th, our first Sunday in Russia, I was privileged to speak at Moscow First Church of the Nazarene, pastored by Tanya, the wife of Davide Cantarella (Davide is the D.S. of the district). The church has a vibrant worship time and includes many opportunities for prayer and fellowship. Men and women of all ages use their gifts to worship God and serve others, and Moscow First serves as the hub for NazCom, which Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in Russia.

Most of the students who would participate in the theology class I taught were present in the service, so I used the sermon to help introduce the idea that we're all "beginners" when it comes to God. The sermon: "God for Beginners...And We're ALL Beginners." It included the idea that we are all experts as sin ("Sin for Experts...and We're ALL Experts"), but God, through His love and grace, teaches us to become students of His love instead of students of sin!

After the service, before we all boarded a van and headed about an hour south to the dacha (which is a large dorm-like facility where the classes take place), there was a fellowship luncheon put together by the parents of a young woman who would soon be getting married. It turns out that her fiance' was there, too, and they were soon to be married and were moving to.... SEATTLE! The young man is American, and his wife, who is Russian, has been part of the Moscow Church since her early teens. Edna, Emmy, and I chatted with the young man and his bride to be for quite awhile. They will live about 20 minutes from NSCN, and said that they would visit our church once they are settled in! Their pastor, Tanya, encouraged this, too!

God has an unusual sense of timing and incredible "church growth" methods, doesn't He?? Pray for this young couple and for the ongoing ministry of Moscow First Church.

Blessings,
Charles