ELKUSFO

Lutheran in Russia

The history of the Lutheran Church in Russia is closely linked to the history of the Russian Germans, the emigrants who sought their fortune and future in Siberia and other places in Russia during the reign of Catherine the Great.
The rule of the Communists from 1918 onwards is a history of persecution and suppression of religious expressions, including Lutheranism.
With the opening of the "iron curtain", contacts between the European Lutheran churches and the steadfast rest of the Lutherans in Russia began to flourish again. Today there are also strong contacts of the various Lutheran churches in Russia with the EKD in Germany; Contacts that extend beyond the ideal, fraternal relationship also in the promotion of community buildings, structures and community life on site.

A community at every station

With almost 9300 kilometres from Moscow to Vladivostok, the Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway line in the world. And the prayer runs through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Siberia, Ural and Far East (ELKUSFO) once completely. In addition, there are 876 stations where the railway comes to a standstill either shortly or longer for larger stations.
What could be more obvious in linking the desired development of one’s own church to this marvel of human engineering?
The vision is: at every train station of the Transiberian Railway, a municipality of the ELKUSFO is to be created.

OUR PROCEDURES

LOCATIONAL COMMUNITY

The treasure of every church is its local communities. The Bishop of ELKUSFO regularly travels via the Trans-Siberian Railway to the many congregations on the almost endless territory of the Church to encourage, support and encourage the local brothers and sisters to continue with fresh ideas. In addition, there are also conferences and seminars where the siblings meet nationally. One of the most valuable community building elements is the annual tent holidays, which always take place in the summer and promote community among each other.

NATURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Many municipalities already exist in the area of ELKUSFO. In order for them to grow and thrive healthy, the church works together with the Natural Community Development (NGE) from Germany. From several thousand surveys, a large data trove has emerged there. From this, eight growth principles were developed that should help with the natural community development. ELKUSFO is trying to apply these principles more and more consistently.

TRAINING

ELKUSFO also lives not on the full-time officials, but on the many volunteers who invest energy, time and energy in order for the community life to flourish. The training of employees is an important task of the church organization. The modern media also help: for some time, for example, there is a two-year preacher training, which works mostly online. We are very grateful for these opportunities.

Enable spiritual development in Russia’s vast landscapes

For donations, please indicate the project number 46000.

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