Russia
MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) provides vital communications and logistics services to mission agencies, Russian churches, and non-government organizations (NGOs) ministering in Russia.
In 1992, MAF began offering technology and logistics services as a means of ministering to Russians. By transporting and warehousing Christian literature and media materials for a variety of ministry organizations, MAF provided access to the biblical resources for countless Russian believers and church leaders.
In addition, MAF began offering distance education (DE) as an effective means of training indigenous pastors and leaders with little or no Biblical training. Working in partnership with respected Christian organizations, MAF helps develop church leaders by designing foundational DE courses in Bible, theology, and ministry. MAF equips learning centers with computers and provides email service, Internet access, and networking capabilities.
Impact
In the past 12 months, the MAF program in Russia ...
- Shipped several million pieces of Christian material from the Moscow warehouse, including Bibles, correspondence courses, books, tapes, videos and brochures, before turning the operation over to Integra.
- Distributed an additional 500 copies of the Bibliologia CD, a full-featured Russian Bible reference library, complete with excellent Bible translations, commentaries, dictionaries, and books. An estimated 175,000 copies of the Bibliologia are in use worldwide.
- Facilitated visa applications by issuing more than 350 letters of invitation to short- and long-term missionaries seeking to minister in Russia. Transitioned the visa service to Russian staff.
- Continued ongoing efforts to establish a missionary aviation program in Siberia. Held meetings in Sweden with several partner organizations.
- Formed OSA and initiated efforts to offer courses in aviation English through the organization.
- Provided secure email service for 15 Christian ministries, both indigenous and expatriate, as well as communications services to other national users.
- Supported and encouraged believers through two listservs for personal postings and comments. The listservs support approximately 600 Russians and expatriates working in Russia.
- Assisted Campus Crusade for Christ with the development of a Bible study website, www.b-study.com.