Russia
MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) provides vital communications and logistics services to mission agencies, Russian churches, and non-government organizations (NGOs) ministering in Russia.
The Need
The breakup of the U.S.S.R. in 1991 opened unprecedented opportunities for reaching the people of Russia with the Gospel. However, the lack of mature Christian leadership, Gospel-preaching churches, and Bible knowledge with practical application in daily life still present barriers to the advancement of God's Kingdom.
Today there is a critical need for more Russian mission agencies, long-term missionaries, Christian leadership training, a shared national vision for evangelism, and effective networking among Russian believers. Existing ministries need to expand, and new ones must be developed to reach students, children, substance abusers, AIDS victims, and prisoners. Yet difficult barriers must be overcome in order to provide critical resources that will enable widespread evangelism among Russians and facilitate the nurture of church leaders.
After centuries of imperial rule and communist tyranny, the emerging evangelical Church is growing throughout this multicultural nation. However, it faces formidable challenges. Distances in Russia are vast. Covering more than 17 million square miles, nearly twice the size of the United States, Russia is the largest country in the world, spanning 11 time zones. Ground travel is time-consuming, and there are no reliable or secure communications services available to mission organizations and workers.
The Solution
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.
2008 was a year of transition for the MAF program in Russia, as it continued its move from a Moscow-based logistics program to a Siberia-based aviation program (Project Siberia) under the leadership of Russian nationals. Following that vision, the MAF team is providing assistance to Russian believers as they work to establish missionary aviation in their own country. The warehouse and logistics service was turned over to Integra, a Russian organization. A new company, Open Sky Aviation (OSA), was formed, and MAF is working to register OSA as a corporation. Until flight services can be established, MAF hopes to offer courses in aviation English through the company.
Impact 2008 Highlights
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.
Key Goals 2009
Utilizing logistics, technology, and aviation expertise ...
- Implement plans to establish a Russian-led missionary aviation program.
- Research Russian aviation laws and determine the viability of flight operations. Survey flight needs of the Russian Church as well as mission organizations.
- Hold meetings with SibAirTrans to determine their level of cooperation and commitment as well as projected flight loads.
- Identify suitable aircraft.
- Determine the role of Russian staff member Albert Askarov in OSA and train him in aviation English.
- Begin offering courses in aviation English through OSA.
- In partnership with Integra, nationalize warehouse and logistics operations.
- Work with Campus Crusade for Christ to further develop its Bible study website.
The Cost
This year, it will require $346,564 to operate ongoing programs, launch new initiatives, and expand services in Russia. Ministry support raised by MAF missionary staff and field revenue amounts to $206,477—or 60 percent of total operating costs.
We seek the remaining 40 percent—or $140,087—from caring partners: individuals, churches, and foundations.
