Called to Russia?

Question:

WHAT IF YOU WERE LIKE Vladimir (not his real name) AND GOD CALLED YOU TO MINISTER IN THIS COUNTRY FOR AN INDEFINITE AMOUNT OF TIME? HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?

Chris Kyle: I am definitely partial to living in America, but a call to minister in any country would be exciting although certainly challenging. The language barrier would take time to overcome, however, culturally, although there are distinctions, I suspect that there would be fewer difficulties than one might anticipate. It was weird to walk around Moscow and see movies for sale that I recognize or to hear a song playing and recognize it, or at least hear English words. Russia is a surprising mix between the old and the new. Recent buildings with modern architecture stand next to dilapidated, minimalistic apartments constructed during the Soviet era. People in Russia are very intentional about the way they dress, and, as we rode the buses, we saw people wearing many of the current styles we see in America as well as a few in garb reminiscent of an historic Russia. From the short time I have spent in Russia, it seems that cultural distinctions are divided as much as, if not more, by age than by nationality. Because of this, it is easier to feel excited about communicating with a different country because there is enough distinction to allow us to learn something entirely new and enough similarity to allow us to access them. They also seem to think similarly. When we asked them where they got their sense of style, their values, their thoughts on religion, what they read, etc…, at least in my group, they responded overwhelmingly, “My own ideas,” which when compared to potential answers like “God” might indicate a lack of interest in Church, is still an honest one. In one sense, it is easy to view this as a competing philosophy, and certainly, the Church probably needs to better address on a philosophical level the charges of post-modern thought, but it is also exciting to me because it shouts hope for vibrancy in faith if only it could be tapped. They seem afraid (and rightly so) of having their selves made for them. While this might initially cause them to reject institutions and establishments like the church, it also practically yells out for a personal religion, which is precisely where Christianity excels, as a lifestyle that has established doctrinal beliefs, but a fundamental sense that God’s spirit works through his people and individuals more than a hierarchy. Young Russia (and much of Young America too, it would seem) presents a wonderful challenge for Christianity. In early Christian history, much of the philosophy of the day (Platonism, Neo-Platonism, Stoicism) were used as vehicles to describe the Gospel, both by early apologists and the gospel writers themselves (The “Word” or Logos in John 1 is terminology stolen straight from a Greek philosophy textbook.) The main reason I would be so excited to work in Russia is because it offers a similar challenge: to use the ideas of the day (although we also need to refute some of the flaws) to further Jesus’ work. Particularly in Russia, in a country where the Orthodox church is sound in Theology but struggling to reach and vitalize the new generation, the emphasis on individualism and personal expression have great potential for Christianity if the church can meet the challenge.

Amy Leavell: Although it would definitely be a challenge if God called me to a foreign country long-term, I would try to remember that God knows exactly what He is doing and will take care of everything that we need. It would be a scary task, especially since I don’t know the Russian language… I certainly hope that I would have the courage to do as Vladimir (not his real name) has done and follow God’s will, even when I don’t understand His reasoning, as I know that He will always reveal His purposes in the end.

Natalie Gassman: Honestly, my first reaction to a long-term ministry in a foreign country would probably be of fear and trembling. I mean think about it: leaving my watered-down yet comfortable American lifestyle that I’ve been accustomed to for so long for a life of servitude in a place that is way out of my comfort zone. But if I were to hear God calling me to such a ministry, I would respond and serve in a foreign country.
God knows the plan and purpose for my life, and I know that He would never give me anything I couldn’t handle. I will follow Him, wherever He may want me to go.