Participating in the outreach in Kaluga this July was a blessing for all
concerned! Speaking for the team, we were amazed how God used each of us with
the talents He has given us to reach teens in the city for Christ.
The outreach journey began with two early morning train rides (starting at the
dorm in Snigeri), having us arrive in Kaluga at 11:00 am. Our team was a small
one this time, consisting primarily of the musicians for the concerts (bands
Sorrow Underfoot and Altogether Bogus) and supporting dorm staff. Dima
Krupennikov, pastor of Calvary Chapel Kaluga, met us at the train depot and
helped us with getting situated in our hotel. We had a brief team meeting at
Dima's apartment with a few church members to go over the schedule for the
outreach. George Bryson, director of CCCPM, also advised us about the military
actions in Georgia and Ossetia, assuring us we were not in danger, but that
there could be questions from people on the streets as we passed out flyers for
the concerts. After a time of prayer and dinner, we got a good night's sleep in
preparation for the week's work ahead.
The next two days began with worship and devotions. After lunch, we met up with
the rest of the outreach team from Kaluga at the section of town closest to the
concert hall. Having divided up into teams of 3-4 people - one being Russian -
we spent the rest of each day passing out flyers and getting the word out about
the concerts to teens and young adults, and shared the Lord with those willing
to hear about our precious Savior.
As most people walk (as opposed to driving)
to wherever they are going, it wasn't hard to find youth to invite. Most of us
had kids the Lord had brought our way - a girl standing alone in a soccer
field, a boy waiting at a small, ramshackle bus stop, a group of kids hanging
out in the back recesses of a maze of old apartment complexes -- all kids that
would stay in our thoughts and prayers throughout the week.
Saturday was the first day of concerts. George gave a targeted morning devotion
on what we needed to share about Jesus with the concert-goers, then we finished
with a time of prayer. Some of the Kaluga church continued to pass out flyers
while the musicians and staff headed to the concert hall set up the band
equipment and practice their songs. The hall, set next to a soccer stadium and
ringed by apartments, was a surprise venue. The city had changed their minds
about renting the original outdoor venue in the center of town because they
didn't want Christian music playing throughout the city. They instead offered
Pastor Dima this indoor hall free of charge for two nights.
Both nights of concerts were such a blessing! Kids started arriving early, very
curious about this American event. Pastor Dima emceed the evenings, which
started out with the newly formed worship band, Altogether Bogus, featuring the
sibling duo of Jess and Jeremiah Koczman. They were followed by the Russian
worship team from the church. Pastor Dima then shared the message of salvation
with those in the audience, explaining about the Gospel of John booklets that
would be available afterward. The rock band Sorrow Underfoot then took stage,
giving a lively performance. Lead singer Shannon Taylor shared between songs
about her faith and that all the musicians would be available after the
concerts to talk to. Upon the conclusion of the last concert, those attending
were given free Sorrow Underfoot cds and posters - this gave a fun opportunity
for the kids to meet the bands and a comfortable setting to initiate
conversations about Jesus.
It's always amazing to see who God is going to draw to a concert. Somehow a lot
of children had gotten the word and showed up, some very early, their anxious
little faces watching the concert preparations.
Most teens and young adults
came in groups, but there were some on their own, looking for answers. One
young man talked a length with a team member about Jesus, but wasn't sure about
making a decision for Him (like many Russians - they like to really think over
what you've shared with them), though he felt scared by the alternative of not
following Jesus.
This outreach seemed to be a time of teens recommitting their lives to the Lord.
The temptations are everywhere in Russia. With so many families shattered by
divorce, the kids get very little support at home. So it was such a privilege
to pray with these kids and encourage them to stay in fellowship with the
church. It's such a blessing that Calvary Chapel Kaluga has a number of young
adults who attend services regularly that can be there to help those who are
needing a hand in beginning again in Jesus.
Between concerts, a Sunday service was held. With wonderful worship and a solid
message from George about our state of salvation, the service concluded with a
sweet time of fellowship for the church and the outreach team.
Though Monday was our day to pack and load the band equipment, then head back
to Snigeri, we set aside time to meet with kids from the concerts, to hang out
and encourage them in the Lord. It was really so touching to see some of the
younger ones squealing and running toward the musicians when they arrived at
the hall! After talking for a while, some joined the team and walked around the
beautiful center of Kaluga, grabbing lunch at MacDonald's, then walking to the
train depot.
Like always, this is the toughest part of any outreach, saying goodbye - for
now. Praise God for email! We shared hugs and words of encouragement with those
seeing us off like Nikita, a teen who was all set to go with us on our next
outreach in Tambov, and his mom Marina, who said the past two days had been the
best ones in so long with her son as he wasn't arguing with her now, but
staying home at night and not running the streets, and thoughtfully considering
the music and the message shared at the concerts.
Our thoughts were with others who couldn't get to the train depot, like
Valentina, who we'd met and been praying for last year, and whose husband had
returned to her and was now going to church. This allowed Valentina to retire
from her very demanding job. The Lord also provided a job for her struggling
son as a porter - all of these "miracles" incredible answers to prayer. Our
thoughts were also with Tanya and Nadia, two teen orphans who'd been brought by
an American missionary to the concerts and managed to attend both nights,
though it was a difficult and unusual release for the facility they live at.
And though there many more stories, my thoughts personally drifted back to a
young Christian woman who was involved in a relationship that had torn her away
from the Lord, her church friends and family, and how through the concerts,
she'd prayed and found the Lord's strength and resolve to follow Him and end
the relationship that she knew would destroy her.
As we boarded the train and looked out our windows, it was especially hard to
wave goodbye to Pastor Dima and all the precious saints in the church.
Their big, heartfelt smiles will forever burn in our memory, and we just pray
that God would refresh their determination to keep reaching out and be the light
of Jesus to those around them. Leaving was truly bittersweet and we are praying
for a chance to return to Kaluga in the near future.
