RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Ukrainian protestants harassed in rebel zone

REPRESENTATIVES OF "MINISTRY OF STATE SECURITY OF LPR" THREATEN BAPTISTS, SIGNALLING REVIVAL OF SOVIET PROCEDURES

Religiia v Ukraine, 28 September 2015

 

On 22 September 2015, the central church of Evangelical Christians-Baptists [EKhB] of Krasnyi Luch in Luhansk province was visited by representatives of the "Ministry of State Security of the Luhansk People's Republic," who demanded lists of members of the church and threatened in the event of refusal, warning of possible consequences, Religiia v Ukraine reports, with reference to the website of Baptists of Ukraine.

 

"They acted rudely and accused us of sectarianism and parasitism. They also accused us of defrauding parishioners of money and of uselessness to society. They also demanded that we appear on the next day in the headquarters with founding documents, financial records, and a list of members of the church," the EKhB website says.

 

The local congregation of Baptists emphasizes that from the beginning of its inception the church's field of visions has always included lonely and elderly people, orphans, and large and financially needy families. "Many times the church has given help with money and food products to patients and staff of hospice in the Kniaginsk hospital. It has been 15 years since the church organized the 'Safe Haven' shelter for single elderly women. Twice a week classes are conducted for children from poor families in 'Uncle Tolya's Shack,' in which they teach the children life skills and care for them and nurture them," the EKhB website says.

 

With the start of armed activities, the church became actively engaged in work that included meeting the daily social needs of citizens. "Everybody who did not have food came to the address: 16 Rollan St., Krasnyi Luch, knowing for sure that it is here they will receive bread and hear a good word! Three times a week, Christians served free meals to all the needy and gave them a loaf of bread. The church also cared for those who could not get around independently and they were given targeted help," the Baptists emphasize. "Just as soon as serious problems with drinking water arose in the city, the church again did not stand aside but threw wide open the gates of its courtyard where the well was located. Hundreds of citizens of Krasnyi Luch were able to get water for their needs unhindered."

 

Representatives of the congregation said that "so far the accusations of the representatives of 'LPR' are still limited to verbal claims. Representatives of the so-called Ministry of State Security of the LPR have examined and made photocopies of charter and financial documents and they have persistently suggested reregistration of the church in the LPR. In addition, lists of members of the church have been demanded of the ministers. When the ministers refused to present this information, they were threatened with warnings about possible bad consequences, while they were reminded: 'Have you forgotten the time of the Soviet Union?'"

 

The congregation requests prayer "for those who in ignorance prevent the church from performing its mission and purpose. They all need God, for whom our Lord died for their salvation." (tr. by PDS, posted 29 September 2015)

 


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