May 2012

  Life in a New Land

Above: A rundown section of Leipzig

    In the rough streets of old Leipzig and surrounding towns, immigrants from the former communist or socialist nations of Vietnam, Mozambique and Cuba abound. Having spent time there the last few years, I couldn’t help but notice the similarities to Detroit, with which I am very familiar. High unemployment, abandoned housing, squatters. These characteristics are common in cities that are having difficulties adjusting to changing economic conditions.

In the past few years, however, newer refugees have been flooding into Germany from the Islamic Republic of Iran. While it is not entirely clear, some may be political as well as economic refugees. But in their escape to freedom, the transition has not been easy. A new land, new culture, new language. All of these things can be intimidating for anyone, so the missionary arm (LKM-Lutherische Kirchenmission) of our church partner, the Independent Lutheran Church of Germany (known as SELK in German), has stepped into the breech. They have reached out in missions to share the good news to people who have lost hope due to their experiences in Iran.

Above: After devotions in the LKM chapel

Mission Seminar for Iranians    I was in Germany recently to discuss and prepare for oral examinations in my Ph.D. program and had the opportunity to share our work at SELK mission festivals, as well as spend the weekend with the Iranian refugees at a mission seminar. There I had the chance to share with them the hope that we have in Christ, no matter our circumstances. For some it was good news indeed. Some of them had even protested at the Berlin Human Rights Center for Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, currently imprisoned in Iran and sentenced to death for converting to Christianity.

But for others, the Gospel message was difficult to square with their former allegiance to Islam. You might be surprised at the large number of agnostics among modern Iranians today, no doubt a reflection of the Islamic regime’s brutality. Nevertheless, the German Lutheran Mission continues to show Christ’s unconditional love for them by helping them acquire the necessary documents for asylum seekers and simply in adjusting to German life.

Please keep these wonderful people, whom I now call friends, in your prayers. It was clear that many of them are well educated. Therefore the lifestyle change this entails, especially living in the squalid conditions that normally accompany refugees in any country, has been somewhat traumatic.  It was a pleasure to see that SELK, unlike the German state church EKD

Above: A little r&r on the volleyball court

(Evangelical Church of Germany), takes missions and the spiritual lives of all of God’s children seriously.

Prayer requests:

Please pray for LKM Director Roger Zieger and his missionaries in their work. Please pray for the Lord’s presence, blessings and comfort in the lives of our mutual Iranian friends. Remember also Pastor Nadarkhani and pray for his family and his release from prison.

Please pray for safe travels to St. Petersburg this week and God’s blessings upon my course at the Theological Institute of the Church of Ingria. I will be there until the end of the month and then travel back to Georgia.

Thank the Lord for blessing my cousin Shawn Nunnink and pray for His continued healing of her cancer. The reports of her healing continue to be positive, praise the Lord!

E-mail: matveih@yahoo.com—mailing address- 26650 Woodshire, Dearborn Heights, MI., 48127.

To support my work financially, you can send a tax-deductible gift to:

LCMS World Mission; Missionary Support; PO Box 790089; St. Louis, MO 63179-0089 —–Make checks payable to LCMS World Mission. Mark checks “Support of Matthew Heise.”

If you would like to partner with me in my ministry with ongoing support as an individual or congregation, please contact Debra Feenstra for information on Together in Mission or Mission Senders at 1-800-248-1930 Ext. 1651 or Debra.Feenstra@lcms.org Thank you and may Christ’s Easter joy continue to resonate in your lives!

Hayley and Avery

Update on Mission Ambassador.  Hayley Johnson:Just notes to let you all know that I arrived to Managua last night. It was a long and uneventful trip. After the customs agents laughed at me for bringing so much dental floss, I was met by the Pastor and another missionary that is here. There is a missionary family here from New Mexico, spending one year. They are my neighbors in the upstairs apartment (that used to be an orphanage). I am teaching English today and have some outreach ministry programs this evening. The children here are great and so eager to learn they really love being here and their teachers. Sent: Wednesday, April 18

Managua, Nicaragua

Nicaragua, Central America

March 2012 St. Petersburg, Russia A GOOD WORD FROM CAMP from Leif & Zhanya Camp

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday–where am I going to get palms in Russia when there is still snow on the ground?  OK, in Russia the tradition is to use pussy willows–they have plenty of those and they bud early spring.
This month God has been exceedingly good as there has been much ministry to do, Karl even got to do a little mentoring, there is also a lot to pray

Karl #1

Karl #2

about, so read the attached prayer letter with is below with the usual host of photos.

Here are the captions (I suppose I should figure out how to include the captions on the photos, now that will give me a headache for next month…).

Karl mentors 1 & 2 Karl was just 5 years old when he first tried to acolyte.  His first attempt did not go well, so I took him to church the next week and we practiced.  The next Sunday he surprised everyone at how well he did — all he needed was a little help, encouragement and practice.  Karl has been acolyteing now for 10 years.  Our organist has a small son, Vova, who is now about 6 who has shown interest in lighting the candles (OK, most small boys are fire bugs).  Karl has been teaching Vova how to acolyte and the process is almost complete.  Next week Vova goes solo…

Karl had his spring recital

Nastya at her spring recital

Two Family pictures (EW meant English Worship, Fam means family).  Karl and Nastya had their spring recital at school, Karl played trumpet, astya surprized everyone by adding another instrument to her spectrum–she played guitar (saxiphone, piano and now guitar).  5 pictures from the trip to Kingeseppe–in a couple I am distributing books, then I am talking about how to access the books, and in the last Ivan is talking about his volunteer program.  It was a very volatile meeting as the pastors used the chance to gather to grind all of their axes…

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LHF Pushkin.  Head Pastor of the parish in Pushkin came to Turyo to load his small VW with books and journals.  A local non-denominational church (with Baptist/Pentecostal leanings) has asked him to teach them about liturgy (LHF has translated Reed’s book, and we have plenty of copies).  Of course, the scope has quickly broadened–when one starts to talk about Lutheran Liturgy, we have confession, we have absolution–so sin and grace, law and gospel. We have sacraments–OK, means of grace, grace and works, etc.  Keep Fedor in your prayers–this is a great opportunity but a bit of a labyrinth.

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This month I again traveled to Nizhiny Novgorod.  The finnish missionary architect was supposed to travel with me, but opted out after I had made

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my plans.  The main point of the visit was to be to discuss and review the possibility of building the Sanctuary.  Friday I helped lead a discussion group on relationships, Saturday I led an open seminar which attracted several non-Lutherans (over tea we had a great discussion about baptism),  Sunday I got to preach in Russian (I preach almost every week in English now, so it was nice to preach in Russian for a change), after church I talked to the congregation about the possibility of building.  Funds are a major impediment, and I suggested that they should start their own building fund.  This they have agreed to do (to me such a step is obvious, but so it goes).

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The last four pictures are of St. Annes, a former church that had been converted to a theater, then burned down the day it was to be turned back

over to the German Lutheran Church.  The German Church now does not want it, and is trying to turn it over to the Lutheran Church of Ingria. As the building is only half a block from the US consulate, it would be a logical place for  English langauge worship services and other ministry, but it is a
mess.  Blessings and keep us in prayer,

Ride on, Ride on, in majesty,  In lowly pomp ride on to die

Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain  Then take, O Christ Thy power and reign

TLH #162 vrs 5

 In Christ,         Leif & Zhanya Camp

CONTACT ADDRESSES Feedback, questions, whatever are most welcome.

Telephone: after getting an international line by dialing 011, dial 7- 812 (our area code) 321-1508(our phone number)

Note—Between St. Petersburg and central US time, the difference is 9 hours.  Stateside contact telephone: 708-344-4472

E-MAIL:  lzkcamp@mail.ru & leif.camp@elci.ru.  Please feel free to share this prayerletter with your Church, friends, or enemies if it might help (just please do not quote things out of context or edit my words in such a way as to change their intent).  If you would like to receive a copy via e-mail, simply email me directly and ask!

March 2012

Back in Russia      

 

Above: standing in the seminary lobby with Seminary graduates, Erdene Bandanov [left

Upon arriving in Russia in February, I was flush with excitement and energy to teach my class on Galatians. After clearing customs at the airport, I was met in the parking lot by the seminary driver, Toivu. As always, these are real conversations.

Me: (Excited to be back in Russia) Hey, how are you doing?!  Toivu: (indifferent) Ok.  Me: Wow! This cold is bracing! It feels great!

Toivu: (Now looking at me with undisguised alarm as if I’ve gone crazy)

Me: (Feeling the need to explain myself) It’s been so warm in the States this winter. It’s just great to have cold!
Toivu: Well, it has warmed up to 14 F.

Me:(now, not so thrilled, silently processing this revelation that it had warmed up to 14) Oh …

Later, at the seminary….

Me: (cheerily, watching the snow come down) Well, it looks like we’re still getting snow.

Ivan, the seminary handyman: (Thoughtful, while shoveling the snow) Oh, this? It’s not so much. I remember when we got 20 cm (about 8 inches) in mid May.

Me: (grinning bravely, but now thoroughly disillusioned) How much? In May?

Above: Ingrian Lutheran Seminary graduate Erdene with his wife Tanya and their children

The lessons: Be careful what you wish for- or- We may have mild winters in the States, but Russia continues to defy the global warming gods.

Graduation Day at the Seminary

The graduating class this year at the Theological Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria was not as large as usual. Due to attrition and illness, we had only two students defending their theses on February 17. Some short thumbnail sketches follow:

Erdene Bandanov- Most of you may remember that Erdene used to be a shaman in the villages of the Republic of Buryatia, out in Russia’s Far East along the banks of Lake Baikal. I have related in the past how Erdene came to faith in the one true Lord, Jesus Christ, after despairing over the fact that he was possessed by a demon. He craved power over people, but soon realized that worldly power meant that he was in thrall to one more powerful than him– the devil. Through prayer, the Lord expelled the demon from him.

These past few years he has been studying diligently and now upon graduation will serve the Lutheran congregation in the village of Toksovo (founded in 1625) in the Leningradskaya Region. I will miss my conversations with Erdene, a fascinating student who is dedicated to bringing the Word to a primarily Russian congregation, while also doing outreach among Buryat immigrants to St. Petersburg.

Above: Vladimir defending his thesis on Graduation Day at the seminary

Erdene once told me that when he had come to faith, he and some fellow Christians followed a group of shamans to a local mountain where they were performing their rituals. He told me that he and his friends just shouted out continually “Hallelujah!” and praised the name of Jesus. The shamans despondently began to descend down the mountain, as one told Erdene- “You are frightening away the spirits!” Let us pray that Erdene will continually be used by the Lord to scare away the demons who once bound him as he proclaims true freedom in Christ to the people of Toksovo.

 Vladimir Yakushev- Vladimir is from the very far north of Russia, the port city of Murmansk. As with so many of the students at the seminary, Vladimir grew up as an atheist. I am always amazed at being reminded of the youthful atheism of my students who are now devout Christians. Master’s degree student Ivan Laptev spoke to me recently of his childhood atheism. “Of course we believed. We didn’t know any better.” So as you can see, these positive changes from the days of communism have become more firmly grounded in 21^st century Russia.

Vladimir himself became a believer in his early twenties and gravitated to the Lutheran Church after his daughter’s illness led her to a Lutheran congregation in Murmansk who prayed for her healing. Vladimir will serve the Lutheran congregation in Murmansk as pastor, but is also using his skills from his previous profession as a cameraman. He is currently shooting a video of the history of the Theological Institute for which I gave him an interview.

Above: The snowy village of Koltushi as seen from my window at the seminary

Pray for the Lord’s continued blessings upon the Theological Institute of the Lutheran Church of Ingria where I teach a course each semester.

Thank the Lord for work on a Rehabilitation Center for alcoholics in Mongolia that has received assistance from LCMS members.

Thank the Lord for blessing my cousin Shawn Nunnink and pray for His continued healing from her cancer.

E-mail: matveih@yahoo.com—mailing address- 26650 Woodshire, Dearborn Heights, MI., 48127.

To support my work financially, you can send a tax-deductible gift to:

LCMS World Mission; Missionary Support; PO Box 790089; St. Louis, MO 63179-0089 —–Make checks payable to LCMS World Mission. Mark checks “Support of Matthew Heise.”

If you would like to partner with me in my ministry with ongoing support as an individual or congregation, please contact Debra Feenstra for information on Together in Mission or Mission Senders at 1-800-248-1930 Ext. 1651 or Debra.Feenstra@lcms.org Thank you and may the Lord richly bless you!

Pastor
–

Episode #10;      3/7/2012   Good day everybody,
Today I gave the exam to the class.  Tomorrow we will finish up any unfinished business and then Friday it is the flight to Istanbul and then Saturday home.  It will be good to get home.  I can’t wait to see Wylene.  I might send something tomorrow after the final banquet–a tradition at the end of each teaching session.  To show you what they do here.

See you all soon.

Pastor

–
Episode #11;      3/8/2012

Our cook, Larissa & Translator, Irina

Today is the last formal day of class.  I handed out their final grades and we had them prepare a testimony about what Jesus means to them as if they were addressing a group of Muslims or an individual.  Even though they had to write their witnessing statement or their faith statement for a different class I wanted them to re-write it basing it on the things we learned in class about the best way to speak with Muslim people about Jesus.  Muslims honor Jesus and think of Him in some ways that are identical to the Bible but they do not believe that He was crucified.  They also do not use the term Son of God.  Anyway they accomplished that task.  And some did better than others.

March 8 is International Women’s Day.  They do not have a Mother’s Day here and they have this instead.  All wives, mothers, sisters, girlfriends, etc. get flowers, etc.  The picture is the presentation from the students to our cook, Larissa, and my translator, Irina.  Irina has been translating during this school year and will continue until May when classes are completed.  The seminary has used several translators over the years.

See you all soon.

Pastor
–

Airport in Istanbul #1

Airport in Istanbul #2

Episode  #1;      Here are some pictures.  The first are from the airport in Istanbul.  There

Seminary

is more abundance and decadence in that airport than in some countries.  Then there is a picture of the seminary and my apartment and study area.  Then the “German” Church at night.  This is where I was taken by the taxi before Pastor Schewtschenko (from now on Pastor S) picked me up.  Tomorrow is the first day of classes.

Pastor

My Apartment

Study Area

Episode  #2;      Here are some pictures of my students.  There will be three pictures.  Names are from left to right in each.  Pic 1–Dima–from the country of Moldavia.  Married with two daughters.  his congregation sent him to be a pastor because they do not have any in that town.   Big Sasha–From Odessa.  he is from an Orthodox family but is now Lutheran.  He knows how to fix cars Pic two–Valerie–Non Christian background.

Dima & Big Sasha

Valerie & Sergey

Little Sasha & Eura

Became a Christian 8 years ago and felt God calling him to the seminary.  Sergey–Married.  his wife will graduate from University this year.  He studied economics at a financial academy.  Grew up in a small village and joined the church through a Canadian missionary.
Pic 3–Little Sasha–18.  His dad is a pastor.  he is the cousin of Eura who is seated beside him.
Eura–Cousin to little Sasha.  his dad is also a pastor.  He is married with two kids one boy and one girl.  So far the session went well.  The students are pretty sharp.  There are two more sessions this afternoon then they will have a chance to read and get ready for tomorrow.

Pastor

Episode #3;      Good evening, The two pictures are from the Bible study we had this evening.  Pastor S talked about Lent even though on the

Bible study on Lent #1

Bible study on Lent #2

Orthodox calendar Ash Wednesday in Next Wednesday (thus their Easter is April 15).  Then he started in Matthew Ch. 7 and went through part of the sermon on the mount.  He has class for about 2 hours, including prayer at the end and the people join in with their own petitions.  After class we hauled water back to the building, had tea and some conversation.  Pastor S had some work to finish and the students went upstairs to lift some weights (which someone had donated) before they go to bed.   The students are very bright and ask good questions.  It is melting here although it refreezes on the road at night.  Lots of mud.

Pastor

My translator Irena

Episode #4;      My reputation as a teacher has now spread to the entire world.  I have a new student as of yesterday afternoon.  Pastor Risto Liedenpohja from Finland.

Pastor Risto Liedenpohja from Finland

Sunrise at the seminary

He works in Odessa with Jews for Jesus and wanted to take my course to help him in his witness to that group of lost souls.  The next is my translator Irena.  Also there is a picture of sunrise at the seminary.  We will have Bible study tonight.  Have a blessed beginning of Lent.

Pastor

Episode #5;     In the second set of pictures is a picture of the main walk way at night.  The lights are up year round although  at Christmas

Soviet' style autos

main walk way at night.

time they add more lights.  This little truck is really a large coffee pot . Someone sells hot drinks out of the back of this to people on the walk way.  And finally, the Odessa McDonald’s was just packed with people on a Friday night.  You could not find a spot to sit.  We did not eat there we just went in to use a real bathroom for a change.  And finally notice the typical “Soviet’ style autos.
I hope to have some pictures of worship to send you tomorrow.  I don’t know if they will be there before worship starts but I hope so.

Pastor

Episode #6;     

Saturday, February 25, 2012  Good morning or evening everyone,

Mamoza

The first week has been completed.  Today is pretty much a day off for the students.  I will be heading into town shortly to explore and later will get ready for preaching tomorrow.  One of the students will also preach but they like to have more than one sermon since the worship service last almost two hours.  It lasts that long because many people have to ride public transportation and it takes them an hour to get there and another to get home.  If they are only there for an hour they feel it is not worth it.  There are many new believers too and some people who are checking it out so part of the sermon is really Bible Study.  Anyway, when in Rome…

There will be several pictures coming in two attachments.  The first is a picture of our breakfast yesterday morning.  Does it look like cake?  It is Mamoza.  It is a layered concoction of fish, hash browns, beets, carrots and egg yolks.  It is very tasty.

locks on a heart shaped structure

Next is a picture of a tradition in Odessa where couples who get married put a lock on this heart shaped structure to declare that there love lasts forever.  It is locked tight.

In the second set of pictures is a picture of the main walk way at night.  The lights are up year round although  at Christmas time they add more lights.  This little truck is really a large coffee pot . Someone sells hot drinks out of the back of this to people on the walk way.  And finally, the

was just packed with people on a Friday night.  You could not find a spot to sit.  We did not eat there we just went in to use a real bathroom for a change.
I hope to have some pictures of worship to send you tomorrow.  I don’t know if they will be there before worship starts but I hope so.

locks on a heart shaped structure

main walk way at night

large coffee pot

Odessa McDonald's

Pastor

Episode  #7;      Good morning everyone,  I’m sorry I did not get this sent before the 8 AM service but maybe someone is still home and can bring it to the 10:30.  I just got home about 1/2 hour ago.  Worship starts at 10 but about 9:30 they start singing.  Members call out a hymn number from the hymnal and the pianist plays.  Then someone else will call out a number so they sing for about 1/2 hour.

Pastor Schewtschenko & Pastor

Entrance to the worship space

Then the Pastor makes announcements and greets the people and starts the service.  They sing a couple more songs then the liturgy starts, the lessons are read and the two sermons are given.  The style is kind of like our Saturday evening liturgy.  The first sermon today was from one of the seminarians.  He preached for about 40 minutes.  then a couple of more songs and then I preached– again about 35 minutes but the translator spoke for about half of the time.  After wards there was questions and fellowship and of course some cookies–It’s not Lutheran without food. Then the young people met for two hours and then they had some cookies and tea.  So from when we got there in the morning until we got home was about 7 hours.  The pictures I will send in two e-mails are the, the altar area, the Pastor Schewtschenko, The Finnish Pastor and his family and then the congregation singing.  The worship space is kind of in a semi circle.

Episode #7;     Feb, 29,2012   Hello everyone, we are going to be going into town soon for Bible Study at the church.  I finally was able to get into the “German” Church–St. Paul’s.  It had been destroyed during Soviet times but was rebuilt with the help of money from Germany and from the Ukrainian Government.  Attached are some pictures of the inside.  I believe I already sent a picture from the outside.  There will be two emails with three pictures each.   Last night I presented the Islam stuff at a Bible Study for University students.  Pastor S has a real nice group from across denominations and even has some non-Christians participating.  It is a great outreach tool.   It was sunny today but the air is still kind of cold.  At least the students got outside at break time and hit the volleyball around. They would love to have a basketball hoop but I suppose that shipping a thing like that would make it cost prohibitive.     Many of them like to run but with no showers they prefer not to.  I hope service goes well tonight.  How was Ash Wednesday?

  Pastor

“World Mission Month”

Dr. Rutt and Pastor Heidorn

We were fortunate to have Dr. Douglas Rutt, Director of the International Ministries division at Lutheran hour Ministries participating in our worship this weekend. Dr. Rutt oversees the International Ministries division, in St. Louis, Missouri.  As well as the staff of more than 30 ministry centers around the worldwide. He is responsible for setting the division’s vision and planning; evaluating programming and training; stimulating healthy growth of local support in each country where LHM has an office; maintaining productive working relationships with local board and partner church leadership; and maximizing the number of responses and congregation referrals around the world by directing, coaching, and supervising area counselors to prepare and empower the ministry centers to proclaim the Gospel message appropriately to their local populations. Welcome, Dr. Rutt!

LHM’s International Ministries operate in more than 30 countries. These ministry centers use radio and TV programming, print and Internet materials, Bible courses, dramas, music, mass evangelism, and other culturally appropriate methods to share Christ’s message of hope with those who need to hear it. If you would like to go the LHM website and see more click on http://www.lhm.org/default.asp

Mission possible!

Grace’s annual mission meal held on Sunday, Jan 29 was a great success.  The Congregation enjoyed authentic foods from Nicaragua to help support our first mission ambassador, Hayley Johnson, for her mission trip in April.  Haley prepared enchiladas, gallo pinto (rice and beans), Nicaragua coconut fudge, and Cuban snack candies.  The Mission and Evangelism Board joined forces to make chicken tortilla soup, arroz verde (green rice), tacos and fruit salad.  The children enjoyed taking turns hitting piñatas while the adults cheered them on.  New members were welcomed and a great time was had by all. Hayley says “muchas gracias” to all who helped with the meal including the behind the scenes workers who included the Hospitality Committee, Elders and spouses and significant others of committee members.

Hayley and Avery

glesia Everngellca La Capilla Del Calvrrio

Hayley will travel to Managua to work with a Christian school, local outreach programs for theyouth in the community and use her skills as a nurse to help with preventive health services. Nicaragua is second only to Haiti as the poorest country in the western hemisphere.  Hayley has already gathered health and school supplies to distribute to the children in the Christian School where she will teach Bible classes and assist in a health clinic.  Part of the money raised through the Ambassador program will be used to help defray the cost of Hayley’s trip and to purchase Spanish Bibles and other religious teaching materials for the school.  Watch for more about the progress of Hayleys trip in web postings.

 Will you be Grace’s next Mission Ambassador?

Dr. Douglas L. Rutt, Director of International Ministries at LLL,

was mission speaker at Grace Lutheran on January 28 & 29

Pastor Douglas Rutt and Pastor Heidorn after Service

Mission Sunday speaker Dr. Douglas L. Rutt,  based his message on Matthew 9:37 :  “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;  pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Dr. Rutt opened  by telling us how he has studied the faces in the crowds in places such as airports to read from those faces the trouble and confusion they are feeling.  When he served as missionary to Guatemala for the Lutheran Laymen’s League,  Dr. Rutt came to know many troubled people personally, because Guatemala is a country with many oppressed people.  He told us that “…Jesus was filled with compassion toward such people,”  and that through spreading the Gospel we will bring Jesus’ compassion to such troubled people today.   Dr. Rutt spoke of the Biblical  metaphor that compares people to sheep:  “We are harassed and hopeless like sheep without a shepherd.”  While it is not flattering, the comparison is an apt one.

At one point in his message Dr. Rutt spoke of a Guatemalan Indian named Don Pedro.  The Indians of that country are the most oppressed people of that country.  An LCMS missionary accepted an invitation from Don Pedro to visit his village,  and that visit eventually led to the establishment of a church and a school, resulting in the improvement of both the spiritual and physical lives of those people.  Dr. Rutt continued: “There’s a whole world of people to hear the Gospel – but few to deliver it, and you don’t have to be perfect to do that work.”

To illustrate the power of the Gospel,  Dr. Rutt cited two more examples that he has observed through mission work.  Susan was a lawyer who had sought inner peace through her studies and her work, but had failed to find that peace.  After trying Buddhism, she studied the life of Jesus and became a Christian and found that inner peace.   A young lady in Venezuela was so despondent that she had attempted suicide.  Then she heard a Lutheran Hour Ministries radio broadcast and through the power of the Gospel she found the hope to go on with her life.

Dr. Rutt concluded:  “Out of our compassion for others, may God help us to help – to reach out to others.”

Ted Kueker  MN So Dist LLL Communicator

December 2011

Above: The snow-covered forest on the campus of the Theological Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” John 8:12

It has been twenty years since the USSR ceased to exist. At times I have to pinch myself when I recognize that LCMS World Mission has been evangelizing in Russia for about eighteen years, primarily working with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria. In Advent, we in the Church focus our meditation upon Christ’s first coming, our Lord Jesus powerfully symbolized as The Light in a dark world. Throughout the year 2011 I have been reflecting upon the trials and blessings which the Ingrians have experienced as they mark their 400-year anniversary. In keeping with the tradition of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, I’d like to conclude the year with one more reflection upon the past, a picture of the present and a glimpse into the future.

THE PAST- Moloskovitsa- Oldest Church in Ingria (1632)

On the eve of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 Moloskovitsa still had 2537 members

As Ingrian Lutherans celebrated their 400^th anniversary this year, perhaps none of the remembrances conjured up a more striking image than the service that took place in the open-air cathedral in the village of Moloskovitsa. Built in 1632 with white stone and thus bearing the moniker “the white church”, this congregation had through Word and Sacrament ministry strengthened the faith of Ingrian Lutherans for centuries.

On the eve of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 Moloskovitsa still had 2537 members, almost all of them of Estonian heritage. But as the communists continued to strengthen their power base over the next decade, it was perhaps only a matter of time before they would turn their attention from the state Orthodox Church to the Lutheran Church. As the persecution of Lutherans intensified throughout the 1930s, Pastor Lev Schultz was shot (1935) and the church in Moloskovitsa was finally and forcibly closed in October of 1938. Since the communist government by law owned all of the church property, the building was eventually given over to a club.

In the succeeding years the roof collapsed and the Moloskovitsa church was reduced to a jumble of crumbling walls and beams, joining a host of ruined churches across the Soviet landscape. When members of the Ingrian Lutheran Church gathered this summer to reflect

Above: My former student, Rev. Mikhail Ivanov, strengthens the foundation for the cross at the church in Moloskovitsa

upon their past struggles, they simultaneously praised God for His many blessings and decided that it was appropriate to place a wooden memorial cross on the spot where the altar once stood. The stones used to fortify the cross were taken from the almost 400 year old walls, accentuating the fact that no matter what difficulties may come into our lives, Jesus Christ continues to reign in His Church until the end of time.

 THE PRESENT AND FUTURE-Theological Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria

(Above) Dr. Prilutsky accepts his new position as rector

Moving forward into the present, teaching a class each semester at the seminary in the village of Koltushi has been one of the greatest blessings of my missionary service. The seminary has grown since its resurrection in the 1990s after being officially closed by the communist government in 1934. It now offers courses for those working with youth, Sunday schools, music, diaconal work, as well as those studying in the Beginner’s Course and the regular courses for the Bachelor of Divinity (B. Div.) degree.

LCMS World Mission has been part of the staff since Missionary Douglas Reinders began courses here in the late 1990s. I took over for Doug when he returned to the U.S. with his family in 2003. I teach the courses in Russian and thus have a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with students.

There are now 16 full-time students in the B.Div. course, 30 students in the Beginner’s Course and 15 students in the Cantors’ (musicians’”) course, not to mention the many other part-time courses which put the number of students closer to 150-200 throughout the year. Dr. Alexander Prilutsky was recently named the new rector of the seminary (November 2011). The previous rector, Rev. Fyodor Tulinin, decided that he needed to spend more time with his family and his parish in the city of Pushkin, just south of St. Petersburg. We wish Fyodor God’s blessings and pray for Dr. Prilutsky in his service to the church in the future.

As we close out the old year, I am grateful to you for your support of my missionary work as well as support for our church partners in Ingria. I have witnessed a church rise from the ashes and grow to be a sound biblical presence in the country of my grandparents. While Russians search for hope in an increasingly complex and confusing world, we are honored to share in strengthening the Christian witness of our Ingrian Lutheran partners. The Lord who has kept His Church alive despite all obstacles will in no wise abandon it. His promise is to accompany us until the end of time. May our Lord Jesus Christ fill you with His joy and peace this Christmas!

 Prayer Requests:

Please continue to pray for my cousin Shawn Nunnink, battling cancer.

Thank the Lord with me for safe travels throughout this year and now as I head to Michigan for Christmas and St. Louis for study in January.

Please pray for the students and staff at the Theological Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria. Pray that their commitment to our Lord will remain strong and firmly rooted in His Word.

Please pray for those families who have lost someone in the past year. In particular remember the Roemers and Blokers after our missionaries Karen and Jim passed away this summer. I had the chance to meet Karen’s husband after church in Frankfurt, Germany last week. Dr. Albrecht Roemer and I remembered Karen’s humility and strong faith. Dr. Roemer spoke of how she comforted her own family when she knew that she was going to die. Karen knew her Lord and knew where she was going. Please pray for the comfort of the resurrection to the families that will have an empty place at the dinner table this Christmas.

E-mail: matveih@yahoo.com—mailing address- 26650 Woodshire, Dearborn Heights, MI., 48127.

To support my work financially, you can send a tax-deductible gift to:

LCMS World Mission; Missionary Support; PO Box 790089; St. Louis, MO 63179-0089

—–Make checks payable to LCMS World Mission. Mark checks “Support of Matthew Heise.”

If you would like to partner with me in my ministry with ongoing support as an individual or congregation, please contact Debra Feenstra for information on Together in Mission or Mission Senders at 1-800-248-1930 Ext. 1651 or Debra.Feenstra@lcms.org Thank you, and merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

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