Transfiguration Church Celebrates 25 Years

Pray daily for pastors in the Slavic countries (as well as your own) that they will have wisdom and power from God to preach the Word effectually and to care for all of the saints. Pray that the convicting power of the Holy Spirit will accompany the preaching of God’s Word throughout all lands. Ask God to stir up Christians to use their God-given freedom to the fullest advantage in making known everywhere the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

In July of 2017, the Transfiguration Church has celebrated twenty-five years of ministry to the Christian community and citizens of Oryol, Russia. The city of Oryol has a population of 320, 000. It is located four hours southwest of Moscow, Russia. The name, Oryol, means “eagle” in the Russian language.

Over 350 people praised God together for His faithfulness since the church was founded. Encouragement and exhortation abounded, as each speaker reminisced about the ministries of the church, which have brought much fruit for God’s glory. Many also glorified God through musical and vocal arrangements.

Valera Eroshkin, the head pastor of the church, has been a missionary with Slavic Missionary Service since 1992. For twenty years, he has also been the pastoral district superintendent of the Oryol Oblast, which has a population of 750,000. Because of his keen knowledge of the region, he has been able to build churches in key locations with the assistance of SMS. Likewise, he has conducted many Biblical seminars and Bible training institutes throughout the years.

The church has 220 members and recently conducted a baptismal service for eleven candidates. A children’s camp was also held in July for fifty children. The Transfiguration Church ministers in orphanages in the region, especially in Zmeyovka; and has conducted evangelistic services in the small towns and villages throughout the oblast. There are three Evangelical Baptist churches in the city of Oryol, 15 churches in the oblast and 12 small groups meeting in homes.

Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

Proverbs 15:16

The Lord will resume His dealing with the nations, as well as with the Chosen nation, when He has completed the church in this Age of Grace. God is working today “to take out” of the nations “a people for His name” (Acts 15:14). Ask God to empower every witness that is proclaiming this message of love to sinful men. Pray continually that the Holy Spirit will convict men of their need of Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).