3 The Church in Russia has suffered the most severe and sustained persecution of any nation in recent history

4 The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) survived Communism and remains the one major symbol of Russian identity

a) An enhancement of the good

b) An ending of intolerance

c) A facing up to compromise under Communism

d) A rooting out of a culture of corruption in the ROC

e) True spiritual life

f) Renewal movements within the ROC

g) Theological education

5 The religious freedom of the 1991-1997 period was a time of euphoria, excitement and interest created by disillusionment with the old system and its leaders

a) Inappropriate evangelism

b) The need for practical holiness and integrity in daily life

c) Serious divisions

d) Emigration of Christians

6 Godly Christian evangelical leaders are too few – lack of training in the past, lack of funding today and the loss of many through emigration contribute to this lack

a) Biblical leadership patterns

b) Systematic teaching and expository preaching through the Bible is rare

c) TEE is an important training tool

Peoples

Indo-European 88.7%; Turkic-Altaic 8.2%; Finno-Ugric 2.3%; Other 0.8%.

Literacy 98%. Official language Russian; local languages in autonomous republics. All languages 96. Languages with Scriptures 3Bi 8NT 40por 80w.i.p.

Economy

Vast natural resources and potentially the world's wealthiest country. HDI 0.747; 71^st/174. Public debt 26% of GNP. Income/person $2,680 (9% of USA).

Politics

Russia has known little but autocracy or tyranny since it became a country in the 8^th Century.

Religion

Freedom of religion written into the constitution.

Churches in Russia

Missionaries from Russia

382+ in 17 agencies to 12 countries

Missionaries to Russia

2,200+ in 146 agencies from 35 countries

click for legend

Geography

click to enlarge

Area 17,075,400 sq.km. The world's largest country extending across 11 time zones between the Baltic and the Pacific.

Population (2000) 146,933,847 -0.16%AGR

Capital Moscow 13,200,000.

Internet Links