A New Pastor for Khakasia

The new congregational start in Boridino (Khakasia),
gathered together during my visit to the region in March.

   The congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Urals, Siberia and Far East in south-central Siberia (in the regions of Khakasia and the southern part of the Krasnoyarsk krai) know what it means to be without a pastor. Although I made several visits there in order to provide support and bring Holy Communion, they were left largely on their own for more than a year. While for congregations in the West vacancies are a normal part of life and present a number of unique opportunities (e.g., to reflect on the congregation's identity, it's central focus in mission, etc.), here there is usually a significant amount of fear related to being without a leader. It was really a blessing to see, then, that local congregational members did not become despondent when their pastor returned to Germany in 2012, but took on the responsibility to care for one another spiritually until the time when God would send them a new pastor. Lay leaders, some of whom had little experience, began leading worship and doing everything they could to keep congregational life going. Zoya Geintse, who was commissioned as a volunteer preacher for the region, took on many responsibilities coordinating ministries, preaching and visiting the most needy congregations.

Lay leaders Jakob and Alexander (front left and back
left, respectively) did much to support  the
congregation in Abakan during the pastoral vacancy.

  In August the prayers of the congregations of the region were answered when my colleague from ELM, Pastor Dmitri Schweitz, moved from his previous assignment in Omsk to Abakan. Dmitri was born in Uzbekistan and received his theological education in Hermannsburg after his family emigrated to Germany in the 1990s. Among Dmitri's many gifts are his pastoral skills and his first-hand knowledge of the life and piety of the congregations here, since his initial contact with the church was in a congregation very similar to the “brother” congregations of Siberia. At the same time Dmitri is a natural missionary who will work equally well with the congregations of the region that are new starts and which hope to develop and grow.

Pastor Dmitri with Zoya (center, lay preacher
and administrator for the region) and
the congregation in Abakan

  Last weekend I traveled to Khakasia to lead the service of Dmitri's official installation.  While in most situations this would be the role of the Bishop, our church is very spread out and our bishop is only able to be in the country for 6 months of the year. For that reason he asked me, as Acting Dean, to travel there in his place. On the way there and back (it is more than a day's train ride from my current residence in Omsk to Abakan) I was able to stop by other cities of the deanery and make important contacts there.   

  As usual, my travels to our small and scattered congregations inspired me to continue in be as strong in faith as they are and reminded me to once again express my thanks to the church's partners who help support the church in Siberia.