A report of
the trip from August 20 to September 16, 2002
made by
Carl McMurray (Nashville, TN),
Shannon Shaffer
(Greenwood, IN),
and Joshua
Creel (Pinson, AL)
Ukraine
Russia
Russia
Ukraine 2002
2002 TRIP
– RUSSIA/UKRAINE
Contents
I.Tula
Report, Russiapage 2
II.Mariupoul,
Ukrainepage 9
III.Josh
Creel’s report on the final week
page 13
IV.Notes
on Interviews Taken in Russiapage 16
V.Financial
Sheet page 29
Introduction
As I review my notes and prepare
my thought for this report, it is certainly done with mixed feelings.
This ninth trip to Russia has by far been one with more of an emotional
mix than any previous trip. Warmth, thankfulness, and frustration are
not unusual emotions of these journeys. Thrills and excitement to see
God’s power and providence working also are not completely foreign.
During this trip, however, we also had a fair dose of shock, revulsion,
and disappointment. Others have tasted these things, I know, but for
me it was a first time.
Part I, Tula, Russia
Eighteen to twenty hours after
leaving Nashville, I arrived with Shannon Shaffer and Joshua Creel in
Tula, Russia. It felt good to be back. On this trip of about a month,
almost the first two weeks will be spent in Tula. Our purpose was twofold.
First, to visit and study with the church here that we helped to plant
several years ago, like Paul and Barnabas. They have been inviting us
for four years to return. And second, to ask questions and gather personal
information on a division in the church here so serious that the churches
in Tula, Kaluga, Orel, and Moscow are all affected.
While meeting with the church
on the Lord’s day we were also able to have a special requested study
on “women of the Bible” during the midweek study. We had almost
nightly studies in Luke with Sasha, an English speaker who later did
some translating for us. We also had studies with Andrew, another friend
of Misha’s who has expressed interest in spiritual things, Dima and
Max (more friends and prospects).
At the same time, the above
work was always overshadowed by our secondary purpose, that of attempting
to unravel the truth about certain accusations, charges, and reports
that have gone out concerning Michael Lapyonko and Alex Seryogin.
These two men have been mainstays
in the work in Russia for 5 or 6 years. They have been a great team,
maturing and effective in the work. Alex is an educated small college
English teacher with a calm, thoughtful manner while Misha (Michael)
is a laughing, ex-body builder who started learning English by listening
to MTV. Both men gave up lucrative personal businesses to begin preaching.
Both men are now effective translators, seem loved, respected, and well
spoken of by brethren there, and together, they have been effective
in saving souls and building up the church in Tula, Orel, Kaluga, and
Moscow. Just two years ago this team met and baptized ten men in one
year. There are many churches in the United States who cannot boast
such, and that is without mentioning the difficulty of this field. They
have certainly been a strong force for truth in the Russian church and
have sacrificed time, effort, pride, and money to build the kingdom.
They are proven workers. You can imagine my shock a few months ago at
hearing that both these men had been marked. Both were accused of extorting
and stealing money from other preachers. All three of us on this trip
had worked closely with these fellows. We all trusted in their faithfulness,
having seen demonstrations of it repeatedly over the years and spending
time in their homes. We each wanted to learn more before turning from
our brothers on the word of another. I have not seen, I know, all reports
on this issue, but one report, most clear and disturbing, was a report
by brother Jim Thayer. Several plain and damaging statements were made
that we simply had to verify.
Those statements identified:
1)Misha and Alex as “wicked”
and “evil” men,
2)Whom the church had withdrawn
from.
3)That three American brethren
investigated and came back with “convincing proof that the charges
were accurate.”
4)That the church in Tula
had been declining and hurting because of the hypocrisy and evil of
these men;, i.e. “many Christians and potential Christians quit coming
to worship”….and “could plainly see hypocrisy in the lives of
the these men and were turned off by it.”
5)That since the above
mentioned marking, the church in Tula, Kaluga, and Orel had rebounded
in strength and numbers and was better off than before, ie. “have
grown well beyond what they were before.”
6)That the accusers of
these men were godly, capable workers for the Lord..
To my knowledge brother Thayer
did not go to Tula, nor did he speak with anyone besides some of the
accusers. Let it be said here that I am not questioning Jim Thayer’s
integrity at all. Also, the investigating brethren, to my knowledge
spoke with no one except some of the accusers. However, the reports
about the matter we received from speaking to five other brethren that
were part of this situation gave us a far different picture and caused
us to question, not these two Russian brothers, but the activities of
an American in those churches and his “accusing” co-workers. All
the interviews we were able to make are noted at the end of this report.
All interviews were independent of each other, using different translators,
one of which is not even a member of the church. We compared notes and
impressions nightly on what we were hearing. Frankly, we were a little
surprised at the way everyone’s story seemed to agree and verify what
others told us, even though we were shocked at the account of events
and broken hearted over what has been done to the Lord’s cause. Based
upon what we were told, and verified by other Christians, I will share
with you the impressions, related to us, by the Russian brethren. The
following is a compilation of accounts.
In March of 2002,
Ron Roark, presently of Fultondale, Alabama, appeared in Tula. Ron usually
e-mailed his plans to Misha before coming. So, Misha said that his appearance
was a surprise, but not a problem. Brother Roark preached one Sunday
in Tula and then he and two other preachers, Igor and Ramon came to
dinner at Misha’s that week. There was no mention of any apparent
problem. On Sunday Ron asked to speak again and changed the order
of the service to having the Lord’s Supper first and the preaching
last. Near the end of his lesson, we were told, brother Roark launched
into a number of accusations against Misha and Alex. These consisted
of:
1)Misha’s divorce, about
two years earlier, not being for fornication.
2)They, Misha and Alex,
were extorting money (forcing and stealing) from other preachers.
3)Misha was always complaining
about having to take the bus to Kaluga even though he had a car.
4)Misha was not taking
care of the brethren.*
*This last one seems to
have been made by one who the other members simply referred to as a
“disgruntled member who always complains.” We never got a
name, they would always just dismiss this one as
“the disgruntled member.”
The floor seems to have been
given to Misha here for a while. During his response, he asked one preacher,
Igor, publicly, if the accusations were true. Igor replied “no”,
even though he had signed a statement for Ron saying “yes.” He told
Misha, publicly there in the meeting, that he wished he could support
him, but that he would lose his “money, job, and everything.” A
nine year old girl told me that even she had heard this in the meeting.
I’m wondering if brother Roark’s Russian is so good now that he
heard and understood this conversation, or did he miss this surprising
revelation? About this time “Ron called for a vote.” (This surprising
statement was made more than once by more than one person.) They voted,
and it appears that most all the church voted for Misha and did not
believe the accusations. Only Ramon and his wife (who were not members)
and “the disgruntled member” voted against Misha, i.e. for his dismissal.
Ron got up again and repeated
the accusations. He said that he had “documents” proving the charges
(although it seems no one saw these documents, and it now appears they
were just five signed statements from the preachers accusing Misha).
Brother Roark told the church they couldn’t associate with Misha and
that Igor would be preaching. Many members knew Igor and were not happy
with this pronouncement . Then brother Roark offered an alternative.
Misha could still attend as a member, but he would just be dismissed
as a preacher. This also was unsatisfactory. Brother Roark has been
in charge of the money being used for renting a meeting place for several
years now. The Russian brethren were made to understand that if Misha
stayed, Ron would stop the money, and move the meeting place (and he
did!) Misha and Emma (Misha’s mother) offered the use of their flat
for the church to meet in, and when faced with the loss of all materials,
Misha demanded the songbooks and Bibles he had bought on his own. People
were getting up and walking out of the worship about this time with
disgust at these preceedings. My understanding is that some brethren
(“the church”?) now meet in a place connected, somehow, with a business
of Ron Roark. This is not confirmed, just an opinion the Russians
held.
Misha was later invited to
meet privately with Ron and the other preachers that were accusing him.
He declined meeting with them in private after they had publicly accused
him, without warning, in the worship assembly that Sunday morning. He
was also approached later by Ron and encouraged to lay all blame on
Alex and perhaps things would fare better for him. Misha declined the
offer. Igor came to Misha’s home and repeated his lament given in
the assembly of wishing he could stand with Misha but being fearful
of losing his income.
Misha was told, by Ron Roark,
that his support would be stopped, so Misha went back to secular work.
Unfortunately, some miscommunication and working two jobs caused him
to miss another meeting at a later date to defend himself to American
brethren connected with the church that supported him. The irony is
that it was an American that made this necessary in the first place.
While the very church he worked with in Tula, had no complaint against
him, and was at peace.
Presently, there are a group
of saints meeting regularly at Misha and Emma’s flat. Misha still
continues to have personal studies with interested prospects. I know
this because I studied with these non-Christians also. Some are considering
obedience. They are presently in need of some more Bibles, songbooks,
chairs, etc., since those things were taken away from them. The size
of the two groups seem to be about even on Sunday at about 7-9, but
it is hard to tell since I was told that a number that usually meet
at Emma’s were on vacation or at their dachas. I do know that although
we were told that “Ron’s church” (as it was called to us) was
meeting midweek, no one was there. Accounts, like brother Thayer’s
report, that the church was suffering before that fatal Sunday were
plainly denied by several members and the statement that the church
in Tula is better off now is obviously and patently false. Of course,
since “Ron’s”(NOT the church’s) marking of Misha and Alex, and
his placing of other men in other congregations in Orel, Moscow, and
Kaluga, this harm done is spread to those churches. By the way, again
contrary to the report, only one family was taken from the church in
Moscow. Alex continues to host the church in his flat (since their meeting
place was also taken away) and they continue to have confidence in him
in spite of the accusations. These two men, Misha and Alex, have been
slandered and ruined among the churches, and the churches where they
worked have been decimated emotionally. I suppose that others have experienced
such activities since there is nothing new under the sun, but frankly,
the more I listened, the more shocked and disheartened I have become
at what has been done to the kingdom here.
The following conclusions
are mine and mine alone.
I sat and listened to humble
Russian Christians pour out their hearts and question what appeared
to be unbiblical activities. One was an elderly lady who has known Misha
since he was 13 and says anyone who claims he stole money is out of
their mind, “crazy”. I’ve watched him (Misha) stop on the street
and gently take old women’s arms to help them up and down steps. I
see him stop and smile and give attention to the old women who sit outside,
and I’ve heard how impressed they all are with this big, kind, handsome
Russian. He’s taught English to little girls, and late one night I
followed him into a conversation of gentle rebuke for 8-10 leather clad
youth who were vandalizing the street. The guy is fearless, and faithful,
and if I have to choose a companion to be with in holding out the gospel
in Russia, it will continue to be this man.
In our investigation I found
it fascinating that of the six preachers who are connected with brother
Roark and were called upon to bear witness and accuse Misha and Alex
of extortion, one has quit preaching because he told me, (referring
to Ron and the other five) “I don’t want to be associated with such
men as that.” He continues to fellowship and have confidence in Alex
Seryogin in spite of the accusations.
The second preacher had a
reputation for drinking and was dismissed from preaching for not working,
but is found “on the payroll” when the accusations are made. I also
could not discover in any way how Misha supposedly got hands on his
support since Misha was never connected in the matter of “giving and
receiving” with him. His taped statement that Misha would kill him
if he didn’t hand over money is so ludicrous as to be laughable to
anyone who knows Misha. (In fact, that’s what I did, i.e. started
laughing)
The third preacher is a caught
and confirmed liar who has also been dismissed in the past for not doing
the work, or even living in the town he was supposed to be in. I spoke
to a professional accountant with an international accounting company
in Moscow who doesn’t even know the situation. He flatly stated the
man was a liar for claiming $45,000 had been stolen. It just wasn’t
possible in Russia. This man complained to us about not getting his
$200 monthly support while bragging that he made between $1000 and $2000
per month. My question was why was he being supported at all??
Preacher number four had been
caught stealing from his employer and avoided jail time by selling his
car. This wife-beating thief was working as a preacher all the time
that this was going on with his secular job. Brother Roark is aware
of the situation.
Preacher number five has a
reputation for drinking and nightclubbing that he has been “hushing
up” the members about so Ron and/or Misha wouldn’t find out. His
lies have also been confirmed by signing a statement saying one thing
and then speaking the opposite.
And preacher number six is
a registered mental patient. He has to go for annual checkups because
of his depression and suicide attempts. His mother has approached Misha
for protection because this man had been beating her.
I understand that we all have
things in our past that we want to live down. But, MANY OF THE ABOVE
ACTIVITIES WERE WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. Some of the above were “put
on the dole” after only being a Christian for a few months. They were
untested, un proven, and simply had not had time for godliness to become
their manner of life. I also admit, after talking to a number of the
saints there, I was beginning to ask two questions repeatedly.
1)How could anyone take
the accusations of this rogue’s gallery seriously?
2)What has been being done
to our brethren in Russia?
My personal conclusions
are:
1)The church here has been
decimated spiritually and emotionally.
2)Good men have been ruined,
not by sinner’s attacks, but by supposed brethren
3)Worthless men have been
“placed’ in their position.
4)The autonomy of local
churches has been trampled.
5)Churches have had no
say in who will work with them.
6)They have been “assigned”
preachers by an outsider.
7)The Tula church was told
to “vote” on a “dismissal” rather than taught about withdrawal.
8)Aside from the scriptures
not being followed, there does not even seem to have been any common
courtesy extended in bringing an accusation against a brother or even
trying to seek his repentence.
9)A foreigner has been
allowed, by his handling and directing of money in a number of churches
and accounts, to determine meeting places and leadership.
I have no problem with the
Biblical concept of churches choosing their own messenger, but when
the “messenger” is determining who receives support, who will be
cut off, and where the church will meet; the messenger begins to look
like a personal missionary society of some kind who gives orders and
makes decisions. I am amazed at brethren sometimes who do things in
other countries they would never try/could never get away with here
in the United States.
As has happened before in places
like the Philippines, (yes, and even in the States, I believe) it seems
that a small number of envious, untested workers with dollar signs in
their eyes have seized opportunity to slander and destroy the objects
of their jealousy. Some of these men had only been Christians a few
months before they received their “appointment” to preach and money
from the States. In the words of a young man who used to work with me,
I’ve got to ask, “What are brethren thinking?” The only question
in my mind now is, was this duplicity only on the part of the Russian
accusers, or did they receive direction? I’m not sure I want the answer
to that question, and I certainly don’t need it to see that much wrong
has been done already
Churches have been given orders
rather than teaching, and their leaders have been appointed rather than
choosing their own. Which U.S. church would put up with this? Would
the church in Fultondale, AL where bother Roark labors, allow an outsider
to tell them where they will meet or who their preacher would be? Good
men have been publicly accused and marked without ever being approached
for repentance, publicly or privately. Support for proven and tested
men has been cut off based upon the word of unproven men, of questionable
character. A supposed “messenger” is making decisions and giving
orders, and good brethren have been trusting him to do so rather than
spending the money and following up on their own. There are a number
of practices in overseas work that need to be addressed, such as, sending
the men’s wives with them, sending older men with younger men, accountability,
and spending the money on building relationships and follow-up. Perhaps
this is not the place to address all these issues, but maybe it’s
time for a wake up call to do things right. Even if it costs more money,
let’s do it right! Souls are at stake.
One more of my personal opinions
that I hate to voice, and that is all it is, is that if anyone needs
to be dismissed from the work in Russia, it is brother Ron Roark. If
he wants to run a business in Russia, that is his business, but he needs
to quit mixing up the two, i.e. running his business and running the
church. There are questions in the minds of Russian brethren about his
business and his business companions that I have no interest in pursuing.
Those are his personal affairs and I am only interested in kingdom affairs
here. I fully expect him to be angry about these conclusions. Indeed,
before we ever left on this trip, brother Roark was voicing suspicions
aloud that we were going over to “sandbag” him. I must say that
having not even spoken to Ron in years, no such thought was ever entertained
by us. Now though, having heard the “rest of the story,” it appears
that he had reason to think someone might see some problems with his
handling of these affairs. I do.
I also must add that as I’m
writing this Ron has not had his say about our findings. Upon returning
to the States, we attempted to contact him. My phone attempts failed,
but brother Creel did manage to reach Ron and he was not available until
November, after a 14 week trip to Russia and South America. I was financially
supported to make this trip so I had a report to send. I chose not to
wait 14 weeks before sending out my report. Perhaps there is yet some
reasonable and Biblical explanation for what we found
Misha and Alex are doing secular
work now so the churches have lost their full commitment to spiritual
work. Brethren continue to meet with them in Tula and in Moscow, however.
They continue to try to teach others and encourage each other although
they have been betrayed and hurt. They are unwelcome in Orel and Kaluga
and do not go there now, and the churches in Tula and Moscow are divided
(although with Moscow, as stated above, it was only one family). I,
and those with me, do not recognize the “marking” of these men by
brother Roark, and we will continue to assist the churches meeting in
their homes as much as possible.
Misha has been hurt to the
extent that he has no wish to return to being supported. He earns his
own living, lives with his mother, and preaches and teaches as he is
able. I am presently trying to raise support for Alex Seryogin and would
be happy to talk further with interested parties. He is a knowledgeable
and valuable teacher by profession. He speaks English and presently
has a commentary on the life of Christ about half written, in Russian.
His wife is a Christian and he hosts the church in Moscow in his home.
Both these men were sickened to talk about the whole affair, but if
you know of anyone who would be committed to the supporting the kingdom
effort in Moscow, again, I’d be glad to talk further with them.
End of part I
Part II
The new church in Mariupoul,
Ukraine
This part of our trip was definitely
an upswing from the first two weeks.
On May 6th, two
days after Shannon Shaffer and I decided firmly on a date to go to Russia
in August, I received an email from Gardner Hall who works with Hispanic
brethren in New York. He had received an email from some brethren in
Argentina. It appears that there was a family in Argentina who had come
from the Ukraine. Upon their conversion there in Argentina several years
ago, the woman, Sveta, began communicating with her mother. They had
been studying and talking long distance for 2 or 3 years when her mother
in the Ukraine, Alexandra Sinitcena told her that she was ready to be
baptized. Additionally she communicated, if someone would come to teach
and baptize, she could offer hospitality and several more souls who
would listen to the gospel. We made arrangements for border crossings,
visas, and a twenty hour train ride south from Tula to Mariuopoul, a
seaport in Ukraine on the Azotus Sea.
We arrived on Saturday afternoon
and visited the address that we had after settling into the hotel. Alexandra
was at her dacha, but her son in law told us that she would be home
the following evening, on the Lord’s day, at about 5 pm. We returned
then.
I’m not sure who was the
most excited, her or us. She said that she had been told by her daughter
3 months earlier that someone was coming, “Are you them?” she asked.
Confirming we were the expected ones, we began to talk about her Bible
studies, her books that she read, and her request to be baptized. We
asked if she still desired that, and she replied, “Yes, of course,
when can I be baptized?” We said, “how about right now?” and she
stated, “That is exactly the right answer!. If we had asked her to
wait, she said that she would have known it was the devil.” We proceeded
to the seashore and the first one of our fellowship in that place was
baptized into Christ on that Lord’s day evening. We then went to a
quiet café where the sea breeze blew in on that August evening and
with noone else present in the whole place except for her and the four
of us, we studied, prayed, and ate the body and blood of our Lord. She
just kept repeating, “Slava Boga, Slava Boga”, i.e. praise God!
Alexandra told us abut her
life as an avowed atheist and about her plans for immediately contacting
others and beginning daily studies. She was as good as her word. The
next day we met her daughter Marina and then Eugenia, an old friend,
and Eugenia’s daughter Olga. On Wednesday we baptized Marina and Eugenia.
And the next day another family began attending our studies. Sergai,
is a retired military man. He has a wife, Vallia, and three children.
Vallia was baptized after our first study with this family. She told
us that this is what they had been studying and reading about in their
home for several years. We later found out that Sergai is the brother
of Andrew (who is married to Sveta in Argentina). Although believing
at first that he was already a Christian since he already had faith,
Sergai was also added to the Lord after a question and answer session
with Misha. Two of their children, Olga, (age 20) and Tanya (16) were
baptized the next day. They these two young ladies had already been
baptized into a Chrarismatic church, but after a lesson on false teachers,
and spiritual gifts, they came to me and wanted immediate baptism. When
I asked them about their previous ones, they said “yes” they had
been baptized into that church, but the Bible lesson had taught them
that this was wrong and they wanted to be part of the church in the
New Testament. Studies like this went on every day we were there from
about one or two till about 6 or 7 each evening.
What a week. By the second
Lord’s day we were there in worship with seven new Christians. The
focus of our worship was Acts 2 and comparing the new church in Jerusalem
to the new church in Mariupoul. We especially focused on breaking down
Acts 2:42 into the four areas that they would need to “continue steadfastly
in”. We sang, prayed, taught the apostles doctrine, ate the body and
blood of Christ, and they even took up their own first collection after
a serious discussion of accountability, openness in all things, and
encouraging Misha to return and teach by paying for his expenses. It
was marvelous.
I might add here that Bruce
Hudson (Bangor, Maine) has made a number of trips to Ukraine in past
years and worked with the church in Kharkov. Those Christians, although
still faithful, have presently re-located to other countries, including
the states, so that congregation no longer exists there. Although institutional
brethren have made great headway in this country, this new church in
Mariupoul is now the only church of our fellowship in that nation.
While there, we explored and
tried to discover what aides might be available for teachers coming
later. In addition to two excellent and reasonably priced hotels, we
found a UPS office that will decipher English addressing, plenty of
exchange kiosks for money, some limited use of Visa cards, a central
mall (easily accessible with a multitude of goods) cheap taxi’s, plenty
of food and restaraunts, an airport so one can fly into Mariupoul from
Kiev, and a Humanities Institute with a class of 2nd and
3rd year translating students that would love to polish their
English speaking skills and make a little money on the side. This is
all on top of a town about the size of Nashville, TN that is used to
foreigners since it is a seaport, and generally friendly as far as we
could tell.
The next day Shannon and I
left to return to Russia to work and visit more with the church there.
Brother Creel stayed on, with Misha Lapyonko to spend another week with
the new saints, studying, practicing singing, and confirming their faith.
That Monday we left, Olga asked to be baptized. We had been hoping she
would so we were thrilled at the news. 8 new- borns in the church there
including an entire family and a male, mature member.
The last few days of our trip
were “interesting” as we went in three different directions. Shannon
in Tula, visiting with the saints there. Joshua and Misha in Mariupoul,
and myself in Moscow. There was a bit of a problem in getting back into
Russia because of a visa mistake which my visa company still claims
was NOT a mistake. They claim the Russian passport police made the mistake.
Whoever made the mistake, I was the one who got deported back to Kiev.
I was put back on the plane and sent back to Ukraine, where I was also
refused entry because they said my visa there had been used up. They
finally let me in and I spent the night in Kiev and got to the Russian
embassy the next day. After paying a one day price for a new visa, I
was back on a plane to Moscow and in my brother’s apartment in Moscow
by midnight the next evening. I got to spend some time with Alex Seryogin,
there in Moscow and worship in his home where the church meets now,
on Sunday. Because of lodging complications, I ended up just staying
in Moscow where we three all met up at the airport for our return on
Monday.
In conclusion
Although unsure at first, we
felt that the three goals of our trip had been abundantly met.
1)We met and studied and
encouraged the saints in the church at Tula.
2)We investigated (and
cleared in our minds) the charges against Misha & Alex.
3)We were blessed to be
able to sow seed in good ground and plant a new congregation in Mariupoul,
Ukraine.
We are presently faced with
two missions and if you would be interested in helping, please contact
me.
1)We are trying to raise
$1000 per month for Alex Seryogin to be able to give his full time to
preaching the gospel in Moscow. The church has had it’s share of problems
for the past 9 years and Alex seems to be well suited to be able to
help them.
2)We are trying to line
up teachers to go to Mariopoul. These new Christians need encouragement
and had tears in their eyes when we even spoke of leaving. If we could
get teams of a couple guys (or even with their wives) to go each month
for just a couple weeks throughout the year, it would be greatly secure
this harvest. Just two weeks is all that’s needed. Just two Lord’s
days. That would give them two Sundays’ a month to study and worship
on their own and two Sundays with a teacher there. Would you or your
preacher sign up for a month next year? (November 02, and May 03 are
presently signed for) Would you go or send a teacher?
My greatest thanks go out to
the brethren from Montana to Indiana to Tennessee who made it possible
for me to be a part of their fellowship. To think that Christians from
the States could go to Ukraine as a part of an outreach for Christians
in Argentina, working together in Kingdom business… that’s humbling
for me and I’m thankful for your fellowship. Lord willing, and my
wife, I’d like to return next year. Please keep us in your mind and
budget.
Carl McMurray
220 Swift Dr.
Nashville, TN
37072
615.851.6140
hm
615.262.0241
wk
615.268.9499
mobile
email:
mcmurray@indy.net or mcmurray@spiritbuilding.com
Anyone desiring to receive
a CD containing the following, please contact me. There may be a couple
bucks charge for postage and envelope.
-Acrobat Reader
-Email Reports (the ones Shannon
Shaffer sent during the trip)
-Pictures McMurray
-Pictures Shaffer
-PowerPoint Presentation (the
ones Shannon Shaffer showed to the brethren
w/notes
w/most of the 300 slides)
-PowerPoint Viewer (in case
someone doesn't have PowerPoint)
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Likewise, reports and pictures
should soon be up and posted on EvangelismUpdate.com for future reference.
III. Joshua Creel’s Ukrainian
Update
This
report is to provide an update on the work that was started in Mariupol,
Ukraine by Shannon Shaffer (Indianapolis, IN), Carl McMurray (Nashville,
TN), Joshua Creel (Pinson, AL) and Misha Lapenko (Tula, Russia).
The four of us arrived in Mariupol on the 31st of August
and the Lord blessed our work exceedingly. In the first week of
our stay, seven souls were added to the church of our Lord. On
the 9th of September our company parted ways in order to
accomplish more work for our Lord. Carl McMurray and Shannon Shaffer
returned to Russia to work with the saints there, while Misha Lapenko
and myself (Joshua Creel) remained in Mariupol to work with the saints
there for another week. This report is to describe what transpired
in that week. A full account of the first week in Mariupol can
be found in the reports provided by Carl McMurray and Shannon Shaffer.
A New
Sister in Christ
On
Monday, September 9, Misha Lapenko and myself continued to study with
those who were willing. There were only two people present for
our Monday study: Marina, who had obeyed the gospel the previous week,
and Olga. Olga is the daughter of Eugenia, who had also obeyed
the gospel the previous week. This was not the first study that
we had with Olga. She had been present for many of our earlier
studies and she always followed along in her Bible showing great interest
and asking many questions. We had talked with her about obeying
the gospel on previous occasions, but she had not been ready.
During this study we focused on the Judgment Day and how all of us must
prepare ourselves for that Day. As our study concluded, Olga made
her desire to obey the gospel known. Misha and I were more than
happy to assist her in that request.
By
this time it was nearing 7:30pm. It was already dark outside,
but we decided to head for the spring in the woods anyway. Although
we could not see our way most of the time, we finally arrived at the
spring. It was a cloudless night and the moon provided all of
the light that we needed. By 8:00pm, Olga had washed away her
sins and was a new creature in the Lord’s church.
More
Contacts and Studies
During
the week, Misha and I continued to study with whomever wished to study.
I was greatly encouraged to see the Christians inviting their friends
and family to study and ask questions. Many were unwilling to
study, but there were some who were willing to sit down for a study
and to ask us questions:
1.Luda:
On Tuesday, September 10, Luda, who is one of Alexandra’s friends,
joined our study. She did not seem very interested in what we
were studying, as she did not follow along in the scriptures.
After our study was over she did ask some questions regarding the Orthodox
church, etc. She said that she might see us again, but she never
returned to our studies.
2.Emma:
Emma, another of Alexandra’s friends, also joined our studies on Tuesday,
September 10. Again, she did not follow along in the scriptures
as we talked, but she did have several questions. Most of her
questions revolved around “End Time” issues such as Armageddon and
the 1000 year reign of Christ. We talked with her about the setting
of Revelation and how it was a letter written concerning issues of the
1st and 2nd centuries, Revelation 1:1,
and tried to stress the symbolic nature of the book. She seemed
very interested in what we had to say and also said that she would return
for future study. We thought that she would return, but unfortunately
we did not see her again during our stay.
3.Anna:
Anna was our most encouraging contact during the week. She began
to come to our studies beginning on Wednesday, September 11 and returned
for each study thereafter. She is friends with both Alexandra
and Eugenia and works in a local shop. She was quite shy in that
she did not wish to ask us any questions, but she seemed to have the
proper attitude in that she “searched the Scriptures daily to find
out whether these things were so,” Acts 17:11.
In this she demonstrated the same attitude as the 8 who obeyed the gospel
during our 2 week stay. It is my hope and belief that Anna will
be added to the Lord’s church in the near future.
4.Sergei:
Sergei is Marina’s husband. He attended one of our studies during
the first week, but did not attend any future studies. Both Misha
and myself had the opportunity to talk with him in other settings, but
he did not appear very interested in spiritual matters at the time.
His wife Marina is continuing to talk with him about the Bible and even
asked Misha for help in determining what to study with Sergei.
Strengthening
the Saints
During
our final week we were able to meet with the saints of Mariupol on a
daily basis to study and enjoy each others’ company. Most days
we would arrive at either Alexandra or Eugenia’s flat around 2:00
and would not leave till at least 7:00, often times 8:00. We were
able to study various topics such as the Judgment Day, the resurrection,
Christian love, and the purpose of the Old Testament. Each study
was an enjoyment in that all present would follow along in the Scriptures
and ask insightful questions. They never seemed to tire of studying
God’s word.
We
were also able to make copies of various hymns and practice them with
the saints during the week. Misha would lead them in singing the
Russian version, and I would chime in with the English version.
While it might not have been beautiful to the human ear, I believe that
all were making “melody in their heart to the Lord,” Ephesians
5:19. By the end of the week we had practiced “How Great
Thou Art”, “Blessed Assurance”, “Standing on the Promises”,
“What a Friend we have in Jesus”, “Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus”,
and “I Need Thee Every Hour.”
After
each of our studies we would be fed by either Alexandra and Marina,
or by Eugenia and Olga. They would invite all to partake in each
meal and there never seemed to be a lack of food. The hospitality
shown to us by all was extraordinary. I am sure that it was quite
costly to them, but they insisted every day that we eat with them.
It was a privilege to be in their company and to witness Christians
display this outward sign of affection towards each other.
Preparation
Work
Due
to the tireless efforts of Misha, we were able to accomplish some things
that may help others who travel to Mariupol in the future.
1.Translators:
we had met earlier with a teacher and some of her students at one of
the local universities. During our final week we were able to
use 4 of the students to help in translating. Misha was always
present to help them and correct them if they made an incorrect translation.
Hopefully, some of these students can be of use to future preachers
and teachers.
2.Material:
Shannon Shaffer had left some material when he departed for Russia.
Misha was able to go through this material and we left much of it with
the saints in Mariupol for their future study. The translators
also translated some of my material. Misha looked at this as well,
made corrections, and we left these lessons with the saints. Hopefully,
the Christians of Mariupol will be able to use these aids as they continue
to study God’s word.
Words
cannot adequately express the joy felt by all of us who were able to
witness the power of God’s word in Mariupol. We found the people
to be open and eager to study more and more of God’s word. I
am extremely encouraged by the attitude shown by the 8 Christians in
Mariupol. They desire to know more about God, they express a deep
love for Him and for each other. Please pray that they will be
strengthened and continue to grow in the grace of our Lord. Perhaps
the best way to end this report to repeat what was heard by all of us
so often during our stay: “Slava Boga!”, or
“Praise God!”
Respectfully
Submitted,
Joshua Creel
4207 Glen
Brook Rd.
Pinson, AL
35126
H:
205-908-1908
W:
205-680-5770
Email:
jcreel1@att.net
Website:
www.pinsoncoc.org
IV. NOTES ON INTERVIEWS
NOTES ON OUR DISCUSSION
WITH URI – TRANSLATED BY MISHA
Although not the oldest Christian
in the church at Tula, Uri is one of the oldest attendees. He was with
us when the church first started meeting in the public library, back
before the government restricted religious meeting in public buildings.
Our discussion with Uri was brief, but it was enlightening nonetheless.
We began by asking Uri how
the church had been faring, before the Sunday in March when charges
were made against Misha and Alex. He affirmed that the church was going
well, and he wasn’t sure, but he thought there had been more than
20 regular attendees before that Sunday. He also affirmed that Misha
did a good job, that he was a good man, and that he liked Misha. He
patted his shoulder as he spoke. (Emma had said that when she met Uri
in the market a couple of weeks earlier that Uri told her only 7 or
8 were now attending church at the new place.) We asked how many attended
this last Sunday, and he told us 7 or 8.
Uri was our first interview
and a particularly important one. He had been one of those coming to
Misha’s for several weeks after the division. He had been one who
said that he would continue coming (which confirms his good feeling
toward Misha), so they were surprised when he did not appear anymore,
and conversations at the market revealed he had gone back to “Ron’s
church.” Let it be said here that no one seemed to express any hard
feelings over his decision. More than one mentioned that Uri was a “pensioner”
(retired) and that the church and Ron had been helping him. They thought,
without malice, that perhaps Uri’s decision was based more upon Ron’s
monetary support more than any disagreement with Misha. When we began
to ask questions about what happened that Sunday, Uri began to become
agitated. His voice got louder and all he would say is, “Ask Ron.
I trust Ron.” He repeated this three or four times.
We got absolutely no other
information from him beyond the number of attendees. His head count
alone was enough, however, to catch our attention. A report of this
situation circulated by brother Jim Thayer made clear reference to the
church in Tula early on being troubled and declining from the hypocrisy
of Misha. Jim goes on to say that since Misha’s marking and withdrawal,
the church has rebounded and is stronger than ever, spiritually and
numerically. Here and now I challenge those statements. I do not in
any way question brother Thayer’s integrity, but I do question whoever
his source of information is. We found not one single person who stated
the church in Tula was troubled where Misha was preaching. There were
several who said it was at peace and growing, and no one (except his
accusers) had anything to say but good about Misha Lapyonko. Again,
I do not know the source of brother Thayer’s head count. But by the
word of Uri, who is attending there, and the fact that not a single
member showed up for a “planned” midweek Bible study, I would say
that Jim has been led down the path by someone. These clear facts bring
into question, in my mind, the rest of brother Thayer’s written assessment.
Carl McMurray
Interview with Vicka, translated
by Sasha
(M=Mac speaking, elsewhere
it is Vicka) last week of August, 02
by Carl McMurray
M-Vicka, I appreciate you
letting me come over and talk with you. I was wondering if I could ask
you some questions about what happened in the church, last March?
Did you want to ask questions
or do you want me to just tell what happened and then you can ask me
questions?
M- Well, go ahead and just
tell in your own words what happened. That would be better I think,
and maybe I’ll have some questions later,
or maybe not. We’ll see.
The church was at peace. Misha
did a good job preaching and everyone liked his preaching. Once in awhile
Igor preached and once Roman preached. But Misha did the best job and
everyone like his preaching. One Sunday Ronald Roark was there and the
church was overflowing. There were many people there who were strangers,
people who had never visited the church before. It was that day that
Ron and these people started making charges and accusations against
Misha. We…
M-Who is
“we” Vicka?
The church. We didn’t even
want to hear these things because we came together for worship and to
study. They said terrible things about Misha and they talked about his
personal life, telling intimate things we didn’t even want to know.
M-What kind of intimate
things?
About his marriage and whether
he had lived with his wife or not, or whether his divorce was for the
right reasons. We didn’t come together to hear this. After awhile
even some people began to leave that place because they didn’t want
to hear about this. (note:Misha’s divorce over his wife’s adultery
had taken place approximately two years previous, mac)
M-What were the accusations
about?
Ron, and the others accused
Misha of stealing money. I didn’t want to hear this because I know
Misha. He is a good man and a good preacher.
M-You don’t believe Misha
took any money?
I don’t believe it. There
were some there accusing Misha who don’t even go to the church.
M-What was that?
There were people there who
sometime later said they came to this church. But, Katya (her 9 year
old daughter, mac) and I have been attending this church for four
or five years every Sudnay and have never seen them. (I have pictures
of Vicka and Katya and remember them being present each Sunday 3 or
4 years ago when last I visited, mac) maybe they mgith have come
when I was visiting my brother in St. Petersburg, but as for always
coming? No, I’ve never seen them.
M-Well, what happened when
Ron and these others accused Misha?
“Ron called for a vote”.
M-Wait, what did you say?
What happened?
Ron called for a vote to cast
Misha out. To dismiss him and send him away from the church.
M-How did the vote turn
out?
Almost the whole church voted
for Misha. We did not believe he did those things that Ron said he did.
M-The whole church?
Just those strangers that Ron
brought in. They voted against Misha, but the church voted for him.
M-What happened then?
Ron just suggested that Misha
could still be in the church, be a member, but he would lose all his
privileges.
M-Lose his privileges?
Yes. He would just be in the
church still, but Ron would dismiss him from preaching. Ron said he
would lose his money and his preaching privileges.
M-I don’t understand.
If the church voted for Misha, they believed him, how could Ron
dismiss him?
(Vicka shrugged) Ron
said he would stop Misha’s support. He said that if Misha stayed he
would take the money from the church.
M-You mean the money for
the rent for the meeting place? Ron was paying for that and he said
that he would stop that so the church couldn’t meet anymore?
Yes, he said Misha couldn’t
be preaching anymore even though the church voted for him. Then Misha
and Emma (Misha’s mother) said the church could meet in their
flat.
M-So the church supported
Misha and went to their flat to start meeting there?
Yes, and when Ron and Igor
left, they took everything.
M-What do you mean? What
did they take?
They took all Bibles, songbooks,
materials, everything. But this is what I would expect from Igor. I
know him and I knew that he was not a good man.
M-So they took everything
when the church moved to where Ron wanted it?
Yes. Ron has some sort of secret
business. We just found this out during that discussion that day. I
suppose it is connected to his business. They also were raising the
rent on where the church met. Maybe it was good for his business to
give this place to someone else who wanted it and move the church to
his place of business.
M-What kind of business
are you talking about Ron having?
I don’t know. I believe Roman
worked for Ron in his business. But we don’t know anything about it.
Maybe Misha knows.
M-So,Ron and Igor took the
Bibles and everything and moved the church to Ron’s place of business.
Yes, but Misha said, he demanded
some few Bibles and some few songbooks because he said he had bought
these with his own money.
M-So if the church was moved
by Ron, who went to Misha and Emma’s flat?
Almost all the church.
M-All?
Yes. Maybe some are not visiting
the church anymore because of Ron’s accusations. But at first, almost
all came to Misha’s because we believed Misha and we didn’t believe
those strangers or Ron’s accusations. Misha said he did not do it
and we believe him.
M-But I was there Sunday.
Where are all the people?
After a few weeks some who
came to Misha’s went back to Ron. Some of them were receiving money
from Ron and perhaps they were afraid of losing their money. (Such
as Uri, who we interviewed and who receives regular benevolent help,
mac) Others are on vacation and working at their dacha’s. This
is summer you know. They are gathering vegetables and fruits and potatoes.
In September when the potatoes are done, they will return.
M-Will they know to return
to Misha’s? Will they know what has happened?
Oh yes. They know. This happened
before the summer. They came to Misha’s and Misha has all the phone
numbers and calls them.
M-So the group of 7 or 8
that met at Misha’s last Sunday is not the whole church?
No, there are many others who
are away just now.
M-Vicka, was there any trouble
in the church before March, before Ron came in that Sunday and accused
Misha?
No. Everyone was happy with
the Bible studies. Misha gives good preaching and the church was getting
bigger. (Note: my information is that the church attendance was in
the upper twenties, bumping 30 from time to time before this happened,
mac)
M-Vicka, I have kind of
a hard question. I was told that during that meeting in March with Ron,
that Ron asked Igor in the meeting if Misha had stolen money from him.
(Vicka is nodding her head yes). I was told that Igor said no. (the
reason for my question is that Igor had signed a paper saying Yes, Misha
stole money from him) Do you remember this?
I remember Ron asking Igor.
Igor was like wine flowing (she makes a waving motion back and forth
with her hand).
M-What? What does that mean?
First Igor said no, then yes,
then no. He went back and forth several times. I could never understand
a definite answer from him. He (Igor) told Misha that he would like
to stand up and support Misha, but if he did, he would lose his money,
his preaching job, everything.
M-What? Igor said that?
How do you know he said it? (I had been told that Igor came to Misha
later and admitted the charges were false with the above explanation,
mac)
He said it in the church. Everyone
heard it. Katya (her daughter) was sitting beside me on the couch during
the interview. She was tugging on my sleeve and when I looked down,
she said, “I heard it too.”
M-Katya, you heard Igor
say he couldn’t support Misha because he would lose his money?
“Yes”, Katya said, “and
my friend heard it too. Everyone did”.
M-What friend?
Vicka explained that Katya
had been bringing a little girl friend to bible study on Sundays with
her.
M-So everyone heard this?
Everyone! (I’m wondering
if Ron’s Russian is good enough that he understood what Igor said
in front of all)
M-You said earlier something
about Igor, about him not being a good man
and doing things you were not surprised about. What did you mean?
He is not open about things.
I have seen that he has bad thoughts in his head and that’s why I
just do not have anything to do with him. We did not want him to preach
at the church and many will not go there if he preaches.
M-What do you mean? What
things does he do?
Once, for example, he asked
me to the café. He told me to keep his secret.
M-What secret?
He drinks vodka. He told me
not to tell Misha or Ron. I won’t go with him to the café anymore.
I won’t have have anything to do with him. Another time he met us
at a New Years party. He asked me not to let Misha or Ron know that
he drinks. I think that he drinks all the time.
M-So Igor the preacher drinks?
Yes, and goes to nightclubs,
and dances.
M-Does anyone else know
this?
The people at church know it.
That’s why when Ron said Igor will preach we did not want Igor to
preach. We wanted Misha.
M-You don’t think Misha
does these things?
No, of course not. Misha is
a good man.
M-Vicka, I have another
hard question to ask. I would not want to insult you for anything in
the world, but it is a personal question that I won’t ask if you don’t
want me to. Can I ask you a personal question?
Yes.
M-Vicka, you’re a pretty
girl, and an intelligent one, being a high school literature teacher
and all.
Thank you
M-I need to ask you about
your relationship with Misha. Is there now, or has there ever been in
the past, any feelings between you? Any special feelings?
I used to work at the same
school with Alex’s (Seryogin) wife. It was she who first invited me
to the church. I was already divorced at the time. Katya was little
and she was the only child at church. I was friends with Alex’s wife
and still am. When Alex brings her to Tula from Moscow she always calls
and we will get together.
M-By the way, what is your
opinion of Alex and his wife (also accused with Misha, mac)?
I like them both. She is a
good woman. She has always been good. But, after she brought me to the
church I knew Tanya, Misha’s wife. We became friends. Misha taught
me and he was preaching. Misha baptized me. After he baptized me, he
continued to preach. He gave Katya some English lessons. But there is
nothing between us. There has never been anything between us except
friendship. I have known him since 1997 (I believe that was the date
she said, mac) and he has always been a good man.
M-Thank you Vicka, for letting
me come into your house and talk to you about these things that have
troubled the church. You have been a faithful Christian lady all these
years and you are teaching your daughter about the Lord. And, you have
been a good friend to Misha when he needed one.
End of interview
DICUSSION WITH VALLIA—SASHA
TRANSLATING.
Carl McMurray
This elderly lady had let us
know she wanted to talk to us. Said she had questions. Her questions
had to do with:
1.How could Ronald Roark
come into the church and say such terrible things about Misha?
2.Shouldn’t he have spoken
face to face with Misha? Wasn’t that what the Bible taught?
3.Why could Ronald, an
American and not a member of the church here, make charges against Misha
and dismiss him from preaching when the church supported Misha?
4.Why could he take away
the place where the church met?
It wasn’t much of a discussion.
I believe Vallia wanted just to get these things off her chest with
other Americans. She ended with two statements that are as close to
quotes as I can recall.
1.I have known Misha since
he was 13 years old. He would never take money or do what Ron accused
him of. Anyone who would accuse him of that must be crazy, out of his
mind.
2.I have been considering
baptism and joining this church, but now I am in doubt. I’m not sure
I want to be part of a church like this. What if Ron returns and does
this again to the (the church meeting in Emma’s home) church?
We assured her that we agreed
with her thinking on these particular Biblical topics and that indeed
she was right. It did sound crazy that outsiders should come into the
church and make demands. We assured her that we were opposed to this,
and we were not working for Ron, and we would help the church there
anyway we could.
Misha’s Story
What
follows is Misha Lapenko’s account of what happened regarding Ron
Roark, the Tula congregation, and how it was that Misha Lapenko was
“dismissed” from preaching by Ron Roark. Misha Lapenko recounted
his story on August 24, 2002. Joshua Creel and Shannon Shaffer
were present.
I.Prelude
a.Misha noticed that
beginning last year (2001) Ron Roark was not happy with the way things
were going here in Russia. He expressed his displeasure about
his business dealings and about the churches in Russia on several occasions.
b.Jim Thayer, of Atlanta,
GA, was supposed to start handling more of the work in Russia for Ron.
This would involve Jim Thayer making more trips while Ron Roark would
be making fewer. For some reason or another this did not come
to pass, so Ron Roark continued making his trips to Russia.
c.It was also during
this time that Pavel, one of the preachers in Orel, was dismissed from
preaching by Ron Roark. Apparently Pavel had been living in Tula
and traveling to Orel. An apartment was kept in Orel, but this
was more for appearances when American preachers came.
d.Also during this
time period, Misha and Ramon had an argument over some money.
i.During January
and February of 2002 Ramon was not preaching, but was driving a truck
for Ron Roark.
ii.Misha questioned
Ron about this and Ron said that Ramon was “on his time.”
II.Ron Arrives in March
2002
e.Ron usually emailed
his itinerary to Misha in advance, but this time he just showed up to
one of the Bible studies. Said nothing to Misha about why he was
there.
f.Ron, Igor, and Ramon
show up at Misha’s flat one night. They had tea, but talked
about very little. No accusations were made!
g.Ron wanted to go
to Kaluga. Misha said that Igor had the key to the apartment in
Kaluga. Ron and Igor go to Kaluga, but they don’t find Dima.
They look at the apartment, and apparently Ron is satisfied.
h.Ron preaches the
first Sunday that he is there in Tula. Again, no accusations are
made. The next Sunday, Ron asks Misha if he can again speak.
Misha says “yes”. Ron preaches and at the end of his lesson
begins to make accusations against Misha.
III.Ron’s accusations:
i.Begins by saying
that Misha has disgraced the name of Christ and must be dismissed.
j.1st accusation:
Misha did not provide proof that his divorce was because of fornication.
Says that Alex is one of his sources of information.
k.2nd accusation:
Misha complained about the buses to Kaluga, but Misha allegedly had
a car.
l.3rd accusation:
Misha was stealing money from the preachers.
m.4th accusation:
Misha was not taking care of the brethren there in Tula. Unloving.
n.Ron spent ~ 1 hour
making accusations. No mention of repentance or forgiveness.
o.Ron then allowed
Misha to take the floor.
IV.Misha’s response
to the accusations:
p.1st accusation:
what evidence could he possibly provide that he divorced his wife for
fornication? Did Ron want tapes, etc?
q.2nd accusation:
concerning his alleged car.
i.Misha asked Ramon
if he had a car. Ramon said that he had two. However, one
was Ron’s, but Ramon’s name was on the papers.
ii.Such is common
in Russia.
iii.Misha said
that his name was on the papers of some cars, but they belonged to other
people. They let him drive the cars while in town, but not out
of Tula, certainly not to Kaluga.
r.3rd accusation:
Misha denied that he ever took money from the preachers. They
had some system where the preachers borrowed money from each other when
bills came due. (Not clear on how this worked).
s.4th accusation:
being unloving.
i.Misha asked the
congregation if any of them were unhappy with him. Had he been
unloving?
ii.One person stood
up, Lylia. Said that Misha would not help her family when her
grandchild was in the hospital. Said that they were not from Tula
and had no other friends.
iii.Misha said
that