In 2017, the Moscow Central Church of Evangelical Christian Baptists celebrated its anniversary. The community is 135 years old. What trials we had to go through and what to achieve, what ministries are in the church today, who works in the community and brings the good news to the people of the region - all this can be found in this article.
Foundations of faith
The Protestant religion, which is adhered to by the Moscow Church of the ECB, appeared in Russia in the 16th century. He was brought by immigrants from European countries. Gradually, year after year, this faith began to spread throughout the Russian Empire.
The first parishioners of the Baptist churches gathered at home, as they did not have their own churches and churches. Over time, noble people who believed in the gospel began to provide their castles and estates for worship, and ordinary working people gathered together and knew them. They called each other brothers and sisters, together sang hymns of praise to God, prayed and read the Bible.
History of the Moscow Central Church of Evangelical Christians-Baptists
The Baptist Church in Moscow, located in the Small Trekhsvyatitelsky Lane, has more than a century of history. It all started with the fact that two friends began to conduct gospel readings for everyone. To their amazement, even those who considered themselves to be true Christians were little acquainted with the Word of God. Therefore, such events were popular with the townspeople, and the number of people who wanted to hear the Good News grew every day.
In 1903, one of the Moscow ministers visited St. Petersburg and asked to send preachers to them, who could not only share the Word, but also perform water baptism. N.Ya. Yakovlev and V.I. Dolgopolov became those who helped the young Moscow community to strengthen their faith and follow the commandments of God.
The first leader of a small community in Moscow was F.S. Savelyev. Since 1909, the church switched to a legal position, and already in 1917, in the building where the ministries of the reformers had been held before, the opening of the house of prayer, which is now known as the Moscow Central Church of Evangelical Christian Baptists, took place.
And despite the fact that in the 30s and 40s, persecution of all truly believing people began, the Moscow community managed to survive in this difficult time and even become an example to follow and strengthen in faith for other Protestant churches in the region.
Temple today
The Moscow Central Church of Evangelical Christian Baptists is today one of the largest Protestant communities in the Russian Federation. Within the walls of this historic building, regular services, Sunday school classes, study groups for future preachers, and youth meetings are held.
Once a month, communication is held in a youth club called 180, where the Word of God is studied, the dangers of alcohol and drugs are taught, prayers are made for young people who still live in bonds of sin.
All classes in the local community are free of charge, with donations from parishioners of the Moscow Central Church of the ECB and caring people.
Pride of the church
Not every Christian community can boast of having a real body within its walls. This musical instrument is a creation of the ingenious German master organist Ernst Rever. It was created in 1898 and still pleases parishioners and church guests with its divine sound.
Today, divine services are held under his sounds, and once a month a special concert of organ music is organized for all connoisseurs of this art. However, the instrument needs restoration, and the community collects money to give it a second life.
Unfortunately, many organs created by a talented German craftsman and located in European countries were destroyed during the Second World War.
The Moscow Central Church of Evangelical Christians-Baptists is the center of the Protestant faith of the city, where for each sufferer there are words of comfort and support.