HopeRussia student Zhargal Tsirenov is an elder in the Evangelical Christian Church in Ulan-Ude, capitol city of the Russian Republic of Buryatia in southeastern Siberia, just 100 miles north of Russia’s border with Mongolia. Christians are extremely scarce in this majority Buddhist region. We’re so thankful that Zhargal is part of our network family! By the way, the distance between Ulan Ude and St. Petersburg (3,780 miles) exceeds the distance between Los Angeles and New York City by 1,000 miles.

Zhargal (far right) and other elders lead the congregation in celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

Zhargal (far right) and other elders lead the congregation in celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

Ulan Ude is close to Mongolia.

Ulan Ude is close to Mongolia.

One of the many Buddhist temples in Buryatia

One of the many Buddhist temples in Buryatia

A Typical Sunday Morning at the Evangelical Christian Church of Ulan Ude

A Typical Sunday Morning at the Evangelical Christian Church of Ulan Ude

Your gifts to HopeRussia help men like Zhargal receive biblical training and mentoring, including his travel to St. Petersburg for our twice-yearly intensive courses.