The past 1.5 years we have added 10 churches with 800 members to our movement. This one in Saratov (above left) is pastored by Andrei Kosygin (above right with wife and two daughters) and has 300 members.
Dear Supporters and Enthusiasts,
In case you missed my previous note, I am David Briar, SRS Treasurer. I am pictured here (right) with my wife Erin and my seven children. I am a retired Air Force Colonel living in Tok, Alaska. Blake Purcell led me to Christ in 1984 at the Air Force Academy and I have been serving on the SRS board since 2015.
As treasurer it is my privilege to report to you annually on how we have used what God has provided through you, and let you know what the SRS board believes we need to fulfill God's call on our ministry in Russia and beyond.
During the past twelve months we have received $350,000 from 44 churches and 156 individual donors.
This money has been distributed in the following ways:
- 40% Seminary Intensives and Pastor Training and Mentoring
- 35% Pastor Stipends and Church Planting
- 9% Ministry to the Disabled and Prison Ministry
- 8% Partnerships with US Sponsors and Promotions
- 8% Administrative Costs
Our primary ministry is to plant churches where there are not churches. We do this both by training pastors and by financially supporting our Russian speaking church planters directly.
As you can see from the map above, we now have over 20 churches in 4 countries whose pastors have studied with us. The number of pastors in training has more than doubled during this last year, and we believe this trend is set to continue. Most of these churches are being planted where there is little or no evangelical presence. Hallelujah!
We feel God is empowering us through your faithfulness to fulfill Romans 15:20-21,
“And thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand” ”
Our Growing Needs
- Prayer
- Financial support
In the past, more than 40 percent of our budget is raised through special campaigns. In 2017, this was approximately $150,000. As we expand and reshape the ministry, we are seeking new annual commitments totaling $200,000 per year so that we can plan the year-round ministry of pastoral training, church planting, and support of our mercy ministries.
This means we need an additional $16,500 a month. Therefore we are asking the Lord to provide the following support for the next two years:
- 12 new donations of $500/month=$6,000/month
- 24 new donations of $250/month=$6,000/month
- 45 new donations of $100/month=$4,500/month
Please pray about making one of these commitments for 2018-2019.
And please let me know (dbriar.srs@gmail.com) if you will be able to be one of these new commitments of financial support.
We are so grateful to God for your support and through us working to see the 1.7% of the Russian world that is Evangelical become 20% soon!
In Christ,
David Briar, Col, USAF (Ret.)
Treasurer
SRS/Hope Russia
SRS Trained Church Planters