Slavic Baptist Network Meets in Florida to Discuss Closer Ties With Southern Baptist Convention

More than 100 pastors and leaders of Russian-speaking and Ukrainian-speaking churches gathered in Florida for the annual meeting of the Slavic Baptist Network to discuss future cooperation, the creation of new churches, missionary projects, and the training of young leaders. The meeting marks a new step toward more active participation by Slavic Christian communities in the life of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), one of the largest Protestant organizations in the United States.

Particular attention was given to independent Slavic churches that are not yet part of larger associations, according to BaptistPress. The source says there are at least 25 such communities in Florida alone. SBC representatives offered them the opportunity to join a large network that unites about 47 thousand churches, missionary organizations, and Christian educational institutions.

Ivan Mileev, president of the Pacific Slavic Baptist Association (PCSBA) and one of the leaders of the movement, said, “We want Slavic churches to be part of the family.” The network brings together communities of people from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, and other countries of the former USSR. The source states that about 200 Slavic Baptist churches operate in the U.S., many of them holding services in Russian or Ukrainian.

Organizers say Slavic Christians have a distinctive advantage. Many of them grew up between two cultures, which they believe equips them to help develop new congregations both among immigrants and within broader American society.

Bogdan Kipko, a representative of the North American Mission Board (NAMB) for work with Slavic-speaking communities, said, “These are no longer just observers. This is a new generation of churches that want to participate in missions, create new communities, and influence the future of Christian ministry in North America.”

Source: Read the original report (translated from Russian)