I just got off the telephone with Galina Chentsova, the Director of the Liferoute Program in Russia. I first met Galina in 1992 when I visited Moscow to discuss setting up a Christian school of psychology there. She came to Cincinnati and studied with us at the Christ-centered in-patient unit we ran at Emerson North Hospital next to CHPC.
After her visit my predilection to continue training pastors and lay helpers was increased ten fold. What the Russians clearly needed was NOT more professionals with credentials but no practical experience and no ability to integrate prayer, scripture and Christian values with insights from counseling. As Galina said after meeting with our lay helpers, "These men and women are much better counselors than our professionals."
Here we are 14 years later and we see clearly the consequences of our decision. The pastors and lay leaders are finally getting the picture that prevention and peer support are the keys to a healthy church.
I will travel to Moscow next January, brrrr, to train more leaders. One seminary looks very promising and another huge church has seen the power of our programs. Evangelism without follow up and discipleship is empty, especially in Russia.
Please pray for Galina and her team. Pray for finances to buy her the computer, scanner and materials she needs. Pray for the release of the Listening book in Russian.
posted by Gary Sweeten @ Sunday, August 20, 2006
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