THEY CALL THEM “HOUSES OF PRAYER”

Come Worship With Us

INTRODUCTION (approx. 3 minutes)

“Dom Molitvii”… House of Prayer … in a home in a rural village … in a sturdy brick building in the middle of town … in rented space in an apartment building.  As of 2003, ten of the Baptist churches in the Republic of Bashkortostan are called Dom Molitvii. The remaining 7 Baptist churches post a sign such as this that says “Church of Evangelical Baptists”.

 Calling their churches House of Prayer seems fitting.  They are a place of earnest, fervent prayer … but are also a place of worship … a place of serving God.  They are the evidence of  “hope for every heart, a church planting movement for every people”.

 There are about 7,000 Evangelical Christian believers out of the four million population of Bashkortostan. Approximately 1,000 of these believers are Baptist.  These evangelical churches continue to grow in the face of the dominating Muslim majority in the Republic and the opposition of the Russian Orthodox Church. 

 Won’t you come inside with us and join the dear believers in Bashkortostan as they celebrate the risen Savior?   Worship together with the family of God in Bashkortostan in music, prayer, and exhortation.   You may not understand the words but move inside and feel the love of God that shines through these people.   Welcome!

BELORETSK

 Beloretsk is located in the Ural Mountains on the Eastern edge of Bashkortostan.  A new church sets amid the gray Soviet style apartments.  The sign on the outside of the building reads, “God is Love”.  This church is located directly across the street from an apartment building that displays a quote from Lenin, the dictator who proclaimed that God does not exist.  There is no worship service in this church today but all are welcome.

 Narrate:        

Р       Pray for this church that they may show God’s love to those around them

Р       Pray for the pastor and his family

CHERNIKOVKA

The Blagaya Vest Church is located in the northern part of Ufa not far from the massive petrochemical plants.

It is near a busy street in the Cernikovka district of Ufa and proudly identifies itself as the “Church of Evangelical Baptists: GOOD NEWS”.  Located in the basement of a five-story apartment building, the worshipers here fill the available space as they lift their voices with songs, prayers, and exhortations.

  (church scenes) 

Text while music: 

Р       Pray for the church

 Narrate:

Р       Pray for Peter and his family as he ministers to this church and also serves as Senior Pastor of all Baptists in Bashkortistan

ILLUSHKINO

When it rains, the roads turn to mud in the town of Illushkino.  The wood frame buildings, … some brightly painted, … are in sharp contrast to the drab concrete apartments in larger cities.  Among these buildings is a Dom Malitvii in the home of the pastor and his family.  Here they have no musical instruments, … not even a tape player.  Most of the congregation is widows but the love of God is clearly evident as they worship.

(church scenes)

Text:

 Ð        Pray for those in this small house church

Р       Pray for this young pastor and his family

ERMOLAEVO

 When it rains, the roads turn to mud in the town of Ermolaevo.  The wood frame buildings, … some brightly painted, … are in sharp contrast to the drab concrete apartments in larger cities.  Among these buildings is a Dom Molitvii in the home of the pastor and his family.  Here they have no musical instruments, … not even a tape player.  Most of the congregation is widows but the love of God is clearly evident as they worship.

(church scenes)

 Text:

 Ð        Pray for those in this small house church

Р       Pray for this young pastor and his family

ISHIMBAI

 An apartment complex is the home of the Ishimbai Dom Molitvii.  Located on the bottom floor of one of the buildings, this church provides easy access for the local residents.  The worship services usually fill the space to capacity with those from the area.

 Worship with these believers as they sing praises to God.

 (church scenes)

 Text:

Р       Pray for the members of the church

Р       Pray for the pastor and his family

KRIVLYA

 Krivlya is located in the southernmost part of Bashkortostan.  Farming is the primary source of income for this rural community. 

The location of the church is well known even though it does not have a sign providing an identification of where the believers meet.

Entering the home of the pastor and his family one is greeted warmth and love…  A quick meal is served to the honored guests while additional Christian believers arrive.  Typical of the rural areas, as many as ten different ethnic groups are represented in the congregation.  Because of the late arrival of the guests, the service does not begin until 11:00 P.M.!

 Join this diverse group as they worship in song, praise and exhortation. 

 (church scenes)

 Songs:

While on Others Thou Art Calling

Fairest Lord Jesus

How Great Thou Art

 Text:

Р       Pray for the pastor and his family

Р       Pray for these believers

KUMERTAU

A few miles north of the city of Sterlitamak is the town of Kumertau. 

 This is the home of Nicoli, an elderly gentleman who longs for the return of Communist rule in Russia.  Near his home is the Dom Molitvii, … a prominent, recently constructed Baptist church.

 Prior to the worship service, coffee, tea, and cake are served to the honored guests.  Join the believers as they worship together.

 (church scenes)

 Narrate:

Р       Pray for the pastor and his family

Р       Pray for boldness as this church reaches out into the community

Р       Pray that Nicolai will become a believer

NEFTEKAMSK

 Surrounded by green fields and oil wells, the petrochemical industry provides a good income for this large city located in the Northwest part of Bashkortostan.  New construction appears everywhere.

 On this day, the Dom Molitvii church is celebrating its tenth anniversary.  This is an historic milestone and representatives from all of the Baptist churches in Bashkortostan are here to celebrate this event in songs of praise and worship as well as share in a celebration meal.

 The following are excerpts from this time of thanking God for His provisions.

 (church scenes)

Narration for meal:

After the 6-hour service, the chairs and tables were set up in the auditorium.  A multi-course meal was served beginning with delicious soup.  This was a wonderful time of fellowship for those believers gathered from Bashkortostan.

 Narrate:

Р       Pray for the pastor as he leads

Pray for the believers not only in this church but believers across Bashkortostan

STERLITAMAK

 Sterlitamak, located South of Ufa, is the second largest city of the Republic.  New construction and recently opened office and apartment buildings are evident in many places throughout the city.

 A Dom Molitvii is also in the final stages of completion.  This church … with its balcony … will seat approximately 150 worshippers.

 Narrate:

Р       Pray for this pastor as he leads the believers here

Р       Pray for wisdom and insight from other Baptist brothers

Р       Pray for those living in the apartments nearby

Pray for the church as they seek to reach the city of Sterlitamak with the Gospel

SALAVAT

 Salavat, located South of Ufa, is the third largest city of the Republic.  New construction and recently opened office and apartment buildings are evident in many places throughout the city.

 A Dom Molitvii is also in the final stages of completion.  This church … with its balcony … will seat approximately 150 worshippers.

 Narrate:

Р       Pray for this pastor as he leads the believers here

Р       Pray for wisdom and insight from other Baptist brothers

Р       Pray for those living in the apartments nearby

Pray for the church as they seek to reach the city of Salavat with the Gospel

UFA

 The Dom Molitvii in Ufa is the mother church of Bashkortostan.  Founded over 100 years ago and centrally located in Ufa, the church provides a meeting place for believers throughout the city.  Join with those in attendance as they worship.

 (church service)

Text: 

Р       Pray for the pastor and the associate pastor as they minister

Pray for the believers as they witness to their neighbors in Ufa