On June 28 through 30, in the picturesque state of Connecticut, Ashford Campground, which is well known to the American Slavic population, hosted a historical event – 100-year anniversary of the Russian-Ukrainian Union of ECB in the U.S. One hundred years is a significant event, which is connected to a rich history of ministry of many generations of immigrants in America.
The founder of the Russian-Ukrainian Union of ECB was Platon Davidyuk. He was the first president of this union from 1919 until 1957. Platon was also a founder of the oldest Russian-Speaking magazine “Sower of Truth”. The publication of this magazine began in 1916 and was instrumental in organizing the first convention, which took place in April 1919 in Philadelphia. Sixty delegates from twenty Russian-speaking churches of the east coast attended this convention. The “Sower of Truth” magazine continues its ministry in the Slavic community to this day, and the chief editor is currently Vasiliy Shapoval.
Over the course of history, representatives from various waves of immigration became the successors of the ministry to the association. Every one of them had a different reason for coming to this country. Some have fled the persecution of the Russian monarchs, while others fled after the revolution, after the Second World War, and from the South American countries. Then there were the Jewish immigration in 1970s, as well as the last wave of immigration after the fall of the Soviet Union. Everyone dealt with the migration from the mother country differently, but the desire for fellowship, mutual support, as well as opportunities freely proclaim the Gospel became a common goal in the life and ministry of many immigrants of America. Those who came before us printed edifying books, aired Christian radio programs, sent Bibles to those who were on the other side of “the Iron curtain”. They also played an important role in supporting other Christians who remained under the oppression of atheism on the government level. Ashford has rich history; we know the names of those who labored, and dedicated many years of their lives to minister to the Lord by serving the brethren such as Ivan Kmeta, Aleksey Leonovich, Vasiliy Shakhov, Platon Kharchla, Georgiy Boltnev, Peter Pleshko, and many more.
It is interesting to note that during the annual convention in Ashford in 1964, there was an official merger of Russian-Ukrainian Union and the Pacific Coast Association. The chairmen of the unions are considered to have full executive rights in both unions.
Two productive days of the convention passed by very quickly. The atmosphere of openness and sincerity, friendliness and joy filled the delegates as well as guests of the convention. Many brothers and sisters have been preparing for this event by renovating and renewing of the campground buildings. Ivan Titarenko, who is the association’s secretary, was in charge and recruited many brothers to finish the projects that were set before them. The convention’s program was led by the chairman of the association, Georgiy Kharlov. The main speakers were Peter Mitskevich, who is the chairman of the Russian Baptist Union of ECB, Ivan Kulak, who is a guest and chairman of the Baptist Union of South American countries, and the president of the Pacific Coast Baptist Association Ivan Mileyev. Georgiy Boltnev, who has been a minister of the union for many years, summarized the history of Russian-Ukrainian Union of ECB. I had an opportunity to teach a seminar about “Present and Future of the Slavic Immigration”.
It is necessary to recognize how well-organized the convention was: the welcoming of guests, reception, residence, and program organization.
The theme of the convention was “Proclaiming the Glory of God!” and was based on Ps. 78:4. The testimony about the power and glory of our God, Who is worthy of honor, glory, and worship, must be passed down from generation to generation. Without His power and care, there would not be wonderful history of the Russian-Ukrainian Union, which continues to be written, done by new leaders of the association, brothers and sisters who have been entrusted this ministry. Based on the number of churches, this union is not large, but it is large in the scope of the ministry. Important ministry is done by many churches in South America. The presence of Ivan Kulak left a feeling of spiritual unity and signified the continuous concern for the ministry of the many missionaries in South America.
The Communion concluded the convention. All participants felt the sense of awareness of the unity in the body of Christ. That feeling is impossible to fabricate artificially “because the love of God has been poured out into our Hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us” Rom 5:5. When the Russian, Ukrainian, South American, Russian-Ukrainian, and Pacific Coast Association’s chairmen were participating in the communion of God’s grace, we felt God’s presence in the special way. The question of who is of higher rank or status, older or younger, were out of the question because the feeling of humility and dependence upon Him, Who “knew our needs”, makes us equally dependent on Him. All glory and Honor belongs to Him who deserves it.
As I was returning to California, I was looking out of the plane window upon the land of the blessed country, where the Lord allowed us to live, and prayed for further blessing upon the leadership of this “oldest” Slavic Union in the U.S. May the ministers be faithful in little, in what was entrusted to them. He is able to multiply and do miracles of making much from little. May the Second Coming of the Lord come upon us while we are in ministry for His kingdom. There were many who wished to Russian-Ukrainian Union of ECB “blessings for another hundred years”, but I believe that He will return much sooner than that.
Ivan Mileyev
Russian-Ukrainian Union's history is available here.
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