On August 6th my wife and I had an opportunity to visit the “Transfiguration” church in Minnesota. With joy and reverence, I was returning to this church which I founded 18 years ago along with a small group of 11 people. I went through the school of training at that church, the school which was so useful for me, a school which valued “faithfulness in little”. It is especially necessary to have a special inspiration in order to have regular Sunday sermon, worship, and fellowship. I spent 13 years in the cool of Minnesota’s weather and never thought that someday the time would come to return to California. It’s been over 10 years that I minister in California.
“Transfiguration” church celebrated communion and baptism of three young people. The sanctuary was so full of people that additional chairs had to be set up. A young pastor Mihail Timoshenko is the current senior pastor there. He grew up in a pastor’s home and serves in this office as a blessing to everyone. The church service was enriched by the newly-formed choir headed by Andrey Makarov. The choir diligently and devotionally performed the songs. After the service, there was the celebratory feast. I noticed that everyone, like one team members, was busy each doing their own part. I was reminded of anthill.
The church has their own paid-up facility which is technically a “gift” of the Southern Baptist Convention. With the market value being about $3 million now, the church was asked to pay only $100,000. It is a blessing to have a church in a city like Minnetonka.
After the feast, I had a meeting with the church elders. We were talking about a partnership, as well as about possible ways for ministering to one another.
I was impressed by the beautiful nature of this state. It has been a long time since I saw so much lush vegetation of grass, trees, fields, and the clear blue sky. On our flight back, I thanked God for every church which God sovereignly placed in different corners of the country with the goal of fulfilling His Great Commission! Lord, bless this friendly church in the family of PCSBA churches!
Ivan Mileyev
PHOTOS TAKEN DURING THE CHURCH VISIT
Click on the first slide to view photos in bigger size as a slide show
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