So what now? Should we continue releasing the Association’s Newsletters or should we stop? If we are to continue, then how can we stir the churches of the Association to raise their interest in the newsletters and increase the number of subscribers? Which information should be published, how to organize it, and what not to publish? Where can we find new fellow-workers, and how to attract them?
These were the thoughts of the fellow-workers who voluntarily serve in the Association’s information department during the meeting on December 29th in an informal setting. Olga Avetisova, who oversees the department, thanked the crew for their sacrificial service and then brought the statistics of the results of the department.
- Newsletters send out for the fourth year now
- The number of subscribers varies between 760-800 people
- Number of subscribers of the Russian version - 741, English - 329 (Some of the subscribers wish to receive both versions)
- Percent of opened newsletters by the recipients - 26 - 42%
Facebook page and the Association’s Website:
- Number of visits of the website remains stable
- The number of visits to the Association’s English web page is slightly less than the Russian, but in some sections it exceeds the Russian version
- Facebook publications are significantly popular. Last year, some articles with pictures had 1500 - 4600 views.
The meeting’s participants discussed ideas about the improvement of this ministry and shared about their blessings of the previous year. The head of the department gave a testimony about how she sometimes becomes discouraged when she doesn’t receive any responses about the newsletters or about information gathering and organizing the material which she spends so much time and effort on. And when, despite her efforts, she is unable to find more willing individuals who are ready to be a part of this sacrificial ministry.
“Who needs this newsletter ministry?” is a question that she often thinks about. “What impact these letters have?” NONE!!! But I spend my life on it, my precious time that I don’t have much left of.”
Once, when she was experiencing such a burden, she suddenly received a call from V. M. Tsvirinko, who was the previous chairman of the Association and who now ministers as a missionary in Moldova. “Don’t get discouraged” he said in response to the laments of the department’s head. “What you are doing is very much needed in the eyes of people and God. You are preserving history. As time passes, this history will become interesting and precious for many sooner or later! The Lord will send the trained people who will be able to take on this ministry.”
"How timely was Vyacheslav Mihailovich’s call which came to me from Moldova at the time when it was needed most! Truly God has orchestrated it to happen in order to encourage me in the difficult moment" - that was how Olga Avetisova finished her testimony. When she finished, there were other members who testified of God’s mercies and blessings they experienced in the previous year.
In this joyous mood the annual meeting of the department’s members came to an end. Please pray for this small group of enthusiasts who are serving in a difficult ministry of information ministry. Please pray for them, and so that their ministry is a response to the needs of other believers and will glorify God.
From left to right: Emiliya Guseva (reporter), Ilya Gusev, Steve Mizera (English translation editor),
Andrey Zabolotnyy (translator), Irina Zabolotnyy with their son Roman, Olga Avetisova (head of department)
and Svetlana Timofeyeva - guest at the meeting.
