Our Partners and their stories

Formerly Saratov UMC was our first partner. Proceeds from the sale of their products go for maintenance for the church building, feeding the poor, helping orphanages and leading Bible studies in area villages. 

Although there is always work to be done, we can call the church complete. With proceeds from Rev. Tatyana Molodyk's artwork, church members and mission teams were able to complete the basement.

The size of the congregation continues to grow. The children contribute pictures to our "Hands and Feet of God" series, making classic note cards.

Rev. Bruce Weaver, former District Superintendent in North Texas, was instrumental in purchasing the building that houses the Moscow Theological Seminary of the Methodist Church. Currently, enrollment is at an all-time high, having students from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. The seminary presides over 100 churches in five conferences. The President of the Seminary is Dr. Sergei Nikolaev, graduate of the Perkins School of Theology. 

Currently, proceeds from Tatyana Molodyk's artwork go to the Scholarship Fund at the Moscow Theological Seminary of the Methodist Church. Marfa Ministry has provided more than $20,000 to fund scholarships for aspiring young pastors in the Eurasia Area. 

In 2001, the  Methodist Church of Kharkiv, Ukraine was started by Rev. Igor Pak and his sister Rimma. In 2010 they bought a parcel of land with the intention of building a new church. Rev. Igor Pak not only helped fund the building, but also devoted many hours of construction of the building. In 2017 they completed the new sanctuary. 

Igor is a pastor, carpenter and artist. It comes as no suprise that he opted to stay at his church during this time of war. As long as his church is standing, he is housing church members who have lost their homes to the bombing. 

The purchase of Igor Pak's artwork helps with the cost of building maintenance during this difficult time. Join us in praying for peace in the Ukraine. 

Rev. Elena Sokolova is pastor of the Svetlaya Methodist Church in Khabarovsk, RU. This church is unique because it serves primarily children. Elena, along with the associate pastor Galina, bring children in off the streets who have undesirable home lives. Twice a week, they worship together, serve a lunch and give the children art lessons. In addition, the church provides the supplies and clothes they need for school.

Pastor Elena and her assistant, Galina, live by the proverb: 

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it" - Proverbs 22:6

The children's art is used to make cards and journals to sell with proceeds going to buy lunches, school supplies, and school clothes. Pastor Elena Sokolova and Galina make a differene in the lives of these children. 

The Methodist Church in Samara, RU is the largest Methodist congregation in Russia. They regularly have 75 or more at worship. In addition, they have an active youth program. Their outreach programs include feeding the homeless every Sunday and various summer camps.

Sasha Varonova and Alena Pirogova are artists working with youth in the Samara United Methodist Church. The proceeds from their artwork assist with maintenance of the church along with building a youth center for their activities. Anna Agnevshekova, headmaster for children's Sunday School, also contributes her work in support of the children's program. 

Church can happen anywhere...even in a coffee shop in Volgograd, Russia. Transfiguration  Methodist Church, along with their pastor Valerie Patkevich  have started Christian coffee shop and are currently working on a Christian gym. In addition some of the financial support goes for needed mediciation for church members.

Every year a summer camp for disabled children is organized in the Voronezh Region. Children and their parents can enjoy some activities such as studying the Bible, playing games, doing sports and worship, and taking part in the workshops. Most of the children have permanent disablities and usually stay at home for the whole year. Sometimes visiting this summer camp is the only opportunity for these children to spend time in the fresh air with their friends. 

Recently appointed to a full-time position, Irina Mitina, started a Methodist ministry in Novotroitskaya. Roma children come twice a week for help with their studies. On Sundays they have worship for adults and children. Once a week they host Bible study. The Roma children make fingerprint pictures for Marfa Ministry to sell. With the proceeds Irina buys school supplies, student workbooks and food for the children. In summer they have vacation camps for the Gypsy children. The name of the camp is DREAMERS. Irina tries to widen children's view on professions, to make them think about their future positiviley and to motivate their attitude to study. 

First Methodist in Moscow is known as the singing church. Retired pastor Ludmilla leads the choir. They have a chuch member who creates art for Marfa Ministry

Pastor Dima Novikov has recently been transferred to the Pskov Methodist Church.  This church has an active congregation with numerous artists.  They serve as leaders in the Methodist church, planning children’s camps and taking leadership in the Godly Play, children’s Sunday school teacher training.