By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service  

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (ANS) – A building owned by Emmanuel Church in the southwest suburbs of Moscow, once used as a casino, was set on fire in the early hours of March 26.

Pastor Alexei Pankov told ASSIST News that several people were sleeping in the building, which is in the process of reconstruction.

“A few years ago Emmanuel bought a building in the southwest part of Moscow. It’s an old building, which had been used as a casino. For a long time the government didn’t want to sign documents for reconstruction. Finally, we came across a law allowing us to renovate it without official permission. Our church started collecting and raising money. The first thing was to replace the walls and put in a new roof,” Pankov said.

He continued: “After a couple months of work on this, we were ready to completely revamp the inside. It was looking promising with a goal to finish the building by the end of Fall 2007. We bought new windows, doors, and different materials. The total cost was more then $150,000 USD. Various church members and students from the rehab center were working there for free, looking forward with the rest of us to having our own building.”

Pankov said that on Monday, March 26, at 4 o’clock in the morning “while everybody was sleeping,” the building was set on fire and only the walls are left standing.

“As we write this today,” said Pankov,” we’re still shocked about what’s happened. It brings tears of sorrow. Some of the workers had been staying there, and by God’s grace, they made it out alive! Firemen came to put out the fire. But, and this may or may not surprise you (depending on how much you know about Russia), no policemen came. They didn’t even attempt to start an official investigation to expose the crime. Makes you wonder who exactly is behind this terrible act of discrimination.”

Pankov writes that Emmanuel church in Moscow has had many struggles with the government over the years with regards to property issues.

“The Russian Government considers all Protestant churches as sects and cults and tries to get rid of them. It’s commonly known that Russian Orthodox priests literally dictate the government about what to do with other denominations. Therefore, it’s become extremely difficult to find a place to rent for services and church programs. Also, it’s a challenge to buy or rent land to build your own church. If you buy a building, officials aren’t all that eager to sign the necessary documents, which allow you to renovate and fix up old buildings. Sadly, new churches are burned or the mafia tries to kick you out,” he said.

Emmanuel Church acquired a piece of property to build its own place for services. For almost ten years they were fighting to get permission to start building, but in the end they lost, Pankov said.

He explained: “We used to have an area of land for our Bible school in the Ivanovo region, a few hours from Moscow. We built various buildings there, which were used for conferences, children and youth camps, and classrooms for the students. One day, almost two years ago now, we lost this property. Making a long story short — the mafia bribed the judge! It’s amazing how widespread corruption is in this country.”

Pankov concludes: “Some may think there is freedom in Russia, but it’s not true. If you think it’s easy to evangelize here it’s not true. Yet we know God is with us and is leading us. The Lord is our refuge, our Protector, and our Comforter. By God’s mercy and grace we are able to move forward. We believe changes will come. Revival will come! We will not stop. God is for us, then who can be against us?”

He asks Western Christians to remember the church and its ministers in their prayers.

“Russia needs an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Please pray: for God’s protection for His people; that God would change spiritual and political situation in Russia; that God would change the hearts of government leaders; for strong leaders and churches to be raised up; for revival in Russia; and for wisdom for our church leaders about what to do next.”

There is a link to the church’s website, where you can see a short video from Monday morning when church pastors arrived at the fire. Scroll down and click on ‘video in English’ at:www.russian-assemblies.org/moscow/files/news/070326.shtml.

Readers may also wish to visit www.JesusChrist.ru  – Russian Christian Portal, and www.Molitva.ru  – Russian Christian Prayer Center.