Soviet Evangelicals Since World War II, Walter Sawatsky, 1981

46.) On “Evangelicalism” see Wells and Woodridge, passim. 65. Kahle, p. 430f. 66. Ibid., p. 460. 67. BV, 6/66, p. 26. 68. See my “A Call 1976, pp. 230-239. 69. Durnbaugh, p. 170. > 70. MCC News Service, June 4, 1976. for UnityIssued by a Russian Baptist Leader,” MOR, L, 3, 71. Stephen Graham, The Way of Martha and the Way of Mary (London: Macmillan, 1916). Now you must stand by us and help us get well-rooted. In another ten years we will be so strong that not only will we be able to stand without your help—no, then we will come and help you! Our preachers and messengers will come and Proclaim the Gospel to you, for here in the West ail are asleep. You will awake and God will bless us all. —lI. S. Prokhanovin 1928 The modern Christian cannot imagine a full-blooded spiritual life without fellowship with his brothers and sisters inthe faith both within the country and abroad: He needs the prayers of God's children wherever they may live, and considers it his responsibility to pray “for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1). —Alexei Bychkov, BV 1/78, p. 25 13 The Foreign Connection: International and Ecumenical Although a uniquely Russian phenomenon in part, Soviet evangelical beginnings were also stimulated by evangelical missionaries. The influence of foreign evangelicals was more pronounced during the early decades of development. Both Baptists and Evangelical Christians had been members of the Baptist World Alliance since 1905,! The Evangelical Christians were closely associated with the Evangelical Alliance and with numerous societies such as the YMCA. Russian Mennonites had developed intimate links with fellow believers in Canada, the United States, and Germany. As noted earlier, Pentecostal beginnings were the result of the work of Ivan Vo- ronaev, a missionary sponsored by the Assemblies of God. Continuing foreign ties were natural, for as evangelicals they were part of a worldwide movement. Their essence was internationalist in contrast to the Russian na- tionalism of the Orthodox Church. This changed when Stalin took power. Soon Soviet evangelicals from all denominations found themselves in prison charged with anti-Soviet activity, with spying for a foreign country. Their links with churches abroad were the front behind which they reported Soviet secrets to foreign govern- 360 Soviet Evangelicals Since World War Il ments, so went the charge. Financial aid sent to a Soviet alain i _ culty served as the evidence to convict him. Until approximate y aon tered links with evangelicals abroad were still possible; at a 2 ks . took place, although the last visit Soviet evangelicals had ma le be was to attend the Baptist World Alliance Congress in ie . ; 7 ‘Soviet evangelicals had become isolated. At the end o = see apt of their fellow churchmen in the West were unsure whether they