Thank you for your interest in StreetCry Ministries Youth Community. Please note that all correspondence concerning visiting StreetCry should be addressed to sons@thunder.sp.ru.
We are blessed by the growing number of people who want to come and serve the Lord here. Those volunteering with us need to have a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and a hunger for more of the Lord. A request to visit initiates an invitation process. As part of that process, you will be asked to provide us with a pastoral reference, a copy of your personal Christian testimony, and a clear statement of your vision for ministry or hopes and goals for visiting or working here with StreetCry. We will also need to know if you are or have been recently been on any medication, or if you have any physical, emotional, or psychological problems which we need to know about. We will read your information and pray about how God may plan to use you here. We do appreciate your patience in waiting to make final plans to come until you have received an invitation from us.
We desperately need laborers in the harvest here. We would love to have qualified born-again brethren come for a visit to see how our ministry works. We have many needs and many ministry opportunites, but it is our policy for people to come and visit for a period of time before committing themselves long term. We have seen too many people come out of emotional feelings that did not get them through the difficulties of missionary life and living long term in another culture. The Bible says to know those who labor among you and it is our desire to get to know people on a personal basis before they come for a long period of time. We ask that first time visitors plan on limiting their visit to 2-4 weeks before committing for a longer term and unless traveling with a parent or as part of a team, we ask that visitors be at least 18 years of age.
Note: If you are thinking about a longer missions position with us, you will first need to experience the short-term (2-4 week) visit. Long-term missionaries are asked to make a commitment of one year or more. We will only begin that application process following your short-term visit.
Thank you again for your interest in what the Lord is doing here. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any further questions you may have. We will do our best to provide reliable answers to your questions and help you in any way possible. May the Lord direct you, as you continue to open your heart and seek Him!
We do not have an application form as such. Rather, it is a process by which you tell us about yourself and your interest in visiting StreetCry and then we invite you to do so after prayerful evaluation of your information.
Please have your pastor or overseer send us a reference directly to our e-mail address: sons@thunder.sp.ru. It does not need to be long, but should include his or her reflections on your Christian walk and any involvements you may have in your church. Also, it should include a brief assessment of your suitability for a short-term visit or ministry experience in a setting such as we have here at StreetCry. (Your pastor would need to visit our website at www.streetcry.org if he or she is not familiar with StreetCry. He or she should take note of the information here for prospective visitors, and comment in that light.)
You should write separately to share your personal testimony and your vision, goals and hopes of what you feel God wants to accomplish or bring to pass in your life during your visit to StreetCry. Tell us what you would anticipate doing here, bringing here in the way of gifting or service, and what you would hope to receive from God while here. Please also suggest approximate dates for your visit.
We will get back to you as quickly as possible once we have received your and your pastor’s information and have prayed and counseled about it.
The following information has been compiled from visitor experience. You will find it helpful to make a hard copy and use it as part of your checklist before departure.
We can help you with the visa process for long-term and short-term visits. For your short-term visit you will be able to come for your visit on a regular tourist visa. Once we get to meet you, we will begin the work of obtaining a longer visa for a long-term commitment. Short-term visa invitations cost $60 and long term visa invitations cost $150.
The best way to get to St. Petersburg from the west is by flying directly to St. Petersburg or to fly to Helsinki and take a train ($50 extra) to St. Petersburg. We would be happy to pick you up at St. Petersburg’s International airport, which is called Pulkovo-2 or at the train station if traveling from Finland.
Both Euros and US dollars are easily exchanged throughout the city. We ask that single western brethren coming here to have a minimum of $600 per month or $250 per week, as well as an open return trip ticket to your country and enough extra cash to cover a ticket in case of emergency. The $600 per month covers food, airport and daily transportation, housing, laundry, regular toiletries, and initial visa registration. Because this is a very poor country in many ways, the financial help that we westerners bring, helps to maintain a decent standard of living for the people we minister to and take care of. You could bring either euros or dollars in cash. At present the legal limit is $3000 per person. There are ATM machines throughout the city as well.
Regarding housing, you would stay either in our dormitory for students or in one of our apartments where a married couple and a few single people live.
We will take your word that you are healthy and not suffering from any physical or emotional disorders and are not on any medications that affect the mind. For your own benefit, you may want to get a health checkup before leaving, as well as any vaccinations that are recommended from your government or embassy for those coming to Russia. At this time we are unable to take in people with emotional or physical disorders, people under medication that affects the mind, or people that are struggling with specific sin in their lives. We are not a hospital for westerners, but rather we must come here equipped for battle.
Summers at times, can be cool and rainy, so come with jacket, sweatshirt, and an umbrella just in case, but also bring lighter clothes including shorts, bathing suit, etc. as it may be warm.
Winters are usually very cold wet, and temperature can range from anywhere from 0 to -30 degrees Celsius.
Electricity is 220 volts, 50 Hz AC, and usually reliable in St. Petersburg. Sockets require a Continental or European plug adaptor with two round pins.
We do not encourage prospective missionaries to bring their favorite goodies and food stashes. It is one of the least things we can do to leave behind the leaks and garlic of Egypt.
We anticipate that all visitors will be of the maturity level where they can abide by no smoking, drinking, dating, worldly music, or girls going out alone.
We are not the fashion police and do not have rules regarding piercings, tatoos, hair color or styles, or clothing preferences. We strongly believe in living a holy lifestyle and maintaining purity of heart, body, and spirit. Holes that have been created by piercings are a matter between you and God and are of little concern to us. We do not desire to create or promote Christianity that judges people by outward appearances. On the other hand, we want to draw attention to the Lord and let people see Him in us. Girls should try to keep their midriffs covered, and tops in general should be coverings that cover.
We do not serve vegetarian meals and expect visitors and prospective missionaries to thankfully receive from God the food that is set before them. Allergies and medical conditions are of course exceptions. Luke 10:8
StreetCry Ministries relies heavily on prayer protection and the mercies of God regarding safety, protection, health, provision, and fruitfulness. Thanks to God and His mercy, we have had very few problems or inroads of the enemy that have seriously hindered our work. Although we try to maintain a buddy system, and do what we can to help new brethren get accustomed here, StreetCry Ministries cannot and does not guarantee your safety, health, or comfort. We are serving in a foreign country with unpredictable conditions. You will be joining us in trusting God as provider and protector. You will not have the attention of any missionaries, staff, or translator’s full time. Please plan on working with others in an established Youth Community type environment. We see again and again that God does amazing work in each visitor. Be open to what God may do with you here! He is good!
The following is a summary of information that we must have before your arrival.
Costs
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