Our Beginnings
It
all began really in 1993 in another part of Russia, where God planted the seed
during prayer, that He wanted something special done to reach the young people
of this country. He told us that many would not respond to the traditional way
of presenting the gospel and that they needed to be reached on their own level
in a way that they would understand.That day during prayer, God revealed His
love and concern for the young people in such a deep way, that it was impossible
to shake this call. It was forever imbedded in our spirits that we had a mandate
from Him that needed to be fulfilled - a destiny to reach the tormented and
confused youth of Russia with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. We knew exactly
why we were here, and in general what we were supposed to do!
In 1994, John Russell, an American missionary and four young
Russian Christians, Sara Tchernychova, Vera Abezina, Victor Avdyakov and Anya
Andreanova, came to St Petersburg to start the work among Russian youth. They
didn't have much more than faith and fire when they arrived. When they were
not attending Bible school, they could usually be found either praying or on
the street or in their home witnessing to lost teens and young adults. The fire
and desire was only increasing! Being in St Petersburg with so many young people
was and is an evangelism paradise!
In 1995 Michael and Angelika Anticoli a missionary couple
who had been in the Ukraine arrived in Russia to help start a Bible school.
Their plans changed, and we soon started making plans together to have an official
organization so that we could operate according to Russian law, and begin our
ministry "officially". After much prayer we felt that the Lord gave
us the name StreetCry for our work. We were responding to the Lord's concern
for those on the street crying out for help.
In
1998 after working together for 3 years, Mike and Angelika felt strongly called
to begin a ministry with children, while the original team continued with the
calling and direction that they originally received. The founding members who
are still working together are grateful for the time, prayer and hard work that
Mike and Angelika put into the ministry during those three years that we worked
together.
From 1994 until today, our ministry has continued with
the original vision God gave us. We have seen new "buds" spring forth
on the plant, but they are all part of the same plant. We now have a rehab center,
a worship band, an evangelism and drama team, a coffee house, a music studio
and a growing Bible school and school of ministry, as well as a number of grown
up leaders with families of their own. But the mandate is the same - reach the
unsaved youth - they are dying here by the thousands each day from heroin addiction
and lifestyle related sicknesses and diseases, and after reaching them - train
them to help others find the love of God that they have freely received. God
has called us specifically to reach out to youth - the teens and young adults
who so desperately need help during the turmoil of their adolescence - the turmoil
that some unfortunately never come out of.
Well, that is the story of our beginnings and of our founding
members. Several people have suggested or asked that we write a book. Right
now we don't feel it is time because there are too many unfinished chapters.
It is time to preach, minister, reap, and train up laborers.Perhaps we will
one day, though.
We appreciate your interest and your prayers! God has birthed
and grown the ministry to what it is today, and it is by His grace that we continue!
