Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church, Magadan, Russia entered into a companion synod relationship with Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Overland Park, Kan. in 2001. The two congregations have been linked in mission for seven years.

To understand the dynamics of Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church, one must understand the history of Magadan, Russia. Saint Mark’s congregation was organized in 2000 by Manfred Brockmann following parestroika – the break-up of the Soviet Union. Magadan is a town in the northern province of the Russia Far East. It is populated with German, Latvian and Russian people. Magadan was founded in 1939 as a location for Stalin’s gulags and the current population is mostly decedents of prisoners or guards under Stalin’s regime. Magadan can only be reached by boat or airplane. Because of the cold temperature, there are no roads or rail tracks into Magadan. The people of Magadan are very isolated and Magadan is considered the “armpit of Russia”.

In 2001, as Central States Synod was developing a synod relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States (ELCROS) some people of Holy Cross met with Manfred Brockmann, the dean of the Russian Far East (RFE) to discuss the growth of the Lutheran Church in his deanship. At that time, member Tricia Hinton and Pastor Mike Peck had discussed expanding the Community Ministry mission - redefining our definition of community to make it reach outside the Kansas City area. Manfred told us about the 8 congregations he was developing at that time. We asked him which of his congregations was the most at risk for survival. Manfred said that Saint Mark’s was a church located in the hinterlands and probably would not survive. God seemed to put Magadan, Russia on our doorstep. When Manfred returned in October of 2001, Holy Cross committed to a 5 year companion congregation relationship. Because Central States Synod did not have a Congregational Relationship program at that time, we used the format followed by my previous church, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, Minn.

The relationship began slowly and given the language barrier, we at Holy Cross were determined to make this relationship work. Manfred told us that the best thing we could do for the people of Saint Mark’s would be to go to them. So, in September of 2002, three members of Holy Cross visited Magadan for one week. Pastor Mike met with us before we left and told us to go with no expectations – let God lead us – and He did. We met the members of Saint Mark’s, participated in the Sunday service which included 2 baptisms, 4 confirmations and a wedding. We taught the members how to make and use prayer beads, shared a Bible study with them and toured the city of Magadan. We purchased a laptop computer for the preacher of Saint Mark’s, Alla Vysokova, so we could communicate by e-mail. Life in Magadan is very difficult but by the end of this visit, we knew that God had put us where we needed to be and a wonderful relationship had been born.

After our first visit, Alla and I spent 2 years learning each other’s language so we could communicate. With translation programs available on the internet, Alla and I communicated regularly about our activities, ministry and faith. In Russia it is very difficult to share faith because of the government. Although Russia is said to have religious freedom, it is very restricted. The people of Saint Mark’s were hungry to learn of our faith and asked many questions such as: “Why would we come to visit them?”, “How do we show our faith?”, “What is living a faithful life look like?” They didn’t know how to show and live their faith and wanted us to show them.

In 2003, we purchased a flat for Saint Mark’s to use as their church. Previously they had been meeting in the Latvian Cultural Center but had no place to really establish their congregation. Once again, God’s hand was involved. My niece in Anchorage, Alaska belonged to a Catholic church that was affiliated with the Catholic church in Magadan. The Catholic’s were moving to a newly built church in Magadan and were selling their old chapel (an apartment in the center of Magadan). Since my niece knew of my mission activities in Magadan, she sent me the newsletter about the sale –Holy Cross people supported the purchase and now Saint Mark’s has a home.

In 2004, Alla Vysokova, the preacher, came to Overland Park for a 2 week visit. She stayed in the home of a member of Holy Cross and participated in many activities. She met with our music director, children’s ministry director, visited Topeka, the Eisenhower museum and attended a T-Bones game. It was her first excursion out of Russia and she was a bit overwhelmed by life in the USA. She spoke to the people of Holy Cross during the service to thank Holy Cross for our support and prayers. She was determined to speak in English that all would understand, so we practiced for many hours to perfect her English. It was a very humorous and bonding experience as the sound “th” is not a Russian possibility. Her message to the people of Holy Cross was understood – but “th” always sounded like “d”. We all appreciated the language barrier – different alphabet and different sounds.

In 2005, 3 people from Holy Cross visited Magadan – including Pastor Mike Peck. During that visit, Holy Cross agreed to continue financial support for 5 more years with a plan for Saint Mark’s to be financially self-supportive by then. Pastor Peck baptized Alla’s grandson. We toured the city, visited an orphanage, and spent time with members of Saint Mark’s.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Overland Park, Kan. Team
Visits Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Magadan, Russia (2005)

In August of 2006, Alla returned for a visit and Elena Romaneva, a leader in Saint Mark’s came also. We shared ministry ideas, served a Russian dinner to 50 members of Holy Cross. Elena has started a satellite congregation in Falcon, a village about 40 miles from Magadan. They have named it Saint Luke’s and Sunday service is held in her apartment for about 10 people from Falcon.

In December of 2006, Alla left Saint Mark’s when the church was no longer able to pay her. Currently Saint Mark’s is without a preacher. The Sunday service is currently led by Andre Ozols, the president of the church council. Administrative and financial duties are managed by Svetlana, a member of Saint Mark’s.

A trip is being planned this fall for members of Holy Cross. Prayers for God’s continued guidance and nurturance of this Companion Synod relationship are welcomed as we let God lead us.

Tricia Hinton
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Overland Park, Kan.
January 23, 2008

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Hebrews 13:6

Companion Synod Relationships: The Central States Synod, along with all other 64 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are part of the Companion Synod Program which links churches around the world into a companion relationship. The Central States Synod is a companion of two synods outside North America: the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea-Kotte District (ELCPNG) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia and Other States (ELCROS).

The Companion Synod Team for Central States Synod supports, encourages, and facilitates mission relationships that may be through the activity of individuals, congregations, area ministries, and the synod team. For more information about the Companion Synod Team of Central States Synod or how you, as an individual, congregation, or Area Ministry can get involved, contact Kathie Walter by e-mail Kathie-PMA@swbell.net or phone, 913-451-8778, regarding ELCROS, and contact Rev. Gary Teske at 785-843-4150 or e-mail gteske@tlclawrence.org regarding ELCPNG. For worship and educational resources, visit the Central States Synod Companion Synod Page.