Todd Roese
Todd continues in his missionary work in Russia, working with Pastor Pavel Taranov and the Word of Life (WOL) Network of Churches in Saratov. Since 1997 when Todd moved to Russia as a missionary, the church in Saratov has grown from a church of 120 people to a network of 10 churches with over 1,100 people and home groups throughout the entire state. Through the grace of God, the church has become one of the largest and best known Evangelical churches in all of Russia. Todd is joined in ministry by his wife Katya and children, Svetlana (age 9) and William (2).
As leaders of the largest Evangelical church in the entire Saratov region (an area larger than Ohio with less than 200 Christian churches), Todd, Pavel and the rest of the pastors feel an "obligation" to reach their entire region with the Gospel. In addition to winning the lost in the cities where churches already exist, it is their hope to see new home groups started and churches planted in all 38 counties in their region.
The missionary efforts of the WOL churches are not restricted to the state of Saratov. Todd has trained and sent out Russian missionaries to preach the Gospel and plant churches in the least evangelized portions of the world. In 2006, he opened an intensive "Missionary Training Center," equipping Bible school graduates with the skills and abilities necessary to minister to the Muslim counties south of Russia. The "first wave" of 6 Russian missionaries were sent to Tajikistan where they served for 1 year. Having since returned, these servants are now active in the state-wide missions work in Saratov. It is Todd's hope to continue this training and send out more and more Russian missionaries in the coming days.
Todd also oversees the ministries to international students in Saratov. Todd pastors and leads minstries in English to a fast growing group of mainly African and Indian students studying in Saratov. With the promise of a large influx of new students in the coming years (150 new African students alone will come next year), Todd sees this ministry as a pivotal part of his role in Saratov in the near future.
Prayer Targets
- For God's hand on Todd's preaching and teaching throughout the year in the "International church" and the churches inside and outside the network where he ministers.
- For God's provision for the churches in Leninski and Engles. Both are building new church buildings and hope to fully utilize them in 2008.
- For additional finances to support the international missionary movement.
- For divine blessing and direction in the ministry to International students in Saratov. Pray particularly for the students themselves to grow in their faith and be active in reaching out in service and love to the other international students.
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Web: www.followchrist.ru