Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy: Great Programs Meet Great Needs by Bob Bronkema

We were told that it would be cold in Moscow, but we weren’t sure how cold. Accustomed to the climate in Palatka, Florida, my wife, daughters and I found it extremely cold—with or without the snow. But enduring the harsh climate has been worth it for our experiences over the years with the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy (MPC).

The Chaplaincy came into existence in 1933 under a diplomatic agreement between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Maxim Litvinov, Foreign Minister for the Soviet Union. They agreed to establish a Protestant religious presence in the U.S. Embassy in the USSR. What began as a ministry to Protestants working for the embassy has become a program that meets the needs of thousands of marginalized people in Moscow.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is one of five partner churches of the MPC. Since its first pastor arrived in 1962, MPC has become widely known for its soup kitchens, ministry with refugees, advocacy for racial justice and diverse social ministries. The Chaplaincy also is home to a dynamic and spirit-filled congregation. It is the amazing blend of a Christian faith eager to preach the gospel and the yearning for social justice that makes MPC home for our family.

MPC is a vibrant, multi-ethnic congregation, where more than 30 countries are represented on a weekly basis. In 2008, the MPC confirmation class was composed of 14 youth from four different continents. Their graduation on Pentecost Sunday truly felt as though the kingdom of God had touched down on earth—there was no differentiation between any peoples.

This equality and welcoming of diverse people is rare throughout most of Russia. People of color struggle against the pervasive racism that marginalizes all nonwhite people. The government offers few social services, so single mothers and people who are elderly, poor or ill have few options for help. MPC works with these groups and many others in Moscow who are voiceless or defenseless.

The PC(USA) has b een building partnerships in Russia for many years. Learn more about mission coworkers there by reading the full text of this article in the March/April 2009 issue of Horizons.

Call (866) 802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the March/April 2009 issue (HZN-09-210; $4 plus shipping).

Bob Bronkema and his wife, Stacy, are mission coworkers in Moscow.

Photo by Susan Jackson Dowd , PW Communications Coordinator
(St. Basil's Cathedral, Orthodox Church in Red Square, Moscow, Russia)

Other Articles Online This Issue

Presbyterian Mission in Europe
The Roma
That All May be One
Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy
List of 2008 Global Exchange Participants
Installation Service for Presbyterian Women
Joined and Knitted Together in Love
Strengthening the PC(USA)


The PC(USA) has b een building partnerships in Russia for many years. Learn more about mission coworkers there by reading the full text of this article in the March/April 2009 issue of Horizons. Call (866) 802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the March/April 2009 issue (HZN-09-210; $4 plus shipping).	Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy: Great Programs Meet Great Needs by Bob Bronkema We were told that it would be cold in Moscow, but we weren’t sure how cold. Accustomed to the climate in Palatka, Florida, my wife, daughters and I found it extremely cold—with or without the snow. But enduring the harsh climate has been worth it for our experiences over the years with the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy (MPC). The Chaplaincy came into existence in 1933 under a diplomatic agreement between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Maxim Litvinov, Foreign Minister for the Soviet Union. They agreed to establish a Protestant religious presence in the U.S. Embassy in the USSR. What began as a ministry to Protestants working for the embassy has become a program that meets the needs of thousands of marginalized people in Moscow. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is one of five partner churches of the MPC. Since its first pastor arrived in 1962, MPC has become widely known for its soup kitchens, ministry with refugees, advocacy for racial justice and diverse social ministries. The Chaplaincy also is home to a dynamic and spirit-filled congregation. It is the amazing blend of a Christian faith eager to preach the gospel and the yearning for social justice that makes MPC home for our family. MPC is a vibrant, multi-ethnic congregation, where more than 30 countries are represented on a weekly basis. In 2008, the MPC confirmation class was composed of 14 youth from four different continents. Their graduation on Pentecost Sunday truly felt as though the kingdom of God had touched down on earth—there was no differentiation between any peoples. This equality and welcoming of diverse people is rare throughout most of Russia. People of color struggle against the pervasive racism that marginalizes all nonwhite people. The government offers few social services, so single mothers and people who are elderly, poor or ill have few options for help. MPC works with these groups and many others in Moscow who are voiceless or defenseless. The PC(USA) has b een building partnerships in Russia for many years. Learn more about mission coworkers there by reading the full text of this article in the March/April 2009 issue of Horizons. Call (866) 802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the March/April 2009 issue (HZN-09-210; $4 plus shipping). Bob Bronkema and his wife, Stacy, are mission coworkers in Moscow. Photo by Susan Jackson Dowd , PW Communications Coordinator (St. Basil's Cathedral, Orthodox Church in Red Square, Moscow, Russia) Other Articles Online This Issue Presbyterian Mission in Europe The Roma That All May be One Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy List of 2008 Global Exchange Participants Installation Service for Presbyterian Women Joined and Knitted Together in Love Strengthening the PC(USA)	Current Issue MAR/APR 2009 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue to Horizons or call (866) 802-3635 the March/April 2009 issue, HZN-09-210 ($4 plus shipping/handling)

Home \| Current Issue \| Archives \| Bible Study \| Web Exclusives \| PW