Brown Bag - Protestant Bishop Victor Ignatenkov on the state of Christianity in Russia

Victor Ignatenkov is senior presbyter or bishop of the Smolensk region of Russia (from the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians/Baptists), as well as pastor of Central Baptist Church in the city of Smolensk. His grandfather was executed for his faith in the 1930s, and he and his family lived through the persecution of Soviet times. During Soviet times, Christians were denied many educational and employment opportunities and the church was forbidden to practice any social ministry. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, they began to look beyond their walls and to reach out to those that suffered, including those that had persecuted them. Today, their church is engaged in many ministries of reconciliation. Bishop Ignatenkov will share his story and answer questions about the current state of the church in Russia. Brown bag lunch will be provided.