Editor's note: Rev. Vitaly Vlasenko, general secretary of the Russian Evangelical Alliance, was a leading member of a historical four-person Russian Protestant delegation to visit China in late April. Having visited Chinese Christian leaders, churches, seminary, and organizations in Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing, Vitaly Vlasenko shared his insights about China here and introduced the evangelical situation in Russia, expressing his strong interest in building a mutually respectful and beneficial relationship with the Chinese Christian community.
China Christian Daily: Please introduce yourself and the Russian Evangelical Alliance.
Vitaly Vlasenko: I’m general secretary of the Russian Evangelical Alliance (REA) and pastor of a local Baptist church in Moscow. I’m married and have three children. I love horses, farming, and people.
[Founded in 2003,] The Russian Evangelical Alliance (REA) is a group of people, churches, and denominations who are working together for the gospel cause. Its role is to bring unity among evangelicals, serve as a national evangelical voice of the Russian Federation, have the common goal of spreading the gospel in Russia and the entire world, and be an economic solution for the needs of the Russian or world economy. Last but not least, REA is dedicated to bringing peace and reconciliation to each other.
China Christian Daily: How was your visit to China this time?
Vitaly Vlasenko: I had a great experience again, and China surprised me again in a very good sense. I’m so glad that things are going so well in China right now.
We first visited Shanghai and had a good conversation with Rev. Wu Wei, the president of the China Christian Council (CCC). It seemed that we were the first Protestants from Russia to officially meet the CCC. We also visited the national Nanjing Union Theological Seminary and were well received by the professors and staff. Thirdly, we visited the Amity Foundation, and the printing facility surprised us. Its annual production of millions of Bibles is not only for global needs but also for Chinese people. During digitalization, when everybody starts to read the Bible, printing the word of God is important. On April 18, we met with the leader of the Beijing Christian Council and had a promising conversation. The visit to local churches was also a surprise. This visit was well organized, and we are thankful to our Chinese partners who made it possible.
We hope that, as Russian and Chinese evangelicals, we can learn from each other because we have so many similar approaches to things. We expect to receive a delegation from the China Christian Council to Russia, so they can get to know us. We hope we can help each other, pray for each other, and do some projects together.
China Christian Daily: What have you learned about China through this visit?
Vitaly Vlasenko: First, some of my stereotypes about China and the freedom of religion have slightly changed because I have been hearing all kinds of serious stories of what is going on in China. I just got a glimpse of the whole story, but we usually start with the façade when we see a building. When the time comes and the door is open, we can go inside and move around.
In Shanghai, we attended a Chinese-speaking congregation and the church was full of people. It’s a good sign. We went to another international congregation. The preaching and worship were of high quality, and the sermon preached the pure gospel. It’s wonderful that people in China have good spiritual food.
China Christian Daily: Can you introduce the evangelical situation in Russia to our readers?
Vitaly Vlasenko: While the majority religious group in Russia is the Russian Orthodox Church, evangelicals constitute around 1.5%, or 2%, of the population of the Russian Federation. The evangelical church is a minority group in Russia, but Russian evangelicals live in peace with their nation and with other religious groups. We all pray for the prosperity of Russia so that we can have peace and reconciliation with all the nations and neighboring countries.
The oldest and largest Protestant denomination is the Russian Baptist-Christian Union, followed by the Russian Pentecostal Union, the Charismatic Christian Union, the Evangelical Christian Union, and the Adventists of the Seventh Day. There are small groups like the Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, etc. There are around 30 Chinese churches, one of which is located in Vladivostok.
China Christian Daily: How was the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the churches in Russia?
Vitaly Vlasenko: This is a difficult question because the military operation divided families, relationships, and churches. All evangelicals wish and pray that this conflict will have a peaceful result. We are very sorry that the Russian Federation needs to do this military activity in Ukraine to bring peace and understanding. We hope for fewer civilian casualties because both sides have lost their sons, fathers, and children. It’s very painful for all the nations involved in this. Some people in Russia view this conflict between Russia and NATOs, but Russian evangelicals are looking for a peaceful and reconciliation dialogue with their neighbors.
China Christian Daily: What was the situation of the Russian church during the pandemic?
Vitaly Vlasenko: During the pandemic, many Russian churches, by force of the law, closed their meetings and churches and organized Internet translation. People were watching their services through telephone or television and even took communion without the presence of the pastor.
Secondly, many evangelical churches took a huge interest in helping others who were in a financially difficult situation. Many volunteers offered help. In the Southern Republic of the Soviet Union, it was difficult to bury people who died of COVID-19 because everybody was afraid to come to their homes, but one church organized two special groups to help them take out and bury the dead. It was a great ministry and a huge help to the local society.
China Christian Daily: Do you have any future plans to visit China?
Vitaly Vlasenko: If the Lord is willing, we hope to visit China next year, bring more pastors from Russia to know China, and continue this relationship. We want this bridge to work on both sides. We may create some websites together to exchange news services and get to know more about each other. We understand that this cooperation needs approval at some levels, especially in China, because this is how it works here. The Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China have good relationships, but we also need to have good and healthy Christian relationships in an open and trustful atmosphere. We also encourage, especially Chinese churches in big cities, to have translations for Russian-speaking people so that they can understand the gospel in their language and what's going on.
China Christian Daily: What kind of support do you expect from China?
Vitaly Vlasenko: We expect a mutually loving and respectful relationship as brothers and sisters in Christ. Since we have huge borders and shared communism with China, we expect mutual respect and relationships. We are looking for all kinds of relationships, regardless of business exchange, education, culture, social work, Internet technology, and all kinds of green programs. Secondly, we have had huge immigration back and forth in the last ten years. We want to provide Chinese people who want to come to Russia with a good environment and spiritual care, and we have the same wish for those Russians who come to China to have a good environment and spiritual care. We also want to learn more about the Church in China. We need to learn from the Church in China how to proclaim the gospel and how to deal with this quite busy nation that has huge potential in the world. When I was in the United States, I heard somebody say, “God created the Chinese, and the Chinese made everything.” I believe that in the near future, the Church in China can send many missionaries and help to make this world better. As Asia is the most-rapidly developing economic block, we want to see how the Spirit of God is moving in this territory.
China Christian Daily: Do you have any words for Chinese Christians?
Vitaly Vlasenko: Dear Chinese Christians, I learned an important lesson in your country: the difference between the kingdom of God and religion. Religion is looking for members, but the kingdom of God looking for citizens. I hope China will become a wonderful place for Christians. Citizens always look for opportunities to bring good news to the end of the world. Russia is such a place where we need your help to bring in the fire of the gospel. I ask each of you to pray for Russia, just as we Russian Christians pray for China. God bless you, and be faithful stewards. Amen.
View Vitaly Vlasenko's blessings for China here
编者按：俄罗斯福音联盟四月底首次访问中国。他们在上海、南京、北京访问了中国的基督教领袖、教堂、神学院和机构，总干事维塔利·弗拉森科牧师在接受采访时讲述了他对中国教会的认识，介绍了俄罗斯福音派教会的情况，表达了与中国基督教界建立相互尊重、互利共赢关系的强烈意愿。
请介绍一下您自己和俄罗斯福音联盟。
我是俄罗斯福音联盟总干事，也是莫斯科一间浸信会教会的牧师。已婚，有三个孩子。我喜欢马匹、农业和人们。
（成立于2003年）俄罗斯福音联盟（REA）由一群为福音事业共同努力的人们、教会和教派组成，为俄罗斯福音派教会发声，旨在促进福音派教会之间的团结，共同在俄罗斯乃至全世界传扬福音，为俄罗斯和整个世界的经济需求提供解决方案。最重要的是，REA致力于不同群体之间的和平与和解。
和我们谈谈您这次访问中国的感受。
我度过了一段美好的时间，中国让我感到惊喜。我很高兴中国各样的事情都进行得非常顺利。
我们首先访问了上海，与中国基督教协会（CCC）会长吴巍牧师进行了深入交谈。我们好像是首批正式会见CCC的俄罗斯新教徒。之后参观了金陵协和神学院，受到教授和工作人员的热情接待。接着访问了爱德基金会，印刷设备的规模让我们惊讶。爱德每年印刷数百万本圣经，不仅满足中国的需求，也满足全球的圣经需求。然后我们会见了北京基督教两会的领袖，交谈充满了盼望。对北京教堂的访问也充满惊喜。这次的访问行程安排地很好，感谢中国的伙伴们使之成为可能。
希望俄罗斯的福音派和中国的福音派可以互相学习，我们有很多相似的地方。我们期待接待中国基督教协会代表团的访问，增进彼此的了解；也相互帮助，彼此代祷，共同开展一些项目。
您通过这次访问对中国有了什么新的认识？
首先，我对中国宗教自由的刻板印象有所改变。我们在上海参加了一场中文礼拜，教堂里坐满了人。我们还参加了一间国际教堂的礼拜，讲道和崇拜的质量很高，传讲的是纯粹的福音，中国的信徒能得到很好的属灵喂养。我听到过各种对中国正在发声什么的严肃叙述，只是对整体情形有大概了解，就像一栋建筑，人们总是先看到外观。当时机成熟，门打开时，就可以进入建筑四处走动。
您能向我们的读者介绍一下俄罗斯的福音情况吗？
俄罗斯的主要宗教团体是俄罗斯东正教会，福音派在俄罗斯人口中约占1.5%至2%。福音派教会在俄罗斯是少数群体，与政府以及其他宗教团体和平相处。我们祈祷俄罗斯繁荣发展，与所有邻近的国家和民族实现和平与和解。
俄罗斯最古老、最大的新教宗派是俄罗斯浸信会基督教联盟，其次是俄罗斯五旬节派联盟、灵恩派基督教联盟、福音派基督教联盟和基督复临安息日会。此外还有一些小团体，如路德宗、卫理公会、长老会等。俄罗斯大约有30间华人教会，其中一间在海参崴。
疫情期间俄罗斯教会的情况如何？
疫情期间，由于法律的要求，许多俄罗斯教会关门，组织线上直播。信徒通过电话或电视参加礼拜，甚至在没有牧师在场的情况下领圣餐。
许多福音派教会热情地帮助身处困境的人们。因为人们害怕被感染，疫情期间去世的人很难被妥善安葬，一间教会组建了两个特别小组帮助家属将死者运出并安葬，这是一个了不起的事工，对当地社会有很大帮助。
俄罗斯与乌克兰战争对俄罗斯教会有何影响？
这是个很难的问题，军事行动分裂了家庭、关系和教会。福音派教会希望并祈祷这场冲突能够和平解决。我们非常遗憾，俄罗斯需要在乌克兰进行军事行动来实现和平与理解。我们希望减少平民伤亡，双方都失去了自己的亲人。一些俄罗斯人将这场冲突视为俄罗斯与北约的冲突，但俄罗斯福音派教会在积极寻求与邻国进行和平与和解对话。
您有未来访问中国的计划吗？
主若许可，我们希望明年再次访问中国，带更多俄罗斯牧师认识中国，延续双方友好关系。可能会双方共同创建一些网站，交换信息，增进了解。我们知道这些合作需要某些层面的批准，这是中国运作的方式。俄罗斯和中国有着友好的关系，教会也要在开放和信任的氛围中建立良好和健康的关系。
您期待从中国得到什么样的支持？
俄罗斯和中国有很长的边界线，且有共同的共产主义历史。我们希望中俄两国的基督徒之间像兄弟姐妹般互相关心、互相尊重。我们寻求各种形式的合作，包括但不限于商业交流、教育、文化、社会工作、互联网技术等项目。
过去十年间，中俄之间有巨大的移民往来。我们想为来俄罗斯的中国人提供良好的环境和灵性关怀，也希望来中国的俄罗斯人得到同样的关怀。我们还希望更多地了解中国的教会，向中国教会学习如何见证福音，如何与这个拥有巨大潜力的繁忙国家打交道。我在美国的时候听到有人说，“上帝创造了中国人，中国人制造了一切。”我相信在不久的将来，中国的教会可以派遣许多传教士，让这个世界变得更美好。亚洲是发展最迅速的经济区块，我们希望看到上帝的灵在这片领土上运行。
您对中国基督徒有什么要说的话？
亲爱的中国的基督徒，我在你们的国家学到了重要的一课：神的国与宗教之间的区别。宗教寻找成员，但神的国度寻找公民。我希望中国成为基督徒的美好家园。公民们总是寻找机会将好消息传到地极。俄罗斯就是这样的地方，我们需要你们的帮助，将福音的火带进来。我请求你们为俄罗斯祷告，就像俄罗斯的基督徒为中国祷告一样。愿上帝保佑你们，做有忠心的管家。阿们。
Editor's note: Rev. Vitaly Vlasenko, general secretary of the Russian Evangelical Alliance, was a leading member of a historical four-person Russian Protestant delegation to visit China in late April. Having visited Chinese Christian leaders, churches, seminary, and organizations in Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing, Vitaly Vlasenko shared his insights about China here and introduced the evangelical situation in Russia, expressing his strong interest in building a mutually respectful and beneficial relationship with the Chinese Christian community.
China Christian Daily: Please introduce yourself and the Russian Evangelical Alliance.
Vitaly Vlasenko: I’m general secretary of the Russian Evangelical Alliance (REA) and pastor of a local Baptist church in Moscow. I’m married and have three children. I love horses, farming, and people.
[Founded in 2003,] The Russian Evangelical Alliance (REA) is a group of people, churches, and denominations who are working together for the gospel cause. Its role is to bring unity among evangelicals, serve as a national evangelical voice of the Russian Federation, have the common goal of spreading the gospel in Russia and the entire world, and be an economic solution for the needs of the Russian or world economy. Last but not least, REA is dedicated to bringing peace and reconciliation to each other.
China Christian Daily: How was your visit to China this time?
Vitaly Vlasenko: I had a great experience again, and China surprised me again in a very good sense. I’m so glad that things are going so well in China right now.
We first visited Shanghai and had a good conversation with Rev. Wu Wei, the president of the China Christian Council (CCC). It seemed that we were the first Protestants from Russia to officially meet the CCC. We also visited the national Nanjing Union Theological Seminary and were well received by the professors and staff. Thirdly, we visited the Amity Foundation, and the printing facility surprised us. Its annual production of millions of Bibles is not only for global needs but also for Chinese people. During digitalization, when everybody starts to read the Bible, printing the word of God is important. On April 18, we met with the leader of the Beijing Christian Council and had a promising conversation. The visit to local churches was also a surprise. This visit was well organized, and we are thankful to our Chinese partners who made it possible.
We hope that, as Russian and Chinese evangelicals, we can learn from each other because we have so many similar approaches to things. We expect to receive a delegation from the China Christian Council to Russia, so they can get to know us. We hope we can help each other, pray for each other, and do some projects together.
China Christian Daily: What have you learned about China through this visit?
Vitaly Vlasenko: First, some of my stereotypes about China and the freedom of religion have slightly changed because I have been hearing all kinds of serious stories of what is going on in China. I just got a glimpse of the whole story, but we usually start with the façade when we see a building. When the time comes and the door is open, we can go inside and move around.
In Shanghai, we attended a Chinese-speaking congregation and the church was full of people. It’s a good sign. We went to another international congregation. The preaching and worship were of high quality, and the sermon preached the pure gospel. It’s wonderful that people in China have good spiritual food.
China Christian Daily: Can you introduce the evangelical situation in Russia to our readers?
Vitaly Vlasenko: While the majority religious group in Russia is the Russian Orthodox Church, evangelicals constitute around 1.5%, or 2%, of the population of the Russian Federation. The evangelical church is a minority group in Russia, but Russian evangelicals live in peace with their nation and with other religious groups. We all pray for the prosperity of Russia so that we can have peace and reconciliation with all the nations and neighboring countries.
The oldest and largest Protestant denomination is the Russian Baptist-Christian Union, followed by the Russian Pentecostal Union, the Charismatic Christian Union, the Evangelical Christian Union, and the Adventists of the Seventh Day. There are small groups like the Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, etc. There are around 30 Chinese churches, one of which is located in Vladivostok.
China Christian Daily: How was the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the churches in Russia?
Vitaly Vlasenko: This is a difficult question because the military operation divided families, relationships, and churches. All evangelicals wish and pray that this conflict will have a peaceful result. We are very sorry that the Russian Federation needs to do this military activity in Ukraine to bring peace and understanding. We hope for fewer civilian casualties because both sides have lost their sons, fathers, and children. It’s very painful for all the nations involved in this. Some people in Russia view this conflict between Russia and NATOs, but Russian evangelicals are looking for a peaceful and reconciliation dialogue with their neighbors.
China Christian Daily: What was the situation of the Russian church during the pandemic?
Vitaly Vlasenko: During the pandemic, many Russian churches, by force of the law, closed their meetings and churches and organized Internet translation. People were watching their services through telephone or television and even took communion without the presence of the pastor.
Secondly, many evangelical churches took a huge interest in helping others who were in a financially difficult situation. Many volunteers offered help. In the Southern Republic of the Soviet Union, it was difficult to bury people who died of COVID-19 because everybody was afraid to come to their homes, but one church organized two special groups to help them take out and bury the dead. It was a great ministry and a huge help to the local society.
China Christian Daily: Do you have any future plans to visit China?
Vitaly Vlasenko: If the Lord is willing, we hope to visit China next year, bring more pastors from Russia to know China, and continue this relationship. We want this bridge to work on both sides. We may create some websites together to exchange news services and get to know more about each other. We understand that this cooperation needs approval at some levels, especially in China, because this is how it works here. The Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China have good relationships, but we also need to have good and healthy Christian relationships in an open and trustful atmosphere. We also encourage, especially Chinese churches in big cities, to have translations for Russian-speaking people so that they can understand the gospel in their language and what's going on.
China Christian Daily: What kind of support do you expect from China?
Vitaly Vlasenko: We expect a mutually loving and respectful relationship as brothers and sisters in Christ. Since we have huge borders and shared communism with China, we expect mutual respect and relationships. We are looking for all kinds of relationships, regardless of business exchange, education, culture, social work, Internet technology, and all kinds of green programs. Secondly, we have had huge immigration back and forth in the last ten years. We want to provide Chinese people who want to come to Russia with a good environment and spiritual care, and we have the same wish for those Russians who come to China to have a good environment and spiritual care. We also want to learn more about the Church in China. We need to learn from the Church in China how to proclaim the gospel and how to deal with this quite busy nation that has huge potential in the world. When I was in the United States, I heard somebody say, “God created the Chinese, and the Chinese made everything.” I believe that in the near future, the Church in China can send many missionaries and help to make this world better. As Asia is the most-rapidly developing economic block, we want to see how the Spirit of God is moving in this territory.
China Christian Daily: Do you have any words for Chinese Christians?
Vitaly Vlasenko: Dear Chinese Christians, I learned an important lesson in your country: the difference between the kingdom of God and religion. Religion is looking for members, but the kingdom of God looking for citizens. I hope China will become a wonderful place for Christians. Citizens always look for opportunities to bring good news to the end of the world. Russia is such a place where we need your help to bring in the fire of the gospel. I ask each of you to pray for Russia, just as we Russian Christians pray for China. God bless you, and be faithful stewards. Amen.
View Vitaly Vlasenko's blessings for China here
Rev. Vitaly Vlasenko, General Secretary of Russian Evangelical Alliance: 'We Expect Mutual Christian Relationship With China'
