We are so thankful to have people and churches throughout the Pacific Northwest as well as around the United States supporting our ministry in Russia. It is hard to believe that we are beginning our fourth term of service in Russia. Many of you have been with us from the beginning days when we left family and friends on a cold, snowy November day in 1993. It amazes us to look back through these years and see all that God has accomplished in Russia. And your prayers and support are a major part of that work.
We often receive questions about how we are supported or how someone can support a special ministry, like a church planter. We want to take this opportunity to share with you how support works within the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
We do not travel around to different churches seeking support as many missionaries do. We are supported by Alliance churches around America who pool the money collected for missions together to support over 800 Alliance missionaries ministering throughout the world. We are part of that team. In every Alliance church there is a special fund which is specifically designated for missions. It is called the “Great Commission Fund.” When you give to the Great Commission fund you are supporting us in Russia. Through this fund we receive our salary for living expenses and rent. It covers the basics for us to live in Russia.
Although the Great Commission fund covers most of our living expenses, it is unable to provide funding for our ministry. In order to support a Russian church planter, buy books for pastors or build a church building, other support is needed.
Here is a list of the specific funds that relate to our ministry:
The Great Commission Fund
This provides for our basic living expenses: rent, children’s education, visas, etc. Gifts can be given through your local Alliance church. This support enables us to live and minister in Russia.
Merrill-Outfit Fund
This fund is specifically created to help us with setting up our apartment in Moscow. Moving to a new city and finding an apartment to rent means we will have to purchase some major appliances (washer, dryer, and refrigerator) and furniture (closets and beds).
Merrill-Work Special Fund
Any ministries we are involved in are supported through gifts to this fund. In the past we have been able to provide assistance to church planters, hold seminars for church pastors, rent facilities for church outreaches, provide scholarships for youth camps, purchase food and aid for orphanages, help with supplies for building churches, and purchase Bibles for use in evangelism. The churches in Russia are small and poor and this fund enables us to partner with our brothers and sisters in Christ to advance the Gospel.
Tobolsk Rehabilitation Center
This fund was set up for those who wanted to support the building of the Rehab center in Tobolsk. The roof of the center is being put on this summer. Windows and doors are already purchased and waiting to be installed. As funds are made available we can begin the inside work (heating, plumbing, electrical and drywall).
Any gifts given to support these funds are tax deductible. Checks can be sent to:
The Alliance
PO Box 35000
Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3500
Please be sure to mark on the memo line of your check which fund you would like your gift to go towards.
Thank you for your prayers and gifts throughout these last 15 years. We look forward to this next term with anticipation to see what God will accomplish through your support and our ministry in Russia.
