“Our Days” Newspaper: The Everyday Work Behind the Ministry

Founded 60 years ago by Nikolai Alexandrovich Vodnevsky, the Christian newspaper Our Days continues to be read and appreciated in many countries around the world. Although younger generations increasingly prefer digital publications, many middle-aged and older readers still want to hold a newspaper in their hands and read from a printed page rather than a screen.

However, publishing a print newspaper becomes more expensive with each passing year. This was what prompted the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Ivan Nikolayevich Bruyako, to travel across the ocean to Moldova and Germany, where much of the newspaper’s distribution to readers in Europe and other countries is coordinated, in order to address several pressing issues. Here is what he shared about his trip.

“In Chisinau, Moldova, we have an office where the newspaper is prepared for mailing. From Chisinau, copies are sent to readers in Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, and several European countries. For many years, two very dedicated and responsible volunteers, Anatoly and Mila Cherniy, have been serving there. The office is located right in their home. Printed copies are delivered to them from the printing house, and they fold the newspapers, attach mailing labels, send them to subscribers, and deliver copies to churches.

“They receive no compensation for their work. At the same time, the costs of gas, electricity, gasoline, and postage continue to rise. Anatoly and Mila are retired and live on modest pensions. Recently, their financial resources were nearly exhausted, and they began considering whether they would have to discontinue this ministry.

“I spent three days with them, trying to gain a deeper understanding of the situation and discussing possible solutions. They are a well-known musical family in Moldova and are frequently invited to churches and various Christian events. Wherever they go, they always take copies of the newspaper with them, tell people about it, and encourage them to subscribe. For nearly 20 years, this family has been a tremendous blessing to our ministry.

“Praise the Lord, Mila and Anatoly have decided to continue their ministry. But they greatly need help—practical, financial, and prayer support.

“After Moldova, I flew to Germany. We do not have our own office there, but we work with the Akella Mission, which has been helping us process subscriptions for many years. As in any ministry, issues arise from time to time that require personal attention and resolution. That was the purpose of my time in Germany.”

“My trip was very productive,” Ivan Nikolayevich continued. “I not only met with our staff members and volunteers but also visited several churches in both Moldova and Germany. Everywhere I went, I had an opportunity to tell people about the newspaper, encourage them to subscribe, and ask them to support our ministry.

“Many people came up to me, especially refugees from Ukraine, and thanked us for the newspaper. For many of them, it has become a source of spiritual encouragement and true nourishment for the soul.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to ask our readers for help.

“First, I personally need someone to assist me. We need a person who, in time, could continue this ministry. I am not planning to leave it, but I understand that we need to begin preparing someone now—someone who can gradually learn how everything works, become familiar with all the processes, and understand what needs to be done and how.

“Second, the newspaper needs new subscribers, as well as people who will promote it in churches. I have noticed that if a pastor does not read the newspaper himself, he most likely will not recommend it to others because he has little personal interest in it. We need people who will see promoting and distributing the newspaper as their ministry to the Lord. When people approach it as a ministry, there will be results.

“Third, we need financial support. Some of the work involved in preparing the newspaper is done at our editorial office in West Sacramento. Our equipment is very old and needs to be replaced.

“And, of course, we need prayer support. Please pray for the newspaper’s staff and volunteers and for everyone involved in preparing and distributing it. Pray that Our Days will continue to be a herald of the Good News, bringing God’s Word to people and leading many to salvation.”

To learn more about Our Days, subscribe to the newspaper, or make an online donation, please visit www.nashidni.com.

U.S. Editorial Office Contact Information:

Our Days
P.O. Box 866
West Sacramento, CA 95605, USA

Phone: (916) 457-2626
Email: ourdays@sbcglobal.net

Olga Avetisova