A Brief History of the Association

A report on the founding and work of the Association of Slavic Baptist Churches of the Pacific Coast, prepared by Vera S. Kushnir for the Association’s 75th anniversary (2003). This is a translation of the original Russian report; the author’s wording, spellings of names and references to the archives have been kept as they stand.

“And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:12b

From the Association’s archives it is difficult to establish on whose initiative it was decided to create a Union of Slavic Baptist Churches, but it is clear that at some point the brotherhood concluded that more could be done together than separately for the evangelization of the Russian immigration.

1928–1944: the first conventions

1st Convention — October 12–14, 1928, Kerman

The first Committee of the Association was elected at this Convention. Brother Nikita Rodionov was elected chairman. Because the events are so distant and the archives imprecise, it is difficult to establish any personal details about this brother. It is known only that the question of acquiring a house or a centre for the elderly was already being raised at that time. It is also known that the next chairman was a certain Brother A. H. Nikolaus, but that is all that could be established about this servant of God.

After this first Convention everything went quiet, and for eleven years there were no conventions. The Committee members’ terms expired after a year.

2nd Convention — November 22–26, 1939, Los Angeles

It was held in the building of the Evangelical Christian Baptist congregation at 129 S. Gless Street. (This congregation later became the church now known as Bethany on 8th Street in Los Angeles.)

Brother Yakov Fedorovich Prigodich was elected chairman, Sister Lyubov I. Girgilevich treasurer, and Brother Pyotr Pavlyuk secretary. The Association received its official name: The Russian Baptist Association of California.

At this Convention it was decided to collect membership dues of no less than three dollars a year, to cover the postal costs of the Association’s correspondence and the work of the Gospel in California.

More is known about Brothers Prigodich and Pavlyuk and about Sister Girgilevich than about the Association’s earlier leaders. All of them were servants devoted to the cause of the Gospel. Brothers Prigodich and Pavlyuk were worthy preachers of God’s Word, and Sister Girgilevich gave herself to the spread of the Good News by every means available to her until her last breath. Brother P. Pavlyuk was chairman of the Union for only one year, but afterwards served as its secretary for several years.

An impression of the Convention can be gathered from Brother Pavlyuk’s correspondence. He writes that even two weeks after the Convention, God’s blessing which had descended on all present was still felt. Two souls repented during the Convention, and at their baptism two more souls came to faith. It was then that the decision was made to pray more for revival. His letter ends this way:

“It is good to be on Tabor, but let us not forget that work awaits us in the valley of sin and lawlessness. Let us labour while there is time. I enclose the minutes of the Convention.”

From the minutes it became known that the Convention resolved that “for more successful work it is necessary to labour in close fellowship with the American brethren.”

3rd Convention — November 1940, San Francisco

There were 67 delegates and many guests.

By unanimous decision, the beginning of evangelistic work along the whole Pacific Coast, from Canada to Mexico, was approved. For this purpose it was decided to bring the evangelist Yuri Kirilovich Urban from Western Europe (France). The Mission headed by Brother M. M. Billester took part in supporting him financially.

4th Convention — November 1941, Los Angeles

Ivan Aksentievich Kmeta was chosen as chairman; Sister Lyubov Ivanovna Girgilevich remained treasurer, and Brother P. Pavlyuk became secretary.

The state of war in Europe prevented Brother Urban from coming to America. It was decided to begin a ministry of the Gospel by radio, and for this purpose funds of fifty dollars a year were set aside. It is also notable that at this Convention the work of the women’s circles at the congregations in Los Angeles and San Francisco was recognized for the first time.

It should be added here that although Brother Urban could not come during the Second World War in Europe, he did arrive somewhat later and for a time served as presbyter of the Bethany church in Los Angeles. He was a highly erudite brother with a law degree and an exceptional knowledge of God’s Word. It was evidently these qualities that motivated the leading brethren when they decided to invite him to America for the ministry of an evangelist.

5th, 6th and 7th Conventions — 1942 Los Angeles; 1943 and 1944 San Francisco (Hillside)

They showed no significant activity, as the corresponding minutes testify. Brother Ivan A. Kmeta presided. Current business was handled. At all three Conventions the desire to evangelize the Pacific Coast was mentioned again, encouragement was expressed for the work of the women’s circles, and a call was issued for them to develop missionary work in all the congregations of the Association. Publication of the devotional leaflet Divine Vineyard also continued. Up to this point, judging by the archives, one gets the impression that spiritually worthy presbyters of the local member churches were elected chairmen of the Association.

At the 7th Convention a new Committee was elected. For the first time a women’s board was chosen: chairwoman Olga Kmeta; secretary N. Gavrilenko; treasurer Martynova; members Katya Nikitina and G. Chigir. The question of creating a youth department was raised.

Brother I. A. Kmeta (Ichniansky) was a remarkable man with a higher education, a doctorate in philosophy and the gift of a poet — gentle, kind and responsive. He was chairman from 1941 to 1949. For a known period he was also presbyter of the Bethany church in Los Angeles.

1945–1949: incorporation and the Kerman “farm”

8th Convention — November 1945, Los Angeles

Chairman I. A. Kmeta presided. A number of important decisions were adopted:

1. To incorporate the Association (make it a legal entity) under the name The Russian Baptist Association, so as to give it the right to acquire and sell real property in the Association’s name.
2. To raise funds for the purchase of a plot of land with a house in which the Kerman brothers and sisters could hold their services.
3. Once that was achieved, to take up plans for building a home for elderly members of the Association on the same plot.
4. To allow those who wished to build on the property to do so, on condition that after their death the houses would pass into the Association’s ownership.

At later conventions these decisions were revisited many times, but in the end not one of them was carried through, and the plans were never realized. Since the 8th Convention resolved to incorporate the Association, it also elected trustees: A. K. Volkov, S. P. Shkondin, I. N. Nikitin, K. K. Chepurenko and P. P. Pavlyuk.

9th Convention — November 1946, Los Angeles

Brother I. A. Kmeta presided. Several important resolutions were adopted:

1. Not to build a meeting house on the “farm” in Kerman, but to use the local meeting houses for worship.
2. The Association would begin building houses on the purchased plot only as the debt was paid down and donations were received into the Association’s building fund.
3. Donations from unconverted persons would be accepted only where they carried no obligations on the Association’s part.
4. To draw up bylaws for the Association.
5. To draw up bylaws for the proposed future home for the elderly, clarifying what was expected of candidates and of the Union.
6. No age limits to be set for those investing their own funds in building a cottage.
7. The minimum age for the home for the elderly to be 65, with exceptions allowed depending on circumstances.
8. With rare exceptions, the home (colony) was intended for the needs of our own brotherhood, while recognizing that exceptions were possible.
9. Those wishing to enter the colony must be donors to the cause.

10th Convention — November 1947, San Francisco, Hillside Baptist Church

Chairman I. A. Kmeta presided. The Association’s bylaws were approved at this Convention. A desire was also expressed to hold regional conventions in the local congregations between the main annual Conventions.

A new Committee was elected: P. V. Potlov as chairman, S. M. Meizin as treasurer, and Brother G. F. Kondratiev as secretary.

11th Convention — November 1948, Los Angeles

It was decided to call an extraordinary delegate convention to revise the Association’s bylaws and discuss its “further evangelical ministry.” At the first Extraordinary Convention on January 15, 1949, in Kerman, the new bylaws were read out point by point by the delegates, compared with the previous version, discussed in detail, and then approved unanimously. It was decided to have the original signed by the delegates from the congregations and kept in the Association’s archives, with copies sent out to the congregations.

At this same Extraordinary Convention the delegates from the congregations responded generously to the call to increase donations to the Association’s treasury for the work of the Gospel. Brother Shkondin was retained as manager of the “farm” for the new year of 1949, with Brother K. K. Chepurenko as adviser.

12th Convention — November 1948, Los Angeles

Chairman P. V. Potlov presided. The local Russian congregation in the eastern part of the city was celebrating the opening of the new Bethany meeting house. Until then the members had gathered on Gless Street in another part of the city. All the members of the Association’s churches were quick to share in the joy of the completed building.

No particular activity was recorded at the 12th Convention apart from the election of a new board and the reading and approval of the new bylaws. Brother P. P. Pavlyuk was elected chairman, S. M. Meizin treasurer and P. Kushnerov secretary.

However, at the Committee meeting that followed on June 11, 1950, in Kerman, it became clear from Brother Chepurenko’s report that the elderly people who wished to build themselves housing on the “farm” had not fully understood the Association’s responsibility in the matter of medical and daily care for them. It was decided to write letters to all the congregations explaining the question — in particular, that responsibility for health and services would fall on the elderly themselves, who ought to be financially prepared for the possible hardships of life on the “farm.”

1950–1959: a travelling evangelist and disputes over the “farm”

13th Convention — November 1950, San Francisco

P. P. Pavlyuk presided, but at this convention a new chairman of the Association was elected: I. T. Parfenov. The former brethren remained in the posts of treasurer and secretary, S. M. Meizin and P. Kushnerov.

Iosif Tarasovich Parfenov was a member of the Bethany congregation in Los Angeles and for a time served as its presbyter. He was a most modest and gentle brother, devoted to Christ and to the cause of the Gospel.

The question of appointing a travelling evangelist and colporteur to serve the Pacific Coast was raised again. The Committee was charged with all the preparatory work on the matter. A unanimous decision was also taken “to allow no destructive or ill-willed criticism of one another or of the Association’s Conventions, since this harms the development of the common work of God.”

The more active role of the young people should also be noted; from the 12th Convention onward they took part in the conventions of the Association’s congregations. The Convention also resolved to set aside time for the women’s circles. From then on, one meeting at each Convention was given to the sisters and one to the young people.

At the Committee meeting in August 1950 it was finally decided to invite Brother Ya. V. Kudenchuk as evangelist before the 14th Convention. Half of his financial support was taken on by the Russian Evangelical Mission under Brother Billester, and for the other half it was decided to begin renting apartments in the buildings on the Association’s “farm” to believers at an affordable rate, since the Association’s own funds were intended exclusively for missionary work.

Brother Ya. V. Kudenchuk set about his work immediately after his appointment. He diligently visited the Association’s churches and places with the potential for new congregations.

14th Convention — November 1950, Bryte, “Neighborhood House”

Brother I. T. Parfenov, chairman of the Association’s Committee, presided.

Besides current business, the question of the voting rights of church delegates was raised. It was decided that “churches whose members have not paid their membership dues into the Association’s treasury on time (by November 1st) will automatically lose the right to send delegates to the Convention with the right to vote. Those not paying membership dues will not be considered members of the Association until they pay the required sum into the Association’s treasury. The monthly contribution is set at 50 cents per member. Those without means may be exempt from this obligation without losing membership in the Association.”

The Convention approved personal financial support (with the participation of M. M. Billester’s Mission) for a travelling evangelist and colporteur, and Brother Ya. V. Kudenchuk was confirmed in that ministry at the same time. Should he decline, the Committee was instructed to find someone else, but Brother Kudenchuk accepted. He was a modest, unassuming, zealous brother. He immediately took up the work of visiting and encouraging the churches of the Pacific Coast, as well as new places with the potential to become congregations.

By the time of the 14th Convention the Association’s “farm” had been fully paid off, and treasurer Meizin presented the financial report to the Committee and delegates. (Detailed figures and data are kept in the archive.)

15th Convention

Since every good proposal for the common cause invariably finds its opponents (the devil does not sleep), the matter of the “farm” brought no small number of difficulties, unresolved questions and irreconcilable personalities. Examination of the matter began at the 14th Convention, intensified immediately afterwards, and continued at the following, 15th Convention. The dispute came down to the purposes for which the funds coming into the “farm’s” treasury should be used. Some held that they should go exclusively to charity (building cottages for the elderly), others to evangelism. The plot (the farm) was only paid off by the 14th Convention, and its treasury held the pitiful sum of $318 — not enough to build even a chicken coop. So all this talk was, at that time, absurd and unreasonable. To build anything at all, let alone for elderly people, out on the steppe far from shops, without bus service and without a financial guarantee to the State of California, would have been against the law as well. Nevertheless this contentious matter dragged on for a long time.

Once again the elderly members’ misunderstanding surfaced regarding the Association’s responsibility for their welfare and so on, and later the personal interest of the Kerman group in the affair also came to light… (Details in the archives.)

16th Convention — November 1953, Los Angeles, Bethany church

The sitting chairman, I. T. Parfenov, presided. From the archival correspondence it follows that many decisions were taken in connection with the problems at the Kerman “farm.”

A new Committee was elected at this convention. Brother P. V. Potlov, pastor of Hillside Baptist Church in San Francisco, was elected chairman. Brother G. Yu. Opalinsky was elected as his assistant and secretary, and Brother V. P. Pavlikov of the Bethany church as treasurer. All these brethren were worthy of the ministries entrusted to them — trusted and diligent. Brother Potlov headed a gifted, musical, singing family. At later conventions one could often hear his duets with his wife, who had a rare and pleasing low alto (contralto). Other members of this family also took part in the edifying programmes of the conventions.

Another musically gifted family at that time was that of Daniil Terentievich Loktev, presbyter of the church in Bryte. It was therefore entirely natural that his son Mikhail Loktev proposed at the 16th Convention that a new choral hymnal with musical notation be published. The proposal was gladly accepted, and the delegates resolved to appoint a commission of competent people. The finest choir of that period in the life of the Association’s churches was the choir in Bryte. Archival tape recordings that survive to this day confirm this indisputable fact. There were excellent conductors, soloists, composers and instrumentalists there.

17th Convention — November 1954, San Francisco (evidently at the Hillside church)

Chairman P. V. Potlov presided. Among many other resolutions, it was decided to publish a booklet against the false teaching of the Seventh-day Adventists. Certain matters connected with the “farm” were also dealt with.

After the report of the commission on publishing a choral hymnal, it was decided not to publish it but to continue using the long-existing hymnal published by Brother A. M. Puke, despite its homemade quality (handwritten and mimeographed) and barely legible print. This “antique” hymnal, issued in three editions (the last in 1955), is still kept by some singing brethren and choristers as a unique work that served as the basis for the later, more professional editions of Brother D. Yasko and others.

18th Convention — November 1955, Bryte

(The church is not specified, but it is possible that a meeting house had already been built there by that time.) It should be noted that Bryte was then a village above the river, a few streets without sidewalks. The Russian immigration from China built its own houses there. There were few native inhabitants, but there was an Orthodox church, testifying that Russians had already lived there before the immigration from China.

Chairman P. V. Potlov presided. The invited evangelist was Brother G. A. Boltnev. Choirs from San Francisco and Bryte took part in the edifying programmes. Among many decisions (details in the archives) was one: to publish a booklet against the false teaching of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

19th Convention — November 1956, San Francisco

Brother P. V. Potlov presided. The invited preacher was a representative of the Eastern Union from South River, Brother Alexey Leonovich.

At the business meetings, difficult matters involving some members of the Association and some churches were examined; they had already been going on for some five years. “The sea of this life rages…” One may conclude that were it not for the “faithful remnant,” as it was and is in Israel, the cart would still be where it was; but faithful, zealous brethren, devoted to God’s cause, took up the banner of evangelical faith and ministry and carried it through to our own day. Glory to God!

20th Convention — November 1957, San Francisco, Hillside Baptist Church

Chairman P. V. Potlov presided. The church in Kerman was received into the Association. All that was contentious had evidently at last been left behind. Common sense and the true spirituality of the responsible brethren prevailed. One more congregation was added to the churches of the Association!

21st Convention — November 1958, Los Angeles, Bethany church

Chairman P. V. Potlov presided. The utility building on the “farm” was discussed. It was decided to use the money remaining there for the publication of spiritual literature. (Details are in the archival minutes.)

22nd Convention — November 1959, San Francisco, Hillside Baptist Church

Chairman P. V. Potlov presided. A new Committee was elected at this convention. Brother Vladimir I. Gusaruk was elected chairman, P. I. Kushnerov secretary, and G. I. Nidens treasurer. Committee members: P. V. Potlov, D. T. Loktev, I. Nikitin, Br. Gurev, V. S. Fetisov, V. P. Muravyev and V. M. Tkachev. All of them represented several of the Association’s churches.

Brother Vladimir Gusaruk was a remarkable missionary servant who had suffered for his faith during the war in Europe. He and his wife were teachers by training. They came to America from Poland with four children. Brother Gusaruk was for a time presbyter of the Bethany church, but after that ministry he opened his own successful radio work in Los Angeles under the auspices of the city’s American Baptist Mission. The “Voice of Salvation” Mission served locally for a long time afterwards, but it also had a department caring for the persecuted church behind the Iron Curtain. Sister Maria Gusaruk made many trips to the USSR — dangerous for her — bringing help to the families of persecuted, arrested and exiled brethren. She issued a special bulletin with information about the state of the persecuted church in the USSR and continued her work long after her husband’s death with the help of their younger son George (Yuri) Gusaruk. Brother V. Gusaruk led the Association for three years.

1960–1969: new churches, literature and the newspaper Our Days

23rd Convention — November 1960, Bryte

Chairman V. I. Gusaruk presided. Two new churches were received into membership: the Slavic Hearth of the Gospel in Hollywood and the House of the Gospel in San Francisco. Both churches were founded by Pastor Pavel Iosifovich Rogozin between the 1950s and the 1960s. P. I. Rogozin left behind so bright and indelible a mark — in the successful congregations he founded and in a multitude of books and booklets — that it is hard to add anything to what has already been said and written about him. In March 1974 this precious servant was called into the eternal dwellings to receive praise and reward from the One whom he had faithfully served all his life.

At this 23rd convention it was decided to publish a monthly Brotherly Bulletin of the Association. It was decided to house the Association’s office in the building of the Bethany church in Los Angeles. (Minutes on the other questions, business and decisions of this Convention are kept in the Association’s archive.)

Both newly received churches obtained their buildings from the American Southern Baptist Convention, which has a department for assisting ethnic congregations; Pastor P. I. Rogozin had in his time turned to it for advice and help. Representatives of the American body periodically visited the ethnic churches, gave reports on the department’s work, helped organize Sunday Schools and conduct business meetings using parliamentary procedure.

24th Convention — November 1961, Hollywood, Slavic Hearth of the Gospel

Chairman V. I. Gusaruk presided. Elected to the Association’s Committee were A. F. Kuzichev, A. Efimov, G. Altukhov and D. Loktev — representatives of four member churches. A great many reports from the field were heard and many of the Association’s affairs discussed. An important decision was to create a Literary Department of the Association with the assistance of Nikolai Alexandrovich Vodnevsky.

In the Committee elections Brother Gusaruk was again elected chairman for the following year, but Brother S. S. Abramov of Los Angeles was elected secretary and Brother V. Tkachev of Bryte treasurer.

Since some names appear in this report for the first time, brief explanations should be given. A. F. Kuzichev came to Los Angeles with his family from the East Coast in 1953. He had completed Bible school in Europe, and by the second half of the 1950s he had been prepared for ordination by the pastor of the Hollywood church, P. I. Rogozin; the ordination soon followed. By the time of his election to the Association’s Committee he was already pastor of the Slavic Hearth of the Gospel in Hollywood, and P. I. Rogozin pastor of the House of the Gospel in San Francisco. Brother A. F. Kuzichev, like Brother P. I. Rogozin, was considered a missionary of the American Southern Baptist Convention.

N. A. Vodnevsky came to America in 1950 and immediately became known as a writer, poet and gifted preacher; it is therefore understandable why he in particular was approached for help in creating the Association’s Literary Department. Before that the Association had only one spiritual author — P. I. Rogozin. A little later the poet Brother Vladimir Kuzmenkov (Gorbach) joined this group of writers.

Sergei Sergeevich Abramov arrived in America from Germany (by way of Sweden) in 1947, settled with his family in Hollywood, attended the congregation on Gless Street in Los Angeles, and then became part of the group of local believers who helped P. I. Rogozin establish a local church in Hollywood. The nucleus of the future church gathered at his home. He became a member of this new church and served in it in word, in song, and as treasurer or secretary. He held higher secular degrees as a lawyer, mining engineer and accountant, and a certificate from the two-year Bible School at the “Light in the East” Mission in Germany. (He was the father of the poet Vera Sergeevna Kushnir.)

25th Convention — November 1962, Los Angeles, Bethany church

An audit commission and a Committee were elected. Two candidates were put forward for chairman: A. F. Kuzichev and P. V. Potlov, who received an equal number of votes. The choice had to be made by lot. The elder Brother F. D. Efimov was asked to draw the slip. After heartfelt prayer, the slip drawn bore the name of P. V. Potlov. Brother Potlov was thus elected chairman of the Association.

26th Convention — November 1963, San Francisco, House of the Gospel

Chairman P. V. Potlov presided. The presbyter of the House of the Gospel at that time was Brother Platon Kharchlaa. Brother Rogozin had asked to be released for a time from his pastoral duties for literary work.

The Convention proceeded in a spirit of love and unity. Brother P. V. Potlov gave a report and proposed that the Pacific Association join the Russian-Ukrainian Union of Evangelical Christians–Baptists of America. The Convention warmly and unanimously accepted the proposal. The Association retained its right of self-government, while the Union in turn keeps a permanent place for a representative of the Association. In this way the spiritual and organizational tie for joint labour to the glory of God was to be strengthened.

38 delegates attended. The Association then had 350 members in all. In June 1964 it was decided to publish a book of devotional talks by the writer Brother N. A. Vodnevsky.

27th Convention — November 1964, Bryte, Russian Evangelical Christian–Baptist Church

Chairman P. V. Potlov presided. A new Committee was elected. A. F. Kuzichev was elected chairman. Brother S. S. Abramov was again elected secretary and Brother G. I. Nidens treasurer.

37 delegates attended. The total membership at that time was 364. (Current business and decisions of this convention are kept in the archive of the Association’s minutes.)

Information about Brother A. F. Kuzichev was given earlier, but it should be added that he was a brother exceptionally devoted to God’s work, with a serious attitude toward the Bible and its study. Like his mentor Brother Rogozin, Brother Kuzichev had the gift of a teacher and a missionary spirit. To the end of his days he taught the Bible in the adult Sunday School of his church in Hollywood and carried on missionary work among Jewish people in his home.

28th Convention — November 1965, Hollywood, Slavic Hearth of the Gospel

Chairman A. F. Kuzichev presided. Delegates and guests from eight churches of the Association took part. Individual points of the bylaws were discussed.

In November 1965 the church in Bryte allowed its building to be used for the Association’s printing shop. Unfortunately the presses (linotypes) were of an old type using molten lead and matrices, and the building lacked even basic ventilation, for which some of the workers later paid with their health.

A positive development was that the Association’s membership grew to 389 souls through new converts and arriving members.

29th Convention — November 1966, Los Angeles, Bethany church

Chairman A. F. Kuzichev presided. In the elections P. I. Rogozin was chosen deputy chairman, Brother S. S. Abramov secretary and Brother V. M. Tkachev treasurer.

Guided by the desire to expand the Association’s work, it was decided to ordain Brother Adolf Dors to the presbyter’s ministry in San Diego. He was another modest and gentle brother who never sought his own, who loved the Lord and service to Him. He willingly accepted his new ministry and had many years of success, though the beginning was not easy. Brother Adolf wisely and in good time handed his ministry on to another worthy brother from the new wave of immigrants, and remains an active member of his congregation at the time this report for the 75th anniversary of the Pacific Association of Russian Evangelical Baptist Churches is being written.

40 delegates and many guests attended the 29th Convention. Total membership was 387. The master printers Ivan and Valentina Karpenko typeset the book God’s Plan of Salvation by John Mark Galustian and prepared it for printing.

Spring May Conference — May 28–30, 1966

(Location not specified.) At the conference it was unanimously decided to publish a weekly Christian newspaper, Our Days, edited by Nikolai Vodnevsky. Ivan Karpenko was appointed assistant editor. A second decision was to hold such devotional conferences every May, annually, for the fellowship of believers, without business meetings but with collections for the publication of the newspaper and spiritual literature.

30th Convention — November 1967, Hollywood, Slavic Hearth of the Gospel, 1256 Lyman Place

Chairman A. F. Kuzichev presided. In the Committee re-election the same people remained: chairman A. F. Kuzichev, secretary S. S. Abramov and treasurer V. M. Tkachev. The Association had 9 congregations and 387 members.

At this convention the church in San Mateo was received into membership. The Committee was instructed to sell the “farm” in Kerman and to use the proceeds to acquire property better suited to the Association’s needs and purposes.

31st Convention — November 1968, Los Angeles, Bethany church

Chairman A. F. Kuzichev presided. Local reports on the churches’ work were read:

Pastor Chekhovich of the Bethany church reported on work among the Molokans, the fruit of which was the baptism of several souls and preparation for the baptism of several more new believers.

Pastor P. I. Rogozin reported that although his congregation, the House of the Gospel, had not grown in numbers, it had grown spiritually, applying itself to the distribution of God’s Word and spiritual literature.

The pastor of the church in Santa Ana, Brother Kopich, reported difficulties and said that the congregation continued to sow, though not yet reaping fruit.

Sister M. Kudenchuk from Seattle reported that their congregation loved the newspaper Our Days and supported it materially. The sisters of the women’s circle had made handicrafts and sent them to those in need in Mexico. The circle also sends help to the Children’s Home in Argentina.

Sister Vera S. Kushnir of the church in Hollywood noted the merits of the founder of her church and of the House of the Gospel in San Francisco, P. I. Rogozin, as the author of many spiritual books, publisher of the journal Christian and of a great deal of other useful spiritual literature.

In the election of the new Committee, Brother A. F. Efimov was elected chairman. V. M. Tkachev remained treasurer and Brother S. S. Abramov secretary. Elected to the Committee were Brothers M. Kopich, M. Rodkin, A. Vorobey and M. Leontiev.

32nd Convention — November 1969, Riverside

Chairman A. Efimov presided. In the election of Committee members its composition changed. It came to include Brothers A. Vorobey, Pshishlyak, Kaplich and N. Vodnevsky. Brother V. Tkachev remained treasurer and Brother S. S. Abramov secretary.

Brother N. A. Vodnevsky joyfully reported that the newspaper was a success, as witnessed by many letters and growing subscriptions. “At present,” he said, “we have 1,165 subscribers. The print run is 1,600 copies.”

Brother I. A. Kmeta spoke about the “Federation of Slavic Churches” in the USA and Canada. He said that an enormous amount of work had been done and a long-standing dream realized — to unite the Canadian and American Unions on a federative basis. The draft bylaws of the Federation were adopted at the organizational Convention in Ashford. A Committee of the Federation was also elected.

1970–1979: departments, radio and growth

33rd Convention — November 1970, Sacramento, First Baptist Church

Chairman A. Efimov presided. The report showed that the Association consisted of 9 churches with 414 members. Brother Anatoly Kuznetsov of Bryte gave a report on the work of the youth department. He said that “the total number of (active) young people in the Association is one hundred souls. They take part in Conventions and Conferences. The youth choir of the Bethany church prepares tape recordings for radio broadcasts. The youth department has drawn up its own bylaws and strives to work in agreement and full unity with the older brethren.”

Some new faces joined the Committee at the election: F. Karpets and Filipchuk; Brothers Pshishlyak and Vorobey remained from the previous composition. Brother A. Efimov was re-elected chairman. Brother Anatoly Kuznetsov was retained as youth leader.

Certain points of the Association’s bylaws were again revised and amended. It was decided to set the annual contribution to the Association’s treasury at 6 dollars per member. A Women’s Department of the Association was also organized.

Extraordinary Convention — February 27, 1971, Santa Barbara

Chairman A. Efimov presided. 39 delegates from seven churches attended. It was decided to invite Brother Anatoly Ageev to serve as a worker among young people and in matters of property acquisition.

Brother Ageev was an immigrant from Argentina, but received his higher theological education in America, so he could be a useful link between the Slavic immigrants and American religious organizations.

34th Convention — November 1971, Hollywood, Slavic Hearth of the Gospel

Chairman A. Efimov presided. Brother S. S. Abramov asked to be released from the office of secretary on grounds of ill health, and his nearly ten years of service in that post came to an end. In the autumn of 1974 the Lord called him to the heavenly dwellings. Brother Mikhail Leontiev, an immigrant from Argentina and a many-sided, gifted member of the church in Hollywood, was elected secretary in his place.

Some data on the composition and representation of the Association’s churches:

1. Los Angeles — Bethany — 131 members, 13 delegates.
2. Hollywood — Slavic Hearth of the Gospel — 81 members, 8 delegates.
3. Los Angeles — Slavic Missionary Church — 60 members, 6 delegates.
4. Sacramento — First Slavic Baptist Church — 55 members, 6 delegates.
5. Bryte — Russian Evangelical Christian–Baptist Church — 45 members, 5 delegates.
6. Santa Ana — Evangelical Christian Church — 16 members, 2 delegates.
7. Seattle — Slavic Baptist Church — 15 members, 2 delegates.
8. Fresno — Slavic Baptist Church — 16 members, 2 delegates.
9. San Mateo — Slavic Baptist Church — 12 members, 2 delegates.
10. San Diego — one delegate.

E. V. Garin, missionary to the church in Fresno, gave a report on his work there: “Most of the members are pensioners, but they are active people. They help the Children’s Home in Argentina, take part in radio broadcasting, and publish a small-format magazine, At Daybreak, edited by Brother E. V. Garin.”

The editor of Our Days, Brother Nikolai A. Vodnevsky, reported that 274 issues of the newspaper had been published to date. “The paper is sent to 32 countries. Some radio stations broadcasting to the USSR use material from Our Days.” Brothers M. Loktev and A. Ageev gave reports on youth work.

Spring Devotional Convention — May 27, 1972, Bryte

Held at the Russian Evangelical Christian Baptist Church. Chairman A. Efimov presided. A decision was taken on the official registration of the Association with the State (California) and Federal governments of the U.S.A.

35th Convention — November 1972, Fresno

Chairman A. Efimov presided. In his report the chairman said: “The organization of women’s circles within the Association has begun its work. In Fresno property was acquired in the form of four houses and a ‘farm’ (a plot of land). Not enough interest was shown in creating a language school and it did not come about. The newspaper Our Days continues to appear regularly. Unforeseen costs of its publication were covered by special donations following an appeal to readers.”

A separate organization (Mission), “A Word to Russia,” was opened in Bryte. Its founder and director is M. D. Loktev. It will be devoted to radio broadcasting to the USSR and around the world, and will seek to assist Brother Vodnevsky, the editor, in his ministry.

In his report on the newspaper Brother N. A. Vodnevsky quoted the book of the prophet Nehemiah to show that the newspaper’s ministry is neither Vodnevsky’s nor the Association’s, and that it is beyond our strength: “God has done this.” Reading and correcting the material takes a good 40 hours a week…

In the Committee elections Brother A. Efimov was again chosen chairman, Brother V. Tkachev was kept on as treasurer, but Brother E. V. Garin was elected secretary. The Association’s workers were confirmed:

• Newspaper editor — N. A. Vodnevsky
• Property commission — A. Voznyuk, V. Demchuk, V. Pshishlyak, P. Melnik and K. Semenchuk
• Radio broadcasting — A. Efimov, E. Garin, V. Demchuk, F. Karp and M. Loktev
• Evangelists — A. Dors, N. Vodnevsky and A. Ageev

It was decided to include the chairs of the youth and women’s work in the Association’s Committee.

36th Convention — November 1973

Chairman A. Efimov presided. In the re-elections Brother F. P. Karpets was elected the new chairman, V. Kuzmenkov secretary, and V. Tkachev remained treasurer. Committee members: A. Efimov, Melnik, Pshishlyak, A. Voznyuk. Evangelists: E. V. Garin and P. Pabers.

It was decided that the chairman of the Association would be responsible for publishing the Brotherly Bulletin. In January 1974, at an extraordinary Committee meeting, it was decided to elect Brother Evgeny Garin as editor of Our Days. The minutes of the 36th Convention in 1973 evidently give details of the changes in the newspaper’s editorship, but one suspects that Brother N. A. Vodnevsky was compelled for weighty reasons to give up the editorship. Brother Ivan Karpenko, a linotype operator at the printing shop, temporarily bore the labour of publishing the paper with the help of his wife Valentina.

37th Convention — November 1974, Slavic Baptist Church of Hollywood

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. The re-election of the Committee for the new year left Brother F. P. Karpets as chairman, made Brother Kuzmenkov secretary and kept V. Tkachev as treasurer. Brother M. Loktev was chosen to lead radio broadcasting. Brother Ivan Karpenko carried the work of publishing Our Days temporarily.

Brother Nikolai Vodnevsky expressed his thanks to the Lord for the opportunity given him to fulfil his promise to publish the paper until 1972. He stated once more that this is not the work of one person, and that helpers are needed. He underlined the faithfulness of Sister Vera S. Kushnir in translating articles from English.

38th Convention — November 1975 (location not specified)

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. At this convention the Evangelical Christian–Baptist church in Portland, Oregon, expressed the wish to join the Pacific Association of Slavic Churches.

Spring Devotional Convention — May 29–30, 1976, San Francisco, Hillside Baptist Church

At this convention the centenary of the Russian Bible and the tenth anniversary of the newspaper Our Days were marked.

39th Convention — November 1976, Sacramento, First Slavic Baptist Church

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. The guest speaker was Brother V. Shakhov of the Russian-Ukrainian Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists of America.

The Association’s secretary, the poet Vladimir Kuzmenkov, dedicated a special poem to the Convention, which he read there and which was later placed in the journal Brotherly Herald for 1977.

40th Convention — November 1977, Los Angeles, Bethany church

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. Elections for a new Committee were held. By a majority of votes Brother F. P. Karpets was again elected chairman. Brother G. I. Nidens was elected deputy, Brother Evgeny Yasko secretary, and Brother V. Tkachev was re-elected treasurer.

For the first time, leaders of the circles were confirmed: Brother L. Voznyuk for the youth and Sister Lusya Vergina for the women. Brother Evgeny Garin was retained as editor of Our Days. The radio ministry was entrusted to Brother V. Demchuk.

It was decided to elect chairmen for three terms of one year each, with a one-year break before re-election if that should be desirable. It was also decided not to elect paid mission workers to positions of responsibility. Revision of the bylaws was begun.

The name “Yasko” has already been mentioned once in this report in connection with the publication by Daniil Yasko (Evgeny’s father) of a general and choral hymnal, but it should be added that Yasko senior was a highly erudite and enlightened man. He was a major authority on the Bible, taught it for many years at the Bethany church, and compiled not only hymnals that are still used by many churches around the world, but was also a poet, the translator of a great number of hymns from English into Russian, and the compiler of an extensive Bible Dictionary. This selfless, gentle and modest giant of faith and learning left an indelible mark on the worldwide work of Slavic evangelism.

Sister Lusya Vergina headed the Association’s Women’s Department for many years. A truly self-sacrificing heroine of faith and service to the Lord, she spent herself to her last breath in His field. Two waves of immigrants will never forget her invaluable contribution to the ministry of women.

41st Convention — November 1978, Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church of Hollywood

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. Reports on current business were heard. New bylaws of the Association were approved. The Committee election left everyone in their posts from the previous year.

42nd Convention — November 1979, Sacramento, First Slavic Baptist Church

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. Current business was considered. The Committee remained the same for the new year.

1980–1989: a new wave of immigration

43rd Convention — November 1980, Los Angeles, Bethany church

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. The Committee’s composition changed slightly at the elections. Brother E. Yasko asked to be released from the office of secretary. Brother Evgeny V. Garin was elected in his place.

44th Convention — November 1981, Sacramento, First Slavic Baptist Church

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. Brother Shakhov, a guest from the Eastern Union, ministered in the Word.

The election of officers produced the following results: chairman — Brother F. P. Karpets, secretary — Brother E. V. Garin, treasurer — Brother V. Tkachev. Brother A. Pikhay was elected responsible for producing radio programmes.

The following ministries were confirmed: Brother E. Garin responsible for publishing, A. I. Voznyuk property manager, Brother A. Ageev youth leader, and Sister Lusya Vergina chair of the women’s circles.

45th Convention — November 1982, Los Angeles, Bethany church

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. Brother A. P. Leonovich, a guest from the Eastern Union, ministered in the Word.

By general vote Brother F. P. Karpets was kept in the office of chairman. E. V. Garin — secretary, and V. M. Tkachev — treasurer. The Committee included I. Vlasyuk, P. Mulyar, A. Pikhay and Yakov F. Kozyol, A. Voznyuk, youth leader A. Ageev, and chair of the women’s circles Sister Lusya Vergina.

46th Convention — November 1983, Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church of Hollywood

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. The election of officers brought a change in the leadership. Brother Ivan Vlasyuk was elected chairman, Brother G. Altukhov secretary, and Brother V. M. Tkachev was kept as treasurer.

Elected to the Committee were F. P. Karpets, A. Ageev, M. Loktev and Ya. Kozyol. The preparation of radio programmes was left with Brother A. Pikhay. Officers were confirmed: E. Garin for publishing, A. Voznyuk for property, M. Katkov for youth ministry, and Sister Lusya Vergina as chair of the women’s circles.

Brother Daniil Yasko published a teaching manual for Sunday Schools — another contribution to the common cause by this outstanding brother. The bylaws were revised once again.

47th Convention — November 1984, Sacramento, First Slavic Baptist Church

Brother I. Vlasyuk presided. Brother I. Dovgalyov, a guest from Canada, ministered in the Word.

In the elections Brother F. P. Karpets was again chosen chairman, M. Loktev became secretary and V. M. Tkachev remained treasurer. The Committee included G. Altukhov, A. Ageev and A. Efimov. Brother A. Pikhay was confirmed as responsible for radio broadcasting and Brother E. Garin for publishing. Brother A. Voznyuk, the property manager, declined the ministry; Brother V. Kharchenko was appointed to assist in this work. The youth and women’s leaders remained as in the previous year.

48th Convention — November 1985, Los Angeles, Bethany church

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. In the election of the new leadership Brother F. P. Karpets was again chosen chairman, A. Efimov became secretary and V. M. Tkachev remained treasurer. The Committee included G. Altukhov, A. Ageev, A. Efimov and Ya. F. Kozyol. Brother A. Pikhay was appointed responsible for preparing radio programmes.

The following servants of the Association were confirmed at this convention: publisher — Brother E. V. Garin, youth leader — Mark Pikhay, and leader of the women’s circles — Vera Vlasyuk. (Details and reasons for changes in the composition of the Committee and leadership are kept in the archives of the minutes.)

49th Convention — November 1986, Sacramento, First Slavic Baptist Church

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. Brother V. Shakhov, a guest from the Eastern Union, ministered in the Word.

It was decided to take part in the Slavic Baptist Congress in 1988 in Los Angeles.

Sister Vera Tyson, an assistant in the publication of Our Days, asked that a replacement be found for her position. (The reasons are in the archives.)

The holding of meetings in Soap Lake (Washington State) was discussed. Since several families had moved there, it was proposed to open a mission point there under Brother I. Granchuk with the help of Brother Khilchuk of Seattle.

The 20th anniversary of Our Days was marked. The editor was still Brother Evgeny V. Garin.

50th Convention — November 1987, Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church in Hollywood

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. In the re-election of the Association’s leadership Brother A. F. Kuzichev was elected chairman. Brother I. Vlasyuk was elected secretary, V. Tkachev remained treasurer, and Sister Sofya Altukhova became property manager. For the remaining ministries those elected the previous year were confirmed.

Because of difficulties between the Association and the church in Fresno it proved necessary to seek the help of a lawyer. After some time the matter ended peacefully. On June 8, 1988, a joint meeting of the brethren from both sides took place, at which the meeting house in Fresno, together with all its documents and deed, was transferred into the ownership of the local congregation on the condition that should it be sold, ownership would pass to the Pacific Association of Slavic Churches. The Association was represented by Brothers A. Kuzichev and A. Pikhay.

In the summer of that same year, 1988, the Association’s long-serving treasurer Brother Vladimir Tkachev died. Until the regular autumn Convention and elections his place was temporarily taken by Brother F. P. Karpets. At the Convention Sister Lusya Vergina was elected to this office.

51st Convention — November 1988, Los Angeles, Bethany church

Chairman A. F. Kuzichev presided. The report showed that for the current year the Association consisted of 10 churches with a total of 418 souls.

Brother V. Shakhov, a guest from the Eastern Union, ministered in the Word. Representatives of the Baptist brotherhood from the USSR were present, Brothers Logvinenko and Komendant. The revised bylaws were adopted unanimously.

All the previous year’s servants were re-elected to their ministries except Brother Evgeny V. Garin. A letter from him dated November 1, 1988, was submitted to the Committee, in which he wrote, among other things: “…with pain in my heart I am leaving my nearly 15-year ministry at Our Days… I bow before God’s will… the paper’s typesetter Valya Karpenko is taking on its publication until the November Convention.” Later the Convention offered this ministry to I. Karpenko, who carried it temporarily.

These handovers of the newspaper’s ministry from one pair of hands to another, since its founding by Brother N. A. Vodnevsky, were very painful for him as the founder of that work. Only in 1993 was he again entrusted with publishing the paper — and then only temporarily. It was his “child,” and he gladly took up the ministry again. A teacher by training and a writer and poet by calling, this brother made a colossal contribution to the treasury of spiritual literature in the Russian language, and served his people by radio for many years besides.

52nd Convention — November 1989, Sacramento, First Slavic Baptist Church

Chairman A. F. Kuzichev presided. The guests were Brothers Alexey Leonovich and Platon Kharchlaa of the Eastern Union. Both were erudite brethren, strong in the Word, and were an enormous blessing to the Convention.

At the business session it was decided to begin publishing the almanac Niva in place of the almanac Golden Sheaves begun by Brother E. Garin.

Among the representatives of the new wave of emigration from the former USSR there proved to be many talented people — preachers, singers and writers. The thinned-out pews of the immigrant churches were filled by an enormous influx of new Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking believers of all ages. From this time on, new names begin to appear in the Association’s leadership.

Brother A. Polishchuk was entrusted with compiling and issuing the almanac Niva.

An enormous service in settling people in the new country was rendered by the church of Brother F. P. Karpets in Sacramento, the Association’s long-serving chairman. This brother, with a theological education and an excellent command of English, together with his wife Alina, accomplished a labour of settlement and spiritual guidance for the new wave of immigrants that would have been impossible without God’s help.

1990–1999: growth and new ministries

53rd Convention — November 1990, Slavic Baptist Church of Hollywood

The chairman and pastor of the local church, Brother A. F. Kuzichev, presided. In the elections Brother F. P. Karpets was chosen chairman and Brother K. Bondar secretary; the others were confirmed in their posts from the previous year.

The number of arrivals grows every year, and almost all the Association’s churches are gaining members, with new duties and cares. In every church of the Association where new immigrants arrived there were found, by God’s mercy, people who willingly took up the work of helping them settle in a new place. The Body of Christ showed its vitality and its readiness to support all the members of the Body.

54th Convention — November 1991, Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church of Hollywood

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. Reports from the heads of the Association’s departments were heard. Brother A. Leshchinsky reported in place of Brother K. Bondar, the secretary (for some reason), and was later elected to that ministry. (The reasons for this change are not given in the report for the Association’s 70 years. The data are evidently kept in the archive of the minutes.)

55th Convention — November 1992, Sacramento, First Slavic Baptist Church

Chairman F. P. Karpets presided. Reports from the heads of the Association’s departments were heard. Brother A. Polishchuk reported on the publication of the first issue of the journal Niva.

For typesetting Our Days it was decided to purchase a computer, as a faster and cleaner method of producing literature of any format.

In response to a specific need and request, as a charitable gesture it was decided to buy two wheelchairs for $1,000.00 and send them to the CIS.

It was decided to organize a new branch of the Association’s work: the Slavic Evangelical Literature Ministry (SELM). Organizing the department was entrusted to Brother A. Pikhay. The minutes of the Convention, from Brother N. Kramarenko’s notes, were typed on his computer by Brother A. Pikhay.

In the elections Brother Efimov was chosen chairman of the Association, Brother Pikhay secretary, and Sister L. Vergina treasurer.

56th Convention — November 1993, Slavic Evangelical Church of Hollywood

Brother A. Efimov presided. After hearing the reports of the heads of the Association’s departments, the delegates proceeded to vote on the approval and adoption of the Association’s bylaws. The bylaws were adopted unanimously.

Brother Pavel Timofeevich Kozorezov was chosen coordinator (representative) of the Association in the states of Oregon and Washington.

The Convention adopted a decision concerning the reception by churches of members from other churches. It was decided that no one could be received without a letter of transfer from the previous church.

Brother N. A. Vodnevsky was again entrusted, temporarily, with publishing Our Days. There were no Committee re-elections.

Spring Conference — end of April 1994, Slavic Baptist Church of Fresno

(No data on this Conference appear in the report for the Association’s 70th anniversary. Detailed information is evidently kept in the archives.)

57th Convention — November 1994, Sacramento, First Slavic Baptist Church

Chairman A. Efimov presided. From the reports it follows that the Association consisted of 11 churches with a total membership of 2,051. 77 delegates attended.

The property report showed that the Association had sold a 17-acre plot of land. (The report for the 70th anniversary gives no data on where, when, by whom or for what purpose this plot was acquired. The necessary information is evidently kept in the archives.)

Spring Devotional Convention — April 29–30, 1995, Los Angeles, Bethany church

The main theme of this conference was “Faithfulness to the Lord.” (No further details about participants and so on appear in the anniversary report.)

58th Convention — November 1995, Sacramento, First Slavic Baptist Church

Brother A. Efimov presided. The report showed that the Association consisted of 11 churches and 2,353 members. The number of immigrants from the CIS is growing, and growth in the number of churches is not far off.

The Convention decided to create a nominating commission with one member from each church of the Association. Brother A. Pikhay was appointed chairman of this commission.

To make travel to the Conventions easier for the brothers and sisters from Oregon and Washington, it was decided to hold the Conventions on Labor Day at the end of August.

Spring Devotional Convention — May 24–26, 1996, Slavic Baptist Church of Hollywood

The general theme of the Conference: “Love one another.”

59th Convention — end of August 1996, Sacramento, First Slavic Baptist Church

Chairman A. Efimov presided. The report showed that the Association consisted of 12 churches.

In the elections Brother N. Martynchuk was chosen chairman, Brother A. Pikhay secretary and F. Dezhnyuk treasurer. From 1997 Brother Vasily Glukhoy became property manager in Fresno.

Spring Convention — May 24–25, 1997, Seattle and Vancouver

On May 24 at the Slavic Baptist Church of Seattle, and on the 25th at the Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church of Vancouver. Theme: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (No additional details about the conference are given.)

60th Convention — November 1997, Sacramento, First Slavic Baptist Church

Chairman N. T. Martynchuk presided. Since a year and a half had passed since the previous Convention, there were many reports. The Association’s 60th anniversary was marked. In the speeches and prayers thanks were expressed to the Lord for His guidance and protection through all these years.

Guests and local brethren took part: S. Neverov, L. Agafonov, G. Lakhno, A. Pikhay, N. Gusenkov, A. Kozorezov, F. Karpets, N. Tsuman, Yu. Ovcharenko, V. Rozhko, P. Yukhimets, G. Boltnev and N. Martynchuk. Brother A. F. Kuzichev led a seminar on “Freedom from Bondage.” The choirs of the Sacramento and West Sacramento churches took part in the programme.

Two more churches were received into membership: the Second Slavic Baptist Church of Sacramento (Pastor G. Lakhno) and the Slavic Baptist Church of Santa Barbara (Pastor Vsevolod Rozhko).

Spring Devotional Convention — May 30–31, 1998, Los Angeles

Theme: “The Second Coming of the Lord.” Participants: Yu. Ovcharenko, Waldemar Zorn from Germany, Evgeny Remizov of Salem, A. Pikhay, N. Kramarenko, F. Dezhnyuk, A. Leshchinsky, Yakov Kozyol, V. Kushnir, Katya Lipinskaya, and choirs — the local one and one from Fresno.

61st Convention — November 26–28, 1998, Sacramento, First Slavic Baptist Church

Theme of the Convention: “Redeem the time” (Eph. 5:16).

At this 61st Convention the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Slavic Churches of the Pacific Coast was marked. This is explained by the fact that soon after the Association was created there were no conventions for eleven years.

The reports showed the following statistics: the Association consisted of 14 churches and approximately 3,500 members. 108 delegates came to the Convention.

Guests present included Brother Erisov from Chicago, Abramov from Khabarovsk (Russia), Herman Novozhilov (Russia), A. Yuchkovsky (first deputy chairman of the RUECB — Eastern Union), Brother G. Boltnev (from the same Union), Ivan Gnida from Charlotte, N.C., and Brother P. Kolybaev from Canada. All these brethren preached on various themes at the Convention’s meetings.

At the main morning service on November 26 the Word was ministered by the chairman of the Association, Nikolai Martynchuk, and Brothers F. Karpets and A. Ageev. Prayers of thanksgiving and blessing were offered by Brothers V. Shvets, A. Pikhay and V. Serpevsky.

The chairman, N. Martynchuk, summed up the year: “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (1 Sam. 7:12), emphasizing the Association’s anniversary year, and noting that he serves as a worker among the ethnic (Slavic) groups of the new immigration.

Sister Vera Vlasyuk presented the sisters’ work on Thursday the 26th at the evening women’s meeting. On Friday the 27th the young people led the evening meeting. Brother Khanzheev reported on the work of that department and called for prayer for those preparing to go to Magadan for missionary labour there.

On Saturday morning the 28th, Brother Vilchitsya of the Ukrainian Union and Brother Erisov of the Slavic Union of the Midwestern States took part. Brother Vilchitsya spoke in Ukrainian and Brother Erisov in Russian. Both spoke on the Convention’s theme.

After lunch (2:15) the same day a fellowship of presbyters was held, at which Brother A. Kuzichev and many other brethren from the Association’s churches spoke. The subjects varied — some remarks sounded like sermons, others were reports on methods of work, and still others brought an element of constructive criticism of how the conventions are conducted.

Other reports showed that a centre had been acquired in Sacramento and Brother M. Kioroglo was chosen as responsible for its management.

For several years the Association has had an “Evangelism Fund,” headed by Brother A. Efimov. The department’s purpose is to give material help to evangelists in the territory of the former USSR, now the CIS. Preference is given to areas where there are either no believers of evangelical-Baptist confession at all, or very few. The fund is replenished by voluntary donations from individual churches, individuals and special collections.

The music and singing department is headed by Brother S. Yanovsky. Its main aims: to unite all the Association’s choirs in serving the Lord through song; to publish choral, general and men’s hymnals with musical notation; to create a music library at the Association; to organize seminars and meetings for conductors and composers; and to create a music editorial commission for collecting material.

The Convention’s business session took place on the morning of November 27. A new Committee was elected for a two-year term:

Officers:

• Brother N. T. Martynchuk — chairman
• Brother S. Neverov — first deputy
• Brother N. Tsuman — second deputy
• Brother A. Pikhay — secretary
• Brother V. Tsvirinko — deputy secretary
• Brother Fedor Dezhnyuk — treasurer

Committee members: Brother F. P. Karpets, Brother M. Kioroglo, Brother N. Bugriyov.

At the end of the Convention’s closing service the chairman of the Association, Brother N. Martynchuk, called forward several distinguished, long-serving workers of the Union and presented them with handsome framed certificates. Those receiving them were: A. Kuzichev, N. Vodnevsky, F. Karpets, Ivan and Vera Vlasyuk, A. Pikhay, A. Efimov and I. Karpenko. (Certificates for those absent were passed on by others.)

All the Association’s departments carry out their ministries under the leadership of those elected by the Conventions. The newspaper Our Days continues its ministry under the editorship of Brother Nikolai A. Vodnevsky and is now printed in Ukraine and in Germany. Its print run has increased considerably. It is an important printed missionary of the Association.

62nd Convention — November 26, 1999, Sacramento, Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church

Brother L. Agafonov opened the first business session with God’s Word. The theme of his message was the unity of believers, based on Acts 4:31–32, which speaks of the first believers being “of one heart and one soul.”

Brother N. Martynchuk chaired the working session. Brother A. Pikhay, the secretary, read out the agenda, which was accepted and approved unanimously. A report was then given on the number of members in the new churches and their delegates.

The recently registered church in Rancho Cordova was received into membership. Greetings followed from the new presbyters of the local churches: V. Metlenko, V. Bgatov and P. Khakimov. Each of them gave information about his family and the time of his ordination to ministry.

The servants who had departed to the eternal dwellings were remembered; there were seven of them. Brother A. F. Kuzichev was especially noted. Their memory was honoured by standing and singing a verse from the hymn “We stand on the earthly shore” — “Behold, how many saints have crossed to yonder shores…”

After the oral reports, written reports were handed to the delegates for verification and then filed with the Association’s records. They came from the chairman, secretary and treasurer: Brothers N. Martynchuk, A. Pikhay and F. Dezhnyuk. Questions were answered, and the audit commission also gave its report on the Union’s treasury, which it had examined.

The editor of Our Days, Nikolai A. Vodnevsky, gave an oral report and submitted a written one on the work and progress of the newspaper. He reported that in the event of his death he already had a successor in Brother I. Bruyako. The report was received with thanksgiving.

Brother M. Loktev raised the question of a radio ministry for the Slavs of America and called for attention to participation in this ministry. Guest brethren with the right to speak told of their ministries in Russia and Ukraine. These were Brothers G. Komendant and A. Semenchuk.

Brother A. Efimov (Evangelism Department) reported on missionary service in the CIS and named specific missionaries whom the Association already supports. He also expressed regret that not all the churches of the Union take part in the evangelism fund. Many places in the CIS are still unserved, and with a larger fund a great deal more could be done.

Brother Sergei Yanovsky reported on the successes of his music and singing department. He asked that copies not be made of the collections already published, but that they be purchased, so that the proceeds could allow still more to be done in this department.

Brother M. Kioroglo gave a report on the property — apartments where only Slavs live — naming the annual income figure ($53,082.03) and requesting permission to restore the gates. He reported on the purchase of premises for Our Days.

Sister Vera Kitsina reported on the work of the women’s department at the request of its chairwoman Vera Vlasyuk, who had gone away for medical treatment.

In conclusion the guest brethren spoke: Georgy Kharlov and Platon Kharchlaa of the RUECB. Brother G. Kharlov spoke about the work of his Union, which is conducted in two languages — English and Russian — and about how and at what price the centre in Ashford was acquired in 1952, and how it has been used all these years as a place for conferences, a home for the elderly, and a camp for children and young people.

Brother Kharchlaa recalled that the first convention he attended was the 24th, in Hollywood; the next was already at the House of the Gospel in San Francisco, where he was then pastor. The chairman of the Pacific Association at that time was Brother Potlov. The proposal to merge the two Unions (eastern and western) into one was not realized, but the connection grew stronger, and since then the Eastern Union sends its representatives to the conventions of the Western.

New business. It was decided to create a Nominating Commission. Taking the realities of the situation into account, membership dues to the Union’s treasury were reduced from $10.00 to $5.00, on condition that the money be paid in by November 1 each year, failing which a church would lose the right to send its delegates to the Convention. (The arguments and proposals are recorded in detail in the Convention’s minutes.)

Rules were drawn up for receiving new churches into membership of the Association. It was decided to make the first year of membership provisional, for familiarization.

After all the discussions the delegates proceeded to receive one new church into membership from November 1999. This was the former Evangelical Church of the city of Montebello, since the Union of Evangelical Christians had ceased to exist and there is no difference in doctrine. (Here a probationary period of one year will be applied for the first time.)

A representative of the Freewill Baptist Union, Brother Leonid Morgun, working among unbelievers and having already founded three churches, asked that they be received into the Association. He spoke about the doctrine and practice of the new churches. The chairman of the Association, Brother N. Martynchuk, replied that under the rules of the Western Union churches can be received only after their official registration. (There were questions and debate. Details are in the minutes.)

Brother Andrey Prokopchuk’s request to join the Association was answered in the negative, with the advice that he first join one of the member churches.

Brother N. Bugriyov spoke about missions in the world, and then about the local ministry of young people who until recently had been inactive and who, with his help, had begun first to study the Bible and then to send groups to serve the poor and the unbelieving in Magadan.

The guest Andrey Bondarenko spoke about the work of his Mission “Light in the East” and about the magazines Tropinka and Faith and Life. A guest from Donetsk, Kobzar, told of their need for workers and invited people to come and labour there.

The proposal to join the Baptist World Alliance was answered in the negative for the time being, and the delegates abstained from a decision. It was decided to hold the next Convention in Sacramento.

2000–2003: toward the 75th anniversary

64th Convention — November 2001, Sacramento, First Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church

At this convention it was decided to create a Department of Christian Education within the Pacific Association of Slavic Churches. Drawing up the plan, the composition of its leadership, its tasks, the activity of its sections and so on was entrusted to the Association’s first deputy chairman, Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Tsvirinko, and to the pastor of the church in Montebello, Gennady Andreevich Sergienko. Reports on the successful beginning of this work were presented to the delegates orally and in writing, and have since been kept in the Association’s archive together with the minutes and other important papers. Officials interested in these and other reports and minutes may obtain access to them with the permission of the Union’s leadership.

65th Convention — end of November 2002, Sacramento, First Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church

The first working session was opened with the reading of God’s Word and prayers by many of those present. The chairman led the meeting. It was decided to allow Committee members no more than five minutes for their reports and recommendations. It was decided not to limit the chairman’s time.

Guests with a deciding vote were Brothers Yuri Sipko and Georgy Boltnev. An advisory vote was given to Pavel Chumakin, Alexander Kapitanyuk and Rempel.

Two churches were received into membership of the Association: Tacoma (Washington State), where Brother Leonid Padurar serves as pastor, and the Slavic Baptist Church of Minneapolis, where Brother Alex Krasnopivtsev, head of the Mission for Assistance to Widows, serves as pastor.

Reports from the Association’s departments followed:

1. Chairman and secretary
2. The newspaper Our Days
3. Music and singing department
4. Sisters
5. Youth
6. Literary
7. Property manager
8. Missionary (supports more than 12 missionaries)
9. Educational
10. Department for widows and orphans (new)

Guests who spoke: Vitaly Korchevsky, Pyotr Chumakin, Alexander Semenchuk, Mikhail Tsinn. Brother A. Efimov spoke in conclusion.

Second session of delegates. Nomination of candidates for office. Testimonies of the candidates. Election of the chairman and two deputies. Election of the secretary. Election of the Committee members.

• The new chairman is Brother Vyacheslav M. Tsvirinko
• First deputy — P. Khakimov
• Second deputy — N. Martynchuk
• Secretary — Brother Georgy Kuzichev. His deputy — Brother N. Neverov
• Committee members: N. Tsuman and N. Gusenkov

The closing word was given by the new chairman of the Association, Brother Vyacheslav M. Tsvirinko. He thanked the delegates for their confidence and made several constructive and important proposals.

All decisions and details are given in the minutes of the Convention, drawn up by the Association’s secretary and filed with the Association’s records. They are available to all delegates and officials on request to the Union’s leadership. Financial statements and reports are likewise available to all officially authorized persons.

And so, by God’s mercy, we have come to the 75th anniversary year of our Pacific Association. The Convention in October 2003 will be a festive and jubilee one.

Glory to the Lord for His faithfulness and help in our common labour!