September 2007—St.  Petersburg, Russia   A GOOD WORD FROM CAMP from Leif & Zhanya Camp

(Click on http://www.flickr.com/photos/stpaulmp/ to see photos of the Camp’s work and life.  This month’s are here.)

 

КАПИЛЛАН—cop-ee-LAHN—Chaplain

Luke 3:14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages."

   This is not really a Russian word as in the sense of it having a Russian root—it is a borrowed word “transcribed” into Russian.  In fact, many Russians would not even recognize the word or know its meaning, even though the Russian government has passed an order to train 60,000 chaplains for the military (one for every 700 soldiers I heard somewhere).  This is a tall order, but the Russian government recognizes that such a service not only serves the spiritual need of those who protect the country, but also might improve the ethics.  Keep in mind that in Russia there is not a distinction between the police and the military—the local police simply being the “national guard” as it were. 

   To fulfill this purpose the Government invited representatives of the major religions in Russia (Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism) to the table—the Christians being represented by the Russian Orthodox.  Lutherans, then, were left out of the loop—even though our Scriptural understanding of Law and Gospel and the two Kingdoms really shed light on such service.

   God, however, may be opening doors, for this month, in addition to teaching a class on Spiritual care at the Ingrian Lutheran Seminary, distributing the last of our pro-life brochures (we already need to print another batch, which means this year we have distributed over 3000 of our pro-life brochures), training a pro-life volunteer (Olga Schmidt), leading English Worship and so forth, we hosted Pastor Steven Lee, founder and director of Peace Officer Ministries along with his associate, Pastor Anton Lagoutine (an LCMS pastor and police chaplain of Russian decent). 

Police Chaplaincy in Russia

2 Timothy 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

    After more than two years planning, waiting, and so forth, Pastor Steven Lee, his wife Elaine and pastor-chaplain Anton Lagoutine arrived in St. Petersburg to scout out possibilities for expanding POM ministry through the LCMS Partner Church in Russia, the Ingrian Lutheran Church. 

Steve’s interest in Russia has grown over the last few years.  First, he is good friends with Pastor Martin Frusti, one of the first called pastoral missionaries to Russia from the LCMS (whose forefathers were Ingrian Lutherans from Karelia).  This planted seeds that were further watered when Martin introduced us to each other over two years ago.  AT that time, Steve, not one to put things off, asked me to find any Lutheran contacts I might have—pastors and laymen—among the Russian police for a visit he had hoped to make in 2006.  As I am always looking for ways to expand the spreading of the Gospel in Russia, I readily agreed and came up with a short list which included a couple of deacons in St. Petersburg who had or were still serving with the local police (so they could support their families), a retired police officer in Pushkin and a retired police colonel in Nizhniy Novgorod. 

As much as we might want to get things done in a hurry, God has His timing, and when Steve could not come, some of these contacts cooled, there was some disappointment on this end.  But in the meantime, Steve met Pastor Anton Lagoutine who had immigrated to Russia in the 90s and become a Lutheran pastor and police chaplain.  With that new resource, Steve again tried contacted me to help organize a trip to Russia.  This time it reached fruition.

Pastor Anton arrived first to meet with me and help with some of the final arrangements, and then on October 19th Steve and Elaine arrived in St. Petersburg at about 1 am.  Already at 8pm—after meeting with Bishop Arri Kugappi, getting a quick tour of the Ingrian central offices, doing a quick interview for the Ingrian Lutheran Radio studio and meeting with the pastor who is working on the translation of the Police chaplain’s Bible, we were all on the train to Nizhniy Novgorod.   At 1pm the next day, as we got off the train, Steve and Anton were immediately whisked away by retired police colonel Vladimir Hukka to hob-nob with military, police and government officials (Vladimir was the first person baptized in the new Lutheran parish hall and now one of the elders of the congregation).  The highlight of the chaplaincy part of the trip was their teaching at a local law academy to close to 100 future law enforcement officers, prosecutors and defenders.  The highlight of the pastor side of the trip was Steve preaching at the Sunday service (with

Anton translating) in Nizhniy which included a baptism.

Immediately after the service we had to pack our bags to catch the train back to St. Petes.  Here Steve tried to follow up on some contacts with the local police (who had reached him via the internet and were regular subscribers to his newsletter) and met with Ingrian Lutheran Deacon Andrei Savilianen who supports his ministry by working in state security.  We also took a trip out the Lutheran Seminary to meet with the new rector, Pastor Fedor Tulinin and discuss the possibilities and purpose of police chaplaincy with the students and interested laity there. 

Before Steve and Anton left on the 27th, they had already formulated a working plan, proposed it to the bishop (receiving his blessing to move ahead).  Although God used me as a facilitator in this trip, I myself do not have time to take on a new ministry.  Since Steve and Anton now have all my contacts, my role will remain minimal (sort of as needed), but I will rejoice and continue in prayer over the future possibilities and doors God may open.

For more information on Peace Officer Ministries you may contact them at peaceofficermin(atsymbol)earthlink.net or view their web site at peaceofficerministries.org.

Pro-Life Update

Psalm 110:3 Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.

   The Ingrian Lutheran Pro-Life ministry has been expanding—meaning that the requests for information, for help and so forth have been growing more than we can handle.  Also, since one of our key volunteer pastors, Pastor Fedor Tulinin who has been managing our website, helping with seminars and so forth, has just been called to be rector of the Ingrian seminary, we have been short handed.  So, when Olga Schmidt asked if she might volunteer to help with some of more administrative tasks involved, I was very happy to accept the help.  Olga is the wife of Pastor Alexander Schmidt who has been part of our Pro-life team from the beginning as well (handling translation.

Olga has agreed to help with some brochure editing and printing duties, and helping with seminars and literature distribution. 

 

Prayer Requests

Pray for Pastor Don Richman’s visit and the planned pro-life seminar in Nizhniy Novgorod Oct. 14 and 15, pray for Olga Schmidt as she tries to learn the pro-life ministry, and pray for our pro-life website which is still not up and running (it collapsed when the Ingrian Church began to revamp its website and changed servers).  Pray for Sergei, your new brother in Christ baptized on Sept. 23rd.   Pray for pastor Fedor Tulinin as he assumes his new duties as rector of the Ingrian Lutheran Seminary at Koltushe out side of St. Petersburg (Fedor is also still head pastor for the Ingrian parish in Pushkin).  Pray for the possibility of expanding our co-work with the Orthodox and Russian youth beyond pro-life topics.  Pray for Steve Lee, Anton Lagoutine, Andrei Savilianin, Alexander Schmidt, me and all those involved in these initial steps as we try to involve the Lutheran Church in the establishment of Police Chaplaincy in Russia.  Pray for Darren and Irina Johnson (my field worker) and Irina’s mother Valentina as she has a serious medical problem.  Pray for English worship service as we have taken out special advertising the next two months hoping to invite more people to our services (which are very hard to find since we worship in the Ingrian Church office conference room).  Pray for the Ingrian Annual synodical gathering which takes place early this month.  Pray also from me and my family (my wife Zhanya and our children Karl and Anastasiya—Nastya for short) and this month especially for my mother who is visiting until the 13th.

Russian Joke

Ivan finished the Police academy and is sent to his first job.  The captain gives him his badge, gun, night stick and uniform, shows him his “beat” and sends him out.  At the end of the shift, Ivan does not return.  The same thing happens for the rest of the month.  The captain is a bit concerned but is sure Ivan will show up on payday.  When Ivan does not show up on payday, the Captain decides he must look for him, fearing something has happened.  So the Captain goes out to Ivan’s beat and finds him right away in his uniform, happily swinging his nightstick as he patrols his area.  The captain asks, “Ivan, where have you been?  You didn’t even show up on payday to collect your pay!”  Ivan rather surprised answers, “payday?  You already gave me a badge, gun and uniform, I figured the rest was up to me.”

 

 

 

 

.

The Law commands and makes us know

What duties to our God we owe

But ‘tis the Gospel must reveal

Where lies our strength to do His will

 

TLH hymn 289 vrs 1  In Christ,

Leif & Zhanya Camp

_________________________________________________________________________

Click on http://www.flickr.com/photos/stpaulmp/ to see photos of the Camp’s work and life.  This month’s are here and descriptions are with them.

 

I know I say how busy I am every month--I await the great Sabbath rest!  This month is no different.  As I am trying to get this to you all before the end of the month, I will keep this cover letter short.  Attached is the usual prayer letter with pictures:

 

A picture with me and Pastor Fedor Tulinin--the new Rector of the Ingrian Lutheran Seminary outside of St. Petersburg.  Fedor is a faithful servant of the Lord and a good friend.  We discussed several things while met with him in his new digs.

 

Pastor's Steven Lee and Anton Lagoutine with a Russian law enforcement official in Nizhniy Novgorod.

 

Anton and I after English Worship--Anton arrived earlier than the Lees so he and his mother attended worship with us.

 

We met with the Ingrian bishop twice--first for initial greetings and for permission to visit the Nizhniy parish and investigate ministry possibilities and second when Steve had his initial ministry proposal (for the Bishop's advice and go ahead).

 

The Nizhniy Congregation after services.

 

The Congregation always wants me to sing and play guitar after services in remembrance of my service there as a volunteer missionary and the evangelism concerts we held.

 

Pro-life volunteer Olga Schmidt with her husband Alexander as we discussed her role.

 

POM meeting with deacon Andrei Savilainen, who besides serving as a peace officer helps serve one of the village parishes around St. Petersburg.

 

POM presentation at the Justice academy in Nizhiny Novgorod, my role was running the technical side of things--reminded me of my roadie days.

 

POM presentation at the Lutheran Seminary outside of St. Petersburg.  Here my role was as translator.

 

A picture of St. Michael's with a rainbow falling from heaven.

 

Blessings,

 

Leif

 

CONTACT ADDRESSES Feedback, questions, whatever are most welcome.

Our Russian home address:

Leif and Zhanya Camp

18 line V.  O.  dom 43 Kv.  7

St.  Petersburg, Russia, 199178

 

Stateside contact address:

Leif and Zhanya Camp,

C/O Marli Camp

902 N.  12th

Melrose Park, IL, 60160

Russian Lutheran Church Address:

Ev.  Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia

Bolshaya Konyushennaya dom 8

St.  Peterburg, Russia, 191186

 

Telephone: after getting an international line by dialing 011, dial 7- 812 (our area code) 321-1508(our phone number)

Note—Between St.  Petersburg and central US time, the difference is 9 hours.   Stateside contact telephone: 708-344-4472

 

E-MAIL:  lzkcamp(at symbol)mail.ru & leif.camp(at symbol)elci.ru.   Prolife web site with Russian materials you can down load: prolife.elci.ru.   Other websites: Lisa Stapp has set up a website which has some of our last newsletters (with their cover letters and pictures):  http://www.worthywomanpage.com/camp/index.html.   Also my mother's home congregation has our newsletters--the latest can be downloaded from: http://www.stpaulmp.org/camp/  a second site archives our past newsletters since 2002 http://www.stpaulmp.org/archives/ .    Please feel free to share this newsletter with your Church, friends, or enemies if it might help (just please do not quote things out of context or edit my words in such a way as to change their intent).   If you would like to receive a copy via e-mail, simply email me directly and ask!

 

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