130 years of Methodism in Eurasia

In August 2019, people called Methodists from all over Eurasia gathered in Uzhgorod (Ukraine) to share the joy of “Unity” in the ministry to God with brothers and sisters from other countries and to celebrate the new date in their history – 130 years of Methodism in Eurasia.

The history of the People called Methodists in Eurasia began in the year 1889, when Finnish mission started its work in Saint-Petersburg. In 1909, Episcopal Methodist Church in Eurasia was recognized officially in the Russian Empire. By 1910, the Methodist congregation had about 500 constant members of different nationalities already. Apparently such a quick spreading of Methodism was stimulated by priority spheres of their functioning: – Social help – Missionary work – Education

In 1920, Methodists began their ministry in Harbin, Manchuria and Vladivostok to serve to Korean population migrated to Siberia and the Far East. During the 5 years several congregations were opened in Harbin; Sunday schools, general education schools, a business school, a health clinic, a women social center, a league for children welfare and a theological seminary were established in the area.

The Spirit of God moved the ministry of the Methodists in Uzhgorod (now Ukraine), where the 130th celebration was held. On March 26, 1923, the Missionary Council of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the South (USA) purchased the building as a gift for the community of Uzhgorod.  From different sides – form the West and from the East – the spreading of Methodism in Russia had started. However, the revolution changed the history of the Church dramatically. As the result of political pressure after the revolution of 1917 and the Second World War, most signs of the Methodist presence in the Soviet Union were erased, church property was confiscated.

Only in the early 90s, the UMC in Eurasia resumed its existence as an initiative of the Global UMC: missionaries left their homes came to a foreign country on another continent to tell people about Jesus Christ and help to build the Church.  Owing to partners from the United Methodist Churches of the USA and Europe, their prayers and support, church communities reappeared in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Each story remembered at the festival became a unique testimony of God’s work through ministers and missionaries at different times of the history of the Methodist church in Eurasia. This history unites us, despite everything, we all are connected in the Body of Christ – and it is impossible to break this connection.