Alcoholism is rife in Sulomai, as it is in many small settlements in Siberia, causing many social problems. The ancient practice of shamanism is also common (see related feature). In addition, when Mr Mekheev and Mr Malukh first began their work of starting a church, they found that many villagers were confused about Christianity – a legacy left by missionaries from various denominations who had visited the village sporadically but had not stayed to disciple new believers.

“People were confused,” Mr Malukh recalls. “Last year, for instance, a priest came and about 65 of the village’s 175 people made confessions of faith and started wearing crosses. But he left and nothing had changed – they went back to their old way of life. Many of them were just repeating the words of a prayer without knowing what it meant.”

Steadily grown

The two men started a church, using a 70-year-old building that used to be a store, and, although it has not been easy sharing God’s Word with the people of Sulomai, the church has steadily grown. They attribute this to two events:

“We received the audio New Testament from the Bible Society and that has been a tremendous help,” says Mr Malukh, speaking of a visit by a team from the Siberian Branch of the Bible Society in Russia, two years ago. “We hold Bible studies using the cassettes and we use the printed Scriptures among believers and seekers. Since then, the church has grown from almost nothing to about 25 people.”

The flood, which destroyed half the village in June (see related feature) but left the church building unscathed, has also changed the spiritual atmosphere in Sulomai, according to Mr Malukh.

Less time drinking

“Many villagers have become easier to talk to and are more open to the Gospel now,” he says. “Some have repented and turned to Christ and have stopped drinking. Those who have become believers spend less time drinking and more time working, building houses and doing other productive things. The Christians here have put even more trust in God.”

Others, however, feel angry towards God about the flood, but Mr Mekheev and Mr Malukh believe that there will be a revival in Sulomai as people seek answers.