One of the most common in the world of Protestant denominations is Pentecostalism, combines several branches of this intricate and original Christian movement.It appeared in 1900 on the basis of Black Baptist Churches of the United States and spread rapidly, integrate, even in such traditional and conservative Christian institutions like the Catholic and Orthodox churches.Today, according to statistics, there is no country in which there were no at least one community or group of Pentecostal believers.In this they surpass even Catholics - the leaders in the number of adherents, not only among Christian denominations, but of all existing religions.
the Republic of Belarus of the largest Pentecostal church is the Church "Grace" in Minsk.On it we discuss in this article.
History of the Church
recent community of Evangelical Christians (Pentecostals call themselves so) "Grace" in Minsk celebrated its 25th anniversary.This is true in terms of the legal organization registered at the beginning of the 90s, but is somewhat arbitrary from the perspective of succession - this church union is preceded by a very long and complex prehistory, rooted in the mid XX century, or even deeper.Throughout the period of the Soviet regime persecuted Pentecostal Minsk, refused to register them, and their leaders were subjected to reprisals - in prison and labor camps.Brief periods of relief invariably ended with new harassment.Believers fined, harassed ideological workers were fired and expelled from places of learning.
Despite this, the number of Pentecostal adherents steadily increased, so that in the late 70's they were able to register, and even to build a house of worship.However, due to opposition from the authorities, in 1984, the community understood the split, so that the lion's part of it had to go back into hiding.Poshedshie compromise with the government were called 1st Minsk church rather than accept its conditions again began to gather in their homes, until finally, in 1988, did not receive the official status of re - "2nd Minsk Pentecostal religious society."It is this second, and later became the church of the community, which is today known as Church "Grace" in Minsk.In 1991, it achieved allocation of land with permission to build a new house of worship.Subsequently, due to the continuous rapid growth of the community, the building was rebuilt several times and expanded.
Church "Grace" in Minsk: the current state
Today community "Grace" is the largest Pentecostal association in Belarus.The number of its members - a few thousand people.In possession of the church is a spacious building with a hall for prayer meetings 2,400 seats plus various utility rooms and parking.
ministry in the church
ministry in the Church "Grace" (Minsk) focused on the daily services, which are classified according to the participants (general church, youth) and nature (house meetings, the night prayer).
As for religious education, education and social service, the congregation at a Sunday school for children, Bible school for teenagers and published magazine.Plus, regularly hosts charity events.
very active in the countries of CIS and foreign missionaries are community, allowing the Church "Grace" in Minsk is the alma mater of many Pentecostal groups in the world.
Subsidiaries association
Among the beneficiaries of the church of small communities are communities of believers in the city of Cherven, Borisov, Smolevichi, Braslav, Osipovichi, of Marina Gorka and many other localities.A number of the capital's churches also are based come from the "Grace", such as the Church, "The grace of Christ" in Minsk.They all have a different attitude to the "Grace" - from fully accountable regional offices to independent groups of believers.
