Institute of Strategic Languages and Cultures
What we Believe ....
The Vision
Russian Language Ministries, Inc. is a nonprofit, inter-denominational agency committed to furthering the cause of Christ among Russian-speaking peoples. For the gospel to spread among unreached ethnic groups, we understand that the Lord's workers need to be trained to minister effectively in the heart language of the people.
God's calling for this ministry is to equip missionaries to serve in ways which are culturally and linguistically sound. Our objectives are:
- To enable missionaries to become proficient at ministering in the culture to which they are called.
- To speed up language acquisition so that missionaries are equipped to evangelize and disciple within that culture as soon as possible.
- To research and develop effective models of ministry appropriate to Russian-speaking ethnic groups, thereby aiding the Body of Christ to reach them with the gospel.
This vision was born as a result of church-planting experience in Ukraine and the realization of how much missionaries struggle when they do not know the Russian language or understand Russian culture. Many of those who come to the former Soviet Union expect to learn the language there on the field. Many are frustrated when, after three or four years, they are still unable to minister effectively in Russian. And, unfortunately, much of the ministry which has taken place since the fall of the Soviet empire has been either missiologically inappropriate or at least lacking in cross-cultural principles relevant to Slavic cultures.
The Mission
RLM is committed to providing missionaries with the following intensive training opportunities:
- The year-round Russian language training program is designed to equip missionaries with the skills necessary for both survival on the field and for direct discipleship of Russian-speaking peoples. Courses range from beginning to advanced Russian.
- Culture and history studies are offered as part of the language training program.
- Missionary internships provide intermediate and advanced students with opportunities to learn effective outreach strategies in direct ministry situations with native Russian speakers.
RLM is committed to helping you to develop effective outreach strategies appropriate to the peoples of the former Soviet Union.
Statement of Faith
We believe in the one eternal God, Creator and Lord of the universe, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who governs all things according to the purpose of his will.
We believe in the divine inspiration, truth and authority of both Old and New Testament Scriptures in their entirety as the only written word of God, without error in all that it affirms, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
We believe that human beings, though created in the image of God, are sinful and guilty, and are lost without Christ.
We believe in Jesus Christ, and that He alone is God incarnate, our sin-bearer, the conqueror of death, and the coming judge. He lived a sinless life and bore our sins on the cross through His physical death. He alone can save sinful man from eternal judgment. We believe in His physical resurrection from the dead and the promise of life eternal to all who believe in Him.
We therefore affirm that other religions and ideologies are not alternative paths to God. Human spirituality, if unredeemed by Christ, leads only to eternal judgment.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, and that God sent His Spirit to bear witness to His Son; apart from Him our witness is futile. His work is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, to establish and strengthen the believer's faith, and to bring new birth and Christian growth to those who have trusted Christ.
We believe in the universal Church, the Body of Christ, and that Christ sends His redeemed people into the world as the Father sent Him. The Church is at the very center of God's purpose and is appointed to spread the gospel. The Church is called by God to be marked by the cross, to be willing to die to self, and to have a living faith and a genuine love for people.
We at RLM pledge to uphold the faith and to serve God with integrity.
Russian Language Ministries, Inc.