Jon & Lisah Vande-Riet are reaching out to Russia and the Middle East. 
In 1991, after many decades of being closed, Russia was open to the
Gospel!  For years they had prepared for that moment.  They learned the
language and had an "underground" ministry to the Russian people.  But
that year, when they rented the Olympic Stadium in Moscow for an open
evangelistic crusade, they were like those who dreamed!

From that crusade at the Olympic Stadium, Moscow Christian Center
was born.  The church started with 600 people, meeting just a few blocks
from Red Square and the Kremlin.  It was one of the greatest joys of thier
lives to have witnessed this spiritual birth and then help these new Christians
grow and be equipped in the Lord.

Taking advantage of the open door, Jon & Lisah continued to proclaim
Jesus through music festivals, evangelistic dramas, and crusades in Gorky Park.  They preached on the
streets, in hospitals, and every other place and way they could think of.  Thousands of Russians came to
the Lord including a Moscow Circus performer, a couple of famous Russian sports figures, the captain of a
cruise ship and even an ex-KGB major!

The whole world was focusing on what was happening in Russia at this time.  They had the privilege of
being among the first to come and preach in Moscow, thus their ministry was covered by national and
international media.

Because of this exposure and their network of freinds, Moscow Christian Center became a "bridgehead"
facilitating teams and minisries coming from around the world to minister in Russia.  With the Lord's
support, Jon & Lisah helped plant other churches in key cities of Russia.

After some years, it became clear that that season in Moscow had come to an end.  They turned the
pastorate of Moscow Christian Center over to a Russian couple who had been their Associate Pastors,
and returned to the US.  Now some years later, through a series of amazing events, the Lord is opening
the door for them to return and base their ministry once again at Moscow Christian Center!

Their Vision for Russia for the next phase of their ministry is to strengthen Moscow Christian Center
and the other churches they have planted and help them reproduce by planting new churches in the
cities around Moscow.

Their years of experience in Moscow and ministering throughout Russia have given them a unique
understanding of the challenges and opportunities of ministry in this great coundtry - and a wonderful
network of freinds with whom to partner in advancing the Kingdom of God.  They are so thrilled
about thier new season in Moscow!

Open Doors in the Middle East
Several years ago, Jon & Lisah discovered a community of Arabic speaking Christians only a few
miles from their home.  When they visited them, they sensed that they should deepen their
understanding of the language and culture of the Middle East.  So, they began to fellowsip with
these believers and started to speak and sing in Arabic.  Soon they were asked to preach and
pray in thier worship services.  They were then invited to visit their homelands.  Because of this,
Jon traveled and ministered last summer in Egypt.  Other doors have opened in Algeria, Morocco,
and Lebanon.

Through all of this, the Vande-Riets learned first hand of the incredible revival going on in that
region.  The Lord is doing awesome things!  In many ways, the rumblings in Egypt and the
Middle East today are similar to Russia in the 90's.  It sees their experience in Russia has
equipped them to help fan the flames of revival in the Middle East in a unique way.

Their "home base" is Mosco, stregthening and multiplying the churches in Russia, but they plan
to begin ministerinng in the Middle East through the amazing contacts and open doores they 
have there!

For more information or to become a partner in taking advantage of these new Open Doors, here
is their contact information: