1.) How did you get started going to Russia? I took my Christianity seriously. As a result, I paid attention not only to "Bible promises" but also to the commands of the Lord Jesus. Two such commands are "preach the gospel to all creatures" (Mark 16:15) and "make disciples of all nations" (Mathew 28:19). While serving in the U.S. Marine Corp, I learned by experience what "chain of command" is all about; obedience. Wasn't Jesus Christ not only Savior but also Lord? Are we not to obey? For me it became as simple as --- the Lord said do it, therefore, I do it. How about Russia? My wife and I prayed, read the Scriptures and Christian books, discussed it among ourselves and sought counsel. I read "Tortured For His Faith" by Harlan Popov, the Bulgarian pastor who spent 15 years in a Communist prison for his faith. I wrote to Harlan and later met him. The Lord was leading through it all. One day he said, "McCroskey, I think you should go to Russia." That was in 1988. We've been going ever since. Return to Questions
2.) Is it always cold over there? There are places in Russia where it is always cold, covered with perma-frost, ice and snow; 14 months out of the year. There are also places where it gets up to 100 degrees in the summer and never snows. It is the largest nation on earth. Their seasons are the same as ours. There are two differences --- their winter is longer and colder. Their summer is shorter and less hot. I speak as one from the American South. The most important fact about Russian weather is that it doesn't stop us. Return to Questions
3.) When will the communists take over again? I usually hesitate to predict the future, so I won't. However, it is my considered opinion that communism will NOT rule the government again. The Party is over. The Lord is firmly in control and rapidly extending His kingdom throughout the former Soviet Union. Russia will never look like a western nation and certainly not like America but she will never be what she was in the past either. For that, we can all thank God. Return to Questions
4.) What about their government? When Boris Yeltsin was president and in and out of the hospital with heart problems, our politicians were constantly asking "What will happen if the Russian president dies?" One of my Russian friends, Michael Verchenko, put it this way, "Before Yeltsin there was chaos, with Yeltsin there is chaos, after Yeltsin there will be chaos." There is a lot of truth in what he said, but don't misunderstand. Their government and life in general for most citizens is better now than it was during the 70 year rule of terror under the Communists. It still has room for improvement. Here is the importance to the church: there is almost total freedom to spread the gospel; anywhere at anytime - more so than in the U.S. The church's existence and well-being DOES NOT depend on the government of men, but on the government of God. Return to Questions
5.) Isn't it very hard to do the Lord's work in a place like that? NO. Both for the national and foreign worker, Christian work is easier there than here. Life in general is harder because of the lack of money, dependable and available communication and transportation, and other societal infrastructures. Christian literature is much more scarce. Spiritual work is successful, rewarding and easier than anywhere in the West. Return to Questions
6.) How long do you stay each time you go? We stay from 10 days to 4 weeks, depending on where we go, who goes with us, and what's the purpose of that particular trip. Most trips are for about 16 to 18 days. Return to Questions
7.) How much does it cost to go on one of your missions? The average trip costs $2,500 all inclusive. That includes transportation, meals, visas, taxes, tips, translators and hotels. The only item not included is personal spending money. Return to Questions
8.) Do you speak Russian? "Nyet" - which means "No way, Jose'". At least one implication in this question is that one cannot be a "real" missionary without speaking the local language. That is probably the case with the traditional approach to missions - living in the country and doing all the preaching, teaching, counseling, etc. that a minister is called upon to do. The more biblical and practical way to do missions in a country where there are national believers is to come along side and help them. In other words, they are the missionaries to their own people. We simply supply them with tools and all the encouragement possible. Return to Questions
9.) Don't you see a lot of persecution of the Jews? I hear and read that some persecution and harassment takes place but only when in America. I ask about it when there and few people even understand the question. Most Russian Jews are not religious but are only cultural Jews and blend into the general population very well. Most, in fact, are atheists. Many have held positions of authority in the government. Lenin was a Jew. Protestant Christians have been the objects of almost all the religious persecution in Russia. Return to Questions
10.) Do you still take Bibles? Doesn't everyone have one by now? Every Christian does not have a Bible of their own, especially in China. The Christian birthrate exceeds the supply of new Bibles. There is no national distribution system and, even if and when available, many people cannot afford to purchase one. So, "yes" we still take Bibles. However, books and Bibles are available in the larger cities if you have money. Most of the time we buy Bibles there after we arrive. Sometimes we give funds to pastors and missionaries (whom we know and trust), and allow them to purchase what they need. Return to Questions
11.) What do they eat? How's the food? First, and most importantly, they are not starving, though they do eat less than we do. The food is good - we like it, even when served potatoes three times daily. The typical diet consists of bread, potatoes, cabbage, beets, hot tea, soup, homemade jams, and sausage. When foreign guests arrive, they roll out the welcome mat and fix everything. We never go hungry. Return to Questions
12.) Aren't you afraid when over there? The Lord not only sent us and goes with us, but also goes before and prepares the way. We know from the Scriptures and experience that He has not given us a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind. When on "the field", we are surrounded by some of the Lord's dearest saints who consider it a sacred duty to make our stay safe, comfortable, enjoyable and prosperous. Return to Questions
13.) How do you start a church? We are convinced that the Lord is still building His church and that He wants us involved in the same. Church planting is the primary mission of missions. There are many auxiliary tasks, all of which are worthy, but none of them the goal. A witnessing, self-supporting, self-governing local church is the Lord's desire and ours. How do we accomplish that? We prayerfully look for a man who is willing and able to "plant and grow" a church in an area where there isn't one. Then we work with him; helping, encouraging, praying for him, providing him tools (books, Bibles, tracts, etc.), supplying him a small amount of funds with which to get started, offering training and finding a "sponsor" back home. When we leave, we stay in touch. After he is established, we encourage him and the new church to reproduce themselves in another community. We help them do it. God has honored our efforts hundreds of times and will continue to do so, until we've reached our goal of "planting and growing" 1,000 new Christian churches across the former Soviet Union. It's exciting and rewarding. Why not join us? Return to Questions
14.) What denomination are they? Some are Baptist, some Pentecostal, some Methodist or Nazarene, a few are Church of Christ, Charismatic or Presbyterian. Most are independent. All are Christian. Most care little for denominational names and even less for denominationalism. Many believers live one day at a time. Life is a struggle. They love and serve the Lord in their personal lives and in their local churches. It doesn't get much more complicated than that. Return to Questions
15.) You must really love the Russian people - right? Of course we do, but I must say this: we go and do what we do not because we love Russia and her people, or because we love the ministry. Our motivation is love of and for our God, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is waiting for His bride. We want to be part of finding her and making her ready for the Bridegroom. | 
