Pastor Richman writes: We are grateful that Pastor Scheiermann is willing to come here to share his work in "laying....that choice stone, the precious cornerstone" (1 Peter 2:6b) upon which his and our churches are built - Jesus Christ. Saratov, Russia on the great Volga River was the center of a large immigration of Germans, most of whom were farmers who were needed to establish an agricultural base for Russia. As the political climate of Russia became more threatening, tens of thousands of those people we call German-Russians or Germans from Russia, came to the United States. Though many settled in the Midwest, they are spread over other parts of the country. Welcome Pastor Scheiermann! Pastor Alexander Scheiermann, Saratov, Russia: A Brief History My forefathers came to Russia from Hesse, Germany to Saratov (Yagodnaya Polyana) in 1763. My parents were deported to the Omsk, Siberia district in 1941. I was born there in 1967 and grew up during the Soviet era. It was a very difficult time. We children were strongly pressured to join the Communist party. I was the only one from a class of 44 who did not join. I didn't own a Bible until I was 21. Our parents possessed a German Bible but we children understood very little of it. I tried often to gain possession of a Russian Bible, but never succeeded. The Communists destroyed both church buildings and Bibles, but we still had one alternative: Christian radio programs from Western Europe and North America. The Communists jammed these broadcasts; nevertheless, I was often able to hear God's Word in the evenings. These radio broadcasts were my congregation. I knew that Christ was my salvation and justification. After I met Christ as Savior, Lord, and Master when I was 16, I always had a desire to learn more of His Word. I was drafted into the Russian army when I was 18. Living with other soldiers helped me understand how depressed and broken many young men were. Because I was a German-Russian, they didn't trust me with a weapon. The one time I was allowed to fire a weapon, they had two soldiers with rifles pointed at me "in case I would try something foolish." The desire to learn God's Word was finally fulfilled when my family immigrated to West Germany in 1988. Irene, who also grew up in Omsk, Russia and I were married in Germany. Two years later, I was able to study theology in Chrischona, Switzerland. In 1995, God called us to return to Russia as missionaries. My wife and I have three children: Rachel (17), who lives with Irene's parents and is studying in Germany, Andreas (14), and Daniel Josef (6). Our hearts' desire is to bear witness to Jesus Christ to the people of Russia. My goal is to see my people come to a living faith in Jesus Christ and to help build His church there. Thank you and God bless you, Pastor Alexander Scheiermann Pastor Alexander Scheiermann and family moved to Saratov, Russia in 1997. Since his arrival, the church has grown from almost nothing to an attendance of about 60 people. The building project is nearing completion. Pastor Alexander Scheiermann is also District Supervisor (Dean) over six different congregations in that region. The East European Missions Network (EEMN) is grateful to be able to partner with Pastor Alexander and to provide the opportunity for you to meet him and hear his story. Your contribution will go to support his ministry as well as the construction of the new sanctuary and church center in Saratov. Your contributions are tax deductible and can be made out to your local congregation or "Missions Committee" at First Lutheran Church (18354 Eighth Avenue NW, Shoreline, WA 98177). Please indicate that you would like the donation to go for the Alexander Scheiermann ministry, but note that due to IRS regulations, his name should not appear on the check. EEMN is called to evangelize in the formerly Communist countries of Eastern Europe and to help rebuild the Church of Jesus Christ. Address: East European Missions Network, 2111 Golf Course Rd SE, Suite C, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. Phone: 1 505 990 1639; Pastor Richman's Phone: 1 952 888 3510.