By God’s grace, a new ministry among Slavic immigrants is opening in the city of Alicante, Spain. Missionaries serving in Spain have been praying for a long time about opening a Slavic church in this city, and now the time has come when the implementation of this project has become possible.
Alicante is a large historic city with a population of about 360,000 people, of whom approximately 6.6% are refugees from Ukraine, 5.1% from Romania, and 5% from Russia. The Slavic population here is significant, which drew the attention of the missionaries. At an October meeting of missionaries from surrounding cities, under the leadership of Dmitry Murkin, the coordinator of the recently established Association of Slavic Baptist Churches, it was decided, together with the Spanish Union of Baptist Churches, to open a Slavic church here. The local Spanish church provided a facility for meetings, the Lord moved the heart of Brother Kirill Bezikov and his family to relocate there permanently for ministry, and as of today Kirill Bezikov and Dima Murkin are holding regular meetings and services there.
It is not an easy task to start a church in a new place. There are not yet church members who can consistently support the ministry, while needs arise immediately. Ministers, equipment, finances, Bibles, hymnals, and much more are needed. The newly opened church in Alicante is no exception. Support is needed—and substantial support—since life in this city is not inexpensive. Both the Spanish Union of Baptist Churches and the Pacific Association of ECB have actively joined this project, but prayerful and financial participation from many churches is needed for this project to be carried out and for the new church to develop.
If the Lord moves you to take part in this project, get to know those who have begun the ministry there—click on the links to the names of the ministers: Kirill Bezikov and Dmitry Murkin—and join in prayer and financial support of the ministry.
Olga Avetisova
