Word: baptiste
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...Russian words were unfamiliar, but the tune the congregation sang was well known to the famous American guest: What a Friend We Have in Jesus. After his Moscow summit talks, President Nixon made a bit more history by attending services in the capital city's only major Baptist church. More than 1,000 worshipers, mostly blue-collar workers, crammed into the hall, and not only because Nixon was on hand. The church is packed every Sunday at each of three lengthy, enthusiastic services. On this occasion the brief sermon by Ilia Ivanov, chairman of the All-Union Council...
...Baptists and the similar Evangelical Christians, who collectively number at least 3,000,000* gained a foothold in Russia a century ago, when Western proselytizers converted pious Christians who were dissatisfied with the Orthodox Church. These groups have since spread all across the Soviet Union, drawing mainly farmers and laborers. Like Baptists in Western Europe and the U.S., they do not baptize infants but immerse persons who decide individually to become Christians. They enjoy biblical preaching and robust singing as much as they abhor drinking and smoking. They differ from Western Baptists by observing traditional church feast days like Trinity...
...first crack in the Baptist community appeared in 1960, after the All-Union Council, undoubtedly under government orders, sent a stringent Letter of Instructions to district superintendents. The instructions barred children from attending services, and told pastors to discourage baptisms of persons under 30 and to avoid proselytizing. A furor ensued, particularly in outlying areas where believers thought the All-Union Council was already too compliant toward the government. Many churchmen also resented having no voice in selecting council leaders...
...book Faith on Trial in Russia, maintains that the movement has given some leverage to the All-Union Council in its own, quieter struggle with the regime. One concession won by the council is that it is now allowed to run a correspondence course for pastors, the first formal Baptist education permitted since...
...weeks ago. Or she can burst with the full flavor of Southern blues, as in Eugene McDaniels' Reverend Lee, which she introduced recently to a Denver audience thus: "Lemme paint this picture clearly. This is about a big, strong, black, sexy [pause], potbellied, Southern Baptist minister, who like all men had a master plan for the ladies...