IRR/TV's Ministry in Different
Countries
The
continued focus of IRR/TV has been Russia, the CIS states
and the over 100 forgotten people groups of the former
Soviet Union. Through a network of TV stations the potential
viewing audience in Russia and the CIS is 60 million
per week.
IRR/TV has offices and staff in St. Petersburg, Moscow,
Kiev, and representation in Minsk, Volgograd, Ufa, the
Murmansk area. IRR/TV's North American offices are in
Vancouver and Minneapolis.
IRR/TV broadcasts into China through Pearl-TV. These
programs are seen throughout Hong Kong, Macao and the
southern areas of mainland China.
IRR/TV broadcasts to Middle Eastern countries on ME/TV
and SAT-7.
IRR/TV recently finished producing a 52 part TV series
in the Farsi language. Today, 90 million people speak
Farsi.
IRR/TV works closely with indigenous workers of Russia
and Asia representing 20 of the over 100 peoples practically
forgotten by the outside world. IRR/TV has also produced
programs in sign language for Russia's over 10 million
hearing-impaired viewers.
Difficult Times in Belorus
A
few weeks ago we had a rare opportunity to meet two
people traveling from White Russia. One was a student
and the other a Pastor. Both had the same story to tell.
Change is in the air, the new laws and restrictions
are dominant topics among the people White Russia. The
new national security law and law on religion have greatly
reduced many organizations level of activity.
Here's the Pastor's take on the situation: According
to the new law on religion only those organizations
and churches that have been registered for more than
20 years are allowed to continue operating in White
Russia. Realistically this means that only the Orthodox
Church which has historical agreements with the government
qualify under these rules.
All other organizations have now lost their registered
status and are deemed illegal. The law states that the
right to hold services are only for registered groups
and organizations! This Pastor's church has been registered
for the past 9 years but that does not count any more.
According to the new law they are not allowed to meet
in their own church building any longer!
Another large congregation, with 900 members, had purchased
a warehouse from the government and had been renovating
it over the past few years for their use. Now the government
is about to take back the building. It is not a matter
of a business transaction but a simple confiscation
of their building.
You cannot even hold services nor read the Bible or
worship God with friends in your own home. If neighbors
report such activity to the police you are faced with
a 10 day jail sentence and large fine. This happened
to a Pastor who held services in his own home. The Pastor
and others continue to hold services despite these threats.
