As we are reported earlier, Valera and Narina (dear friends and colleagues in the Ministry Coaching Network initiated by ICM Canada in 2008) are now serving in St. Petersburg. They first opened up their Family of Churches to our ministry over fifteen years ago when they were living the Caucasus region of Russia.

They are now involved in a church plant and in various capacities serving families and teaching the Word. The pastor they work with recently wrote the following:

Dear ICM Team,

My name is Hansie and I’m the pastor of Hope Christian Centre in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Valera and Narina have been part of the ministry in our church, since they moved to our city two years ago.  

 They lead our couple’s ministry where they aim to strengthen families by teaching on a variety of topics and by building relationship with many of the families.  They have also been active in raising up new home group leaders where the focus is discipleship and mentoring leaders.  We really enjoy Valera’s preaching and Narina’s translation too!  It’s a joy to serve alongside them!

May your team be blessed,

Pastor Hansie

With her educational background and language skills, Narina has been asked to work with a local International school. Nancy (Jeske) has been working with special needs children in Canada since returning from Berlin in 2005. She recently had a video consultation connecting several of her contacts with the principal of the Intl school, in order to explore how they could serve the teachers and parents.

In 2010 Nancy joined Phil on a trip to Russia as Narina had arranged for Nancy to teach parents and school officials in the Caucasus  (southern Russia) regarding some basics of being a support for parents of Down Syndrome children and how to best serve those with this condition. Often in that culture these children and their parents are ignored as people don’t know how to deal with them.

Of course, as believers, we value all life and believe that God has a purpose for every person. After this seminar, many of these parents felt so cared for and loved that they began attending the church and eventually made Jesus their Lord. A care group for parents continued long after the seminar.

Now that Valera and Narina are in St. Petersburg, Nancy and her team have the opportunity to be a resource for the parents and teachers of special need students in this Intl. school where Narina is serving. The school began as a school for missionary kids, but now also has students from families of expat business executives in Russia.

In addition to her work at the school, Valera and Narina continue to serve in various capacities as ICM MCNet Coaches using our materials, from discipling new believers, mentoring young leaders, and serving at risk families. Thank you for your prayer as the team serves needy families in the Intl. school as well as for Narina and Valera as they serve families in St. Petersburg, Russia.hat culture these children and their parents are ignored as people don’t know how to deal with them.

Of course, as believers, we value all life and believe that God has a purpose for every person. After this seminar, many of these parents felt so cared for and loved that they began attending the church and eventually made Jesus their Lord. A care group for parents continued long after the seminar.

Now that Valera and Narina are in St. Petersburg, Nancy and her team have the opportunity to be a resource for the parents and teachers of special need students in this Intl. school where Narina is serving. The school began as a school for missionary kids, but now also has students from families of expat business executives in Russia.

In addition to her work at the school, Valera and Narina continue to serve in various capacities as ICM MCNet Coaches using our materials, from discipling new believers, mentoring young leaders, and serving at risk families. Thank you for your prayer as the team serves needy families in the Intl. school as well as for Narina and Valera as they serve families in St. Petersburg, Russia.