Nations within a nation

Imagine getting off the train in the heart of Siberia at -30 C, wearing only a T-shirt. You make your way to the bakers who invited you up from Uzbekistan to work, only to be told there is no work now and have the door slammed in your face. You don’t know the city you are in, but manage to find some of your fellow countrymen who offer you a place in their small container at the edge of the city with four others. This is how Abdu Salom came to be in Novosibirsk and living on the building site next door to the newly built OM Russia Discipleship Centre. And he is not the only such migrant worker in the city. During the spring, summer and autumn months, Novosibirsk is home to hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from Central Asia: Uzbeks, Tajiks and Kirgiz. 

In 2010, two things came to our attention in Novosibirsk. First of all, many of these workers have come from countries where it is impossible to share the good news freely, whereas in Novosibirsk there are no such restrictions. Secondly, after phoning the leaders of local congregations, it was clear that although there was a desire to engage with this huge ethnic population, no one had a plan how to start. As far as we know, there is currently no work being done specifically in this area.

It was clear that although there was a desire to engage with this huge ethnic population, no one had a plan how to start...

In order to begin a ministry to migrant workers, who at home would have very little chance of hearing how they can obtain eternal life, we decided to invite a short term team from Kazakhstan. For two weeks, this team of four young people worked tirelessly to build contacts and friendships on the markets, and at the same time to work alongside and train local believers to continue this work. They gave out literature in their local languages to over 200 people and were received warmly, invited into people’s homes and had the chance to explain how to inherit eternal life.

They gave out literature in their local languages to over 200 people and

were received warmly, invited into people’s homes and had the chance to explain how to inherit eternal life. 

Mahmud was keen to welcome the team to his stall at the market time and time again, providing them with free watermelons, and inviting them to meet his friends in the evening outside the building where he rents a room. He and four friends were invited to a special meal cooked by the team to mark the beginning of Ramadan, and enjoyed an evening of Central Asian food, singing and fellowship.

These dynamic young Kazakhs have since returned home, but they leave behind them a small team of local believers who are committed to following up the contacts made over the two weeks, and to developing the work further. We welcome more such teams and individuals interested in living in Novosibirsk on a more permanent basis, to further develop and lead this work amongst migrant workers. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

OM’s role in the Church is to mobilise people to share the knowledge of Jesus and His love with every generation in every nation. OM pioneers and leads initiatives to redeem lives, rebuild communities and restore hope in over 110 countries.