News & Stories

Alliance Ministry on Russian TV

May 7, 2009

Sensitive to Chinese university students involved in their ministry, Ron and Wilma Priest (link), who serve with The Alliance in Russia, offered to rent a room so they could celebrate the Chinese New Year on January 25. “Since that’s their biggest holiday,” said Ron, “we told them they could invite friends, and we could spend the evening together.”

The students explained that Chinese tradition was to spend the evening at home, fixing Chinese dumplings with their families. “They preferred a ‘home’ atmosphere with us and asked if just our Bible study group could come,” Ron said. “Because some had gone to China for the New Year, only 18 students joined the celebration.”

Home Away From Home

A local TV station contacted one of the students about airing a feature highlighting university students and the Chinese New Year. The film crew was invited to the Priests’ home.

During the evening, the crew interviewed several of the students and asked why they chose to celebrate their Chinese holiday with Americans. One student responded, “Ron and Wilma’s home is our home away from home. They teach us about God and the Bible.”

As the students prepared the Chinese dumplings, they were asked what the differences are between the Russian New Year and what they are doing. The students replied that Russians drink a lot, but they would not be drinking any alcohol, because they are Christians.

The TV crew filmed the entire process of making the dumplings-all 400 of them-and were rewarded with an invitation to sample the Chinese delicacy.

Learn More

Read about the Priests’ ministry to Chinese university students in alife.

What You Can Do

Pray for God’s provision for Ron and Wilma’s ministry. Also, pray that students who return to their homes will connect with believers and remain grounded in their faith.

Donate to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to support workers like the Priests.