The Stumbo Family – Russia

Connect With the Stumbo Family

Name: Mark Stumbo
Address: PO Box 116 Saint Petersburg, Russia 199178
Phone: 011-7-921-910-1665
Email: stumboinrussia@yahoo.com

About

The Stumbo family arrived in Russia during the winter of February of 1997. They came with two sons, Jordan, who was 9 years of age and Luke, who was 2 months old. Brother Stumbo arrived in Russia about 6 months earlier to begin language training and to prepare for the arrival of the family.

The country had just experienced a great change in government after the collapse of the Soviet Union and they found a nation that was in the throes of great transformation. They settled in the city of St. Petersburg and with the help of the Lord began their mission work.

The Calling

Brother and Sister Stumbo felt a burden to work for the Lord in foreign lands while attending Apostolic Bible College in Memphis, Tennessee. It was here they were exposed to missionaries all over the world and received a great love for lost souls in other countries.

After they graduated from Bible College, they were married, and began to seek the will of God for their lives. They moved to Medora, Indiana, and served under the pastorate of Brother M. L. Walls and were blessed by his ministry. The 12 years in Medora and the three years at Bible College proved to be a valuable time of training and preparation for the work of the Lord that lay ahead.

After 12 years of praying for the Lord’s will to be done, doors began to open for them to go to Russia. In 1996 the Stumbo family was approved by Rev. L.P. Upton and the World Missions Board and sent to fulfill their burden in this field of labor.

The Church Work

Currently, the Stumbo family is pastoring a church and directing the Bible College in the city. Their vision is not only limited to their present location, but expands to other churches in the nation of Russia and the Ukraine as well.

The church is located in the city center. They are currently using the new location that was purchased by the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ in 2006. Repair is one of the utmost concerns as they desire to entirely renovate the building for the use of the church. It has been an ongoing project since the purchase and they are still uncertain when the repair of the church will be completed. Also, they are in the process of commercializing the building so that it may be brought up to city code.

The church was founded in the year 2000 and continues to be a light to the city as well as the Bible College, International University of Biblical Studies. Through these ministries many doors of opportunity have been given to see souls touched and lives changed through the saving power of Jesus Christ. The Lord has been mindful of the prayers of the church and has poured out His spirit upon them again and again.

The Bible College is in the process of placing their courses online at www.OnlineBibleCollege.ru as an outreach to the Russian speaking people around the world. The Bible College is a wonderful tool to be able to transmit to others the importance of salvation through Jesus Christ and the Acts 2:38 experience. They are extremely grateful for all that the Lord has done in this nation and for the prayers and concern of the saints back home in America.

Religion

Russia’s main religion is the Orthodox Church. According to a recent poll; 70% of Russians are Russian Orthodox, 6% Muslims, 1.5% Protestant faith and 1% Catholic, 0.1 Buddhist faith and 0.08 Judaism. Though roughly 70% of the population claims this religious faith, many rarely attend services or participate in the various celebrations of the church. It is primarily a faith of convenience and not of conviction. Russia needs your prayers for Apostolic revival throughout this nation.

Social Life

The living standards in St. Petersburg are still a little lower compared to the rest of Europe. The average salary at this time is around $800 – $1000/month. However, those on retirement must live on approximately $350/month. Population decrease continues to be a problem. During the past several years there has been a decrease of 1 million a year. However, in 2009 some optimism was shown with an increase in 10,000 people; bringing the population up to 141,900,000. Also, immorality takes a toll on the nation as it leads Europe as the highest in abortions annually (after Romania) with 13 abortions to every 10 live births. The average life expectancy for men in Russia is 61 and women 74. Many attribute the low life expectancy for men to heavy drinking, smoking and stress related symptoms.