Andy and Stephanie Nelms founded Four in the Fire Russia Ministries, Inc.
in 2007, although the ministry that started as Four in the Fire
Ministries began
in 1995, when Andy and Stephanie led their first mission trip to Russia.
They lead short term mission trips to Russia for the purpose
of bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who do not know Him.
They organize one or more VBSs each year for the Russian children as
well as host Bible studies and English as a Second Language classes.
Stephanie is a software developer working with NCR in Duluth, Georgia.
Andy has been a software developer for 31 years, and is currently in school
retooling so to speak. He is acquiring new skills and sharpening old skills
to become certified as a Web Designer. He also serves in part-time ministry
here at Four in the Fire Russia Ministries.
Andy Nelms said, " We both feel that God called us in 1995 to do
part-time ministry work in Russia. We have worked many years with
Pastor Volodya Kochelev in Alexandrov to help him with his ministry,
but now we will be working with many churches." They met the
Kochelevs in December 1995 on Andy's second mission trip to Russia.
That was Stephanie's first trip and their first trip together.
At the time, the Kochelevs lived in Kolchugino, a small town about 100
miles northeast of Moscow. In December of 1998, the Nelms' traveled
to the city of Alexandrov, a city of about 100,000, and helped the
Kochelevs plant a new church.
In December of 1999 and December of 2000, they returned to Russia
with friends and continued
the work of teaching the new Christians and evangelizing others at
the church. Then they returned again in July of 2002 with 15 Americans,
the largest group to that date.
About 80 children attended a vacation Bible school and about 16
adults attended a nightly Bible study.
Approximately half of the children who attended the VBS professed
faith in Jesus Christ for the first time that week. The Nelms'
said "With children you can't be sure if they completely
understood, but some of them believed and that made the trip
worthwhile."
Pastor Volodya Kochelev and his wife Nadya Kocheleva are pictured
to the right. This was one of their more serious moments. We were
touring Red Square at the time.
Andy and Stephanie returned again in December of 2004, 2005 and 2006.
"On each trip we see further spiritual growth among those who
have been worshiping and working in the church in
Karabanovo since 1998", said Andy. He gives praise to God
for the growth of the church in Karabanovo and for growth in his and
Stephanie's ministry.
When
not in Russia, which is most of the time, Andy and Stephanie attend
NewBranch Community Church
. Both have hosted and facilitated a small
group fellowship/Bible study on Sunday evenings. Andy has a new business venture
serving churches and small groups called
Agape Small Groups. The business site is
under construction. We will probably open for business in late
2010.
If you are interested in a short term mission trip to Russia, you may
read about the trip in the
letter of invitation
.
Andy and Stephanie Nelms