The following letter was sent via email on October 8. It is Eagle Heights’ official invitation to partner with the church in Anan’ev.

Dear Slavik, Sasha & Sergei:

I’m sorry that it has been so long since our last communication. Please be assured that we have been thinking of you, praying for you, and working toward a closer relationship with you. All of us who visited this summer are very well, and trust that it is the same with you.

We have contacted your friends Ken and Nancy Mooney. They speak very highly of you and have been very encouraging to us. It is quite possible that we will be working together in the future out of our mutual affection for all of you.

We talked briefly when we were in Ananiev of the sister church relationships that were being encouraged between our Baptist churches in the U.S. and Baptist churches in the Odessa oblast. We have talked about this, prayed about it, and wish to pursue this type of relationship with the church in Ananiev. We would like to have you and your church consider this as well..

We will be filling out a form that is designed to help you get to know Eagle Heights Church better. I believe you will be asked to fill out a similar form. I have not seen the questions yet, but perhaps it will be useful even though we have talked about our churches at some length.

We understand that there are no set rules for how the sister church relationships must operate. This is something we will grow into together if you desire it. Financial gifts and ministry visits will certainly be considered, but we do not want them to overshadow simple love and mutual concern expressed in encouragement and prayer. Two things seem very important to us. First, we want an understanding between churches that we are very much equals. We have no sense of superiority and no intention of directing your ministry in Ananiev. Second, we hope such a relationship develops to include the entire chuch body both here and there. Lord willing, our friendship will go beyond just the leaders and a few who may visit there in Ananiev or here in Omaha.

I am sending this letter to Larry Odle, our district minister, to Vasily in Odessa, and to Vera in Moscow. I will ask Vera to translate (with my apologies for such a long note). I understand that Ken and Nancy Mooney have been using Olga for translation and I have her telephone number that you gave to me. Vera is busy with a new job and her sister’s wedding this month, but we would like to keep her involved as she was so clearly God’s gift to you and to us this summer. Vera’s email address is (address omitted)

Love in Christ,

Pastor Mike for Eagle Heights Church