The Open Door - The Salvation Army Re-entry into Russia (Paperback)

Miriam Blackwell served in Russia, heading The Salvation Army's Moscow Resource Centre from 1993 to 1996. As a former schoolteacher and editorial assistant at The Salvation army's International Headquarters in London she was keen to communicate the inspiring story of the Army's re-entry into Russia almost seventy years after it had been proscribed by the fledgling Soviet authorities.The first chapter describes briefly the early history of Salvation Army involvement in Russia just before and during the Bolshevik revolution. Next comes a glimpse of the 'thread' of SA influence stemming from those early years but the bulk of the book recounts the story of Salvation Army service being brought to Russian cities during the 1990s by colourful characters who seem larger than life. It is a story of Christian ministry of a miraculous kind, told sympathetically. The response of Russians who have joined this movement is truly remarkable. Sadly, Miriam Blackwell died soon after her manuscript went to press, but this book is a fitting memorial to her and her dedicated service for others. She would be thrilled to see how The Salvation Army is currently progressing despite many setbacks at the turn of the Millennium.