Christianity alive and well on campus in Belarus

Twenty years after declaring its independence from the Soviet Union, the political leadership of Belarus is still clinging to its Communist past. But on the nation’s campuses many young Christians are eager for their country to take a different direction.

Christina, left, and Katya are two Christian students in Minsk who hope their faith will influence their nation’s future.

At the State University in Minsk, students Katya (20) and Christina (25) are active in Credo, a group helping students to find a living faith and make a positive contribution to their culture.

The Bible Society of Belarus provides Scriptures for groups such as this one.

As well, it provides Bible Encyclopaedias and reference books for university libraries.

Many students read different translations of the Bible as a part of ‘cultural studies’ in their courses.

Both young women are excited by the Bible Society’s publication this year of the first complete Belarusian Bible for 80 years.

Having read the New Testament, Katya says it’s much more accurate than previous translations, and the introductions to each book are gems of information, given that few commentaries are available.

This article is from The Word at Work – Autumn 2011.