Russian-Central African relations are actively developing in various fields, even in the religious sphere. On March 27, 2024, a round table on the topic "The Protestant movement in Russia" was held at the Russian House in Bangui. Prospects for the development of relations between the Churches of Russia and the CAR."
The event was attended by representatives of more than 10 Protestant Central African churches and more than 50 people.
The round table featured the participation of such persons as Pastor Pascal Amitie "ELIM de Zangogna Church", Pastor Alain Bertrand Lazaret "Elim de Begoua Church", Pastor Eugene Bandogna "Elim de Ngaragba Church", Pastor Gaby Tanguy Nguamidou "Elim de Ouango Church", representatives of the youth of the Evangelical Alliance in the Central African Republic, Emmanuel Yangatimbi and others.
The main event was the arrival of the first Russian missionary to CAR Denis Perederiev. He is a priest of the Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals) – the "Church of God" in Izhevsk, which is part of the" United Russian Church" and the "Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith" (Pentecostals).
Dmitry Sytyi, the head of the Russian House, made a speech at the event, recalling that Russia is a multinational and multi-religious country. The head of the Russian House introduced the participants to youth and educational programs, international projects in cooperation with Rossotrudnichestvo, as well as many other tools aimed at strengthening Russian-Central African relations.
After Dmitry Sytyi, Denis Perederiev gave a speech, telling the participants about the history of the Protestant movement in Russia, sharing his knowledge and personal experience, telling about himself and his ancestors, who also stood at the origins of Protestantism in their country. "For a long time I lived in the city of Izhevsk, where the Kalashnikov assault rifle is produced. A few years ago, a prophet visited Izhevsk and conveyed the revelation that as much pain and death caused by these weapons came from this city, so the rebirth, a new life will come from the city. Izhevsk, from Russia all over the world," said Denis Perederiev.
"Subsequently, this prophecy unfolded as follows: a little over a year ago, I was given a revelation that I needed to go to Africa and I began to pray hard about which country I needed to go to. And while watching the movie "Tourist", shot in the CAR about Russian specialists who bravely and selflessly defended the interests of Central Africans at the cost of their own lives, I realized that God was calling me to this country. And here I am," Denis added.
Issues such as the dissemination of the Word of God, the lack of Bibles in the Sango language, and assistance to vulnerable segments of the population such as orphans and widows were raised at the round table. Among other things, the participants of the event expressed concern about the destabilizing activities of foreign missionaries in the territory of the Central African Republic.
Thus, the purpose of this meeting is to emphasize the importance of strengthening relations between the churches of Russia and the CAR. A joint prayer for the peoples of Russia and the CAR became the final chord of the event.
