Church Stops Issuing Russian Mission Calls

According to BYU NewsNet, the Church has suspended mission calls to serve in Russia's eight missions for North American Missionaries. Church spokesman Rob Howell said that all of the missions are fully functioning, if not overstaffed. There are a couple other factors that likely influenced the decision.

1. Visas are becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain. Missionaries have had to travel to neighboring countries to renew their visas. This would require several days to complete and was expensive.
2. The number of converts has declined in recent years. When the Church first went into Russia in the early 1990s, many converts joined the Church. Today the Church's growth is comparable to other Western European countries despite the fact that eight missions are in the country.
3. It would be easier for missionaries to serve in Russia who either are from Russia or other neighboring countries. Hence the announcement was only for North American missionaries. North American missionaries, however, form the bulk of the missionary force in Russia.

Aspects of the preaching of the Gospel are going forth in Russia. New branches have been created recently. Some districts are close to maturing into stakes and it is likely more districts will be created where there are not any currently. Hopefully any problems will be resolved with the government and visas so missionaries can continue to proselyte in the 9th most populated country in the world.