Key Figure in Russian Adventist Television Has Been Killed, Say Leaders of Independent Ministry
By AT News Team, March 2, 2015: At a meeting on Sabbath (Feb. 28) in Florida convened by the Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) it was announced that the brother of the executive director of the organization’s affiliate in Russia has been “assassinated,” sources have told Adventist Today. 3ABN is an independent ministry based in rural southern Illinois.
Julia Outkina is the executive director of 3ABN Russia based in Nishny Novgorod, according to the organization’s Web site. Her brother played a key role in the establishment of the television ministry as the first Christian television network in the country, according to comments at the Florida meeting by Danny Shelton, founder of 3ABN, and Pastor Jim Gilley, the current chief executive officer.
3ABN Russia broadcasts three hours a week on the SETI NN television station in Nishny Novgorod. SETI NN is one of 200 local television stations across the country in the REN-TV organization, according to Wikipedia.
3ABN Russia broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the Internet. There are 36 staff members that produce more than 50 programs, as well as operating a Bible correspondence school and producing music albums.
“This may very well be the end of 3ABN in Russia,” Shelton was quoted by sources at the meeting. He is reported to have told the gathering that a powerful political group has been attempting to “take 3ABN Russia for their own use.” It is unclear precisely what that statement means, but sources present at the clear impression that this was the motivation for the killing.
Wow. Maybe I’m looking too much into this but has this anything to do with the recent assassination of Russian political opposition figure Boris Nemtsov?
And can anyone provide a snapshot of the SDA Church in Russia? For example, I was led to believe that there is an Adventist in Putin’s Cabinet, meaning Adventists would probably be treated ok by the authorities? However, I’ve also heard the Russian Orthodox Church has in recent years taken a more active stance against other denominational groups?
It was Boris Nemtsov. I was watching Friday night when 3ABN opened their Winter Campmeeting live from a location in Florida. Shelton’s initial remarks conspicuously omitted the name, but later 3ABN President Jim Gilley said it was Nemtsov. After that Shelton and others mentioned his name.
According to Shelton, Nemtsov at first was opposed to allowing the 3ABN on the air, but later became a strong supporter.
It will be interesting to see how far Vladimir Putin goes in pursuing those associated with Nemtsov.
Until the true facts are known, speculations are just that. The cross will be the way for many in these last days. Soldiers of the cross will carry on the battle against God’s enemies. Money, politics, religion– the theme for which great cost are ultimately extracted; rewards and punishments.
AMEN
After reading this INACCURATE AND SENSATIONALarticle, today, March 3, I have phoned 3ABN in Russia and talked to Olga Lemzina, as well as the director there.
Here is the TRUE story of 3ABN in Russia:
Nemcov was a politician in Russia (with less than 1% vote for him during the last couple elections). He was murdered in February. The murder is most likely done to try to provoke instability in Russia. Nemcov’s sister, Yulia Utkina, is the director of 3ABN. Nemcov had never had any interest or investment with 3ABN. 3ABN had NO connection to Nemcov or his political party what-so-ever. BTW, Nemcov’s party is doing fine and there is NO persecution of any sorts against them and never has been. Yulia Utkina and everyone else in Russia is sad with what had happened but they are trusting the police to do their job with finding the murderer and are slowly getting back with their lives. 3ABN in Russia is NOT expecting and NOT experiencing ANY pressure from any political party. 3ABN in Russia is planning to continue its work. As a matter of fact the 3ABN workers in Russia were VERY surprised to hear such rumors and reassured me that they doing fine and are going to continue their work in Russia!
I am concerned with the political statements coming from our Adventist sources! We, as Christians, need to ask God for meekness, wisdom and the truthful spirit before making any public statements, otherwise we are in danger of provoking hatred, misunderstandings and antagonism.
With a lot of prayers,
Lana Kapiniak
P.S.
Here is the phone number of the 3ABN in Russia if someone desires to get the information directly from them (you’d need to speak Russian ;0): 0117-831-27-99-2222
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Thanks Lana for putting the record straight.
You are very welcome… we don’t need the media brainwashing to get into our Adventist world… we know better… ;0)
Lana,
Thank you for the inside information. Things always look different from a distance and through the lens of media reports.
I am praying for the stop of the Cold War propaganda in our western media, William. As Adventist we need to be so careful not to be led by misinformation because the result is fear, hatred and destroyed relationships. Lots of prayers for our minds!
Lana, what specifically is inaccurate in the story above? Were you present when Shelton and Gilley spoke?
What’s inaccurate:
1. NO Adventist or someone supporting Adventist was killed
2. 3ABN in Russia is SHOCKED at Sheldon’s claims that 3ABN in Russia is in danger of closure. They have been working peacefully and are planning to continue to work peacefully.
I am not sure if Sheldon is just irresponsible with his statements or if he is trying to raise some money…
I hope the telephone conversation is accurate. However, what else could the ABN staff say? The telephones are no doubt tapped, and they are watched closely. Russia seems to be losing its freedoms under Putin–back to the old days.
EM, your view of Russia and Putin is as far as from the truth as the East is from the West.
As far as the telephone conversation is concerned, you are welcome to phone 3ABN in Russia yourself [DELETED BY REQUEST], or better yet to go to Russia and visit 3ABN there, as well as to look around at the free and peaceful country.
with prayers ;0)
Well said.
The “Carter Report” website has commentary on this issue which might interest some readers.
Hi everyone, I am Svetlana Wolkoslavski from Russia and I have to say that what Lana Kapiniak writes is much more innaccurate than what is written in the article. I also know Olga Lyamzina (not Lemzina)and I used to live in Nizhny Novgorod and was involved with 3ABN. Boris Nemtsov played very positive role in establishing 3ABN as a local governor of that time he provided all possible administrative and spiritual support. He played the same role in protecting Carter’s evangelical meetings. Lately he was the only real opposition figure that could confront Putin and he was killed for this. The bad news is that (I would say) around 50 percent of Adventists in Russia are brainwashed nowdays and they believe Putin’s propaganda and support his actions in Ukraine. PLease be aware of that.
Thank you Svetlana. So was is the general position of Adventists in Russia today. Do they face any sort of Government persecution or are they left to worship freely? I guess that includes whether 3ABN is allowed to run?
Steve, why don’t you contact 3ABN in Russia and ask them yourself: [DELETED BY REQUEST]
Russia is a free country that’s why people like Ms.Wolkoslavski can openly put down her own country, its leader and even her own country man, calling them brainwashed… I find it sad..
The plot thickens. 50% of Russian SDAs support Putin, presumably the other 50% support the Nemtsov opposition. And why not? He supported them in every way to establish 3BN, and even provided security for Carter’s evangelistic programs. If the above posts are to be believed, ie.
No wonder 3ABN is worried for the future of its Russian affiliate.
Is this why Ellen said SDAs shouldn’t get involved with political parties?
Meant to add. Generally, support for Putin is running at 80% of Russians. So a group (not sure of the total number of Russian SDAs) in which only half its membership supports Putin is likely to be noticed.
Channel 3 Local News in Southern Illinois as well as Channel 12 came to the Three Angels Broadcasting Network Headquarters located in Thompsonville. They covered the story well.
http://www.kfvs12.com/story/28254190/nemtsov-killing-impacts-heartland-through-unique-tie
http://www.wsiltv.com/home/top-story/Murdered-Russian-Opposition-Leaders-Ties-to-Illinois-294922141.html
Why would SDAs even take passionate sides on political issues. Haven’t they’ve read 1 samuel 8? Governments are the creation of a mindless mob nothing more. We have set out to be apolitical because we can’t win our cause through the auspices of governments. That’s the reason why we behemently support the separation of church and state.
I don’t understand why you think this is political. A close relative of the victim works there.
It’s a bigger problem in the US where so many SDAs join with and promote one party or the other and even cause divisions in the church over it.
So a politician, prominent for his criticisms of Putin, is assassinated & the motive was the destruction of 3ABN?! This is descent to a less than honest fundraising scheme.
Amen 😉
I think you got this a bit mixed up. No one said he was killed because of his support of 3ABN. He was killed as an opponent of Putin. The fear is that 3ABN could be targeted since his close relative works there. It has nothing to do with fundraising!
just to clear things up… the moon is NOT made of green cheese but cows have been reported jumping over it.