Lifeway’s ESL classes offer pathway to Christ

Pastor Mishin has made supporting immigrants a priority because “it is a practical way to show the love of Christ to people in our community who are culturally marginalized and need help the most.”

March 10, 2021
LaVeta Jones

Close your eyes and imagine leaving all things familiar: your home, family, friends and surroundings along with its flavors and culture and being transported to a new culture and language, surrounded by strangers and calling that place ‘home.’ That is the life of an immigrant and that is why Pastor Ben Mishin and the Lifeway Church in Philadelphia have intentionally sought to love this population through ESL classes for the past ten years.

As a first generation immigrant from Moldova, a former republic in the Soviet Union, Pastor Mishin intimately understands the immigrant experience, moving to the U.S. with his family in 1995. Upon arriving in Philadelphia they joined a Russian-speaking congregation. This connection enabled them to develop friendships which were key in assisting them in navigating a new culture.

After becoming a pastor, Mishin began offering ESL classes around 2010. “Being an immigrant myself and knowing many immigrants, I understood that learning the language is an absolute necessity for every immigrant. As a church, we wanted to help people in this need,” he explains.

It’s difficult to say how many immigrants have passed through Lifeway’s doors for these past 10 years, however, based on the average attendance each semester, the number would be around 600. About twenty plus of them have become members Lifeway. This past January four students made a public profession of faith through baptism.

In addition to ESL, Lifeway also provides citizenship consultations, food bank services, employment assistance and job references.

Immigrants face many challenges when coming to America. “Language is the greatest challenge. But they need help with filing for a Social Security number, taking a driving test, finding an apartment, and medical and car insurance,” Mishin says.

Lifeway’s ESL students are from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Albania and other countries.

However, according to Lifeway’s youth pastor Yaroslav Narovchenko, there has been a reduction of Russian and Ukrainian immigrants right now. More people are coming from Central Asia, such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, etc. Most of them are Muslims and they speak Russian in addition to their native language.

Like most ministries, Lifeway’s ESL has been impacted by COVID-19, resulting in the cancellation of classes for a period of time. The classes now take place at 7pm on Thursdays and each includes a brief Bible lesson. Since rebooting this year, there are less people willing to learn English.

Despite recent challenges Lifeway continues to love like Jesus. “Through this ministry many unchristian people have an opportunity to learn more about Jesus and about the local church. Through this ministry we have an opportunity to share the Gospel with the people who never heard Gospel before,” says Narovchenko.

In what practical ways is your church showing the love of Christ to the 14 million people in PA/SJ who do not have a personal relationship with him?

LaVeta Jones

LaVeta Jones is a community outreach event coordinator, freelance media producer and communication consultant. She has coordinated events with the school district of Philadelphia and elected officials. She also works extensively with the faith-based community and the Philadelphia Police Department and has taught community policing workshops and presented for department press conferences. LaVeta, who earned a bachelor of arts in film and media arts at Temple University, graduated Summa Cum Laude and served as class valedictorian, began working for BRN in 2007, where she has assisted in telling the stories of our BRN churches.