“Krysha” is a Christian movement, bringing together hundreds of businessmen and young professionals in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Krasnoyarsk. It all began in 2006 with a small group of people who were striving to build their personal lives and careers on the foundation of Christian values. However, we quickly discovered that the majority of the people in our offices and companies were interested in questions of “spirituality.” This does not mean that our colleagues share our faith, but that we share a natural sense of curiosity - “in everything I strive to reach the very essence, in toil, in soulful search, in the romantic turmoil.”
The majority of us are from the “perestroika” and “post-perestroika” generations. We did not grow up in Christian homes, and if we have come to God, it was a done conscientiously as an adult. We have had to discover many things in Christianity for ourselves all over again. Among us are Russian Orthodox and Protestants alike. God has given us a second chance in life, by grace through faith we are give the gift of salvation and repentance. It is for this very reason, that we take the initiative to tell others about the love and forgiveness of Christ. We understand that words are not enough and so we strive to live lives filled with the Holy Spirit so that the words of the Gospel would be visible in the daily affairs of a transformed life.
We do not impose our convictions on our friends and colleagues. We simple believe that success in life is measure not only by the material acquisition of “cars, apartments, and summer homes,” but by one’s spiritual life as well. For it is far too easy to compromise when life doesn’t have that “one thing” and while you meet the goal through compromise, you nevertheless have lost your heart. Our convictions make a huge impact on our professional success. Therefore, it is important for use not only to pay attention to our skills and what we can do, but also to what we believe. If you would like to know more about the basic principles of the Christian faith, you can always check out our section “It’s not that simple…”
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
We do not separate people into “believers” and “non-believers” and work so that all of our events are interesting to the one group and understandable to the other. We all live in the hectic pace of life in the big city, which is characterized by a high level of stress. None of have very much free time and so we strive to make sure our meetings are dynamic, consistent, deep and practical
For those who have never been to one of our meetings, more than likely, attending one of our parties “Bringing down the Roof,” our business seminar “The Art of the Impossible”, or a monthly meeting “On the Roof” would be the best option for a first time visit. At our business seminars and monthly meetings we present the topic, which we will discuss in-depth at our discussion groups “Under One Roof.” If you are interested in the questions we present at the business seminar or monthly meeting, come and join us at one of our groups, where in a warm, homey atmosphere, we can discuss the topic in depth. You can always find a short description of what we are discussing currently at our discussion groups in the “Now at Krysha” section of this site.
“What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it. Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
I Corinthians 9:18-23
The growth of an individual is far more important to us than the numerical growth of the ministry as a whole. As a result, we try to create steps on a path of spiritual formation for the participants of the movement, and not isolated programs. It is very important for us to be one team, one fellowship of people who love the Creator and because of our passionate love for Him, we in response show this love to those around us.
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
I John 4:9-10
We are working to see this movement of businessmen and young professionals, building their lives on the foundations of Christian values, broadened to exist throughout our country so that in every office, a person knows someone who truly is committed to Christ.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20
We strive to serve the entire Body of Christ. However, we acknowledge that need to carefully determine the essential aspects of the ministry, and once having these determined, defend them. Such fundamental aspects are the inspiration and inerrancy of the Scriptures, as well as truths which relate to the person and deeds of Jesus Christ. This is the central point of our theology. Our doctrine is based on the creed accepted by the Ecumenical Councils, from the first Nicene in 325 A.D. to the second Nicene in 737 A.D. We hold to doctrinal truths which are shared by Orthodox, Protestants and Catholics.
The Inspiration and Inerrancy of Scriptures The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God's infallible written Word, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks. While we believe the words of the Scriptures are God’s Word, we believe that the Holy Spirit is required to correctly understand and interpret the Scriptures.
“..and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”
II Timothy 3:15-17
The Deity of Christ We believe that the eternity-past existence of Christ is clearly revealed in the Scriptures. This has a direct relationship to the truth of His deity- that He is fully God as He is fully man. In the Scriptures, the Son of God is limitless in His person, eternal in His existence and equal with the other persons of the Trinity.
“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation…”
Colossians 1:15-22
Substitutionary Sacrifice of Christ He lived a sinless life and voluntarily atoned for the sins of men by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who trust in Him alone
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”
Romans 3:21-26
Confession and Forgiveness We believe that when a person accepts Jesus Christ, he, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is in Christ. In this living unity, a believer is declared righteous, and through confession is forgiven all of his sins, past, present and future, and he has complete and immutable access to God.
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds".
Hebrews 10:19-24
A Christian, unfortunately, will still sin and this can cause feelings of guilt and alienation that quench the Holy Spirit and become a reason for a believer to lose his awareness of his condition in Christ. Personal confession of sins helps a Christian experience God’s forgiveness and grace.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
I John 1:5-10
All quotes from the Bible are taken from the New International Version.
