Friedensau, the Gaidischar Brothers and the Pastoral Ministry in Russia

Did you know that the Friedensau played a key role in training Russian pastors for ministry in their own fields? Aside from the numerous students who went on to become pastors and evangelists, the story of the Gaidischar brothers whose selfless and sacrificial ministry in the then Russian empire is closely tied to their training at the Friedensau Mission School.

Around 1905-1907 a Russian Department was opened at the Friedensau Mission School aiming to train ministers who would serve in Russia. The result was a flock of Adventist missionaries who served and preached not only in the central part of Russia, but also in Transcaucasia, Central Asia, and Siberia were trained in Friedensau.[1]

For instance, in 1907, Ferdinand (Fyodor) Adamovich Gaidischar (1879–1941) came to study in Friedensau. After two years, he returned to Russia. Ferdinand Gaidischar went on to become a Bible Worker, pastor and administrator in Moscow, Caucasus, Odessa and in the City of Kirovograd.[2] At some point in his ministry, Ferdinand Gaidischar and his family had to flee to Germany as a result of the repressions and persecution of Christians. Even when they returned, they were sent to live in exile.

Interestingly, the brother of Ferdinand Gaidischar, Johannes (b. 1886) also studied at Friedensau. He began his studies on the same his brother Ferdinand graduated. Two years later, in 1911, after the completion of his studies at Friedensau, Johannes returned to Russia. Johannes served as a pastor, evangelist and writer in Russia, Siberia, and Kazakhstan. Johannes played a key role in the establishing and organizing of the Seventh-day Adventist churches in some of the regions of the Far East. However, he died a martyr due to the repression of Christians in Eastern Kazakhstan.[3]

The lives of Ferdinand and Johannes Gaidischar is an epitome of selfless service and commitment in doing God’s work in times of difficulty. It is noteworthy that the Friedensau Mission School contributed to the training of these two men of God.