This time we’re going to tell you about a stadium in Sacramento (California), which was used as an air base of the USA, but later was occupied by religious immigrants from the USSR. It was built during World War I and for some time American pilots made their practice flights there.
This is the way a roadblock looked in 1955.
During WWII the airfield was very busy, because a lot of planes would take off and land carrying military equipment and soldiers to the battle sites in the Pacific Ocean.
During Cold War, it was the headquaters of the command post of the 320th bomber squadron.
Although in September 1988 the military unit went out of existence, the aerodrome still serves as a flight control post.
When Cold War ended, some of the buildings were sold to commercial enterprises. Although the base contains dangerous chemicals, it is a civil object which accepts loads from all over the country.
In 1998, a Slavic church ‘Bethany’ purchased the health-improving complex for American military men for 5 million dollars. The lot size of the complex was 100000 square meters.
So, now they prey in this building. The sign runs: Enter the Church with His Blessing!
Now over 5 thousand people attend this church, making it the biggest Slavic church in America and the biggest Russian-speaking immigrant church in the world.
‘Bethany’ propagates the Gospels around the world, preserving the Slavic culture and traditions.
‘You are the light of the world!’
Fire Prevention Control did not allow the church to gather too many people in the building, but after long quarrels and multiple tickets, it was redesigned into a church.
Parishioners from Ukraine prevail in this church (80%). Apart from them, there are immigrants from Uzbekistan, Tatarstan, Russia, Belarus, etc. there.
In 2001 a brutal murder commited by one of its parishioners, Nikolay Soltys, shocked the world.
He slaughtered his wife and five other relatives of him.
The pastor of the church immigrated to the USA from Estonia in 1989.
For these immigrants, this church is more than just a church, because different events for children and adults are held here. It also supervises primary school for Russian kids.
American pilots would be really disappointed, if they found out anything like that at their air base.
This giant pool is used as a water reservoir in case of fire.
Kids can swim outside.
They also christen teenagers here.
They organize all kinds of sports events.
They teach that Israel will save all of us, that is why we should respect this country and its people.
Bird eye view.
One can see a huge gap between the generations.
Several years ago, members of this church organized a protest action against homosexuals.
California mass media immediately said thay had homophobia and did not deserve to live in this state.
According to USA Today, it is the biggest family in the world, which has 17 kids. They are Ukrainian and members of the church.
A famous American preacher makes a speech in ‘Bethany’ church.
Location: Sacramento
via drugoeus
Wow something close to home! This isn’t a Ukrainian church its a Slavic church meaning membership is comprised of something like 30ish different nationality’s. Also Mather AFB is still nearby they still have airshows there. I believe some of the pictures are from a new years play since I wan unable to attend last I cant say for sure. And about the Israel save us all is BS it was from a play.
They turned into american rednecks… What a shame!
Legal brainwashing.
They teach that Israel will save all of us. Sorry, Israel will save nobody.
Develop a conscience good and truth, follow its guidance and keep it clear, care for others as much as you care for yourself and we might have a chance.
I also found this very peculiar.
But then, it is amazing how powerful and influential Zionist propaganda runs in US society.
Notice that they are not waving Ukrainian flags, or Russian flags, and not even AMERICAN flags. They are waving the Israeli flag, like most Christian Zionist organizations, and like most Zionist-brainwashed groups. They are not praying for the peace of Russia and Ukraine, the nations from which they originate, but for a foreign land in which they have never set foot in.
You’re right, Israel will save nobody. Israel cannot even save itself without three billion dollars in US-taxpayer annual assistance.
Don’t believe everything you read on English Russia.
Religious people cause overpopulation. 7 billion is too many.
I’ll stick with science and mathematics.
A real Orthodox church isn’t like this. Looks like a typical Southern church, and what makes Israel so special.
YJ in the Christian Bible Israel is called the “promised land” for “Chosen people”. But YJ it is foolish at best and dangerous at the worst to take the bible literally. It is written in correspondence, like the way your dreams come to you. Say in your dream you are looking for a dog ? Could you be looking for loyalty or some other dog like quality ? Almost the whole first half of the bible cannot be taken literately. YJ could Noah have collected 9.5 million species of life for his arch, could Jonah have spent 3 days in the belly of a fish?
And your point is?
That anyone who takes the bible for literal history is immature to say the least.
My question wasn’t relate to the bible. You are going too deep.
Nice church and community center for like minded Slavic people to come together around. To bad about the homophobia, it’s California they damned well better get used to it.
I have to disagree that airmen that once worked at this base would dislike that it is used as a church ground.In America religious freedom is highly prized if anything a former military would be happy to see an old military base being used by others to express freedoms granted to them by the Constitution.I do not really agree with their relgious ideas but they have the freedom in the US to worship how they wish or you can be an atheist it is your right in America.
@(r)evolutionist and non religious people do not have a desire to have sex and have children? This desire in our animal instincts and has nothing to do with religion with or without it we would still be over populated just as other animals can over populate your statement has no logic to it what so ever.
Jimbo I think (r)evolutionist was being funny because yesterday was supposed the day when the 7 billionth person was borne. A few hospitals showed off 7 billionth one.
> “American pilots would be really disappointed, if they found out anything like that at their air base.”
That caption refers to the inflatable space shuttle, not the fact they opened a church there.
you have mixed up 2 different churches. there is one a the old Mather Air Force Base, and you have a few pictures from there, however, the majority of the pictures (including the plan) is at an old olymic training camp in Sacramento. I know because my daughter teaches kindergarten there.
Jim Bowen is the pastor?
I live in the Sacramento, CA area, and this church can be properly called Ukranian because at least 95% of its goers are in fact Ukranian.
There is only 1 inaccuracy here. The picture of the F-106 was not a United States Air Force unit, nor was it assigned to Mather Air Force Base. The F-106 as pictured has the markings of the US Air National Guard from around 1979-1983.
The teenage Ukrainians doing a Russian dance in their US Army uniforms in a closed US Airforce base. Surreal.
I heard so much about this church. I’m from Spokane, WA and we always have great speakers & teachers come to (Center of Life Church) from this church. Thanks for all the support you have gave to my church in Bible School. God bless you all part of this great ministry.