Church response to new Russia law prohibiting evangelizing outside church

Russia's new law restricting religious freedom will take effect in a few days, but churches are not backing down and refuse to pull out their missionaries.

The controversial law, often referred to as the "Yarovaya laws" because of its author Irina Yarovaya, is a package of anti-terrorism measures that greatly impacts religious activity in the country.

Effective July 20, Christians and people from other religions will no longer be able to share their faith with others outside of church and other state-designated areas. Inviting friends to church, even through social media, email or text messages, will no longer be allowed.

Praying, preaching and distributing religious materials outside the designated areas will be prohibited.

House churches, which are prevalent in Russia, will no longer be able to meet, as the law bans places of residence from being converted into areas used for religious activity.

These are just some of the restrictions the churches will face as soon as the law takes effect.

Thomas J. Reese, chairman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, said the new laws are "deeply flawed" and will "repress religious communities, stifle peaceful dissent and detain and imprison people."

"Neither these measures nor the currently existing anti-terrorism law meet international human rights and religious freedom standards," Reese said in a statement.

If the law will be implemented strictly, it will have a huge impact on missionary activity. Joel Griffith from the Slavic Gospel Association said the measure could stop missionaries from doing their work save for those who are officially registered with a religious group or organization.

Griffith said they are practicing caution regarding the matter. The Slavic Gospel Association is discussing how to best approach the new law.

"Our whole ethos and purpose is to serve the Church," he said. "And our sole purpose for existence is serving those churches."

Sergei Ryakhovsky, head of the Protestant Churches of Russia, said having to secure permits to share one's faith outside designated areas is "not only absurd and offensive" but also paves the way for "mass persecution of believers for violating these provisions."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has also said its missionaries will remain in Russia, but they will "honor and obey the law."

"Missionaries will remain in Russia and will work within the requirements of these changes. The Church will further study and analyze the law and its impact as it goes into effect," the church said in a statement.