The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is the international organization, or alliance, consisting of eleven former Soviet Republics: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. In addition, CBN works in Turkmenistan, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. CBN WorldReach’s ministry to the region has its headquarters in Kiev, Ukraine, with offices also in Moscow, Russia, and Almaty, Kazakhstan. Operations are conducted under CBN’s foundation "Association Emmanuel."
The primary strategy of CBN CIS is the creation of original TV programs and adaptation of CBN programs for local audiences. A state-of-the-art studio facility provides the opportunity to develop local programs. There are currently six different weekly programs in production. Along with the airing of TV programs on more than 100 TV stations, the center has a large correspondence department to handle audience feedback. Since 1990, more than 13 million letters have been received. Two telephone call centers handle phone calls from 11 time zones. They've also partnered with a local ministry in Kiev, perekrestok.tv, that also provides news stories and other content from that part of the world via the Internet.
To adequately respond to the need for discipleship and church planting in the region, CBN partners with 19 Christian Unions all over the CIS to train pastors and establish cell groups. As a result, more than 10,000 new churches have been planted and more than 80,000 cell groups have started, more than one million believers.
In tandem with TV broadcasts, CBN CIS has a concert department that performs evangelistic productions in churches and meeting halls across Ukraine. The team has performed almost 900 concerts, resulting in thousands of people coming to Christ.
Humanitarian outreach across the region includes distribution of aid, funding, and educational support of orphanages and an adoption program. Regular medical clinics reach out to remote villages and in addition, CBN CIS runs a free, permanent medical clinic in Kiev and three soup kitchens in Ukraine.
In 2005, CBN CIS started an FM radio station called “Emmanuel Light Radio.” This station is the first station in the Ukraine capital with a Christian format. They broadcast a variety of Christian music and programming for children, youth, and adults. It also has “call in shows” where guests discuss current social issues. The radio station is available on the Internet and plans are in progress to take it nationwide over the airwaves in Ukraine.
