Pastor returns to congregation following time in Russian jail

Pastor Phillip Miles relives his experience in Russia with his church today.  It is the first time he’s had a chance to talk to his congregation in Conway. 

Hundreds of people piled into the Christ Community Church in Conway Sunday morning.  July 13 was a special day for these church-goers.  They finally had their pastor back.  When the time finally came for the service to start, he was greeted with a very warm welcome.

He did remind everyone about something else though.   

“This is not about me, this is about the wonderful Lord we serve,” (which was promptly followed with a load roar of applause).

The service began as usual, but Miles then took about 45 minutes to explain to everyone in his church, just exactly what he’d been through.  He was arrested in Russia back in April for carrying ammunition into the country.  It was supposed to be a gift for another pastor he was visiting.

“I was just agonizing, just not knowing what this 27 years investment that i made here in Conway.  What’s happening to it right now?  So, I had to pray, and I had to worship, and I just had to keep my mind on the Lord, just so I wouldn’t worry and fret over things.“

One of the more difficult experiences Miles talked about was not just in the cell, but while he was being transported.

“If you can imagine cramming people into a van, into a space like this; this deep corridor, you have to hump down and walk all the way to the back and sit down on these benches, and they just pile these people in on top of you.“

Miles’ story touched the people in his church, and they’re just glad things are back to where they were.

One church member, Annette Carle, has been going to the Christ Community Church since the early nineties, and she says, “We are just elated, I mean, we’re just praising God, we’re happy, we’re excited, we’re everything, I just can’t even tell you how we feel today.“

It’s a feeling many of these church-goers have been waiting for months to express to their pastor.

Miles made his return from Russia this past Thursday, July 10.  He won his appeal case in Moscow, and was released.