Dates

• Existence: 1987-

Biographical Statement

Though its efforts started earlier, Keston, USA was incorporated in 1987 to further the understanding of religious life in Soviet nations and to support human and religious rights of Christians living in Communist countries. It was founded as the American affiliate of Keston College and Keston Research in Oxford, England. Keston College/Research was founded by Rev. Michael Bourdeaux and became the premier research and information source for information on religious affairs in the USSR. Since the "fall" of communism in Russian and Eastern Europe, Keston College/Research has continued to highlight religious persecution in this region.

Inspired by these efforts, Keston, USA serves the needs of Keston Research by facilitating the dissemination of current and accurate information, promoting religious freedom and promoting inter-religious dialog, cooperation and understanding.

Keston, USA has served as co-sponsor of scholarly conferences and has partnered with other ministry organizations to provide on-going expertise for Christian efforts in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Keston USA, published the Keston News Service, a bi-weekly compilation of news and analysis of current religious situations and individuals. This publication ceased publication in 1991. Keston, USA also distributed Keston Research publications Right to Believe, Frontier and Religion, State and Society.

Keston, USA began its work in earnest with the hiring of a full-time executive director, David Ziomek, in 1986. The departure of Ziomek in 1990 and the changes in the political landscape in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe hastened the reduced profile of Keston, USA.

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