Evangelizing Karilov

Last year in September you might remember that the team went to Karilov to do evangelism. If you recall that trip you will remember that I had to run and hide from the police because I did not have the proper visa to be involved with religious activities. But have no fear, this September we went back. This time, however, I went without fear because now, praise the Lord, I have all the necessary papers. Because of all the problems we had last year we decided not to make it such a big event, so not draw too much attention from the authorities. This year we brought a much smaller team and simply went out into the streets of Karilov and nearby villages, Jesus style. We just hung out with people and shared the love Jesus.

The first place we went to was a small village called Chaozara and there went door to door, preaching to those that would receive us. We layed hands on and prayed for many people for healing and other needs. It was a great time. Several people received Christ.

In Karilov we walked around the town and parks, trying to catch people with the gospel. One afternoon, Sveta and I were able to invite a group of teens to the church. We all shared our testimonies and the love of Christ. Keep these kids in prayer, they know the gospel, but don’t want to repent. Yura and I also had the great pleasure of spending a good hour or so with a man from Cherepovets talking about salvation. Yura told his testimony and I was able to share some parables, explaining their truths. At first he was quite closed off, but it did not take long till he was all ears. He and his girlfriend prayed Jesus into their hearts. It was great to see the change in his eyes. I continually pray for this man. Also Yura, Igor and I were blessed to be able to lead a man named Sergey into the kingdom. He said he was tired of the life he has been living and could not get out. We shared with him about the love and power of Christ. We lead him in the sinner’s prayer, and we were blessed to see him come to church the next Sunday. Keep him in prayer too. It did not take long for the enemy to bring attack on him. Days after he prayed he was surrounded by people trying to get him drunk and convince him we are a cult and want to take his house.

Over all we estimate more than 20 people prayed Jesus into their hearts. It was a great time. Please keep the souls of those that heard the gospel in prayer, and those that prayed that the Lord would change and direct their lives from this day forth. Pray that this would be the beginning of their new lives in Christ Jesus.click here to see more pictures

Going to the Streets

Go out and preach the gospel. Is that not the calling on the life of every believer? Jesus said that you shall witness unto Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and into the whole earth. That is what we are doing every Saturday here in Cherepovets. For the past few months Abner, Valentine, a small team and I have been going around the neighborhood near the Light of Hope Children’s Center, preaching the gospel. So far people have not been very receptive, but we have had the wonderful privilege of seeing some people come to the knowledge of Christ and pray Him into their hearts.

Russia is hard ground and it is weird to see how people can be so afraid when you come up to them with a smile and try to start a conversation. But this is all the more reason why we need to preach the good news to the lost and dying. We are going out into the worst part of Cherepovets. Though it is not uncommon to see drunk people walking around in all parts of Cherepovets, it is uncommon not to see several walking around at all hours of the day in this section of town. Here is where all the poor, drug abusers, alcoholics, and criminals live, Jesus’ kind of people! There are times when we wonder if what we are doing is worth it, but then we think about how every sound of every step we make carrying the gospel, and every word of the gospel that we speak, is a beautiful sound in the ears of the Lord. It is a great pleasure to know that we are fulfilling the calling of our Lord and that He is pleased in what we are doing, as we are completing the great commission of Jesus. I, and the entire ICM-Russia team, believe that starting here in Cherepovets we will be able to carry the gospel into all of the Vologda region, into all of Russia, and beyond!

You can join us in this. Just as the Lord takes pleasure in the sound of our feet and the words of our mouth, the sound of your prayers are a sweet incense that the Lord longs to smell. Join us in our mission in prayer and fasting. The Lord loves to see His body of Christ working in unity, and will listen to every prayer. Thank you for your prayer and your support, we couldn’t do this without it!click here to see more pictures

Home Group

I moved to Russia two years ago last September. During the first year I always struggled with the feeling that I was not doing anything. It seemed I was doing what I came to Russia for. I have since realized that I was in too much of a hurry. I have been learning the language and culture while getting established in Russia. This understanding has really helped me understand that I was not doing nothing, even if seemed like I could do more. I was very blessed when the opportunity finally came to do more.
Abner has been teaching a home-group study for some time now, and decided it would be a good idea to have two home-groups going at the same time so that people do not have to travel so far. So we have both been teaching a home group on Thursdays. I lead one, with the help of Sveta, at my apartment, and Abner leads the other one at Olga’s apartment. We have been going through the book of Revelation. It has been a blast. It is rather difficult for people, since it seems like no one is willing to touch the book here in Russia. People are really confused about prophecy and how it fits in the life of believers. But we are trucking through and people are getting it.
It is a huge blessing to see people learning more about who Jesus is. The more you can know Jesus, the closer you will become, and hopefully, the more you will love Him. I love teaching the Word, and I thank the Lord for this opportunity to minister to Him and His people. Next I would like to some who start teaching more people how to study the Bible. People need to grow in Jesus personally if they are to really become close to Jesus and walk strongly in the Spirit.

• Please join me in praying for the group of people that gather at my apartment every Thursday, that their hearts would be open to and affected by the Lord.
• Pray I would have the wisdom and understanding to lead the study in such that people are lead to Jesus, not just the knowledge of Him.
• Pray that I would be able to teach people how to study the Word and raise up more strong believers and ministers.
• Pray for the strong presence of the Lord and His Spirit during our studies.

Sveta doing a great job translating.

Abner sharing his thoughts on a day when he had to cancel his group and came over to mine.