July 2009 Innercircle Perspective

The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children’ (Acts 17:24-28).

This passage from Dr. Luke’s pen in Acts 17 serves to explain the Lord’s purposes behind the global financial distress and related political developments that defy reasonable explanation, and continue to beleaguer all the nations on the earth. The Lord raises up nations and takes them down to get the attention of the people and brings them to Himself. It is time, dear brothers and sisters, that those of us who are believers begin to see these developments for what they are. We are on the brink of a phenomenal worldwide revival. It is time to direct our attention to the groping lost around us, and the groping lost around the world, especially in the lands of Russia where once again the persecution of believers is also on the increase.

Throughout my heavy travel schedule, I have never before had more encouraging witnessing opportunities. Men and women from all walks of life in all the nations are having difficulty coping with the developments. Their investments have been demolished. Their career opportunities have been challenged. Their futures are suddenly uncertain. Even their health care in the future is now in doubt. Nations are worried about essential natural resources and a new health issue has rattled the planet. Nations long preeminent are losing their influence and other nations are rising in stature.

Where will it lead? What does it all mean? Quite simply, my dear brothers and sisters, it is a wonderful eternal development. God is saying that it is time for people everywhere to turn to Him. It means that Christ is aggressively building His church and even the gates of Hades will not prevail against Him. It is time to seize all the unprecedented Gospel opportunities that surround us.

And once again, I want to again express my deep appreciation to you, and to all our SGA faithful partners, whose prayers and sacrificial support in the press of uncertain times, are serving to sustain our ministries for the glory of Christ in the lands of Russia.  Thank you so very, very much for continuing to stand with us, as we celebrate 75 years of Bible and church-based ministry with the main focus being upon Russian-speaking people who have suffered greatly. Even today, global economic reversals have hit them much harder even than we have experienced in America. Pray especially for Irpen Biblical Seminary, Odessa Theological Seminary, Minsk Theological Seminary, Novosibirsk Biblical-Theological Seminary, Almaty Bible Institute, Dushanbe Bible Institute, Surgut Bible Institute, Kursk Bible Institute, and the 18 Antioch Initiative training centers.

Please pray for the 350 SGA-sponsored zealous church planters, and for the Lord to provide new sponsors for more than one hundred faithful brothers who are ready to be sent. Pray for the dynamic Russian youth movement, the wonderfully evangelistic Blagovestie music ministry, for the leaders of the Baptist Union of Russia, and for all the leaders of the Euro-Asiatic Baptist Federation. All of these are outstanding ministries and devout brothers and sisters in the Lord — most worthy of your prayers and your support.

And . . . soon it will be time to join with other SGA partners in Chicago to celebrate 75 years of great and mighty things that God has done through our precious partnership and for His glory. The dates are September 25-27. Please put it on your calendar. Details will follow.

In the meantime, may the Lord continue to bless you and all your loved ones, beyond measure, as you serve Him faithfully.