SLAVIC GOSPEL ASSOCIATION

A Festival of Evangelism

January 25th, 2010

SGA-Sponsored Church Planters and Their Labors

Alexei Alshevsky
SGA-sponsored church planter in Voropaevo, Belarus

We praise God for the summer that has passed, as we were able to hold our evangelical festival along with Vacation Bible School, a youth hike sponsored by churches throughout the Vitebsk region, and other events. I want to tell you about the festival, which had the theme, “There Is a Way Out.”

This festival was a joint effort of several evangelical churches helped by SGA. Each day, the Gospel was preached, testimonies of the Lord and His mighty works were shared, and many songs of worship were sung. We did everything we could in this opportunity to reach the hearts of sinful men, and lead them to repent before God. And our purpose was achieved, as many people repented and trusted in Christ for their salvation. They were also shown the truth that our churches are not “sects,” as is widely believed, but rather churches that know the true God and just want to tell others about Him. Young people who had been forbidden by their priests came to all of our events, and took part in our discussions about God. One local public school official even said to us, “This festival in our area is a wonderful thing. Every citizen should come. I am a Christian belonging to the Orthodox Church, but your words reach everyone. Thank you!”

Each day, there was a puppet show for children, and theater groups from different churches told stories that explained Christian values to the children in a simple and easy to understand manner. Each day there was some surprise for them. On the very last day, each child received children’s magazines, Christian books and a toy.

We had put up posters around town, and many parents came with their children. A young mother named Nastya said, “We decided to come and see, as everyone is talking about your shows.” Every day, children from a local kindergarten came to watch, and the heads of the kindergarten organized these visits, even though in general they are usually against taking children to Christian events organized by evangelical churches. One of the teachers said, “Our children are not spoiled by puppet performances, but all parents unfortunately can’t afford to spend money on them. But this is very important. Your performances were free of charge, and all our children, with no exceptions, could come and watch. The shows taught children kindness and moral values, and the teachers also liked them. Thank you very much!”

Our VBS also had a great response. There were 59 children who attended, 12 that attend our Sunday school, and 47 unbelieving children. At the end, all of them repented and asked God to forgive them. We give thanks to God that the hearts of many children who had not been to our church before now “burn with fire” to come. Our purpose is to tell the children that Jesus Christ is the only Savior. And the children invite their friends and classmates to come. Praise God!

There is much more I could share, but there is not enough room. Please pray for us, and please continue to support our ministry. Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).