SLAVIC GOSPEL ASSOCIATION

Reaching the Ufa and Pskov Regions with Christ’s Love

March 8th, 2010

A report from Jess Miller

In July 2009, I had the privilege of taking another trip to Russia. The purpose of the trip was twofold. First, we went to the Ufa region for the graduation ceremony of the SGA-sponsored Antioch Initiative training ministry in Bashkortostan. The second was to investigate the Pskov region for the possibility of beginning another Antioch thrust there. On the long journey over, I prayed and asked God to let me see what He wanted me to see and hear what He wanted me to hear. I asked Him to feed my soul as I met and interacted with those whom we are laboring to serve each day here at SGA. I was not disappointed.

In 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Paul explained how God had put him on display as an example of the power of God to transform sinners into powerful servants of Christ. In Ufa, I saw the Scripture’s words come alive. My heart was filled with joy as I met with former alcoholics, drug addicts and ex-convicts — all of whom were now faithfully serving the God who had so mercifully saved their souls. Each had been transformed from sinner to servant, and were now pastors, Bible teachers, prison ministers and youth workers. They all had a passion to reach the lost in the Muslim-dominated region of Ufa.

Graduation day in Ufa

The Antioch Initiative graduation ceremony was a special treat. Sixteen faithful brothers had completed the required 16 courses taught by North American pastors and received their diplomas. The diplomas represented many hours of study in courses such as Hermeneutics, Homiletics and Biblical Counseling. Each class was designed to equip the men to teach the same biblical material to many other faithful men, so that together they can take the Gospel to all the cities, towns and villages of the Republic of Baskortostan.

We spent the last couple of days in the Pskov region. Pskov is heavily Russian Orthodox, and is considered one of the least-reached regions in Russia. In one town of about 8,000 people, we were able to spend time with a faithful couple named Sergei and Alona. They are the only known believers in their entire town. When we arrived, they were preparing for a Christian day camp to minister to the youth in their neighborhood. While we were talking with them, local officials arrived and began questioning them about their upcoming day camp. Although the officials decided to allow Sergei and Alona to hold the camp, what we saw was just a sample of the increased pressure believers throughout Russia are experiencing on a daily basis as they faithfully serve the Lord.

Sergei and his wife, Alona

Finally, we met with a number of pastors and deacons in the Pskov region to discuss the possibility of forming a new Antioch Initiative partnership that would connect them with a coalition of North American churches. This partnership would consist of Bible and ministry training to equip existing pastors and missionaries to teach others, financial support of church planters, and help with evangelistic outreaches. We were thrilled as these men told us that a partnership such as this would be an answer to their prayers. The regional pastor had been very concerned about how to find such training for his men. He also sees the vital need of financial help to equip and send missionaries throughout his region. God has been preparing their hearts for the Antioch Initiative!

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is through the generous support of faithful partners like you that we are able to continue serving the churches throughout the CIS, as they press on to reach their own people with the Gospel message. There is still much work to do across the lands of Russia. Nine out of ten cities, towns and villages are still without a faithful Gospel witness. Now is the time for more North American churches to rise up with zeal, and help the Lord’s faithful churches in the former Soviet Union reach their nations for Christ!