Christmas Ministry 2010

Reaching Thousands through Immanuel’s Child and Christmas for Orphans

The wonderful fruit of Christmas outreach . .

Again this year, SGA partners helped Russian evangelical churches reach thousands of needy children through the Immanuel’s Child and Christmas for Orphans ministries. This year, 271 churches held outreaches, reaching approximately 13,642 children. Of that number, 396 children (and 140 adults) repented and professed faith in Christ. The reports that continue to come in are exciting and encouraging.

In Ryazan, Immanuel’s Child outreaches were held in seven churches across the region. Pastor Valery Severin reports that children from large and poor families attended, as did kids from orphanages, boarding schools, and even some Roma* children. “About 680 children and 280 adults attended, and most of the children were from unsaved families. We informed the local leaders about our ministry. Such programs help us to overcome prejudices against Baptists, and to reach many with the Gospel. One young mother from Novomichurinsk wrote, ‘We thank all people who participated financially, and who just helped everyone. Thank you for the wonderful gifts.’ A young Roma boy named Mikhail told us how much he liked being in the church, and hoped that he could go there again.” Additional programs were held in a children’s rehabilitation center later on in January, extending the Christmas ministry season even further.

Christmas for Orphans outreaches in the Russian cities of Kaluga and Smolensk were also thankfully received. In Kaluga, regional pastor Igor Nozdrachev and Orphans Reborn coordinator Katya Dementyeva said that youth played a major role. “Kids and workers in the orphanage gladly met our youth team and were looking forward to the meeting. Between the singing of hymns and poems, the children were told of Christ’s birth, and why He came into the world. The orphans did not want to let us go. At the end, we gave out the gifts, which the children were excited and happy to receive. They asked us to come back soon!”

In Smolensk, 450 children at nine orphanages received gifts. The children even wrote thank-you notes …

Thank you so much! It was very interesting. I like the performance and the songs are also very beautiful. Every year, you bring a big celebration to our orphanage.

Vova, age 14

Each visit of the team is a celebration. For nine years, you have made our Christmas a real Christmas, full of love and kindness.

Valentina, age 16

I am so excited. It was super! The performance, the costumes, the music, and my favorite Bible teacher playing Mary surprised me very much. And thank you so much for the presents. How did you know what I like the most?

Andrei, age 11

Lubov Vasilievna, assistant director of the Duhovschina orphanage, also expressed her thanks. “The Smolensk Central Baptist Church is our best friend for a lot of years. They are always the first to help us when we are in trouble, by word and deed. The lessons they organize are a great happiness for us, because they teach the example of a good life, and show the correct way. We are very thankful for your work, your love and care.”

Please continue to pray for these children, and for all who received ministry during these programs. And please, intercede in advance for next year’s Christmas ministries, asking the Lord to help us reach more children with the Gospel than ever before!

* Editor’s Note: “Roma” is the proper name for the people group commonly called “gypsies” in Europe. The term “gypsy” is considered pejorative and offensive, especially by the Roma themselves. We are thankful to the Lord that they are being reached with the love of Christ, which transcends ethnicity and national borders.