The Goal of the Gospel: Reaching Lost Children, Youth and Adults for Christ

Editors Note: The following article was published in SGA’s February 2012 edition of InSight. This website version contains material that was not included in the print edition for space considerations.

When you consider all the ministries sponsored by SGA partners across the lands of Russia, sometimes it can get confusing. Supporting missionary pastors in their evangelistic, church-planting labors . . . sponsoring Orphans Reborn workers as they reach orphan children with the Gospel . . . reaching needy and unreached children during the Christmas season through Immanuel’s Child and other outreaches . . . sponsoring Bible training for future pastors, youth leaders and Christian education workers — it truly can be overwhelming to consider.

But the Bible-preaching churches we serve wouldn’t have it any other way. Whether the church has been long established in a region, or is a new congregation, the goal is the same: to reach the lost with the Gospel . . . making the most of the opportunity (Colossians 4:5).

Russian orphans respond to God's love with great joy.

Yevgeny Dushakov is an SGA-sponsored missionary pastor in Russia’s Mari-El Republic. In the city of Ioshkar-Ola, he and the faithful workers in his church are visiting local orphanages. And they are impacting more than just the children . . .

“We have been able to have wonderful Christmas meetings with your help, and after those we get ready for Easter outreaches. We are happy that each time we visit the children and their caregivers in the orphanages, they treat us with more and more confidence, and we can share Christian values and truths with them. One of the vice directors of the orphanage began to profess Christian values. She wants to communicate with us and she asks many questions. We have known her for many years and only now are we seeing the results of our prayers and labors. Praise God for the opportunity to see the exciting fruit of ministry.” 

In another orphanage where other brothers associated with Yevgeny work, a program was conducted called “Myths about Life.” As a result of hearing the Gospel, 18 orphan teenagers began coming to the church and half of them were baptized in the summer of 2010. Yevgeny’s teams try to find every new opportunity they can for Gospel preaching, and are excited to see the fruit. The support of SGA partners has helped make it all possible!

Yevgeny communicates a vital truth to seeking teens ... His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

Reaching Into the Community

Yevgeny has also had opportunities to speak to young men in Ioshkar-Ola who are already successful businessmen and represent various companies. They have grown up in a self-centered culture, and as he witnesses, Yevgeny speaks to them of how important it is to think of the needs of others, and to have a spiritual foundation in their lives. He also has opportunities to speak to students at local schools, and they often ask him very serious questions about life. The topics vary, but all are based on Scripture and the importance of the Word of God as the only solid foundation is stressed. Right now, more than 20 teenagers are involved in these lessons, and Yevgeny feels that this is a wonderful opportunity to help rescue them from the consequences of a godless life.

“Recently, I received a message from a young man who used to attend our church, but then drifted away for various reasons. God continued to work in his heart, and now he wants to come to the church again. But he feels ashamed to come, and we have been communicating through email. His example assures me of the fact that God’s Word is never sown in vain (Isaiah 55:11). It will bring forth its fruit in due time!

We are going to visit children in the orphanage again in the next few days, and we will be discussing the biblical topic—“whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” We want to prepare the children for adult life when they have to leave the orphanage. We also plan to hold a tent camp for the graduates. Please pray with us for the resources and the opportunity to do this. It is very expensive, and we appreciate all your prayers for this project.”

Yevgeny and his church members are thankful for SGA partners and their faithful, prayerful support . . .

“We thank you, our dear friends, brothers and sisters, for your concern for us and for our ministry. It is great to know that other Christians are praying for us and taking part in our ministry. We thank God for you, and may He bless your ministries and your churches!”