Gospel Expedition

The transcontinental Gospel to the Nations of the World — also known as Gospel Expedition ‘07 — has been a long-awaited event in Russia’s capital of Moscow. Churches prayed. Pastors received permission from local authorities for public meetings in the city. It was decided to divide the city into three areas — south, center and north — and to have evangelistic events in all these regions.

June 10 arrived at last, and the cyclists left Obninsk. They were to cover not more than 100 km. All the while, churches in the south of Moscow were preparing the stage for the meeting in the Park named after the October Revolution, near the Vernadsky Prospect Metro station. They decorated the concert stage, the children’s playground, put New Testaments on the tables along with other Christian books, prepared bottles of free mineral water with the inscription, “Jesus Christ is the Living Water!” It was 11:00 a.m. and we were ready to start. It was cloudy. Only a few people were in the park and even fewer kids. But prayer brings miracles! The cyclists arrived and sun began to shine brightly. The team was met with bread and salt.

Preaching in the Park

Kids who always love to walk filled the park, while grandmothers went out to sit on their favorite benches. Praise God! The evangelistic program was rich. It began with a puppet show presented by the Good News church, then a youth choir from Moscow Second Baptist Church sang, followed by music from the group Inheritance, solos and testimonies, followed by preaching the Gospel and a call to repent.

The children were especially cheerful with plenty of things to do — competitions, lots of balloons, and sporting events. All these activities were accompanied by joyful children’s songs about Christ. Many young people arrived at the park on their own bicycles. It became a blessing for everyone. Brothers and sisters gave out invitations, Christian newspapers and New Testaments, and told the people about Christ, sharing their testimonies. Other pedestrians left their cigarettes behind in exchange for candies. They smiled, intrigued by such an idea. But they were ready to do it, throwing cigarettes away and taking candies instead. It was great for the grandmothers, who read Christian newspapers, to see happy children and their parents, who unexpectedly were present at such a holiday.

Moscow’s Historic Central Baptist Church

Time passes very quickly. It is time to go downtown to the historic Central Baptist Church. A youth team from churches in Moscow and the surrounding metro area joined our cyclists — approximately 30 people. We formed a beautiful line and went forward! Pedestrians stopped, cars honked their horns, and everybody was waving their hands at us — it was good and pleasant to wheel along. We carried the banner of the Gospel along Moscow’s streets urging people of this huge town to repent.

Russian UECB president Yuri Sipko and regional UECB vice president S.N. Zolotarevsky gave a blessing for the Expedition in the Central Church. We heard the singing of angels (the 3rd choir of the Moscow Central Church). Leonid Kartavenko reported on the Expedition’s progress, and when he invited all the elderly sisters “to bike with us in prayer,” they unanimously answered “Amen!â€?

Evangelism at Golgotha Church

At last it was time for the north part of Moscow, where they were waiting for us at Golgotha Church, pastored by UECB vice president Dr. Piotr Mitskevich. The journey there was more difficult because of heavy rain, but young people continued to wheel alongside with the experienced cyclists on the team. Two police cars joined us and all traffic lights became “green� for us.

The cyclists were met by a brass band and prayers of blessing were offered. The members of the Expedition shared their testimonies, while a music team called “Peacemakers” led the music ministry. Then we held a competetion for the youth — bike football, an obstacle course and bike stunts.

Many unsaved young people attended. I talked for a while with some boys who at first smoked and said bad words. They did not want to listen to me, but still did not leave. Then we talked. They had such a mess of concepts in their heads! They listened as I shared about Christ who died for them, that God lives not only in beautifully decorated temples, that Jesus loves them. O Lord, help them to open their hearts for You!

O Lord, bless this city, bless this country! Give us revival!

Catherine Kolesinskaya