Representing the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of RussiaInnercircle Perspective
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord (Acts 11:21-23).
The summer is nearly over, and my heart is filled with praise to the Lord and gratitude to you and all our partners in the Gospel. Your faithful prayers and generous support have sustained our ministries and encouraged us onward. Our Christian brothers and sisters in the lands of Russia are strengthened by your prayers and enabled by your support. Undaunted by increasing pressures, they continue to press on, preaching the Gospel at every opportunity.
Their relentless resolve and their contagious enthusiasm are a tremendous inspiration. They never complain about the growing opposition, the skyrocketing inflation, or their gasoline prices that exceed ours. From my initial trip to the U.S.S.R. nearly 19 years ago, to my recent visits to 15 churches and two seminaries in Russia and Ukraine, each time I have witnessed the abundant grace of God. Each time I have rejoiced exceedingly. And each time, I have experienced how our partnership in the Gospel constantly serves to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.
My blessed experiences with these wonderful soldiers of Christ point back to my unwitting preparation as a university student studying the Russian language at the University of Pittsburgh. In God’s providence, even before I repented of my sins and trusted Christ as Savior and Lord, one of my university majors was Russian. Then followed my military service and a secular career, seminary training, and service as a pastor and administrator of a Christian college and seminary.
In November 1989, encouraged by my fellow elders at Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, I made my first visit to the Soviet Union. In God’s amazing providence, during my brief three-week visit He brought the Iron Curtain crashing down. It was a life-defining experience for me. I was a guest of the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, a fellowship of Bible-preaching churches who had faithfully endured 70 years of severe persecution. A great number of their pastors and deacons had been imprisoned, and many had been executed or worked to death in a labor camp. They had all been denied higher education and had been limited to the lowest level occupations. However, their love and the sterling character qualities they exhibited had served to win the respect of their co-workers and neighbors.
Their modest homes were filled with Christ’s love. Their converted wood-frame church buildings were much too small. People were standing inside to capacity, and more were standing outside in the snow. But their three-hour worship services were awe-inspiring and glorious. The congregational singing filled the room. Their zealous corporate prayer times were phenomenal, and their choir anthems were heavenly. It was evident that the Lord was at the center of their lives. Their worship flowed from hearts that had paid a great price, yet experienced God’s surpassing grace that they found to be more than sufficient. When a service concluded, no one was eager to leave, and they would all be back early for the next service. And there were up to five services each week.
Nineteen years later, these same wonderful Christians continue their thrilling, exemplary service to Christ. They have never ceased to cause us to rejoice exceedingly. They have constantly encouraged us with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord! And it is your prayers and your support that the Lord is gloriously blessing in the lands of Russia. Now, as the door of opportunity closes, your partnership in the Gospel continues to be vital. We cannot thank you enough!
