Partners who have been a part of SGA’s ministries for some time know about the various outreaches they help support—Bible training, children’s ministries such as Summer Bible Camps, Immanuel’s Child, and Orphans Reborn, plus Compassion Ministry, distribution of Bibles and Christian literature, and others. One foundational reality behind all these ministries is this. The faithful missionary pastors, church workers, and churches that SGA supports across the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and in Israel are the ones who own and carry out all of these ministries each day. Their effectiveness is seen through the various kinds of fruit that their ministries produce.

Fruit does not always mean large numbers of people responding. As the Lord directed, Gospel seeds get planted by His people with all who will hear. The germination of the Gospel seed is in the hands of the Lord, who . . . causes the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). Some men, women, and children respond immediately to hearing of God’s rich mercy and grace through Jesus Christ. With others, it takes steady, committed cultivation over time, sometimes even months or years. God is sovereignly working in those people according to His timetable. And one day, that individual who has been the recipient of patient, loving ministry finally believes, repents, and trusts in Christ alone as Savior and Lord.

Our brothers and sisters rejoice in this fruit, and they themselves are reaping a harvest of joy and thanksgiving as they see God working—both through them and in the hearts of the people they are reaching. Their joy and faith is undimmed even in the midst of great challenges and hindrances put in their way—often by other religious groups or governmental authorities who are opposed to the ministries of evangelical churches. But the opponents of the Gospel never have the last word, and never will. The Lord will build His church, and nothing will stop Him. Praise God that we get to be a part of it!

For our Savior,

Eric Mock
Senior Vice President of Ministry Operations