One of life’s greatest joys is welcoming a new baby into this world. As Christian parents, our greatest joy is to witness that child be saved through faith in Christ and be a follower of Him all the days of their lives.

Unfortunately, too many parents see their children turn from their childhood faith and instead look to the ways of the world. Some children return to God after only a short time away, but for others it may take a very long time. The waiting can sometimes be very difficult for the parents who pray daily and hope for that return. But God opens eyes and hearts in His way and in His timing. 

Please pray for the many moms and dads who are longingly waiting for their prodigals to return to the church. There is great thanksgiving and joy when a rebellious heart repents and is baptized! Also continue to pray for the faithful missionary pastors who are ready and waiting to lead those hearts in a deeper knowledge of God. SGA Storyteller Natalie shares about two prodigals who have recently returned to the Lord . . .

When we first opened our church, I posted an invitation on my channel for those who wanted to serve in our church. In response to my post, a girl named Nastya called me. At that time, she lived in the city of Barnaul, located in the Altai region. She was a doctor by education. Nastya decided to move from her city to Moscow to serve in our church.

Soon after, she began posting information about our church on social media. A few days later, she received a call from a girl named Anya who had once attended church in Barnaul and knew Nastya. Anya was born into a religious family and had heard about God since her childhood but left the church as a teenager. It was painful for her parents to see their child reject Christ.

Anya finished her education and was later invited to work in Moscow. She lived in this huge city but did not attend church. When she saw a post about the church, Anya remembered how her parents took her to church and told her about Christ. Anya wanted to come to our service. The Holy Spirit began to touch her heart, and she became interested in reading the Word of God. Anya began to attend a small group. We see how God works with her heart. We plan to baptize her.

Also, a young man named Lev attends our church. He also comes from a family of religious parents who minister in their church. Recently, Lev stopped attending church and did not want to hear about God. The youth from his church tried to contact him but nothing worked. He stopped attending services and showed no interest in God. One day, the youth of our church invited Lev to our church service. He decided to come. At the very first meeting, God began to touch his heart and he began to attend services and a small group. I began to help him grow spiritually, and we began to call each other every week and meet to study the Bible. Lev realized his sinfulness before God and repented. We also plan to baptize him.