Eric Mock
SGA Vice President of Ministry Operations

I’d like to share another brief, inspiring story from my visit with Pastor Mikhail Sherrin in Krasnoyarsk.

After the service, Pastor Sherrin told me that he had a difficult visit to make to a local hospital. It had been left to him to tell a member of the church that he only had days to live, rather than the doctors telling him. Ivan is suffering from cancer, and the cancer is advancing.

Ivan’s family met us there, and we sat down to visit with this young man. He said, “I am praying that God heals me, so that I might return and serve at the the church. I want to help with construction. But if not, I know that I will see heaven and my Savior.” I reminded him of the the Apostle Paul’s words, “for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” (2 Corinthians 5:7-9)
We shared encouragement from God’s Word, and Ivan just smiled. Ivan has fixed his heart on Jesus and he has been taught of the joy of knowing the Lord through one of the many faithful Bible-teaching churches SGA serves. And he walks by faith, and not by sight. Please pray for Ivan and his family, as well for Pastor Mikhail and his church as they share the Gospel in Krasnoyarsk.

Eric, Ivan (center), Pastor Mikhail (right), and a family friend brought comfort to Ivan, who may be facing his final days.

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