In American cities, one is likely to find a church on nearly every corner, all in different shapes and sizes. But what about at the ends of the earth?
Today I returned to Namtsy, which is in the Yakutsk region of Russia. The region is the size of India with a little under one million people … and only 800 believers. There in Namtsy, one searching for a church to find answers – or a place to worship – will find only one small church led by Pastor Andrei and his wife. There you will find a sanctuary, kitchen, brick furnace and children’s area all in one 20 x 20-foot room. About 20 faithful believers – saved from atheism, shamanism, astrology, the occult, and worldly self-indulgence – make up the congregation.
Through faithful Bible teaching, discipleship, and children’s ministry, Pastor Andrei and his wife reach out to this community of 10,000 where life is harsh and winter temperatures drop to 60 degrees below zero. Through the SGA-sponsored Reach Russia Now effort, we have provided Andrei with training, through the Antioch Initiative, along with much-needed resources for outreach.
What a joy it was to spend time with this godly man, his devoted wife, and their faithful church family as they each talked of how God has been at work in their lives. What a joy it is to be a part of what God is doing by His own hand at the ends of the earth. Thank you for your prayers and faithful partnership that help make it possible.