Last Christmas makes me excited for what’s coming!

I am glad this month to be able to share Pastor Yaroslav Machinsky’s article on his local Immanuel’s  Child outreaches this past Christmas. As he notes in the article, my wife Erin and I were blessed to be a part of these outreaches in several Ukrainian villages including some in the Chernobyl region.

The tremendous fruit that we observed while in Ukraine was a vivid reminder of how important your prayers and support are to faithful missionary pastors like Yaroslav. He had begun planting churches in the stricken Chernobyl region years ago, and now one of the daughter churches he planted is eagerly sharing the Gospel and conducting their own Christmas outreaches among needy children in nearby villages! God’s wonderful chain of grace continues to change young lives for eternity.

As we prepare to support the upcoming Immanuel’s Child outreaches this Christmas season, it is also exciting to review the statistics from last year’s ministries. You’ll see that in addition to the children reached, hundreds of adults have also been impacted and reached with the Gospel. Many have begun attending church and are getting saved as they hear the Gospel message being lovingly shared with their children. What began with Immanuel’s Child continues on throughout the year with discipleship, home visits, Bible studies, and warm fellowship in the love of Christ.

None of this could happen without you, and I am ever thankful to God for your wonderful partnership in the Gospel! Please pray in advance for this year’s Christmas ministries, as well as for all the other ministries of SGA that go forward year round.

Michael Johnson
President