March 2021
Dear Friends,
No one cares how much you know, ‘til they know how much you care.
Lately, those words have been echoing through my mind.
Real ministry takes places as the truth flows out from one heart to another. It doesn’t start in the head. Ministry starts in the heart.
Real ministry is heart to heart, or it is not real ministry at all. As I look at our ministry to those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and remember the moments these broken people sit around our dining room table and tell us some incredible stories of pain and heartache.
You know, almost every day, I hear another grim statistic or heart-wrenching story about the post Soviet countries:
● 45% of the people who attend traditional Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings never return after their first meeting.
● 95% never return after the first year.
● Based on AA’s World Services’ own statistics Alcoholics Anonymous has only a 5% retention rate
We have a place for those broken souls. Our Kurgan Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center is helping to transform the lives of those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.
The Bible points to the importance of counseling Roman 13:14 “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Prov. 24:6 “…for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers”.
By working and applying these Biblical principles, minds become open and spirits become liberated. God then begins “to do for us what we could not do for ourselves”. Those suffering have the opportunity to then become free from addictive, compulsive and dysfunctional behaviors.
This freedom gives way to peace, serenity, joy and most importantly, a stronger personal relationship with God and others.
One young man, Alexander, from Kurgan area, would seem to be a person with absolutely no hope.
Our professional staff consists of Christian men and women, trained pastors and counselors (including several counselors who are in long-term recovery). Each brings his own experience and training which is complemented by our structured ministry.
By challenging and inspiring a person to awaken within themselves a desire and commitment to change, he can build the foundation necessary to begin the journey to return to God. Currently, there are 48 clients at the Center.
Rescue, Renewal and Restoration
The word about the center has spread beyond the Kurgan region borders. Lost people from all over Siberia, the Ural Mountain regions, the Irkutsk, Chelyabinsk, Ekaterinburg and Perm regions are asking to be placed on our waiting list.
God knows each one of us, intimately, and has unique purposes for each of our lives.
Thank you for helping us to reach those broken souls with the Love of God!
The prayers, encouragement, and material support of Russian Missions partners have had a major part in all the wonderful developments of our rehab programs.
It was your financial help that made possible the purchase of the rehab house in Shadrinsk that now serves as home for our clients.
It is your prayers that the Lord is answering day after day as the Gospel goes forth throughout this once forgotten land and opens the hearts of the lost.
Remember, real ministry begins when your heart touches their heart.
No one cares how much you know ‘til they know how much you care.
May the Lord bless you with an abundance of His joy and peace.
Gratefully,
Pastor Vitali Yuchkovski