Please pray that God will keep Russia open for the Gospel. On July 6th, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law labeled anti-terrorism. But the law takes direct aim at religious freedom and went into effect on July 20th. The law limits Gospel preaching to pastors and church officials, limits media and Internet usage, Bible and literature distribution, confines evangelism to a building registered in the name of the church, and specifically bans evangelism in homes. Thus these limitations could force many home churches that preach God’s Word to close their doors. Moreover, it required that anyone observing a violation report it to the authorities.
Russian church leaders call the law unconstitutional and a violation of religious freedom. Please join believers around the world in prayer that God will intervene and revised this anti-Gospel law. Some lawyers see in this law similarities to the laws that were adopted in 1937 during the Stalinist repression of the former USSR. Matthew Henry* reminds us, “In times of great difficulty and great expectation, it is our wisdom to keep our spirits calm, quiet, and sedate; for then we are in the best frame both to do our own work and to consider the work of God.”
I am blessed by a wonderfully encouraging report from Valery Boychenko, Tyumen, and I want to share it with you as soon as I could.
Peace be with you, friends! We rejoice at the opportunity to serve the Lord and do His work on this earth! The amazing thing about God’s intervention, in broken lives, is that He chooses to use folks like you and me to help rescue the lost. Thank you for your partnership. You play a vital role as you pray and give so that we can be our best and do our best. We cannot do what we do without you doing what you do. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you in advance for helping maintain the heartbeat of my ministry…For the sake of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:23).
God is working and you and I are on the frontlines watching and helping in order to reach the lost. We are having a summer that is bearing fruit. Summer camps bring many challenges, especially in maintenance, kitchen coordination, and leadership. Many of our team members are ready to “take it to the next level” by returning again this year with the majority being former campers. These servants were often seen with tiredness in their eyes, but the determination to finish well was always evident.
Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3). Campers came to understand and believe that Jesus died on the cross to take away their sins. After the campers came to faith in Christ, their hunger to know more and teach others for Him grew deeper and deeper as they learned to walk daily with God. Children’s ministries (Safe Haven Summer Camps) were carried out in playgrounds in different districts of the city and surrounding villages. Both children and parents gladly responded and participated to all kinds of children’s games, contests, Bible studies, and much more. Through the ministry children opened their hearts to our Lord and often brought their families to acceptance of the Gospel.
Many of our campers have similar stories to share. We conducted a seven-day camp for more than seventy children. Many of these campers were from disadvantaged families. They were easily identified as they often asked for “seconds” during our lunches and snack times. It was especially amazing and blessed time. God touched human hearts, the people repented, confessing their sins. All enjoyed the fellowship and rejoiced in belonging to the Church of Christ.
*Matthew Henry, born October 18, 1662 in Wales, was a minister and author who spent most of his life living and ministering in England.