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With so much bad news coming out of Russia these days, it is surprising (and encouraging) to learn that this month, Russian hotels are to have Bibles in every room. According to Teresa Neumann of Breaking Christian News (http://breakingchristiannews.com), the first 6,000 copies of the New Testament and Psalms were installed this month in rooms of Izmailovo, one of the largest hotels in Moscow. ‘The move is supported by the government's Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management Department of the Moscow Government and the Commission with the Diocesan Missionary Council of the capital’, reports The Christian Telegraph. Dimitriy Pershin, the chairman of the Commission said, ‘Actually, in every European hotel, guests can find Bibles in the rooms. The Gospel is a book that has become the foundation of European culture. It is an essential feature of the respectful and hospitable attitude towards the guests, as well as an indicator of the cultural level of the owners of hotels.’
Praise: God for this initiative and pray that it will lead to more opportunities. (Ac.6:7)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13080097.htm
It appears easier to erect religious statues in the former USSR than other countries in the West. A Russian publication, Russia Information Center, reports that a ‘gigantic statue’ of Jesus Christ will be unveiled in Prokopievsk, in the region of Kemerovo. The unveiling is part of ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of the city. According to the report, the monument, measuring 11 metres high, will sit atop the highest point in the town. Beams of light will reportedly illuminate it from below and the pedestal it sits upon bears inscriptions of the Ten Commandments. Several other monuments gracing the town by sculptor Konstantin Zinich include one of Adam and Eve. Praise: God that Jesus and His Word are central to the celebrations of Prokopievsk. More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8732
An offender writes, ‘I understand how baptism will clean our heart from all evil and allow God’s love within our soul. It has taken a lot of faith to get where I am in my life now, deep soul-searching too. Sometimes we are all faced with things in our life that are challenging and which we have no control over. I certainly made very bad choices in my past and realize that I had to pay a high price for those mistakes. But at least I can say I’ve learned my lesson! My deliverance came when I personally accepted Jesus Christ into my life. Everything for me became very clear, and the road was chosen for me. JESUS is my life now and I must always do the right thing. I love life and my family.’ Over the years it has become much more difficult for prisoners to receive Christian literature. Praise: God that this prisoner is practicing his new found faith, and ask that many more prisoners meet Jesus. More: http://www.stsilas.org/
The Baptists utilize effectively the freedom of worship in the country. Mass evangelism and distribution of tracts aren’t efficient any longer and new methods have to be implemented, reports the press centre of Russian Union of Evangelical Christian-Baptists. Baptists in Russia trace their history to 1867. There are now about 80 000 Baptists who worship in 1,750 local churches. Revd Alexey Smirnov, the president of the Baptist Union in Russia says: ‘The number of Baptist churches in Russia is growing and the most important task of the Union is to train leaders as well as keep the unity. The work with youth and children is particularly vital as it had not been possible during the era of communist regime.’ Revd Ruvim Voloshin, the vice-president of Baptist Union responsible for missionary ministry stresses that about 200 new Baptist congregations are currently being planted all over the vast territory of Russia. Praise: God for the growth of His church and the planting of new congregations. (Ac.5:42)
In a land where the Russian Orthodox Church dominates, an evangelical charismatic church is creating spiritual waves. ’The Protestant movement is growing very strongly,’ said Rick Renner, senior pastor of Moscow Good News Church. Renner and his wife Denise moved their family to what is now the former Soviet Union. Nine years later, in September 2000, they started Moscow Good News Church in the Russian capital city. Moscow church is approximately 3,500 people in regular attendance. That's big for Russia, where most Protestant churches attract less than a thousand people to each of their congregations. While the goal is to reach a broad section of those living in Moscow, the church puts a special emphasis on reaching the upper class. ‘Specifically, a part of our vision is to reach a higher class of people,’ Renner said. That's because ‘they need God, too, and there aren't many churches that they can actually feel comfortable in,’ he explained.
Praise: God for the continued growth of the Good News Church. (2Cor.9:8)
More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=36238&PN=1&TPN=1
At former communist camping grounds, that once indoctrinated children that there is no God, thousands of needy children across the former Soviet Union will learn about the gift of hope in Christ this summer. At least 5,000 children across Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Chechnya, the Northern Caucasus and Central Asia will take part in at least one hundred camps coordinated by Russian Ministries in the coming months. Since 1999, Russian Ministries has been running their camping programme, bringing hope to thousands of street kids, orphans, children with alcoholic parents, children with disabilities and children from families affected by HIV/AIDS and the ravages of violence and war. ‘Summer camps are the most effective and strategic opportunities for evangelical outreach in order to reach out to the next generation,’ explained Russian Ministries’ Senior Vice President Sergey Rakhuba. Praise: God for this initiative and for all those who will hear His message. (Is.52:7)
Jesus said that the harvest is ripe and ready, but the workers are few. For Danish evangelist Torben Søndergaard this means that wherever he goes, he expects God to heal and save people, and draw them into his Kingdom. So why would atheist students in Moscow’s Burger King not be able to experience God’s healing? Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4We2hGLQXA to see what happened. Torben reports: ‘It was an incredible day we’ll never forget. We saw 40-50 people being healed in less than two hours.’
Praise: God for the power of His healing touch. (Pr.16:24)
More: www.joelnews.org.
Russian Ministries is aiming to provide gift-filled shoeboxes along with children’s Bibles to 50,000 needy kids across Russia and the former Soviet Union this Christmas. ‘Our plan is that 50,000 children will receive those gifts but also learn about Jesus through the story that will be shared with them by young people on behalf of their churches who put together a presentation on the birth of Jesus, who became the greatest gift of all,’ said Russian Ministries’ President Sergey Rakhuba. He added: ‘Christmas is the greatest opportunity to reach out to children with the Gospel, but during that time the atmosphere creates more open space and especially in those territories where Christianity is not as influential. It’s also a great opportunity for young potential leaders in Russia, who we like to equip with these Christmas boxes, which we like to call Gifts of Hope.’ Praise: God for this initiative that brings hope to so many young people. (Ps.105:1)
Romania: The European Union has deported more than 1,000 gypsy people in recent weeks, and most are being sent back o Romania where they face a life of poverty and deprivation. But Christian groups are working to bring hope to Romania's gypsies. For many, it has led to a relationship with God. After years of mission work in Romania, Kevin Hoy realized gypsies have often struggled with advancing in Romanian society. In 2009, he witnessed what many call the ‘Toflea miracle,’ where 500 gypsies in southeast Romania were baptized after accepting Christ. It was the largest baptism in Romania's history.Hundreds more in Tileagd answered the call to Christ this year. Hoy prays revival will soon reach the residents of Salard as well. In the meantime, he and his team preach the gospel - without words.
Praise: God for His blessing on the gypsy peoples. (Ps.80:18)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/September/Romanian-Gypsies-Find-Hope-in-Christ/
The European Union has deported more than 1,000 gypsy people in recent weeks, and most are being sent back to Romania where they face a life of poverty and deprivation. But Christian groups are working to bring hope to Romania's gypsies. For many, it has led to a relationship with God. After years of mission work in Romania, Kevin Hoy realized gypsies have often struggled with advancing in Romanian society. In 2009 he witnessed what many call the ‘Toflea miracle,’ where 500 gypsies in southeast Romania were baptized after accepting Christ. It was the largest baptism in Romania's history. Hundreds more in Tileagd answered the call to Christ this year. ‘What you realize as you travel around is so many of the gypsy communities haven't moved forward at all,’ Hoy said. ‘They are exactly where they were, whether it's 10 years, 20 years - they haven't moved at all.’ (See also Prayer Alert 3510 ) Praise: God for the work of the Holy Spirit and pray that many more will be blessed. (Gen.1:28a) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/September/Romanian-Gypsies-Find-Hope-in-Christ/