URGENT PRAYER NEEDED

URGENT REQUEST FROM RUSSIA:

We have been asked to enter into prayer and fasting with the Russian Bapt. Union regarding new legislation being pushed through Russian congress. If it does pass, our missy activities and the regular Chr. life of Russian Bapt. will be severely restricted:

1. Children under the age of 14 would not be allowed to attend ch’ch without express written permission of parents.

2. Missy’s would be restricted to preach/teach only within Bapt. ch’ch buildings with a letter of permission from sending and receiving organization for the specific dates he is to preach.

3. Rehabilitation centers would be shut down. No Bapt. could work in places of ministry outside the ch’ch building.

4. Ch’ches would not be allowed to offer ESL classes, VBS, or any other social work.

5. Preachers will have to give invitations that do not to appear to be influential.

6. Foreigners who come to be involved in missy activities would have to have religious visas ONLY, not tourist or any other.

7. Bapt. ch’ch members sharing their faith would become a crime.

Please join in intercession with our local Bapt. brothers that the Father will give wisdom and common sense to those making these decisions in the next few days.

Front-row seats to a miracle.

God is at work in Cheboksary!

Last night 75 people came to a banquet hosted by the team from FBC Allen. It was an amazing event. Each group presented what they had done that week and Ron gave the Gospel presentation using the EvangeCube followed by an evangelistic message from Pastor Sasha (in Russian, of course). By the end of the evening, five people repented and gave their hearts to Jesus.

As we prepare to go to church this morning we are expectant to see many of our new friends and are praying that more will ask Jesus into their hearts this morning. Please pray for John, Greg and Marc as they bring short messages as well.

Thanks to all for your continued prayers. You are what makes Engage Russia successful.

Blessings,
Marc

A few photos from day one.

Meeting at McDonald's with Pastor Sasha and our translator, Zhjenya.

Greg leads morning devotionals.

John and Ivan make plans about showing the Jesus Film

Brightness and Power

EDITOR'S NOTE: This week different team members will be sharing their thoughts, experiences, and impressions from their trip to Cheboksary. The following submission was written by Greg R. following his first full day in Cheboksary.

As we stepped off the train in Cheboksary this morning, one of the local pastors, Pastor Sasha, met us at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes were bright as shook our hands saying, “There is power in this group.”
Later int the day we met and talked with our translator, a 22 year old striking young lady, who started her testimony in good English with a heavy Russian accent. “I was born in a prison," said Zhenya. "My mother left me in a corner to die. ” When asked about her family, she added, “I don’t have a father here on earth, but I have a heavenly Father.” She ended her testimony with, “…and I have a fire in my heart for Jesus.”

The brightness, the power, and the fire that were put in a small Russian city at the end of March, reveal a small inkling of our true and mighty power of God!

Engaging Russia with Texans

God is at work in the Republic of Chuvashia.

I know that you have heard us talk about this before, but our first day back in Cheboksary, the capital of the Chuvash Republic, confirms yet again that God has come here before us and is up to big things in this small city on the Volga River.

After a 13-hour train ride, nine volunteers from First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas got their taste of "the real Russia" today as we spent the day orientating ourselves with the city and our hosts. But even before today God had revealed to the group that this was going to be a special trip. And God has dotted the path with "chance meetings" for the group. Even before arriving in Russia they "just so happened" to be on the plane with an older couple who attended an English Camp in Moscow last February....the same English Camp that was taught FBC Allen team members. So, even a year later, team members were able to renew connections and further relationships with people whom God has put in their path. "We haven't even really started our work yet and I am already changed," said team member Greg.

One of the things that left the largest impression of the day was an informal session where the team got to spend time with their translator, Zhenja, who shared her testimony with them. We will bring you that story later in the week. However, there was not a dry eye among the group when she finished her testimony by telling us how she wanted to become a missionary herself.

God has assembled an amazing team for the task at hand. They all bring different things to the table, but the one thing they have in common is their love for Jesus and a desire to help the people of Russia come to know Jesus as both Saviour and Lord. The seminars being lead by the team begin tomorrow evening. Please pray that their witness would be effective, that people who have been invited will not just attend, but bring friends with them as well.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are excited to be able to share with you just a few of the things that God is doing in Cheboksary.

More tomorrow.

Blessings,
Marc (for all)

downtime

We've been taking some downtime to spend time at home with family and friends. As much fun as traveling can be it is a lot of work and it can wear you out. Marc is in the states at a conference and Tim and I are relaxing in Moscow.

We will be making a trip to Bryansk in the next week or so, we are still working on the details for this trip. It looks like we will be able to join a church there for their first baptism. This will be an exciting time of rejoicing with our Russian brothers and sisters.

We will pass along more info regarding this trip over the course of the week.

Thanks again for your continued support and prayers.

Jimmy

God At Work in Murmansk

God is doing some cool stuff with the VSC team in Murmansk.
Follow their trip at http://welovemurmansk.blogspot.com