BIEMs of Light: December 2004

Praises – Rejoice with us!

v     Missionary Adrian Stan has been taking the Gospel from door to door in Jegalia, Romania and reports that four people came to Christ through this outreach.

v     In Chervona Sloboda, Ukraine, Vitaly Yurchenko reports a wonderful autumn Harvest celebration in the church. Not only do they thank God for the harvest in the fields, but for the spiritual harvest as well as 8 new believers joined the church this year.

v     Marius Simionas is the president of the parents’ association at the local school in Chishinau. He is glad for the open door this position gives to meet people.

v     On November 30, BIEM’s Board of Directors met for the first time in the new office building that the Lord has provided for our ministry. Although funds are still needed to complete the purchase of this facility, we unanimously praised God for fulfilling the need for more working and storage space.

Prayer – Pray with us!

v     In Far Eastern Russia, the Duma of Magadan has introduced a bill that would outlaw all missionary activity in that region. Please pray that this bill does not become law.

v     When a school teacher in Palatka told BIEM’s Tim Smith that 6 of her students have attempted suicide in the past several months, Tim decided he needed to get closer to these young people. Now he teaches English to them every Wednesday for 3 hours. Pray for good opportunities to present the Gospel.

v     Vitaly and Alexandra Keller report that “Evangelizing in St. Petersburg is still as difficult as digging into hard, rock-solid soil.” Pray for softened and receptive hearts as the Kellers share the Gospel.

v     Various BIEM workers report major obstacles in evangelizing due to the influence of Russian Orthodox churches. Orthodox priests, who represent “traditional” religion, bluntly tell people to shun any Protestant worker. People are told that Baptists are cultists, and that they are odd because they do not smoke or drink. As a result, organized religion is hindering souls from coming to Christ just as effectively as the atheistic communists once did. Pray for wisdom in witnessing!