Slobodian's Prayer Letter March-June 2004

Dear Pastors and Friends,

           Praise the Lord for the opportunity to serve him in these exciting days!  Having just returned from Romania, Moldova and Russia, we are rejoicing in seeing God's hand of blessing on our church planting ministries in these countries.  We are thankful for the pastors and seminary professors who came and taught our national missionaries and workers during May in Ukraine, Russia, Moldova and Romania. 

          It is a blessing to show our guests from the United States the work that has been done.  In fellowshipping with church folk and surveying the churches that have been built, one of our guests noticed that a couple of the church buildings we have built are in areas which from the appearance of some of the nearby homes, indicate the presence of the "well to do".    In this part of the world, those who achieve material wealth are called, "The New Russians".  Anyway, the question came up, are we reaching many of these kind of people?  As you can probably guess, the answer is only very few.  Most of those coming to Christ in our ministry are common ordinary folks.  I recall reading the testimony from one of high position who praised God that I Corinthians 1:26, in referring to those of intellect and rank, states that "not many" are called.  He was thankful the verse didn't say, "not any" since that did leave room for him to come to Christ.

          While most touched by our ministry are of ordinary means and influence, every once in a while, there are exceptions. For example, a high-ranking Moldovan government official has come to Christ through our ministry in Moldova. His wife also has been saved, and both have just been baptized. He is in charge of the countries Anti-Corruption program and by working with US agencies has jailed 29 notorious offenders over the past year. Now that this governmental authority is a brother in Christ, we have twice the reason to pray for him. Especially since he is constantly targeted by criminal elements.

          Earlier this week we visited one of our church plants in a Russian city, which is known for a heavy Orthodox presence.  We met the pastor (this church is now self-supporting) and a couple of ordinary looking men.  When we toured the building with some of our American guests we were shown a room we were told was the temporary residence of a homeless man in need.  One of our American guests asked if any Orthodox priests from any of the nearby monasteries had ever come to Christ.  As a matter of fact, one recently had we were told.  Asking if we could hear how this came about, the pastor quietly conferred with the other men and told us to wait until later.  Later came when we were fellowshipping over lunch minus one of the men who stayed at the church.  We listened intently as the pastor told of how the head priest from one of the local monasteries came to Christ after reading the writings of a well known born again dissident from within the hierarchy of the Orthodox church.

          Upon making his new faith known, this head priest was subjected to abuse and harsh treatment and eventually expelled from the monastery.  Since his documents were confiscated this man was left with no legal identity and no one to turn to since he had no contacts outside the Orthodox Church.  Therefore, he took up residence in a nearby forest.  After a year of this kind of profoundly difficult existence, a passerby befriended him and took this man to a place of refuge where kind folks are ministering to him.  "Where is he now?" and "Is it possible to meet him?" we asked.  "You already have" said the pastor, "that ordinary looking man you met earlier who stayed back at the church was indeed that converted head priest!!   Please pray for this one called Daniel who lives in fear of further reprisals from the Orthodox powers and struggles with illnesses contracted from his ordeal.  Praise God that a church planted through this ministry serves as a refuge for those in need.  Praise God for each of you who make this ministry possible through your prayers and gifts.  May God bless you all! 

The Slobodians