Approve things that are excellent

Pray that God will fill the Slavic believers with a hunger for His Word: "Desire the sincere milk of the Word" (1 Peter 2:2), and a spirit of prayer: "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Ask God to call many young men and women to serve Him sacrificially and sincerely in places of leadership. Pray that some will choose to serve in other Slavic countries as missionaries. Intercede for the Christian leadership in Eastern Europe that they will withstand the powers of darkness and remain stable in their spiritual roles.

A productive person is a prepared person. Therefore, the believer must always strive to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). A better understanding of the Scriptures will help a person practice the Christian Faith more sincerely and specifically. "As you therefore have received Jesus Christ the Lord, so walk in Him" (Colossians 2:6).

Leaders especially must be prepared to demonstrate the effectiveness of Christian principles when applied to situations in everyday life. "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The workers in the SMS office in Minsk, Belarus acknowledge this principle of Christian growth. Sergey Drozd, director of SMS Belarus; Olga Yarichevskaya, SMS bookkeeper and Evegenia Chegir, SMS secretary, recently received diplomas in Christian Counseling.

The three-year program concentrated on many different aspects of counseling with emphasis on Christian principles found in the Bible. Sergey received high honors for his participation in the program.

This knowledge, as well as the practical training received from the course, has been extremely valuable to the ministries of these three workers. The course has helped Sergey, as he teaches in the seminary.

It has assisted Olga and Evgenia in their ministries of individual counseling and hospital visitation. Also, Sergey has shared these precepts of counseling with the other SMS missionaries, specifically those principles that deal with the individual's relationship with God and with others. He likewise continues to travel to Russia, Ukraine and Israel for educational endeavors.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

Pray that the Gospel will reach the millions in the Slavic countries that have not yet heard what Christ has done for them. Many small cities and towns still do not have an official place of worship. Ask God to help the Slavic churches be effective witnesses in their neighborhoods. Pray that souls will continue to be saved, baptized and discipled through the ministries of the church. Pray that the Holy Spirit powerfully and persistently will convict men of sin and lead many to believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.