The Beauty of Partnership

Ask God to thrust into His harvest many young people ready to proclaim the "Good News." Pray that they will learn from God's Word to live in the light of His coming and be ready to stand before the judgment seat of Christ. "I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one" (1 John 2:14). Thank God for every pastor and teacher already laboring to perfect the saints, and ask Him to strengthen them to continue their work through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Join with us as Slavic Missionary Service, Inc. (SMS) celebrates 83 years of ministry! This year marks the "birthday" of SMS, which was founded on May 23, 1933. I have had the privilege of being part of the mission now for about 30 years. Most of those years, I worked side by side with my dad, Alex Leonovich, the past executive director. My dad was passionate about many things, but one thing for sure — reaching people of all nationalities for Christ— not building an organization, but building partnerships to get that task done.

Earlier this month, Steve Douglas, the President of Campus Crusade for Christ International, spoke at the church I attend. I was challenged by his passion (much like my dad’s) for evangelism and his confidence that “the fulfillment of the Great Commission is within the grasp of the Body of Christ if we work together. God is passionate about reconciling people to Himself, so much so, that He is moving in remarkable ways today.”

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20).God is calling us to trust Him more! It is HIS power at work within us and through us. God has given Slavic Missionary Service great opportunities through our state-side workers, our national missionaries and our “on-demand” broadcasts located on the SMS website to share the message of reconciliation with our Creator through the cross of Jesus Christ.

While reading, you may likely be interested how and if the Spirit of God is working in the former Soviet Union. He is working in a mighty way! This website is one way that new technology has become part of fulfilling the Great Commission, as the message of reconciliation can be heard audibly around the world through the Alex Leonovich Memorial Audio Library. Russian speaking people from all over the world are listening to these programs. The numbers are mind-boggling!

However, for this website to continue, assistance is needed financially. Many people give faithfully to the support of missionaries and building projects, and SMS is so very grateful for this support! But expenses which include the upkeep of this website and operational costs are covered by the general mission’s fund, and many times these areas are often overlooked. Would you consider giving a one time or monthly gift to support this important outreach?

The picture above represents something special — the beauty of partnership and the intertwining of individual lives crossing cultural and international borders. These kinds of relationships are brought together by God’s power working in us. The story behind this connection is beautiful. Despite language barriers, American pastors are partnering with Belarussian nationals “in unity” to further the Kingdom of God. God is at work, and He is working in incredible ways around the world. God has chosen us to partner together to fulfill the Great Commission! Let us trust God more, together in unity, as we answer the call! (The picture includes from left to right: Steve Sargent, Executive Director of South Ridge Community Church, NJ; Nathan Tuckey, Lead Pastor of South Ridge Community Church; Stanislav and Tanya Bokun, former partners of SMS Belarus before immigrating to the US; Stan Bokun, associate pastor of the Resurrection Church in Minsk, Belarus; Dawn Leonovich Arthur, Office and Communication Manager of SMS, and Dan Arthur.)

Thank you in advance for your partnership and for considering a donation to the outreaches of SMS. You can do this right here, online, today!

Dawn Leonovich Arthur
SMS Office and
Communications Manager

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.

1 John 4:15

Never wait for the lost soul to approach you and ask about the way to salvation. He or she seldom comes. The method of our Lord Jesus was to seek the lost. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). All around us are opportunities to witness about “new life” in Christ, if the believer will allow the Holy Spirit to assist him in sharing that marvelous message. People should be given a choice. Pray that all of the SMS missionaries will present the Gospel to anyone who is willing to listen to the “Good News.”