Slavic Missionary Service

Pray daily for pastors in the Slavic countries (as well as your own) that they will have wisdom and power from God to preach the Word effectually and to care for all of the saints. Pray that the convicting power of the Holy Spirit will accompany the preaching of God’s Word throughout all lands. Ask God to stir up Christians to use their God-given freedom to the fullest advantage in making known everywhere the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

Slavic Missionary Service counts it a God-given privilege to provide support for qualified Christian servants. Since the disbandment of the Soviet Union, SMS has been assisting men and women to utilize their gifts and talents for the Lord in various ministries.

The Rubakhas, SMS missionaries in Lutsk, Ukraine, have been serving the Lord in many different capacities since 1994. Benjamin is the director of the Volyn Bible Institute (Bible Education by Extension). Because it has become more difficult to find workers to travel to small towns or villages, BEE and the Volyn Regional Bible College will now collaborate together with their courses and programs for students who travel to Lutsk for preparation in ministry.

Benjamin is one of the pastors at the Central Church in Lutsk and is involve in evangelistic ministry in the Volyn Oblast of Ukraine. Benjamin also partners with another SMS missionary in foreign work, traveling to Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to conduct children’s outreaches, provide humanitarian aid and to prepare leaders for ministry.

Larisa is involved in small group Bible studies in her community, as well as instructing future female workers in ministries geared toward children, families, and specifically women. She also assists the women’s summer and winter camping programs each year.

Larisa was asked by the Christian leadership if she would be willing to oversee the Christian literature ministry for the entire country of Ukraine. She accepted and now is responsible for the distribution of spiritual resources designed specifically for women. This task involves gathering and providing quality books, brochures, paperbacks and publications to the Christian community, which includes mailing parcels to many different places in Ukraine.

SMS praises God that the Christian community in Ukraine now has quality spiritual material to help them grow in their Christian lives before the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course, the internet can provide a wealth of good information for the believing community, but nothing compares to possessing books, commentaries and devotionals that can be utilized for various ministries. Also, Biblical study booklets, especially designed for women, are extremely useful in Sunday schools, small home groups and one-on-one discipleship.

"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."

Jeremiah 32:17

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.”