Slavic Missionary Service

In the Word of God nothing is clearer than the longsuffering of God which seeks and waits for individuals to repent of their sins before His holiness requires judgment for those sins. He rises to judgment only when iniquity is full. Pray daily that many sinners will find cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ. Intercede earnestly for unsaved individuals that they will come to God by the “new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20). Pray for the SMS missionaries that they would rise to any occasion to proclaim the Good News “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).

The work of the Lord Jesus Christ in this Age of Grace is to build His church. The ministry of soul-winning plays an important part of this ministry. When a person is saved by the blood of Jesus, that person is added to the body of Christ, the church, by the Holy Spirit. The love of God compels His children to share this “Good News” to others.

More than two years ago, the secretary of the Minsk Theological Seminary brought a young man to the Sunday worship service at the New Covenant Church in Minsk, Belarus. She is a close friend of the mother of this young man, Matthew. As a child, Matthew grew up in Slonim, a small city southwest of Minsk, where he lived with his grandparents.

Valera Beza, one of the pastors of the church and SMS missionary, approached this young man to welcome him to the church. He asked him, “Where are you from?” and he replied, “Slonim.” Val lived in Slonim for twelve years before he moved to Minsk and was the pastor of the Baptist Church there. This connection helped the conversation to continue.

Val asked him if he wanted to read the Bible together, once a week, in a nearby cafe. Matthew agreed and for two years, they read and discussed certain books of the Bible. Matthew had many questions, and Val was delighted to answer them. He, then, started attending the church regularly; and Matthew acknowledged that he repented of his sins and asked Jesus to be His Savior. This past February, Matthew was baptized and has become a member of the New Covenant Church.

Val praises God that he had the privilege of sharing God’s Word and showing the way of salvation to Matthew. “How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things” (Romans 10:15). The work of the missionary is a joyous ministry and beautiful in the sight of God. Pray that all of the SMS missionaries will be engage in this thrilling and rewarding work for the Lord.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

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.