Believer’s Baptism in the Slavic World

Alex Leononich, the director of SMS from 1958 to 2013, wrote in his biography the following words concerning the need for continued prayer for Christians in the Slavic countries. "Multitudes of Russian believers prayed fervently and kept the faith, even under great persecution. Their greatest desire was to remain faithful to God in the place where He had put them. The need to pray for Slavic Christians has not evaporated because communism no longer reigns. While grateful for their new freedoms, Russian believers also recognize the potential problems which accompany liberty and ask for prayer to remain faithful to God even while enjoying greater freedom."

When Jesus Christ ministered upon this earth, His actions revealed His character. He came to earth as an evangelist for His Father. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). And just like Jesus, God calls some believers to travel beyond their homes and tell the “good news” of salvation. “And He gave… some evangelists… for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Jesus did not wait for men to come to Him for aid or advice. He came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Very few people (if any) even know that they are spiritually dead and in need of deliverance. Jesus showed the way to salvation, and Christians are to follow His example. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1).

Jesus cared about unwanted individuals. He showed compassion to one individual or to many people, no matter what the disease or dilemma. He reached out to lepers, to prostitutes, to tax collectors, and to the multitudes who were hungry. Jesus was slow to condemn, because He knew the hearts of men. With love, Jesus longed to lead all men to salvation from sin.

Jesus listened to others. A real interest must be taken concerning what a person is saying. Patience in hearing the whole story helps to answer with words of witness and wisdom. At night Jesus listened to Nicodemus who came with many questions. At the well in Samaria, Jesus listened to the woman who gave Him some water. On the way to Emmaus, Jesus listened to the two men who talked about His death.

Pray that God will help the missionaries of SMS to build vital “bridges” with individuals so that they may see the genuine love of God and understand the urgent need of repentance. “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). Plead with God to help each SMS missionary to show compassion and concern when communicating with individuals who do not know Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Pray that each SMS worker will be “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15).

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord..

Deuteronomy 8:3

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.”