Permit the Children to Come to Me

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.

Oksana Leonova, director of Safe Harbor Ministries (Transfiguration Center), has truly been blessed by the fruit of her labors for over fifteen years in the city of Bryansk, Russia.

Oksana remembers fondly the day that she noticed a group of “street” children sitting in the balcony of the church one Sunday morning. As she watched them from the choir loft, she immediately felt compassion for them and was compelled to see them at the end of the worship service.

Quickly, she hurried to meet them before they exited the church. She asked them if they would be interested in coming to her apartment that week for some refreshments and fellowship to discuss some ideas from the Bible. They agreed. The first step of her new ministry was taken. Twenty-five children comprised her first group in 1999.

At present, Oksana has seen over 500 children and young people enter the doors of the Transfiguration Center (located behind the church building). Many have turned their hearts to the Lord in repentance. And many, who have “grown up” in Safe Harbor Ministries, have also followed the Lord in believer’s baptism.

Some former children, now adults, are assisting Oksana with her many duties at the center. Because they have experienced the “life” that many of these children and young people must endure, their patience and understanding helps them to be wonderful “vessels” for the Lord to work through them in miraculous ways. Praise God for opportunities to share the life-changing news of salvation!

Slavic Missionary Service is grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to assist Oksana with her ministry from its inception. Pray that God will give Oksana and her staff strength and wisdom to continue this vital outreach in the city of Bryansk that has a population of 407,000.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10

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.”