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.

Two teams from America came to Minsk and Gomel, Belarus to teach English as a Second Language this past summer. The course focuses on speaking conversational English, which attracts many students from these two cities. (Minsk has a population of 2 million and Gomel has a population of 560,000.)

The main thrust of the program is to help the students increase their abilities to communicate in this second language. Yet opportunities do abound outside of the classes to share testimonies of the Christian life. 928 students received their certificates in Minsk and 656 students received their certificates in Gomel.

The classes are divided into four specific groups: primary, beginner, intermediate and advanced. Except for the primary classes, all students are able to communicate in the English language, although some of the beginners struggle to connect words together in order to form complete sentences or thoughts. Most students are studying in the universities, colleges and institutes in Minsk and Gomel, but some students already have jobs such as doctors, teachers, travel agents, public workers; and businessmen or women who work with other countries.

This past summer, 790 students were interested in discovering more information about the Christian life. In Minsk, volunteers from four churches are inviting these students to small group studies and special worship services. A specific meeting has been organized every Sunday in Gomel for those specific students who are interested in continuing their English skills and learning more about spiritual matters.

Consider the opportunity to teach English as a second language in the year of 2018. The overseas trip usually occurs in late June or July. If more information is desired, please write to Slavic Missionary Service for more information either by e-mail or postal letter. The address is as follows: Slavic Missionary Service, PO Box 469, Annandale, NJ 08801.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

Matthew 5:6

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.”