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."

Slavic Missionary Service is giving thanks to God Almighty for sending His Son to the earth to save sinful man. God had only one unique Son. This Son, “whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world” (John 10:36), would reveal Himself as Christ the Messiah. From His birth His purpose was revealed. “You shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Salvation would come through this one mediator. “God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him” (John 3:17). His followers acknowledged that He was the One sent from God. “And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14).

Every child of God should continually give thanks for the One who was sent. God “loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Jesus understood His mission. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). He acknowledged that the Father had truly sent Him for a particular mission. “I know Him; because I am from Him, and He sent Me” (John 7:29). And He lived to accomplish that mission. “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34).

God has given His children the example of His Son to follow. “As Thou didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:18). God also gives grace and mercy to accomplish His plan. “God sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).

This is the message that Christians must share to the world. “And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:3). Praise God for missionaries on every continent who are proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ who was sent by God. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help their message to be believed and received!

I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

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.”