The Travels of a Missionary

Pray that God will fill the Slavic believers with a hunger for His Word: "Desire the sincere milk of the Word" (1 Peter 2:2), and a spirit of prayer: "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Ask God to call many young men and women to serve Him sacrificially and sincerely in places of leadership. Pray that some will choose to serve in other Slavic countries as missionaries. Intercede for the Christian leadership in Eastern Europe that they will withstand the powers of darkness and remain stable in their spiritual roles.

Valery and Vera Eroshkin, SMS missionaries in Oryol, Russia, were privileged to come to America during the month of October to share reports concerning their ministries, especially the new church plant and the summer camping program.

Their itinerary led them to Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee and North Carolina. In church services, fellowships and home meetings, the Eroshkins were able to share their testimonies of faith and praise God for the spiritual progress that has occurred in the city of Oryol and the Oryol Oblast. The population of the oblast is 750,000 people. (320,000 live in the city of Oryol.)

Valery and Vera also had a wonderful opportunity to fellowship and ministered with Anna Deikun, SMS missionary, who specifically reaches the Slavic Jewish population in New York City and the surrounding boroughs with the good news of salvation. Val was challenged to answer questions from a Jewish perspective, and because of his Jewish heritage, the Biblical answers were well received.

Pray that funds will be raised for the new church building of Grace Baptist.

The next phase is the heating system, which will cost a minimum of $10,000 for materials and installation. This new church was started in 2005, when 12 members of the Transfiguration Church (where Val Eroshkin is the pastor) were encouraged to begin this new work on the other side of the city. The membership totals 45 believers at this time.

Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.

Isaiah 26:8-9

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.