Visiting Baptismal Services

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.

Vladimir the Great was baptized in 988 AD and allowed Christianity to flourish in Kievan Rus, a medieval federation of eastern Slavic princedoms. This year marks the 1,025 anniversary of the baptism of Kievan Rus, which eventually would develop into the former Soviet Union, especially the modern countries of Ukraine and Russia.

With this in mind, many of the evangelical churches in Ukraine decided to join their baptismal services together in their cities or regions in order to commemorate this unique chapter in the history of the Slavic people. The Baptist leadership desired to show their respective communities the devotion and differences of these new converts to genuine Christianity.

During his visit to Western Ukraine, Rob Zapotoski, SMS Interim Director, was able to attend two of these remarkable services.

Benjamin Rubakha, SMS missionary, was invited to assist in a baptismal service in Novovolynsk, where four churches joined together to baptize 74 new believers. In the city of Lutsk, Yaroslav Trots, SMS missionary, lead the baptismal service of 48 candidates from five different churches. In each celebration, Rob Zapotoski was able to share greetings and his gift of singing.

Praise God for the spiritual progress of genuine Christianity in Ukraine. Pray that the good news of salvation will continue to be shared to anyone who desires to choose Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

1 John 2:28

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.