This September-October trip to Russia was full of surprises–both positive and …“different.” My flight from Minneapolis was delayed and consequently my luggage was lost (and later found) during the transfer in Paris. That, in turn, led to my missing the whole first day of ministry in Bashkortostan. On the next day, however, the local pastor was very pleasantly surprised by how many new people came to the FaithSearch Discovery event at his church. He later found out that many of them came from the church whose event I had to cancel the night before. Their interest in hearing and seeing the Gospel with Evidence was too great to wait for my next trip to that region of Russia! Wow! “When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, He said, ‘I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!’” (Lk 7:9). If even Jesus was amazed–imagine how much more was I! (more…)

June 2011 Ministry Trip to Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica

It is my joy to share with you a few insights into the progress of our ministry of proclaiming the Gospel with evidence to Spanish-speaking peoples everywhere. I have recently returned from a three-week overland journey through Central America and will soon be going to Peru for two weeks.

In Honduras—a country beset by poverty, drug addiction and violence—I had the joy of sharing the Gospel and the historicity of Christ in one of the largest public high schools (that’s right, “public high schools,” it’s not a typo) of Tegucigalpa, the capital city. Instituto Técnico de Honduras is a run-down campus in a broken down neighborhood where people go to trash dumpsters to forage for food and recyclables. Yet behind its yellow walls laid the most incredible treasure any country can boast of—many a young man and woman avid to learn a trade. What a joy it was seeing dozens of these kids making bold faith commitments to follow Christ! (more…)

My disconnected train car halfway to Belgorod.

“Go and make disciples…” There is only so much one person can do–even the fastest one and even with the strongest voice. Now imagine my frustration when I almost completely lost my voice due to a cold in the middle of the trip. Imagine also how I felt when my train car was found to have a faulty wheel and was detached from the rest of the train, causing a major delay in my schedule. In those moments especially, how can I even think of making any noticeable ministry effect in the country that stretches over thousands of miles, with a population counted in millions? Yet, Jesus said: “Go!” and so I did. Why? Because the “make disciples” part puts the whole task in a totally new perspective: I only have to make as many disciples as He sends my way, and they in turn will take care of the rest of it.

He indeed sent me the most exceptional audiences this time: teachers, students, seminarians, lay leaders and pastors–who were both highly qualified and motivated for the job. The All-Ukrainian Teachers’ Conference on “Biblical History and Christian Ethics” at Poltava State University featured FaithSearch Discovery for the whole afternoon session. It was attended by 300+ teachers and clergy from all over the country, and served to lay a factual and rational foundation for the History and Ethics courses they are teaching in public schools. (more…)

Oleg shared FaithSearch Discovery at Plyoskovo Private High School, Moscow

It is called déjà vu in French, but I would call it a “missionary moment.” It happens when I plan an event in some remote city across the globe three months ahead of time; I figure out the transportation and coordinate it with other events, people, locations, etc.; I try to take care of every detail: setting, screen, microphone, coffee break, etc., etc. Yet I keep worrying that something will go wrong, that somebody will mess it up and the event will be canceled. When the day and the time come and I start the presentation–here comes that odd feeling, the “missionary moment”! I stand there in front of these dozens (or even hundreds) of people with an unquestionable confidence that it was absolutely predestined to happen, that I absolutely had to be here and now sharing the Lord’s message with these very people. It absolutely could not, NOT happen! It almost feels like it already had happened even before I ever got here! Déjà vu. (more…)

My recent two-week trip to Peru (Nov. 15-30) was the result of an invitation from my church back home, Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva. They were celebrating their 20th anniversary by hosting a missions conference “Peru, Epicenter of Missions.” My participation in the trip was made possible by the generosity and commitment to world missions of Westwood Community Church. This was my 18^th international trip since the start of my ministry as Evangelist for Latin America and Hispanic USA with FaithSearch International.

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Editor’s Note: Although delayed, this report is an important update from Oleg’s previous trip to Russia.

The helmsman of my sleeplessness,
The raven flies to me at night.
If I howl and roar
My cry becomes no louder.

It is barely heard five steps away
But even that, they say, is too loud.
But even that, is a gift of heaven
to be heard at all, five steps away

—Aleksandr Galich (1918-1977) translated by Anya Voskresensky

Am I too loud? Am I too straightforward and perhaps obnoxious? Is it right and appropriate to scream from the “rooftops” (in my case, University podiums and school cathedras) what should be spoken softly, gently or even left “ineffable”?

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As we approach the end of our fiscal year, FaithSearch International is facing a financial challenge. I want to take a few moments to ask for your help. (Click here to make an online donation.) Recently, I’ve been thinking about why we’re doing what we’re doing here at FaithSearch—proclaiming the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere. And about our desire to continue doing it. As a donor-supported ministry, we depend on God to stir the hearts of His people to provide the resources to do this work. Which is why I’m writing this. Here’s what I’ve been thinking. (more…)

It is always fun to visit new places and to meet new people. It is a special blessing to be recognized and greeted by old friends. This last trip had a little bit of both. (more…)

Friends of FaithSearch gathered on May 1, for a $50-per-plate benefit dinner in the dining hall and chapel of Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, MN. Our theme was “Be Prepared,” based on 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer…”, using a spring planting theme for the decorations and other touches throughout the evening. (more…)

You wouldn’t know it by the recent lack of activity on this blog, but there has been a LOT going on at FaithSearch. With this post, we undertake to begin publishing brief, more-frequent, nearer-real-time updates (if not, then at least weekly!) from the ministry.
To this end, some of the initial flow of posts will reflect a backlog of information: recent international trip reports; new challenges facing the ministry; ongoing thoughts on presenting the Gospel with evidence…
First down the chute will be a write-up of our recent Benefit Dinner and Fundraiser. So, until then, please stand by.