FaithSearch Ministry
Report:
Ukraine and Belarus
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Some of nearly 1,000 who gathered
in anticipation of FaithSearch Discovery in Minsk,
Belarus.
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FaithSearch Russian evangelist Oleg Voskresensky
returned to eastern Europe in July to continue presenting the
Gospel with evidence. For part of the trip, he partnered in
ministry to the country of Ukraine with the Minnesota Baptist
Conference. He also visited for the first time another former
Soviet republic, Belarus, situated between Poland and Russia.
It is described by the US government as a country where "government
restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly,
and religion continue" (CIA World Factbook, 2007). It
is also known as "the last dictatorship in Europe."
"Visiting to Belarus was like traveling in a time machine,"
said Oleg on his return. "It brought me back twenty years
into the times of the Soviet Union. Aside from this questionable
nostalgic value, it was surely the most fulfilling part of this
trip, as I was sharing the Gospel where it is most restricted
and nearly forbidden outside the church walls. What a joy
it was to see these people's hunger for truth and their thirst
for God's wisdom being satisfied!"
Nearly a thousand people were in the Blagodat' Evangelical
Church in the capital city of Minsk, to see FaithSearch
Discovery. They didn't even want to go home when Oleg had to
stop at the end of his allotted time. "It was funny,"
he mused, "but their Pastor almost had to kick people out
of the church building." Another 300 people in Krasnoye
Evangelical Church stayed to listen for two-and-a-half hours
without a break, only leaving in time to catch the last train
back to their home towns. In addition, an Orthodox Church evangelism
group has scheduled their regional Missions Conference around
Oleg's travel plans this fall, to make sure the FaithSearch
materials can be featured there. Is that a "warm reception"
or what?
"It is indeed nearly impossible for foreign missionaries
to obtain permission for conducting this kind of presentations
from Belarus authorities," said Artyom, a youth leader
from Minsk. "Luckily, being a Russian national, you don't
even need any [permission]. Just come and do it."
“I suddenly realized that
I need to take
my faith matters very seriously
and make my decision,
just as you said, ‘personally,
rationally and responsibly.’”
–English Language Teacher at
the Interpreters Camp in Ukraine.
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Whether or not it truly is the "last dictatorship of Europe,"
Belarus needs our ministry, and especially the youth!
Pray that the bureaucracy and other obstacles and restrictions
are removed soon. (Either that, or we'll just have to overcome
them.)
In Ukraine, for Oleg's second visit there, the name FaithSearch
is now easily recognized and welcomed. The Surprised by Faith
books have been printed locally by our Ukrainian partners and
are now available and delivered in needed quantities right to
each event location. "What a relief to my aching back,"
said Oleg, "that I no longer have to carry those suitcases
all the way from Minnesota, marked 'Caution! Heavy!' by Northwest
Airlines!" He presented FaithSearch Discovery
at two English language Interpreters Camps—in Cherkasy and in
Rivne—and at a Youth Camp near Uman. The extended times with
his audience provided a very special learning environment, with
continued conversation and an in-depth search for truth.
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Oleg presented the Gospel with evidence
to young people in July at a youth camp
near Uman.
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Maksim, a student from Cherkasy, Ukraine, attending the camp,
said, "After coming back from the Interpreters Camp I told
to my pastor about your Seminar. His question now is: 'What
does it take to have you come and present it in our churches?'"
In all, FaithSearch Discovery was presented to
nearly 2,000 students, teachers and the general public, through
twelve presentations over sixteen days. On his return, Oleg
brought with him many more invitations to visit churches, camps
and schools than he will ever be able to cover by himself. And
according to the FaithSearch Extending the Vision
strategy, he is not supposed to: He will train and equip others
to do so.
In the fall of this year we are intending to introduce the
FaithSearch Discovery presentation to the Eastern
European Association of Christian Educators. It is our prayer
that they will let us train their students to conduct the events
on their own. We will also pursue additional opportunities the
Lord has opened for our ministry in Belarus, and develop the
partnership for expanding our ministry in this Gospel-unfriendly
environment.
