News from Almaz church, Ukraine May 2008

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, “and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:24-26) ” First mission trip of Almaz church to Belarus.

God fulfills the dreams of people in Almaz. He answers prayers and gives to us according to the desires of our hearts. We believe it happens because God Himself gives us this vision and these dreams.

Almaz had a first in its history - a mission trip to Belarus.

First mission team of 7 people in Belarus.

Standards and values of USSR are still a priority in Belarus.

People worship Stalin. They bring flowers to his monument and consider him a hero. They believe their president Lukashenka is a disci- ple and the follower of Stalin. The Almaz team attending small group in Belarus.

• It is easy for a Ukrainian believer to go to Belarus. We need no visa and we all speak Russian. It takes 7 hours to drive from Kyiv to Minsk, the capital of Belarus. You can also get to Minsk by train.

• Byelorussians are interested to meet Ukrainians as representatives of foreign country and foreign culture.

• USSR system has not collapsed in Belarus. It still exists in all its forms and traditions. People still have the Soviet way of thinking and living.

• An absolute informational blockade greatly affects the spreading of the Good News of Christ, of His death for all the people and resurrection for all who believe in Him. There is no access to Christian information, no Christian newspa- pers and no Christian stores. No Christian literature is published and distributed. There is no Christian radio or TV chan- nels. Church is restricted and is not able to function beyond the church walls. • Hearts of people are bound with fear and uncertainty. People are not willing to change anything. They are reluctant. These are the obstacles the Gospel has to overcome.

• Nonbelievers are either way too open to hear the Good News or way too reluctant. It is easy to see who is ready to accept Christ and who rejects Him.

• 2 million people live in Minsk. There are no more than 30 evangelical churches that have their services in 10 church buildings. The situation in other large cities is even worse. For example: the city of Brest has 500,000 people and only 10 evangelical churches.

Ukrainian believers have a unique opportunity to visit Byelorussians who live in spiritual darkness. Belarus seems to be prosper- ous but behind the external well-being there is a poor destiny of people who have no opportunity to see the light of the Gospel and to find a way to Jesus Christ.

Almaz church took God’s challenge and will be ministering to the people of Belarus. We want God’s name to be proclaimed in every home and in every family. We want people to open their eyes and hearts towards Christ!

Exaltation of the Afflicted The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to “ bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to pris- oners; To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To grant those who mourn {in} Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourn- ing, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

(Isaiah 61:1-3)

Baptism ” 9 young people made a commitment to God through baptism. It is amazing to watch young people making a serious decision to follow God and serve Him. Most of these people are first to believe in their families. They face tremendous opposition of friends and relatives but still are strong in their decision.

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will “be saved, you and your household. (Acts 16:31) ” Worship

On the 12th of April Almaz church invited its friends and partners from different churches and missions organi- zations to participate in a special serv- ice. The service was devoted to God- centered teaching and passionate wor- ship. It was wonderful to see many people from different cities be united in loving God and in worshiping. Almaz church services are a unique tool that we use to help hundreds of people grow spiritually.

An orphanage

In Ukraine there are dozens of orphanages where the living con- ditions are not better than the con- ditions people had 100-150 years ago. Almaz church decided to help one of the orphanages to renovate rooms, repair furniture and build play grounds. We are especially anxious to build a new restroom for the orphans. These are pictures of the old wooden restroom in the orphanage. It is rotten and dangerous for 150 orphans who use it every day.

A team from Almaz has started to build a new, modern restroom.

A testimony

He is a new believer in Almaz. He got to know Jesus through the ministry of one of our small groups. Today he is getting training as a leader.

“My relationships with the living God was started when believers explained to me that Christ is alive and He is with me. I learned I could pray to Him and have relationship with Him. I have started my spiritual life in Almaz. I cannot imagine my life without this church family and with- out relationships with the believers from Almaz. At the beginning of my spiritual journey I was mainly concerned about myself. Today I want to live for Him and for people whom He loves. I sincerely want to serve these people. Now I have a dream. I want to become a pastor.” Roman Litsman Praise:

1. We are grateful for the mission trip to Belarus and for the clarity God gave us as for the next steps in the ministry in Belarus. 2. We are grateful for all the new believers who have come to Jesus and got baptized recently.

Prayer requests

1. Ministry to orphans. • Almaz will be participating in an outreach camp for 120 orphans in June. • Almaz is building a new restroom for orphans. There is a lot of work and not much time.

2. Summer camp. • Almaz is getting ready to conduct an English camp for 80 unbelieving students from Ukraine and Belarus. • We need you to pray for the Ukrainian team of 40 people, for the American team of 30 people and for unity in the team.

3. Mission ministry. We are planning short mission trips to sever- al countries in the former Soviet Union. • Belarus – June • Moldova – June • Russia – August • Tajikistan – August • Kyrgyzstan – August

4. Financial needs. The Economy of Ukraine and financial situation of Ukrainians has always been poor. This situation is get- ting worse every day. We have never experienced as many difficulties as we do today. Prices have grown so much. People spent 90% of their monthly salary (which is about $400) to pay for food and housing. Ukrainian believers are very faithful with their finances. Today believers in Almaz cover only 75% of the church expenses. But church is lacking finances to expand its vision and have a broader influence on the world through the church. [email protected]

! Here’s How You Can Help

Would you consider making a monthly or special gift of $500, $250 or $100 to help Almaz church in Ukraine help develop leaders to reach countries of the former Soviet Union?

O I would like to partner with Almaz ______Church (FD2750) name by giving a monthly amount of ______$100 $50 $25 other ______address

______Please make gifts payable to: city state zip Great Commission Ministries or a special gift of ______P.O. Box 7101 Winter Park, FL $500 $250 $100 other ______phone 32793-7101 ______(Kiev Church Plant-Almaz[FD2750]) e-mail