I am only an hour away from departing for Russia and my trip schedule is still “work in progress.” They have just canceled one of my public school presentations due to a school closure because of a terrible gripe epidemic in their region. Two minutes later an e-mail arrive from the same city – an Orthodox church wants me to present for their youth. These are very possibly going to be the same kids I will miss due to the gripe cancelation. If God wants them to hear the message, they will.
June-July 2015, Urals, Western Siberia, Moscow, St. Petersburg
I just realized that this will be my first trip to go on to completely “on faith.” With all my preparation for my three-weeks-long teaching schedule in the Urals, Western Siberia, Moscow, and St. Petersburg, I completely forgot to arrange for my staying accommodation in all those places. I know what I will be doing during the day: teaching, preaching, training, presenting; but I have no idea where I will be sleeping afterwards!
“Do not worry, Oleg. Our brothers and sisters from the churches you speak in will take good care of you. Didn’t they when you were in our area last winter?” senior pastor of the Yekaterinburg region Evangelical Church Union comforted me on the phone a couple of days ago. Yes, we’ve done that before, but this time I will travel in a car all over that region for two weeks, non-stop – teaching FaithSearch Discovery in big cities and small towns, in churches, summer camps, and pastors’ conferences.
I will then do a couple days of teaching in and around Moscow and St. Petersburg, again, at churches and missions conferences. Again, I am trusting God to provide for my lodging and accommodations at friends’ homes, college dorms, or churches’ guest rooms.
“Trying to quench a thirst”
Almost two years ago, I wrote about the joy I share when I hear—either directly or indirectly—from people who have been impacted by our ministry and the resources we produce (see “Sharing in the Joy!“, from March 1, 2013). I have recently been blessed again to hear some amazing accounts. One reader wrote, “I read as though I was trying to quench a thirst I never knew I had.”
His story starts out like a love story, yet you may not be “surprised” how it ends. [Read more…]
2015 Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction
We are once again planning the details for our 2015 Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction. It will be held May 2, at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN. If you will be in the Twin Cities at that time, I encourage you to plan to attend. Here’s a good reason to make a reservation: [Read more…]
“Like Us on Facebook!”
“Like Us on Facebook!” It’s an almost ubiquitous tagline for marketing and social networking. “Everybody’s” doing it. “Word-of-mouth” has taken on new meaning as people share with others their online preferences and discoveries. “Going viral” has become the new gold standard for success in marketing. This powerful strategy is coming into play in ministry as well, and in the coming months, FaithSearch will be testing these waters. You can play an important role in helping us reach even more people with the Gospel with evidence. [Read more…]
