I did two FaithSearch Discovery presentations so far. One to a group of lay leaders at the Pentecostal Euro-Asian Seminary; and another one to a class of sophomore students at National State University of Social Sciences. I cannot say which of the two I enjoyed more, but the secular school was definitely more difficult and challenging.

It is one thing to train believers in how to present the Gospel clearly and logically, which they already trust and are already very willing to share with others. It is quite different to get a non-believing audience even interested in hearing about a subject that is so remote from and irrelevant to their young lives as …religion! Why would they even allow this Russian-American guy to take over our philosophy class time! It is a secular school after all–not a church! I could almost read this written on their grim faces when their Dean introduced me to the group and left the room. I am so glad he did because that’s when real fun began… [Read more…]

This time around, my three weeks of  home-stay between trips felt almost like a “layover” between the flights. I am on the road again–and this time for longer than I have been in most of my travels. This teaching trip will be very different. First of all, it will not all be teaching. At least one third of my time in Russia I will be on the other side of the educational process. [Read more…]

This time around, my three weeks of  home-stay between trips felt almost like a “layover” between the flights. I am on the road again–and this time for longer than I have been in most of my travels. This teaching trip will be very different. First of all, it will not all be teaching. At least one third of my time in Russia I will be on the other side of the educational process. [Read more…]

Thank you for the Surprised by Faith book, Oleg. I gave away my copy from your year 2007 visit to a friend and am so happy to have it again. By the way, that friend was a non-believer with lots of personal issues and spiritual [questions]. I met that young lady again six months later and could hardly recognize her in this very social person who was now literally shining from within. “My transformation started with the book that you had given me back then,” – my friend explained. “Not only it made me think more clearly about one’s convictions but it also set me for the task of sharing my faith with others.” –the testimony of a public school teacher in Petrozavodsk

My three days in Karelia were packed! I spoke two times on each day and my audience varied from public school teachers to clergy and from high-schoolers to church-goers… Each time I had to adjust the presentation according not only to the age, preparedness, and spiritual openness of the even participants; but also to the timing, lighting, and other external conditions of the site. Praise the Lord for digital technology that allows the same message be presented with integrity and clarity for such different audiences by adjusting it just a few touches of a keyboard!

I am back in Minnesota now and getting ready for my next trip back to Russia in mid-March. Yes, the rest-n’-recovery time will be very short now–I have to be back there in time for my PhD defense day.

Many thanks to all of you who prayed for my trip. I will be writing a full report shortly. Please let me know if you were not receiving it in the past but would like to ([email protected])

Today was the day of finals for my Open Education Institute class of public school teachers–a rare opportunity for me to test how well my material and training was actually understood by the audience. We spent four sessions on the FaithSearch Discovery during the last two weeks which allowed me to go into much detail and discussion over the most important points. Today, I was so nervous! It almost felt like I was there to be tested–not they. Will they fail me? Or will I pass… as their teacher? Praise God, most of them did actually very well and everybody passed the exam. Me included. [Read more…]