Reaching the Lost in Kirilov

Last year in September you might remember that our missions team went to Kirilov to do evangelism. If you recall that trip you will remember that last time we had a lot of problems with police harassment and interference. We even had to send Nate into hiding because he did not have the proper visa. Because of all the problems last year we decided not to make it such a big event, so not draw too much attention from the authorities. This year we brought a much smaller team and kept it simple. We went out into the streets of Kirilov and nearby villages, Jesus style. We just hung out with people and shared the love Jesus.

The first place we went to was a small village called Char-ozero and went door to door, preaching to those that would receive us. We laid hands on and prayed for many people for salvation, healing and other needs. It was a great time. Some people received Christ.

In Kirilov we walked around the town and parks, trying to catch people with the gospel. One afternoon, Sveta and Nate were able to invite a group of teens to our evening church service. We started the service with our testimonies and after we were done with our stories the Lord spoke to my heart to share Rev. 21:7-8. The love of Christ hit the church. The kids realized that unless they pray Jesus into their hearts they won't be able to come in to the Kingdom of God. At the end of the service they gave their lives to Jesus. Please keep these kids in prayer, they know the gospel, but we dont know if they prayed Jesus into their hearts sincerely. Yura and Nate also had the great pleasure of spending a good hour or so with a man from Cherepovets talking about salvation. They told their testimonies and some parables, explaining their truths. At first he was quite closed off, but it did not take long till he was all ears. He and his girlfriend prayed Jesus into their hearts. There was an instant change in his eyes. I continually pray for this man. Also Yura, Nate, and I were blessed to be able to lead a man named Sergey into the Kingdom. He said he was tired of the life he has been living and could not get out. We shared with him about the love and power of Christ. We lead him in the sinner’s prayer, and we were blessed to see him come to church the next Sunday. Keep him in prayer too. It did not take long for the enemy to bring attack on him. Days after he prayed, he was surrounded by people trying to get him drunk and convince him we are a cult and want to take his house.

Over all we estimate more than 20 people prayed Jesus into their hearts. It was a great time. Please keep the souls of those that heard the gospel in prayer, and those that prayed that the Lord would change and direct their lives from this day forth. Pray that this would be the beginning of their new lives in Christ Jesus.click here to see more pictures

Evangelizing the Streets of Cherepovets

Go out and preach the gospel. Is that not the calling on the life of every believer? Jesus said that you shall witness unto Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and into the whole earth. That is what we are doing every Saturday here in Cherepovets. For the past few months Abner, Valentine, Nate, the ICM team have been going around the neighborhood near the Light of Hope Children’s Center, preaching the gospel. So far people have not been very receptive, but we have had the wonderful privilege of seeing some people come to the knowledge of Christ and pray Him into their hearts.

Russia is hard ground and it is weird to see how people can be so afraid when you come up to them with a smile and try to start a conversation. But this is all the more reason why we need to preach the good news to the lost and dying. We are going out into the worst part of Cherepovets. Though it is not uncommon to see drunk people walking around in all parts of Cherepovets, it is uncommon not to see several walking around at all hours of the day in this section of town. Here is where all the poor, drug abusers, alcoholics, and criminals live, Jesus’ kind of people! There are times when we wonder if what we are doing is worth it, but then we think about how every sound of every step we make carrying the gospel, and every word of the gospel that we speak, is a beautiful sound in the ears of the Lord. It is a great pleasure to know that we are fulfilling the calling of our Lord and that He is pleased in what we are doing, as we are completing the great commission of Jesus. I, and the entire ICM-Russia team, believe that starting here in Cherepovets we will be able to carry the gospel into all of the Vologda region, into all of Russia, and beyond!

Join us. Just as the Lord takes pleasure in the sound of our feet and the words of our mouth, the sound of your prayers are a sweet incense that the Lord longs to smell. Join us in our mission in prayer and fasting. The Lord loves to see His body of Christ working in unity, and will listen to every prayer. Thank you for your prayer and your support, we couldn’t do this without it!click here to see more pictures

Home Groups

Dear Partners and Friends, Olga and I are happy to announce Nate is celebrating his second year in Russia this September. Let's celebrate Jesus' victory over Nate's life together! Nate is still alive and well! Hallelujah! During the first year he struggled a lot with the feeling that he was not doing anything. He has since realized that he was in too much of a hurry. He said to me: now I understand that I have been learning the language and culture while getting established in Russia. This understanding has really helped him understand that he was not doing nothing, even if seemed like he could do more. Nate is very blessed now; he has lots of opportunities to help Olga and I ministering to Russian folks here in Cherepovets. For that, we praise the Lord!!!!

As you remember I asked you to pray for Abner for he had started teaching a home-group study, and later on as the group outgrew the apartment he decided it would be a good idea to have two home-groups going at the same time so that people do not have to travel so far. So, Abner discussed this idea with the board and we agreed to ask Nate to help Abner grow the church. Now Nate and Abner have both been teaching a home group on Thursdays. Nate leads one, with the help of Sveta, by the way , she is doing a great job translating for Nate. Abner leads the other one at Olga’s apartment. They have been going through the book of Revelation. It has been a blast!!!!! It is rather difficult for people, since it seems like no one is willing to touch the book here in Russia. People are really confused about prophecy and how it fits in the life of believers. But these guys are trucking through and people are getting it.

It is a huge blessing to see people learning more about who Jesus is. The more they know Jesus, the closer they will become, and hopefully, the more they will love Him. Nate loves teaching the Word, and he thanks the Lord for this opportunity to serve Him and minister to His people. Next he would like to start teaching more people how to study the Bible. People need to grow in Jesus personally if they are to really become close to Jesus and walk strongly in the Spirit.

• Please join us in praying for the group of people that gather at Nate's apartment and Olga's apartment every Thursday, that their hearts would be open to and affected by the Lord.
• Pray Nate and Abner would have the wisdom and understanding to lead the study in such that people are led to Jesus, not just the knowledge of Him.
• Pray that Nate and Abner would be able to teach people how to study the Word and raise up more strong believers and ministers.
• Pray for the strong presence of the Lord and His Spirit during our studies.

Camping With Street Kids

Greetings in Jesus' Name!!!! This summer was the best summer we have ever had in Cherepovets for the last decade! The temperatures were real high! We were in prayer one day and the Lord laid it on our hearts to go on a backpack camping trip with our shelter youth.

It was a super great opportunity for the young adults to have some quality time with the Lord as we led them in worship and the Bible! It was aimed at young adults. We divided them up and had two small discussion groups that participated in Bible studies during the trip. Nikita was a leader of the first group and Olessya was the head of the second team. I truly believe both of them may be leadership material and I want them to be a part of as much as possible. Please pray for them to become servants of the Lord. God has His hand on both of them. These could be the future of the church in Cherepovets. And we praise the Lord for all He is doing in our midst!!!

The Lord blessed us with all we needed to go on a trip. Thank you all who have been sowing the seed into ICM Russia all these years! Please keep on doing that... ICM Russia is a good soil to sow the seed into! We were tremendously blessed as were worshiping the Lord, fixing the tents, building the fire, cooking food, and teaching the Word of God!