THE PROKOPYEVS APRIL UPDATE

MINDEN, NV. USA. On April 12-13, with the help of our Father in Heaven and the cooperation of our missionary Nate Houlmiere, I  travelled to Nevada to serve the Lord and His people at High Sierra Fellowship in the small town of Minden. Initiated and organized by Nate Houlmiere, a local minister the Inductive Bible Study Workshop proved to be very fruitful among core people of this local church. Nate once said, «Most people in America have very little knowledge about how to study the Word of God inductively for themselves, so let our teachings be seasoned with salt!»

In a time, when in Russia, you can come and preach the Word of God at secular orphanages, homeless shelters, elementary, primary schools, and various places of higher education, it is just the opposite in America: secular schools and all sides of the society are increasingly rejecting expressions of Christianity. In a time like this,  we need to become committed and serious about going around in Jesus' name preaching the Word, making disciples of Jesus Christ, and equipping people for the work of ministry; freely it is given to us, freely we will be giving it away…

On this particular trip, I was able to meet the saints at High Sierra Fellowship and bless them with the Inductive Course introduction and do some discipling with Bro. Gary White and Bro. Nate Houlmiere who are still learning how to conduct the Inductive Bible Study Workshops.

SEVERODVINSK and ARCHANGELSK, RUSSIA. Through the initiative of our ministry partners Pastors Victor Elizarov, Konstantine Rogov and senior minister Sergey Raspopov, ICM of Russia was  able to further our vision for making disciples and conduct Inductive Bible Study Workshops in the towns of Severodvinsk and Archangelsk, Russia. In both places it was clear from the response that many baptized and non-baptized people alike were inspired to abide in the Word of God, believe the promises of God, and follow Christ in the church. Minister Sergey Paspopov wrote afterwords, saying: «I feel like the Lord is encouraging me to be more bold with our ministries, especially in training the saints and equipping Christian people with the Inductive Course all around Russia». Konstantin said, "Attendance at both places was good and the response of those attending was very positive! The fruit of this ministry remains, continues, and multiplies! For that, we praise the Lord!"

CHEREPOVETS, RUSSIA. Avenir [Abner] Kalinkin and Andre Sorokin were able to travel to Moscow to buy new desks for the Light of Hope Shelter for street children. Also, Abner continues to do inductive Bible studies both at the Light of Hope Church of Cherepovets and the Light of Hope Shelter! Nelly, Tatyana and Olga continue to prepare street kids for life by teaching hygiene, Christian crafts, culinary classes, etc. They have been able to share the love of Christ with many orphans this month by doing our Birthday Celebration Project! It went just fabulous!!!!! Kids got the Word, the Blessing, and a Birthday gift!!!

LIVES ARE BEING BLESSED AND CHANGED! PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE BY MAKING A SPECIAL GIFT TODAY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS MINISTRY!

IN HIS SERVICE,
IGOR AND OLGA PROKOPYEV  

THE PROKOPYEVS MARCH UPDATE

Dear Co-laborer in Christ!

John 4:35, 36(a): «Do you not say, there are yet four months, and then comes the harvest? Behold I say to you, LIft up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal…»

Procrastination and nearsightedness are detrimental to Christ's mission for the church. Tomorrow always seems better than today, and those living around us seem to do just fine without God and Church…

God's perspective is different than ours! Constantly we need to stay in touch with the Spirit to find and act on His perspective. We see Christ on the Cross, but Christ saw the world from the Cross… in darkness, sin, and a slave to the devil. Jesus has risen from the dead to give us His resurrection power so that we may go in His name and destroy the powers of darkness!

Once after preaching at the Light of Hope Shelter, one of the moms came up to me to talk… she said to me, You know that our kids came to the Shelter because they were desparate… you know that we are from Uzbekistan and we have been muslims all our lives. Now I am a Christian. Tell me something, Igor. I was young but now I am old. Why has it taken so long before I got to know the Truth about Jesus Christ?» All I said to her that day: «It is not for us to know the dates and seasons. God perfectly know what and when and how He is going to do that» She wept in God's presence. That moment I heard God asking me: «Are you willing to lift up your eyes to see those who are waiting and wanting to hear the Truth and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior?»

Dearest friends, are we ready to do something about it? Here are some OPPORTUNITIES to help someone to come to Christ and get to know Him in a very personal way:

Every month our ministry team takes an awesome care of the street and less fortunate children at our LIGHT OF HOPE SHELTER. New kids from the streets are coming and getting help at the Shelter. You can see their faces at my Facebook wall, just go to Facebook.com and type Igor Prokopyev and here you are at our page where we post recent pictures of the children and ministers who serve them wholeheartily.

We as a ministry train and equip the saints for the work of ministry on a regular basis. This month Olga and I are doing some training in Carson Valley, Nevada. Sergey Raspopov did an Inductive Course in Severodvinsk, Russia Konstantin Rogov did an IBS (Level One) in Archangelsk, Russia. Avenir Kalinkin is doing a book study in Cherepovets. He is teaching through 1Corinthians in the power of the Holy Spirit. Andre is also doing a book study in Anisimovo, Russia. He is going trough the Gospel of Mark. Garrick Kurginyan is focusing on the leadership, equipping them with the Inductive tools and training them to feed the flock on the Word of God! The guy's wives are the great help to them!!!!! For that, Olga and I praise the Lord!!!! You can see the pictures of the guys on my Facebook wall as well!

For this next harvest of souls in the month of April, can I ask you to pray and place your financial support behind it? Please HELP by giving  your best love-gift even today!

Your servants in Christ,

Igor and Olga Prokopyev     

THE PROKOPYEVS FEBRUARY UPDATE

Dear Friends, Family, and Partners:

All glory to God in the Highest! Our Productive Bible Study Seminar we did at BFA Church was a great success! From February 14-21 I was in Virginia as part of Revelation Meets Intellect Conference focused on training Christians how to study the Scriptures inductively: verse by verse, chapter by chapter, and book by book. The conference was organized by Beauty for Ashes Ministries, Newport News, VA.

Practical teaching was given with topics ranging from «How to Study Different Genres in the Bible» to «How to Break the Bread of Life in Small Bite-Size Pieces» and «How to Observe, Interpret and Apply the Truth in the Everyday Life». Different books of the Bible were opened, notes were taken and 3 written assignments were accomplished as students were gathering nuggets of Truth and Bible study experience from the seasoned speaker :)

I started the seminar with the Book of Nehemiah 8:1-12. The Holy Spirit emphasized on how people of God were hungry for the Word of God and asked Ezra to bring the Word, which the Lord had given to them. The Lord was speaking to us in vs.5,6 about how we as people of God ought to respond as we hear the voice of God. The main emphasis though was that when Ezra and other ministers read from the book they explained the Word, or interpreted the Word to give the sense, so that people could understand the reading and apply it in their everyday life. (vs. 7,8) And in verse 9 we see the result of it, people got convicted by God and were weeping and mourning. And in verse 12 we read: « All the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions, and to celebrate a great festival because they understood the words which had been known to them». People had a ball because they understood their God! Our true source of joy today is not based on the authority given to us over Satan and the demons but upon the greater good which is the ability to hear, understand and apply God's Word in our lives! Hallelujah!!!

People are caught up in the New Age, the Occult, witchcraft, Animism, Atheism, Paganism, Socialism, Communism, fortune telling, drug, alcohol, tobacco addictions looking for answers and help, they become demonized. It may come as a surprise to some, but the ministry of deliverance continues today, sometimes quite dramatically. God's Word is mighty to save and deliver people from bondage! Jesus said: «You will know the truth and the truth will set you free!»

The only solution and source of healing for these people are not psychologists, mind-altering drugs or modern Christian Science but the power of God's Word, as you declare it in the power of the Holy Spirit and authority of the name of Jesus Christ. Listen to this: «My son, give attention to my WORDS; incline your ear to my SAYINGS. Do not let THEM depart from your sight; keep THEM in the midst of your heart! For THEY are LIFE to those who find them and HEALTH to all their body.» You and me, as Christians are called to carry on this ministry of deliverance and healing which is the ministry of Jesus!

Let me encourage you… the Lord has given you and me the power and authority over all the powers of the evil one. He said, «Nothing shall injure you». May the Lord help us to exercise this mighty gift wherever we go! Always remember He entrusted the Word to you to bring healing, deliverance and salvation to others!

Next, I will be traveling to Calvary Carson Valley, NV in the month of March. I will be serving and preaching the Word at the church both main service and afterward to the youth. Also, we are booked to teach PBS seminar (Level 2) there to equip the saint for the work of service. Please pray for ICM of Russia and me. Thank you for your financial support! Your sacrificial giving helps people find the Truth that sets them free! God bless you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

Dearest ICM of Russia Family, Friends and Partners!

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, thah God has sent His only begotten Son into the World, that we might live through Him!

1 John 4:9

Olga and I wish all the best to you and your family this Christmas season!

PRAISE REPORT FROM RUSSIA

Dear Co-laborer in Christ!

Glory to Jesus Christ forever! Olga and I greet you in His All-Powerful Name!

From Moscow to Belfast and from Cherepovets to Severodvinsk, and from Vologda to California we like Philip the Evangelist and Minister of the Word, have been following the Spirit of God who was saying to us "Go up and join this chariot!"

So, ICM of Russia Crew and JVC Team joined the "chariot" of the Good News Church and Light of Hope Church of Cherepovets where we encouraged and equipped the saints for the work of service! I can attest to the presence of God in the services ministering to the saints of the church.  Lives were changed while others were healed. We praise Jesus with no ceasing for that! God is awesome! His Word is mighty to change lives and heal souls!

Afterward, we found ourselves sitting in the "chariot" of Light of Hope Fellowship in Anisimovo and then Transformation Church of Vologda holding meetings and equipping the saints for the work of ministry there.  People of God were encouraged and refreshed by the Word of Life!

From there the Spirit led us to the "chariot" of Heart2Heart Church, Severodvinsk where we spent a week together with 20 ministers who wanted to learn how to do Inductive Bible Study Seminars all over Archangelsk Region, Russia. As a result, 5 of them passed the test and are ready to go and hold IBS Training Seminars in their communities.

From there the Spirit brought us over to the States to meet with ICM of Russia Support Group and share ICM of Russia vision for 2013 with churches here and individuals! Also we are going to teach IBS seminars here in the United States and train and equip the saints with the Inductibve Bible Study tools so that they can teach faithful men in their congregations.

ICM of Russia Crew (Abner, Nelly, Nate, etc)  just joined a "chariot" of City Orphanage 1 to celebrate kids' birthdays! It was an awesome time with our children! Jesus came to the Cafe and ministered to the children in a mighty way! The Cafe we had birthday celebration at, provided for everyone who came to the party with lots of yummy food! ICM of Russia Team spoke the blessing into kids' lives, prayed over them, shared from the Word and gave kids the gifts. Nate had lots of fun taking bunch of pictures during the project! Abner and Nate will upload pictures to our web page shortly!

This fall ICM of Russia has been serving in various churches located thoughout of Russia and Ireland feeding the faithful, teaching the Word, and equipping the saints with IBS tools so that they can lift up their eyes to Jesus and understand His Word and fullfil the Great Commission Jesus has given to them. The Commission that will take Olga and I to Virginia, USA and the Phillipines together with missionaries Lyford and Martha Morris in 2013.

Please pray for Olga and I and ICM of Russia. Would you consider sending an extraordinary love-gift this month to help us in this all important work? This coming March I will turn 49. It has been 20+ years since God sovereignly and graciously called and empowered Olga and I to be His witnesses to the nations! Amazing God is faithful!  

SEVERODVINSK INDUCTIVE TEACHERS' COURSE

Olga and I have a vision to spread the Love of God through teaching of the Word of God inductively throughout Russia... we realize that it is impossible to accomplish the task unless we train and equip enough disciples who would go in Jesus name and spread the Living Word throughout the former Soviet Union. 

Sometimes I forget where I am or where I have been or what day or time it is... seriously, everything is changing in our lives so quickly, we are always going somewhere to teach or help, all these changes could be confusing but the one thing that we teach that will never change is God's Word!!!

In the month of October we received the invitation from Severodvinsk Heart to Heart Church, which is in  Archangelsk Region to come teach 20 ministers who have a huge heart for missions and want to teach faithful people how to study the Bible inductively and understand the heart of God.

Pastor Andrey who had been teaching Inductive Bible Study (IBS) seminars for a while teamed up with me and traveled to Severodvinsk to teach ministers who signed up for IBS Teacher's Seminar. Pastor Konstantine, since he has been teaching the Bible inductively at Heart to Heart Church came alongside and tought some of the assignments encouraging the participants to get ready to conduct IBS seminars throughout the Archangelsk Region. Four days of the seminar went just fabulous! We had a great time with our brothers and sisters in the Lord!. By the last day of the seminar we saw how 5 out 20 can teach an IBS seminar (Level 1) even now and 5 more guys are on the way! We came back to Cherepovets all encouraged and refreshed!

Thank you to all who sent the support and prayed for us as we were doing missions work in Russia this time!!!   

RUSSIA MISSIONS OUTREACH

This past month Olga and I were tremendously blessed to experience one of the best missions outreaches ever! The team the Lord put together was amazing! There were six people from JVC Northern Ireland, one sister came from Word of Life Church of Kirov, one from Transformation Church of Vologda and a couple of pastors from Light of Hope Church of Cherepovets as well as Olga and me. We could not have asked for a more cohesive group of people! Every day was a new adventure as the Lord was talking to us about His plans for that particular day... because that is the way He operates! Almost a year ago the Lord laid it on my heart to host a tree day conference in Cherepovets, Russia where people would come and taste the goodness of our Lord. We invited all the churches to come together and participate in "Celebrating the Life of Christ" Conference. More than 150 people attended the services each and every day. Our team was focused on serving the Word of God and praying for people and leading them to the Rock of our salvation. Pastors of different churches and their wives attended the conference and really enjoyed the presence of God as His powerful Word had been preached! A lot of people rededicated their lives to Jesus, some of the participants confessed their sins and believed in the Gospel afresh. That first week was real full, we all worked really hard and had a great great time serving people of God together! It was huge blessing for me to watch each of the team member teach the Word, pray with people and see the people respond and very often in tears of repentance or joy! For that, we praise the Lord! On Sunday Olga and I divided the team into three groups and sent them to serve three different towns where our ICM of Russia partners pastor their churches. We are blessed to receive letters, emails and facebook messages about how blessed the people became in Vologda, Cherepovets, Belozersk and Kirillov. It was a long long Sunday but every one of us had an awesome time!!!!!

After we were done ministring there in Cherepovets, Vologda, Belozersk and Kirillov we as a team traveled to Moscow to hold our annual ICM of Russia Forum 2012. More than 30 pastors, worship leaders, children ministers and their wives came to spent three days in the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship. The church leaders we have ministered to, have so much in common; they love the Lord, they love God's Word, they adore people of God and they want to know and understand God's will for their lives and walk daily in His presence! Everyone of us realize that we need to work on our ministries from a Biblical perspective rather than just cultural, but how do you break away from decades if not centuries of Russian Orthodox Church dominance? The answer is with God's Word and the power of the Holy Spirit! By the last day of the Forum we saw pastors being encouraged and renewed and refreshed to teach through the Bible in their churches and bring life of Christ as they serve people in their communities. The Word convicted and encouraged many to reconsider and keep up with good works in the Kingdom of God. We praise the Lord that His Word doesn't return void and He is faithful to complete that which He has begun!

After we were done ministering there in Moscow, Olga and I came back to Cherepovets to do some work at the Light of Hope Street Children's Shelter and Light of Hope Church of Cherepovets where we were able to bless the ministry with the funds and encourage ICM of Russia friends and partners to replace the old windows at the shelter. It is a huge project but it is a working progress! Praise the Lord! We were able to buy a new laptop and fix an older machine so that kids can learn to use computers to do their homework and play educational computer games. Kids really enjoy coming to the shelter to get some physical and spiritual food, computer and social skills. Olga and I were very blessed to see how God is using Tatyana and Abner and Nelly as they serve the Lord and street kids who come to the shelter on a regular basis.