26.10.2002                                                                  

Dear Friend,

Christian greetings from Russia!

A few days ago I had a privilege to conduct a seminar for planters of new churches in Ousman (a small town in Southern Russia). There were 13 Russians planning to start new churches. I had a great time teaching them. But a real peak of this trip was fellowship with an old Christian lady, Maria who was my host.

Maria testified about some of the remarkable events of her life when God manifested His great power, love and mercy. Her husband was a pastor of a underground church during the Communists times. In 1980 they developed a hellish plan. There was a wide-spread propaganda that Baptists are terrible cult people who make human sacrifices. Therefore, with this in view, one of Communist leaders decided to fabricate a case against local Christians and present it like a “sacrifice of the Baptists”.  Maria was chosen as a sacrifice. The plan was that a backslidden member of that church would secretly come to organise a murder and the blame would be laid on believers who made their “regular human sacrifice”

At that day  when pastor Ivan, Maria’s husband, went to a distant village to visit a group of Christians. KGB people traced him and arrested on the way. Then a backslidden Christian was instructed to go to Maria, to stay with her overnight and during the night open the door to the killer… The Lord protected Maria by bringing two totally unexpected guests: two Christian ladies from another Soviet republic arrived. They previously received the Lord in Maria’s home. At that time they had an urgent business and came to Maria almost right after Ivan left for his last trip.

These two sisters apologised for coming without notice and asked for permission to stay with Maria for two weeks period. Maria has always been very hospitable, so she wholeheartedly agreed. An hour later the lady-betrayer came.  The moment she saw two unexpected guests she was so shocked that she almost lost her ability to speak.  

This was God’s way of protecting Maria and many innocent Christians from the cruel death.  Nevertheless, it was not the end of the trial.  The enraged Communists killed pastor Ivan and totally destroyed a small wooden house which Ivan was building for his church.

Today, 20 years later, there is comparatively large modern Baptist church witrh it’s own  building pastured by Ivan and Maria’s son, Anatoliy..

Maria is convinced that all the blessings they have now are the results of her husband’s sacrifice in the name of the Lord. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Psalms 116:15)…

This week I received a prophecy of Rich Joyner that is a confirmation of many other prophetic words about the destiny of Russia in the great final Revival. In particular, Hudson Taylor prophesied about 100 years ago that the final Revival will start indeed in Russia. May this prophecy strengthen us in faith, prayer and thanksgivings to our Lord!

“Russia will be the host of the greatest revival that the world has yet seen.  Because of it, the soul of the nation will be transcendent, overcoming many of  the great problems of the times and helping many other nations to do the same. Preceding this, Russia has a very difficult road ahead, with some tragic events looming...” The end of this prophecy  you can find on our Web Page.

If you feel that God encourages you, you can make offerings through

Evangel Worship Center

357 Broad Street, Menasha WI 54952

All contributions of course are fully tax-deductible. Checks should be made with a note: for the ministry in Russia.

May the Lord bless you abundantly!

With love in Christ,

Andrei Blinkov