A Message of Encouragement

 February, 2007     Index of Feature Articles
04 Dec 2007

This is an interesting picture taken some time back here in Ufa…on the right is Valentine Kondratets, who has an effective prison ministry in Ufa and across Bashkortostan…a few years ago, Chris gave him some witnessing cards based on the painting “Forgiven” by Thomas Blackshear.  The back side of the witnessing card was translated into Russian with permission of the copyright holder.  Valentine has used hundreds of these cards as witnessing tools behind prison walls.

 Many prisoners have come to faith in Christ, and after having served their sentences, they are coming into the churches and leading productive lives with Valentine’s help in the way of a new set of clothes, initial basic groceries, and help with job placement and sometimes even a place to live.  

 One of those prisoners who became a believer was so deeply impacted by the effect of the witnessing card that he painted his own version, and that’s the painting in the picture.  It now hangs in one of the Sunday School classrooms at Good News Baptist Church in Ufa, where Peter Zhuk is pastor.    The man in the left of the picture is a former prisoner who is still adapting back into society.  He was also deeply impacted by the Forgiven witnessing cards.  The placard above them is Gal 5:22-23 (the fruits of the Spirit).  

 This account is an encouragement to all who see it and read about it…God has placed each one of us in at least one sphere of influence for Christ…you never know what God will use or how he will use it in order to touch the heart of a person.  We are deeply thankful for God’s mercy to prisoners through the ministry of Valentine and the Forgiven painting and witnessing cards.