Overall I felt the Ufa project was a huge success based on my observations
and comments from participants. 417 prayed to accept Christ in addition to
several recommitments and 6 for special service, including 4 surrendering to
become missionaries!
I was able to travel every day with Pastor Peter and grew to love and
respect him. I also enjoyed his banya (sauna). I had the privilege of
visiting and speaking in every church except Voznesenka, Oktiabrskaya, and
one other some distance from Ufa.Probably the least prepared and most surprising was the Central Church.
Chris Cowen, our most experienced Russian crusader lead the team there. He
was able to use his experience and boldness to salvage a less than desirable
situation. He took his group to the markets and parks and saw on one
occasion eight people pray to accept Christ. This reaffirmed our experience
that you can reach Russians, even Muslims, in an unscheduled, spontaneous
venue.
Bill Cureton and Valentin finally got into the prison on Friday after Bill
aggressively pressed for the opportunity. The warden was so impressed that
he invited Valentin to come back this past Friday to share Jesus with 2,500
inmates!!
I along with Pastor Peter had a great meeting with the Minister of Religious
Affairs for the republic. I was amazed at his knowledge of Baptists in the
republic and his good will toward Baptists.
Many other doors were opened. Our team visited the mayor of Kummertou.
When he heard we did not have transportation for two of the days he
volunteered his car and driver!! I would not have dreamed about this,
Praise the Lord!!
The only hostility that was mentioned to me was in a small village and it
was only verbal. This too was amazing because of the boldness of most of
our teams.
In Blagoveschensk, Pauletta Martin was able to share with groups of children
and saw approximately 50 pray to receive Christ. In each instance of a
decision, we attempted to get an information sheet completed so that the
local pastor/leader could do follow-up.
As the week progressed, team leaders observed the church pastors/leaders
becoming bolder with strong invitations at the end of the services. One
leader commented, "I have seen a miracle!" He was describing how the Holy
Spirit works when we go out in boldness as the disciples went.
Keith |
