Andrew, an interpreter from Ukraine, wrote:
My family and the church here greet you in the name of the Lord. We thank our Lord for His blessings in the year 2008. On November 23, 2008, I was ordained as a deacon at our Sumy FBC, which has a new name now - Gospel House. This new ministry gets me involved in more activities at our church and outside of it.
Besides regular services and serving at the table during the Lord's Supper, I now have elderly people to visit in our area of the city. In January, I already had my first two visits. I have gotten involved in the youth ministry as well, more than I expected at first. It's a lot of fun though.
Now the main thing which is a prayer need too: there is a small church about 20-25 miles away from Sumy, only eight people attend. It's located in a fairly large village. There is no minister there so our bishop sent me and a young man from our church (a 2004 graduate of the World Reach Bible Institute). Boy, we need a lot of wisdom on what to do and how to do things. But, the Lord is strong!
We started a prayer group at our church. We have seen a lot of blessings as a result of this ministry already. My dream is to make a Bible study group out of these people later down the road. Though I'd like to see more men there. Mostly it is women who attend so far.
Our church baptized an elderly women at her home - she hardly walks so she was baptized in her bathtub! More people are coming and accepting Christ as their Savior. What a blessing!
Our church continues the construction of the new house of prayer which will have more facilities for Sunday school and youth ministry. God has been faithful in providing the materials and funds! Isn't the Lord good?
In His love,
Andrew B.
