FAITH IN ACTION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vladivostok, Russia

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RUSSIA REPORT AUGUST 2001

Greetings from Tim Tazono
(Japan representative for Faith Ministries)

I have been praying for Russia for years, but I never thought I would be involved in this way. Last April Rev. Noel Morris asked me to pray to take over the responsibility of being the school's contact person in Japan. The Lord brought our family back to Japan to pastor Narashino church in April 2000. It was a big move for our family, especially for our children, because they did not speak the language or understand the culture of Japan. They left many friends and everything familiar behind. Since coming back to Japan, I have been so busy getting used to the environment, building up family life as well as church ministry and outside requirements.

I'm happy to be involved in ministry to Russia and will do my best to help the school. Please keep praying and supporting this ministry.

 

Ministry at Faith In Action Bible School

From June 3-10, I was in Russia for a ministry trip. I had an opportunity to lecture at FIA Bible School. At first I was apprehensive, since I had no time to prepare English messages and had to speak in English from Japanese notes! I was afraid my English would not be good enough. I had to fully depend on the Lord! He helped me and in the end, English felt like my native language. Fortunately, the Lord provided a good interpreter and I was relieved it went very smoothly.

What I found at FIA was a first time experience. It was exciting to step into Russia for the first time, witnessing first-hand what the Lord has been doing there. As I expected, what the Lord has been doing in FIA is fantastic and many Bible students came from hard, tough lives, saved by grace and filled by the spirit and on fire for the Lord, staking their lives on Him. They have such a passion for Him. They gave up almost everything for God, and it challenged my passion for the Lord.

I lectured on "Spiritual Maturity". After the class, many questions were asked showing their desire for maturity and becoming useful servants for God. The Lord's mercy is evident in each testimony.

It gives me joy and excitement to know they will be sent all over Russia and be used in a mighty way after being trained here. This time 9 students graduated, and I had the privilege of giving the graduation message and handing over their diplomas.

 

 

FIA Facilities

In FIA, many students are being trained to be pastors and evangelists. I am convinced that this FIA Bible School will be a great key all over Russia, influencing the spiritual climate of Russia in the future. FIA Bible School is on the property which used to be a military facility. Most of the buildings are in useless condition.

Dima Chernakov, the Principal of FIA told me, "Many churches in Russia and neighboring countries which used to be a part of Russia, are asking us to take their people as students. The number of requests is now about 150 but we can only take 20 maximum at a time. We wish we had bigger facilities." I feel it is very important and needy to build a bigger building for the school to reach out all over Russia. I personally have to pray and tell about this Russian ministry to as many Christians as possible in Japan and other countries. Please keep praying for this ministry.
- Tim Tazono

 

From Dima Chernakov

Principal of FIA

Russia is neither Western nor Asian. Outside it looks OK but inside it is like a game without rules. The Far East of Russia desperately needs a Christian influence. In the 2000 towns and villages of Primorski region only three percent are Christians.

Crusades are not so effective here. Over 5 years we had 58 crusades and 58,000 people were invited. Only 18,000 gave their lives to Jesus. Churches in this region are still small and weak. Few Christians have a strong Godly character.

The Cell group system does not work very well in Russia, especially in villages. The one effective method is the constant and laborious discipleship by young and dedicated Christian leaders in the many villages of Primorski region.
Sometimes however these young ministers are not trained in basic spiritual truths, and there are examples of abuse and errors. Lectures and correspondence Bible studies are now available in Russia but they give only a theological level education. Many pastors are crying out for strong, trained helpers in ministry, and only a live-in Bible School can provide a complete and full preparation for ministry.

We have many examples of that. Students came to us from 18 churches. After graduation they went back home and 14 of the churches experienced growth. Our graduates are now working as pastors, leaders of Praise and Worship teams, evangelists, home group leaders, business people, blacksmiths, salesmen, farmers, housewives. Although only 15% our graduates are in full time ministry, all of them have a strong influence in their churches.
One pastor who visited me said: "Now I know that this school is from God, because you have so little and yet you do a tremendous work here". The kind of education we provide at our Bible School is unique in Far East, therefore I see a big future for us.

Yesterday one student returned later than usual from evangelization, and I asked him to explain why he was not back at the proper time.
He has looked at me and seemed lost in thought. I asked what had happened to him. He answered to me: "You know Dima, 5 years ago I taught my friend to use drugs, but today I led him to the Christ." He wept as he walked away from me into the darkness of night.

People in the Far East are so depressed and oppressed that they are ready to accept anything and everything. It is a dangerous time, and we need wisdom. Now is a vital time to training future leaders for new churches so that we will win Russia for the Kingdom of God. Please pray for Faith In Action Bible School.

 

BUILDING REPAIRS

The present plan is to repair this shell of a building for a student dormitory by October. Pastor Alexei is asking for US$2,500 to pay for this. We do not have this extra money, and are trusting the Lord for His provision.


 

NZ OVERSIGHT

Oversight and advice for FIA is provided by a Board in New Zealand consisting of Rev Des Short (Principal of Faith Bible College), Pastor Alistair Reece, and Noel Morris. Alistair has been appointed as the current Board Chairman.

Alistair will teach at FIA for a week in early September when the new term has begun, while Noel is planning to go to teach in November.


PRAY FOR:

THANK YOU...
...for your prayer and your giving that has enabled FIA to continue forming men and women of God. They touch the lives of those without hope in Russia, and bring them the love of Jesus Christ and a living hope in God.

Gifts for our support and continuing ministry to Russia can be sent:

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