FAITH IN ACTION TRAINING COURSE
(Formerly FAITH IN ACTION BIBLE SCHOOL)
Vladivostok, Russia
Supported by Faith Ministries &
Faith Bible College in New Zealand,
Faith Ministries Japan, and World Outreach.

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RUSSIA REPORT March 2005
 
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness"
2 Timothy 3.16

Noel Morris

For some 70 years the Word of God was prohibited in Russia. Then as an answer to prayer the Iron Curtain came down. Now the Bible is freely available in Russia, but understanding it and living it requires a new level of our involvement and commitment.

At the beginning of March a new semester at "Faith in Action" has begun, with a class of students returning from last year, and a class of new students eager to study the Word of God.

Since 1992 I have visited Russia about 50 times. When I teach the Word of God, the hearts of the young believers receive it and are changed. We are forming future leaders for the Church in Russia.

 
"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear without a preacher?"
Romans 10.14
  
We hear about a lot of negative changes in Russia since Perestroika - crime, drug and alcohol use, immorality, and family breakdown. The only way to reverse these is to change the heart of man through a revelation of Jesus Christ, and ongoing spiritual growth through an understanding of God's Word.

Please continue to support "Faith in Action" with your prayer and financial support.
 
   

"FAITH IN ACTION" GRADUATION December 2004

Just before Christmas, seven Senior students graduated from "Faith in Action". They have now begun working in a variety of ministries in the Primoria Region.

Svetlana H.
step father are also graduates of "Faith in ActioAfter the graduation she went to her parents' village Strugovka. She will be in charge of the youth ministry. Her mother andn", and are pastors in Strugovka now.

Mikhail Y.
In spite of his age he successfully graduate from "Faith in Action". Now he is going to Zharikovo to minister there in the rehab center there.

Jury D.
He used to be well-known in the criminal world, was dying of drug abuse before he entered the Bible School. Now he is absolutely a new person. He was in Lesozavodsk for his practical training, where he helped in a rehab center. Now he is going back to Nakhodka to minister in the rehab center in that city.

Mikhail R.
Mikhail is a gypsy, and when he came to our center was not able to read and write. After rehabilitation he came to classes and just listened. Some Senior sisters taught him to read and to write. Now he works in the "Church of the Living God".

Victor S.
For five years he went to the Mormon church, then God miraculous took him out from there. Now Victor is serving in the "Church of the Living God" center in the missionary department and also will become the secretary of public relations.

Dima V.
Now Dima is staying in the Church center and will be taught to be a leader of a youth ministry. After that he will start a youth ministry in Partizansk.

Alexander K.
He went back to his church to Yuzhno-Morskoy which is near Nakhodka. Before becoming a believer, Alexander used to be a very bad drug addict. Now he will work in prison ministry and also in ministry to drug addicts.
The red caps and gowns used for Graduations were donated to us by Rhema Bible College in Oklahoma, USA
  

Dima is coming to New Zealand

Dima C was a student in our very first class back in 1994. Dima was still 17, but because he was to turn 18 during the school year he was allowed to study. He was an excellent student and was always asking questions. "Noel, can I ask you just one question?" was only the first of many more questions.

Dima went to a town called Kamen Rybolov for his practical training with another student. They started a church there, which Dima pastored after his graduation. Dima's mother later studied at "Faith in Action" and now pastors that church of about 80 believers.

For several years Dima was the Principal of "Faith in Action", and has always been one of the main interpreters for foreign teachers.

Ever since Dima turned 18, the Russian Army has been trying to conscript him. Dima has a heart condition that would normally exempt him, but the hospital lost his records and the Army wouldn't believe that Dima was unfit for military service. So until Dima turned 28 he stayed clear of the Army, and consequently could not apply for Identity Documents, a driver's licence or a Passport for International travel. Now that Dima is 28, it seems that the Army has lost interest in him, and he is planning to come to study at Faith Bible College in NZ for one year from July.

Dima has a scholarship to cover his studying, but we are asking for donations to cover his air fares and support needs for the year he is in NZ.

  

NEW FAITH MINISTRIES REPRESENTATIVES IN JAPAN

Last year it became necessary to find a new representative for Faith Ministries in Japan. Sam and Haeho Benedict (missionaries in Nara Prefecture) have volunteered for this role, and are now translating and mailing this newsletter for supporters in Japan. They are a valuable addition to the work now, but Sam has been a background supporter of Russian ministry for many years. John Cathcart, who started the church Sam now pastors, served for a year in Vladivostok. We are building on some of the foundations he laid back in 1993.

In addition, Sam's father Paul Benedict (also a missionary in Japan) boosted my interest in Russia when he took me on a Russian ship in Yokohama Port to evangelize about 30 years ago. We salute Paul who passed away this February as a hero of our faith.


Mikhail travels to Zharikovo village by train to serve the Lord

PRAY FOR:

  • Alexei, Sveta and family, the staff and the students at Faith in Action.
  • finances needed to run the school. Approximately US$2,000 per month (NZ$3,000, 250,000 Japanese yen.)
  • Airfare and support for Dima to study in New Zealand.
Gifts for our support and continuing ministry to Russia can be sent:
In NZ: C/o P.O. Box 12357 Hamilton
In Japan: Postal Furikae 01150-8-74597 Faith Ministries
In USA: C/o Christian Fellowship, 2199 N. Water Street, Decatur, Illinois 62526
(Make checks out to Christian Fellowship, but memo for Faith Ministries)
From other countries:
Bank: A/c name: Faith Ministries,
A/c No. 060603 0000421 00
National Bank of NZ, Chartwell Branch,
Routing No. NBNZ22

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