FAITH MINISTRIES
FAITH IN ACTION BIBLE SCHOOL
VLADIVOSTOK, RUSSIA

| Home | English Newsletter Index  | Japanese Newsletter Index |

GRADUATION AT FAITH IN ACTION

Every time I go to Vladivostok for a Graduation of students, it is a great occasion. When I come home and people ask, I say "Yes, I had a great time." But I think the truth is more than that. Those students who finish the course of study and receive their diplomas are being sent out into the Lord's harvest field, sent out to touch and change their nation.
Russia is a nation that really needs some good change. Little by little all the good in society is being infected by corruption, alcoholism, crime, break-down in the family, and a widening gap between rich and poor. Only by knowing Jesus and the power of His love can the Russian people be delivered and healed, and given a new life of hope.

Pastor Alexei, Noel & Dima (Principal of FIA)

 

At Faith in Action, our mandate is to provide leaders for the church in Far East Russia. Since starting in 1994 over 80 have completed the one year course, and many are now in full time service for the Lord.
This is why it is such a privilege to have a part in training and releasing young men and women into leadership. I share this privilege with many others who have come from countries all around the world to teach in Vladivostok, and with Christians from everywhere who give financially and pray to make it all possible. Thank you to all who have participated in giving, prayer, teaching, or helping in other ways.


MY JUNE VISIT

I arrived in Vladivostok on May 31st, and began teaching from the book of Hebrews that evening. The next two days Pastor Russ Purcell and a group from his church in Tennessee came to teach and give prophetic ministry to the students. I finished Hebrews, and taught Motivational Gifts and Healing Ministry during the last week of school. As well I visited a missionary friend in Khabarovsk, attended the Aglow meeting, and fixed or upgraded four computers.

Ten Graduates in June 2000

 

On Friday 9th we held the Graduation service in the church's auditorium. About 60 people came to see the students receive their diplomas. Pastor Alexei and I spoke, and as well two students shared briefly about their experience and their hopes for the future.
One, Sergei, shared that only a year ago he had been in prison and the Lord had given him a vision. In the vision he was dressed in red and standing and speaking before some people. This was prophetic, because we have been given the use of red gowns and caps from Rhema Bible College in America for our graduates to wear, and here he was dressed in red sharing his vision with us.

Presenting Diplomas

 

The other, Oleg, told how his dream was to go out and start pioneer churches in the villages near his home church.The finale of the Graduation was a drama or skit put on by the students. Russians love to observe and mimic each other, and they showed us a "typical" class situation and their impressions of Dima, the principal, and 3 other teachers (2 of whom were present!). It was a most hilarious conclusion to their Graduation.
The other nine junior students will now begin the practical phase of their training, in their churches or in some outreach situation. While they serve, they also have study assignments to do, and the pastors give us an evaluation of their 10 weeks of internship. They will come back for classes in September.


NEWS OF OTHER GRADUATES

I was invited to celebrate the first wedding anniversary with Stas and Zina, who graduated a year ago. You may remember that Stas spent 26 years of his life in prison. Now he is so happy about his second "sentence" and spends some of his time helping the families of other men in prison.

Stas & Zina - happily married one year

 

I also met Zhenya who also graduated a year ago. He is now working in a home near Khabarovsk for recovering alcoholics, and is now being helped by Valodia, a former classmate.
In Khabarovsk I met Edik and Katya (graduates of 1995) and 4 year old Mark. They have recently come to Khabarovsk to begin a youth ministry with a desire to see the youth from all the churches cooperating together. They all came to the train station with Yana to see me off. Yana worked for about 4 years in a large church in Chita, Siberia, and has just moved to Khabarovsk to be the secretary of a new Bible Institute about to start in August.


Edik, Katya and Mark, Noel, Yana

 


CONSTRUCTION PLANS

Last month a team of Christian Architects and Engineers from the States came as volunteers to evaluate our buildings and property, to give us advice and plans on where to start and what order to rebuild. At present we are waiting for their recommendations and plans, but it is obvious that we need to begin rebuilding a dormitory for the Bible School during the few months between now and the new term in September.
Pray for our reconstruction projects, for the finances needed and the volunteers to come to Russia and help with the building. If you have time and expertise, and a desire to help in Russia, please contact me about the practical details.

This shell will become a students' dormitory

 


POINTS FOR PRAYER:

1. Continued financial support for pastors, workers and students in Far East Russia.
2. Money for the reconstruction of the Students Dormitory.
3. Volunteers to come and help with building and repairs.
4. Graduates going out in ministry, and students in their practical study phase.
5. Funds for Noel's travel to Russia in May/June. US$500 or NZ$1,000 still outstanding.


Back to the top