Conflict Opens Doors for Gospel Peace
This report is from Russian Ministries’ Senior Vice-President Sergey Rakhuba.
I just returned from Vladikavkaz in the Northern Caucasus, where I traveled with a group of Russian Ministries’ partners and donors.
We had the privilege to participate in a glorious event in that turbulent region: the dedication of a newly completed church, which also will serve as a ministry center in to the entire region.
But while sightseeing, we were startled by the number of heavy army equipment such as tanks, staff carriers and other armored vehicles we saw. Sadly, for the local residents, these vehicles are a common sight after the war in South Ossetia, the terrorist attack in Beslan and the rising unrest in Ingushetia.
During our time in this volatile area, it was great to realize that a group of highly dedicated Christian leaders have committed their lives and resources to expanding God’s kingdom throughout this turbulent area.
These Next Generation leaders bring hope to needy orphans and abandoned children in orphanages, thousands of war refugees in South Ossetia and to the young generation who attend schools and universities and are open to learn about biblical values.
Our ministry center in Vladikavkaz is an outpost for Christian ministry today, reaching out to Ingushetia, Chechnya, South Ossetia and other areas with the gospel of Christ.
Monday morning, as I watched the news, I learned about another assassination attempt in this volatile region. I immediately thought of all of our dedicated workers there, knowing that this event would have significant implications for weeks and possibly months to come.
This summer violence erupted in the largely Muslim region of Ingushetia. A small region in the Northern Caucasus, Ingushetia struggles with both poverty and violence.
This latest assassination attempt was directed at Yunus-Bek Yeukurov–the leader of Ingushetia, who was appointed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in October.
Human rights activists and opposition politicians told news agencies that Ingushetia–which neighbors Chechnya–is “now in a state of civil war.” Conflict between Russian troops and Muslim fighters has escalated throughout the year.
It’s in the midst of this turbulence that Russian Ministries’ young Next Generation Christian leaders from the ministry center in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia are sharing gospel hope and peace.
Throughout the year, School Without Walls students from Vladikavkaz have been involved in humanitarian projects in Ingushetia, including distributing Backpacks of Blessing. These projects are part of the students’ practical ministry training.
As a result of these humanitarian aid projects, small-group Bible studies are being organized in homes in Ingushetia. These small groups will eventually form the basis of church plants in this Muslim dominated region.
Pray for the peace of God to visit this region and turn the hearts of the people toward Him.
Pray for young Next Generation Christians from Vladikavkaz who travel to Ingushetia to share the gospel and to encourage believers there.
Pray that God will protect believers in Ingushetia and help them bring peace and reconciliation to their region.
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