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Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature
Come Over and Help is increasingly involved in the support of pastors. There is at present a tremendous hunger for the Word of God in the former USSR. Throughout the huge continent pastors are preaching the doctrines of free grace as never before. We may say that this is nothing less than a nation wide awakening. This is not a revival in the sense that large segments of the population are affected by the Gospel and that multitudes are flocking to hear God’s Word. But what is happening is, that throughout the entire country there are groups of men and women gathering to hear Gods Word preached, like never before. Many of these people were fully indoctrinated under communism. They did not believe that there is a God. Many of them had not even heard the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ until a few years ago. Everywhere churches are being planted. Conversions are happening in many places. God is clearly at work.
One of the greatest blessings a country may receive is the gift of faithful ministers of the Gospel. Russia, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries are presently blessed with hundreds and hundreds of these ministers. In places where the truth had never been preached, now the Word of truth is proclaimed loud and clear. Young people are drawn, elderly are convicted, men and women are changed. Especially among the young men there is a drive to go out and preach God’s Word. In the last 12 years many young men have devoted their lives to proclaim God’s Word. The Lord is gathering a harvest among the people of the former USSR.
Come Over and Help has been able to lay contacts with various of these pastors. Through the work of the Mission Organization “Light of the Resurrection” in Donetsk, in East Ukraine, COAH could become acquainted with many of them.
What strikes the representatives of COAH is how Biblically grounded these pastors are. They desire is to preach only the truth. They delight in reading Puritan books. Calvin’s Institutes has been widely distributed amongst them. Pastors conferences are held in various parts of the country. It is during these conferences that these men ask deep questions regarding God’s Word. The answers they themselves at times give show how well grounded they are in Scripture.
How can we characterize their preaching? They preach that a sinner outside of Christ is lost and that he needs a living Saviour to atone for all his sins and guilt. They preach the necessity of faith and repentance. They proclaim that a sinner is justified by faith only. They uphold Gods sovereign decree of election. But they also warmly invite sinners to Christ and they offer Him freely to their hearers. They emphasize the need for regeneration and the necessity of a holy walk before God. They rejoice in the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. They confess that only Jesus Christ can renew one’s life for that is the truth they themselves experience.
These pastors are very devoted men. Their income is very meager. Some of these pastors own little plots of land where they try to grow vegetables. Occasionally they may have some livestock. Some who are older may have a small pension and dedicate all their time to preaching God’s Word. Others try to find a job as a taxi driver. The more learned among them try to find a job as a teacher. Many cannot find steady work and in deep poverty they labour on and seek to be faithful in preaching God’s Word. The love of Christ constrains them.
COAH tries to help these pastors in two different ways. The first way is by translating, printing and distribution of Puritan and Reformed books. This is coupled by providing instruction for these men in the form of correspondence courses managed from within Ukraine, and also by means of ministers conferences, where extensive lecturing and preaching take place. This distribution of books and the arranging of ministers conferences are greatly appreciated. They meet a direct spiritual need.
The other way how COAH tries to assist these pastors is by providing them pastors support. The aim is that every pastor who receives support from COAH is examined as to how his conduct and preaching are. COAH aims to support faithful pastors who are Scriptural in their preaching. This is ascertained by personal interviews, and other examinations, materialized by COAH delegates as well as by various trusted local contact people.
COAH has set up an extensive program to help these pastors. Varying from $100 to $150 US a pastor can be supported with his family for a month. In the far east of Russia the prices are very high but the standard of living is lower. There the cost of living for a pastor and his family will be around $250 US per month.
All this help requires funding. Therefore COAH is laying these urgent needs before you. May we urge you to remember prayerfully the work that is taking place in these vast countries? The fields are white and ready to be harvested. The labourers need support. Little support will already be enough for them. Let us remember them. May God’s Kingdom come and may sinners be converted to Him. Let us realize our responsibility towards these poor ministers of the Gospel.
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Support Help for Poor Pastors
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YOU MUST READ THIS!
You can almost feel the hunger and thirst as you read the responses from many in the former Soviet Union for the books that are being distributed by the thousands!
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