Blessed Movement
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, dear friends, I would like to greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit of God was manifested in two ways: a rushing wind and a fire. The rushing wind symbolizes movement. True Christianity in its essence cannot be stagnant; we clearly witness this movement taking place today when we read missionaries’ letters about their work to win souls for the Kingdom.
The newsletter that you are holding in your hands is dedicated to the life and ministry of our fellow believers who serve the Lord in the predominantly Muslim regions of the former Soviet Union. Islam is a world religion that has spread its influence over hundreds of millions of people around the world, many of whom belong to the descendants of Ishmael, the son of Abraham. Reminiscent of Ishmael’s cry in the desert, the mournful call to prayers from the minarets can be heard across several continents today. Every day it marks the beginning of the day for millions of people in the Middle East.
Starting in the sixth century, Islam penetrated the lives of many nations, many of which had previously belonged to Christianity, and eclipsed for them for many centuries the beautiful face of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ! Today, there are estimated to be more than one billion adherents of Islam in the world. In 41 countries of the world today, Muslims constitute the majority of the population that forms the government in these countries.
The Bible tells us that the Lord responded to Abraham one day and said: “And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him…” (Gen. 17:20).
There is a memorable story in the Old Testament when the Lord revealed to Hagar, Ishmael’s mother, a well with water and Ishmael was saved from death. Is there any doubt about what this water well means for the descendants of Ishmael? It is Christ! Even today, He calls to the sons of Hagar: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37).
Dear friends, it is with a special prayer that we would like to share with you this update about the life of believers in Central Asia.
Love in Christ, Rev. Vladimir A. Okhotin, President of REM.
San Diego, CA.
2017-3-en
