Recently, we were able to have a meeting and to talk with one brother, whose nickname is “Big Key.” It hardly tells you about anything, but this is good for his safety. Although we hope, his testimony will bring you benefit and it will encourage or motivate you somehow to take part in the mission in the light of God’s plan of redemption for all peoples.
Conversion to God
I believed because of my wife in 39 years (1993-1994). She is was Georgian. “I” and she Georgian — are two knives. Three days after her repentance I was expecting some kind of a trick. I lived with her 20 years and I could not change her, and then “some” God coped for a moment… I was surprised and I “exploded”. I started going to the service to see what was the whole thing about. A year went by. Then I started to read the Bible. I had known the Quran, and while reading the Bible, I saw the difference — the New Testament gives us confidence in the future, and the Koran doesn’t. I had to comprehended everything very well, knowing that accepting Christ meant that my relatives and loved ones would renunciate from me. Nevertheless I decided that after death I wish to be with God.
I repented and was baptized on the same day. Brothers had already known me and after the consultation they decided to baptise me right away. Then I quickly joined to the work. My first church was missionary, so I was able to participate in the creation of 3 churches in Dnipropetrovsk region. I was 50 when I did that, and in 52 I began to pray about serving my people and entered the Kremenchug College.
Calling to the ministry
I realized my calling through a dream. At that time I imagined Jesus to look as in the pictures. The first time since 1976, I ‘ve heard my name in Tatar, “…get up, you need to go to Simferopol…” But I want to Yalta (laughs).
The story went in such a way: it was only one year to my retirement. But I prayed, “God, if You once again remind me somehow about the ministry to Tartars, I will leave immediately and I will go to them.” Just that year, God has given the opportunity to finish working, to write the application of retirement, to carry out the payment and to tell the church that God directs me to the “South of the country.” It is already 5 years, as I’m “out there” and I’m not going back.
Beginning of the ministry
When I arrived to Simferopol, there was some conference. Two Americans gathered all my “brothers in country” who worked among our people. I asked them a question: “Brothers, are you ready for Christ’s sake to forget about denominations to work together to achieve a common goal?” There came such answer that I had to start all over again. But I still promised to visit their churches. Visiting different churches again and again I tried to talk and to encourage joint work, but again, there were arguments about why they can not become Pentecostals, Charismatics or Baptists.
I came then to the central church by myself and gave the letter from my home church. It was my summary of ministers. And, although the pastor said that “national” church wouldn’t exist, I continued praying. Among the members of the church were “nationals” — three sisters, then another woman believed, then two more. God let see the first fruits.
Other difficulties the ministry and the solution
“My people” treated me as a traitor. At first I thought that I had an advantage of 95 % among the Russian or Ukrainian ministers, because I knew the culture… But the practice shows the opposite. They are more receptive to people from another culture.
So now I took a group of Russian-speaking people, to prepare them for the service to my people. Now we even have a group for English-speaking people. After the main worship in our church, we go back to my place and read the New Testament in “native language” and pray. One of the participants translates the Psalms. We are now preparing the translation of the Synodal Bible. We all check if the translations is true and the meaning is not changed. By the way, if the “readers” do not understand something, they will compare with the Synodal version.
I had the idea to find the “nationals” in churches and to gather them in a small group to start the first national church. But now, I’m advised not to rush and try just to talk with at least one pastor to suggest such an idea.
Geography of service and the biggest dream
Village “C”, in which there is one family whose members are gradually turning to God. Village “B”, which there is a family of two siblings.
Initially, the women believe. Because wives should be submissive, no matter what. And they taught this in the Christian church. But if men come into Russian (Ukrainian) Church, they will not cross the threshold, because there is “Russian God.” And when they come to the place, “where is the carpet” and instead of preaching there is communication, and they will not immediately begin to argue that Jesus is God, everything will be different. Although at first the sisters were beaten because of the departure of their religion. There’s such an understanding that if you stopped believing in Allah, then you lost your identity.
Still, the main dream is to create the first national church.
Achieving the goal
I won’t reach the elderly. I won’t reach the labour either, because they are constantly looking for a job, or simply busy. But it is different with children. We can hold the camp for them. This year, for example, there were 7 days for children and then 3 days with some parents. Our ability to conduct such activities and their volume is very dependent on those people whose hearts are disposed to participate in the mission of “my people.”
KiTaP
“Local” partnership. “KiTaP” translates literally “a book”. Its goal — to consolidate the efforts to achieve “my people.” It started in 2005. It takes place once per month. It’s a kind of pilgrimage as the Hajj, where you can “feel the elbow”, “charge”, enhance motivation. There’re present the training factor, factor of friendship and joy, as well as denouncing factor “why many national believers are sleeping?”
Tips for newcomers
Firstly, show them love, serve, show a good attitude, even leisurely talk about Christ. For example, this year there was a camp for 8 families. One mother wrote in a review: “No one has ever loved my child so much…”
Features of the people
They are very hospitable. If you come into their house, they would be in some way required within it to give you everything you need. But do not forget to take your shoes off at the door. They can not understand how you walk in the shoes in various “not the cleanest” fields, and then go into the house.
The influence of the political situation
They are”killed”. No national schools, kindergartens as well, language is not taught. Language teachers are fired. Majlis doesn’t exist anymore. Many of them are deported. Those whom were recognized by the country as extremists had to leave as well. Almost everyone got a “foreign” passport. They can not live in a different way. Most of them leaves mainly to the West.
But the difficulties and leaving national extremists gave us new opportunities for evangelism.
Need help
Now, there are young people. We try to make them communicate with each other. But we need a youth leader who could serve them.
Motivation in hard times (What “raises”you in times of trouble?)
Brother “T …” is my jack (laughs). They are my people. I can not give up on them, no matter how much I wanted. And why should I repent then? His wife asks how long I am going to stay there. I do not answer (laughs). But the answer to others is “untill you carry me out”.
