Nowadays, it is really difficult to engage people and draw their attention. Some are not interested in listening, others are not interested in reading, but everyone is more interested in viewing the pictures. God gave to the team from Rivne an idea to use paintings by renowned artists, painted at different times, but combined by one common idea. These paintings depict scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.
Thank God that some new reproductions were completed and added to the collection by Easter. Thus, the first exhibition of this year took place in the town of Orzhiv, Rivne region. Just in the center of town the paintings were set up while the story of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ was presented to those who came up to take a look at these masterpieces. In general, people were stopping, gazing, wondering as our ministers would come over to them and explain the meaning based on biblical stories.
A lot of people had an opportunity to hear about Christ and salvation through Him. And some have learned for the first time what Easter really is. Even the children could understand the stories and enjoyed listening to them.
This is a very promising ministry, because the pictures speak for themselves, and ministers only help to better understand the truth depicted on the canvas. Such an exhibition was already presented in many cities of Ukraine, and there are still many who are gladly waiting for them to arrive in their cities.
Our ministers not only travel on their own, but teach others how to share the stories about Jesus Christ through paintings and help set up such a ministry in their churches.
Testimony of Team Participants:
“The outreach ministry through paintings is a wonderful opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission. I’m very excited to be able to carry out God’s will by proclaiming the Good News to all nations! People often think that sharing the gospel on the street is a difficult task because you need to have a gift of gab and speak eloquently. But this is not the case, we just need to remember that we are talking about the One Who rose from the dead! I am thrilled that He enables me to talk about Him through these beautiful canvases. I am glad that I can spread the Good News to those who have not heard it! ” (Inna, stay-at-home-mom).
“A mobile exhibition of paintings on Christian topics is simply an invaluable opportunity to remind people of Jesus Christ and reflect on His coming to earth! It’s hard to come up with anything better than that! Sharing the gospel openly with people as they look fixedly with great interest at high end paintings on the life of Jesus Christ — what else can be more effective than that? The paintings themselves, literally nurtured and born in the minds of great artists of all times, generate an extremely strong emotional response in the hearts of the audience. And then the truths from the Bible, which they hear from the guides, practically comes alive!
As I participated in this ministry, I saw eyes that lit up; heard exclamations, “How interesting and useful!”; I saw men bringing their wives from the other side of the square so that they would also give it a listen… And I, too, just felt as if I soared with my “sprouted wings” because of participating in such a wonderful cause! Thank God for the honor of participating in these exhibitions! ” (Lyudmila, the senior).
“The only thing I can say is that I like it very much and I enjoy communicating with people, I’m just excited that I have a great opportunity to share the gospel with people. But sometimes I feel like crying because only a few understand how important this is! Every time we carry out such an event of evangelism I feel that I’m completely worn out. The last time I figured that I was approached by about 30 people with whom I shared the story on the basis of the paintings. It was a solid gospel! And people who were willing to listen just kept coming over to me. We need to be more eager to use the freedom to share the gospel that we have now in our country, because it will not last forever.” (Victoria, teacher).
Ira Solyanik
