ABWE | Association of Baptists for World Evangelism

Ukraine

April 30, 2012
Bruce and Carol Bagley

Further testing has shown that Carol’s chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is in the early stages, is not aggressive and will not require immediate treatment.
They are also rejoicing that in the church at Bualik four people accepted the Lord during the Easter service.
The Bagleys traveled to Gdansk, Poland, from April 20-29 for meetings with mission leaders from Central and Eastern Europe. The gathering was a time for reviewing effectiveness and planning for the future, as well as a time of prayer for their region.

April 16, 2012
Miriam Wheeler

Dr. Miriam Wheeler traveled back to the U.S. last week to be at her father’s funeral service. Carl Theron Wheeler, 85, died April 10.
Miriam writes, “I am so thankful that my brother Tom and his wife Becky were with Dad when he passed from this earth. ... I am so glad his suffering is over, as the last seven months since his hospitalization in September were extremely difficult for him, and he longed for heaven. His departure does leave a big hole in my heart — he was my biggest cheerleader and most faithful prayer warrior. He loved sharing the Gospel with people more than anything in the world! He was delighted that both of his children were serving the Lord in full-time ministry.”
Miriam will return to Ukraine on May 4.

April 9, 2012
Mike and Rachel Gustafson

Mike and Rachel Gustafson praise the Lord for the completion of season four of their basketball league and the hundreds who heard the Gospel.
Several of their neighbors have attended their church recently.
They are seeking prayer for a successful trip to Krakow, Poland (April 3-10) to obtain new visas so that they may continue to live and serve in Ukraine; Rachel’s health during her last trimester (due July 22nd); Mike as he teaches a seminary discipleship class (4/23-5/3) and for Rebirth Church’s young singles outreach retreat April 27-29.

April 9, 2012
Scott and Lisa Carter

A family from Ukraine left for a year’s short-term mission in a creative access context two months ago. Another Ukrainian family left for five years in a creative access context one month ago. Several opportunities are opening in other creative access contexts.
Pray for the servants needed in these ministry areas. Pray for a needed leadership change in a Ukrainian mission alliance Scott facilitates. A Ukrainian missionary sending structure is greatly needed.

April 2, 2012
David and Penny Winget

David and Penny Winget have seen encouraging growth in the young church plant in the city of Chuguyev. Artyom is a young man who was saved from a life of drugs and alcohol to graduate from Bible school and begin a new church in his home town. He has had great influence among young men who struggle with the same problems he was delivered from and several of them have come to Christ and united with the church.
David and Penny and two other couples take turns in driving the 40 miles to this church to offer counsel and encourage the leaders. Last month they saw a young man put his trust in Christ; and the following week two more men came to faith.
Their current church plant, Lighthouse Baptist Church, is searching for a Ukrainian pastor. There is a great shortage of men who are both willing and able to pastor. Pray that God will send the right man for this church in His time.
By next summer, David and Penny plan to move on to their next place of ministry, wherever the Lord wants that to be.

April 2, 2012
John and Jacky Taylor

The Church Ministries Institute begins ts biggest class of the year today at the CMI headquarters in Odessa, Ukraine. The class, "Historical Background of the Bible," will be taught by a couple who has lived in Israel for more than 20 years.
Last month, the CMI vice president, Caleb Suko, and director of CMI Moldova, Eduard Edu, led an evangelism and discipleship seminar at Spring of Life church for about 30 participants. The material presented was in Russian; however, the entire seminar was also simultaneously translated into Romanian.

March 26, 2012
Ruth Rust

Various people at the church in Hungary are taking on more responsibilities (Erd Baptist Church).
Pastor Zsolt also shared that a number of people have contacted him through the church’s new website and several of them have started participating in the evangelistic Bible study he holds on Friday evenings. Please pray for the power of the Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in these lives.
As for Pastor Zsolt’s house, they have been able to get the first level with the kitchen and living room finished and they are now working on the upstairs. Their goal is to have it move-in ready this spring.
Ruth has been reporting to churches and helping her sister with the care of their mom.