Any gatherings of followers of Christ are immensely important. The importance is found in the invaluable questions that are asked and in God’s will that is sought in order to receive the answers. There is always the unforgettable Biblical truth that determines our purpose on earth; it is a transcendent truth that cannot be influenced by our preferences. The great commission of Christ is not just a great suggestion, but a commandment. Remaining in the center of God’s will includes proper answers to the following questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What does God want to do through me on earth? What is my part in obeying the great commission? A true disciple is ready to submit to the teacher’s will. He answers God’s call as the prophet Isaiah: “here am I, send me.” (Is. 6:8) God continues to call people. His voice continues to echo in the heavenly council: “I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said: Here am I. Send me.” (Is. 6:8) Isaiah heard the call and answered. He went and acted, despite the fact that the surrounding people were not ready to accept God’s message. (Is. 6:9-10).
A follower of Christ is a witness to what Christ has done in his life. He does not keep the news of his spiritual healing a secret; just as the man in Luke could not stay quiet about the physical healing that he received from Jesus. (Luke 8:39). Our personal experiences of knowing the difference that Christ made in our lives, past darkness and bondage and present light and freedom that we received in Christ should move us to witness about Christ. The apostles of Christ were ready to pay the great price that came with witnessing. Today God is still calling people to the mission field, to move to unchurched areas with many people who are in need of salvation. Today the words of Christ still sound: The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest. (Luk.10: 2) There is still a pressing need for people who would hear God’s call to service and respond to it.
A unique meeting for leaders of Slavic and Ukrainian Baptist Associations of North America and Southern Baptist Convention was recently held. The meeting was unique in that it was devoted to questions regarding evangelism and church planting. This task is so great that it can only be furthered through the joint efforts of churches and conventions of America. Ninety eight percent of the Russian and Ukrainian speaking population do not attend church and our discussion was specifically regarding this group of people. This mission field is practically untouched. The efforts of many churches are focused on reaching people in countries of the former Soviet Union, India, Mexico, Haiti, Italy, Czech Republic, and Spain etc. And these are good and needed endeavors. Many young people obtain missionary experience by going on short-term mission trips. The experience can also be used for service and evangelism among Slavic people living in America. The mission begins in Jerusalem and stretches to the ends of the earth. The local mission field is found in our backyards. We are responsible before God for this field. It is not easy because in this field many people live in plenty and feel that they have no need for God, many of them are influenced by materialism and are busy acquiring wealth. These people have distinct cultures, levels of education, religious backgrounds, and ages… and all need God. My prayer is that we would feel a burden for these people. As apostle Paul felt a burden for his contemporaries and said: “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.” (Rom. 1:14-5). Lord, give us a burden for all peoples and a readiness to witness, beginning with those are closest to us.
Ivan Mileyev
Resolutions
1-15-2011: Sacramento, California
On January 15th the leaders of Russian, Ukrainian and Slavic Conventions of North America gathered together for a meeting and discussed questions regarding mission work and the opening of new churches among Slavic speaking people.
Since over five million Ukrainian, Russian and Russian speaking immigrants reside in North America (US and Canada); the leaders of Slavic Conventions and Churches together with the Southern Baptist Convention signed an agreement to five resolutions. We are calling for a joint effort in mission work and church planting and propose the following resolutions:
1. Commitment to pray for evangelism and church planting
2. Commitment to partnership and sharing of potential church planters
3. Commitment to helping in preparing and equipping new church planters
4. Commitment to starting Bible-based churches
5. Commitment to joint service, periodical evaluation of results, and meetings and conferences dedicated to mission work and church planting
Also, we would like to bring this to the attention of those who feel God’s call on their life to serve Him and who are interested in partnering with us in this church planting vision.
Please contact us at
mileyev@gmail.com, tel. 559-347-1127
A. Ahaev, California Southern Baptist Convention
V. Andriets Association of Slavic Baptist Churches of Canada
N. Bugriyev, Pacific Coast Slavic Baptist Association
V. Vilchitsa, World Alliance of Ukrainian Unions in the Diaspora
P. Demyanik, Western Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Union
I. Mileyev, California SBC / Pacific Coast Slavic Baptist Association
A. Moshkovsky, Baptist Convention of PA / SJ / Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Ass.
M. Hobafcovich , NAMB, Southern Baptist Convention
A. Semenchuk, Midwest Association of Slavic Baptist Churches
A. Sipko, NW Association of Slavic Baptist Churches
A. Solodyankin, NW Association of Slavic Baptist Churches
G. Harlov, Russian Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Union
O. Hrypchuk, Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Union
Resolutions of Slavic Leaders
The Great Commission and Our Field
