Missionary Sunday

To mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of Slavic Gospel Association we held a special event on Sunday 25th April.

The speaker was Mr Trevor Morrow, local Representative of S.G.A. It was a joy to also welcome Pastor Daniel Kryston and his wife Annie from Pitrkow-Trybunalski, central Poland. Rev Victor Neill chaired the meetings, and everyone was invited to stay after the morning service for a soup and dessert lunch provided by our ladies.

Mr Trevor Morrow (SGA representative)

Pastor Daniel Kryston

Daniel shared with us in the AM service, how his church became greatly involved in helping Ukrainian refugees who fled into Poland with the escalation of war on 24th February 2022. At that time 1.5 million people, mostly women and children, flooded into Poland, a country of 38 million, predominately Roman Catholic. Only 0.2% are evangelical Christians.

The Polish people and church people opened their homes and Daniel's church became a support station to meet the needs of many refugees, providing food, clothing and shelter. The people thought the war would not last long, but now 3 years later the situation remains unchanged.

Daniels church now provides Polish language classes for the refugees. The church has become very vibrant, holding Happy Kids and Happy Mums Clubs, Christianity Explored Classes. During summer they run holiday clubs for the young folk with emphasis on bible teaching.

Pastor Daniel shared some thoughts from Philippians cp 3 verse 17 – cp 4 verse 1. Beginning with the question, Does the country we live in influence our lives?

There is pressure to conform to the standards of the world, but as Believers we must remain true to the teachings of Christ and beware of false teachers who are the enemies of the cross. Verse 18. Verse 19 warns that the citizens of this world are heading for destruction. See Revelation 20 verse 10. But God has provided a way of escape by trusting in His son Jesus Christ for salvation. John 3 verse 16.

False teachers put worldly and earthly things at the centre of life and glory in their shame, but we as citizens of heaven put Jesus at the centre of life. We live with integrity before God and seek to follow a Godly example, eagerly awaiting His coming again. Jesus gives us power to overcome the trials of life.

When Jesus comes again, He will come as our Saviour and not our judge. Verses 20 & 21.

In Chapter 4 verse 1 We are exhorted to stand fast in the Lord and not be influenced by false teachers. Jesus is our Refuge and He is our Rock.

Are you a citizen of Heaven?

After the lunch break Trevor gave us an overhead presentation of some aspects of the work of SGA.

Church Planting. In Slovakia in 2016 the plan was to establish 10 new churches in 10 years. Six have already been planted in a population of 5.5. million where only 0.5% are evangelical Christians.

Partnership. SGA has been a long-time partner of a Christian publishing house. The aim is to sponsor more workers in Central Asia whose task will be the distribution of God's Word. In Kazakhstan there is a project aiming to provide 10,000 bible sets. 50,000 Russian bibles are also required for the incoming year for distribution by partners in the far eastern Russia area where there is a great hunger for God’s Word.

There is great gospel expansion in Ukraine. Since February 2022, 86 new churches have been established, 900 new church leaders, 50 evangelists and 10,000 new converts. At this rate of growth 1000 new churches will be needed by 2036.

IN THE EVENING SERVICE  Trevor Morrow shared with us from Romans chp 1 verses 16 & 17.

Paul was eager to preach the gospel, and he was living out his faith. God has given us the gospel so we must pass it on.

THE PLAN THAT IS CHANGING THE WORLD.

Only one message, only one way, only one Saviour. This is a message that demands a response. The Gospel is the power (the dynamite that breaks sins barriers) we can trust this power.

THE POWER OF SALVATION IS UNLIMITED.

The salvation Christ offers deals with more sin than we dare to admit and His love for us is greater than we can conceive. What a wonderful joy salvation brings.

THE PURPOSE FOR EVERY BELIEVER.

To everyone who believes there should be a compulsion to spread the Gospel message.

It is a precious Gospel. Paul was not ashamed to proclaim it and neither should we.

It is a personal Gospel. What is your response as a Christian? It should be to go boldly, confidently, eagerly, lovingly, and urgently.