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October 2007 Print

On a recent visit to Ukraine for a church planters' summit that we hosted, a team of young pastors gathered for several days of teaching, prayer and relationship building. They represented 5 young churches that have been planted in the new Union of Mennonite Churches in Ukraine. These pastors have a vision for a New Testament church marked by dependency on Jesus, the work of the Spirit and community outreach that represents a real alternative to the prevailing Baptist and Charismatic churches which dominate the landscape of Ukraine. The challenges faced by these churches are many.

After the initial euphoria of post-communism in the 90's when many people explored spiritual life, rural Ukrainians have settled into a grim struggle for survival. The recent elections in Ukraine have returned a pro-Western coalition that will continue to support freedom of religion and democracy. However, the country continues to struggle in economic development. The economic promise of capitalism is elusive in the countryside where change has come much more slowly.

In the small villages where Mennonites formerly lived, they are remembered with positive nostalgia as hard working, industrious neighbors. Their Anabaptist theology is less known. New believers in these villages are expressing the transforming power of the gospel by assisting their communities with services like natural gas and running water. They are hosting bible studies, summer camps and open worship services.

MBMS International has recently commissioned John and Evelyn Wiens for a long term church planting assignment in the regional center of Zaporozhe. They will offer stability and mentoring to the young network of churches in the Mennonite Union seeking to bring transformation to their communities. John and Ev are currently learning Russian in Zaporozhe and getting to know their neighbors.

Ministry Highlights

- Jesus is building His Church. Baptisms in Lima, Chon Buri and Ukraine testify that lives are being transformed.
- 17 TREK participants are now completing 2 months of training focused on encountering Jesus and will soon be sent to learn and serve alongside long term church planting teams in Panama, Germany, Thailand, Burkina Faso and Mexico for 7 months. Praise God for these young adults who have laid their own plans aside in order to obey God's call to serve Him in this way.

Prayer Items

- In October MBMSI will host our Asian Retreat and Consultation, a time for all of our missionaries in Asia to gather together for a time of fellowship, refreshment, and training. Pray that missionaries will return to their ministries with renewed vision, energy and creativity.
- Pray for our missionaries and churches in Peru as they continue to provide help in any way they can for the individuals and families affected by the recent earthquake in that country.

Randy Friesen
 
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