Great Needs Can Lead to a Great Spiritual Harvest

It is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of yet another year. At Slavic Gospel Association, the pace of ministry activity has increased exponentially as the needs across the former Soviet Union have also increased. The war in Ukraine continues unrelentingly, another humanitarian crisis has surfaced in a region called Nagorno-Karabakh that is disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan. At this writing, thousands of Armenian refugees are fleeing the region into Armenia proper, and we are seeking the Lord’s direction about how best to help the churches reach them with help and the Gospel. Then in October, a horrible war broke out between Israel and Hamas terrorists. SGA’s director of Bible training lives in southern Israel near Gaza, and his family has been in the direct line of fire from Gaza for years. Our hearts grieve for the lives lost as we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. On top of all this is the regular pace of daily ministry—Bible training at the seminaries and Bible institutes, children’s ministries—and of course SGA-supported Immanuel’s Child Christmas ministries are right around the corner! It truly never slacks off or eases up. 

But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I remember what Scripture has to say about our Lord Jesus Christ as He carried out His earthly ministry, seeing the great physical and spiritual needs. Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). Jesus then commanded His disciples to pray for God to send out more workers into the field. The field was—and still is—ready for harvest and there is so much work to do. There remain thousands of lost men, women, and children across the former Soviet Union who need to hear of the Lord’s great love, and how He lovingly paid the price for their sins on the cross. They need to know that through repentance and faith in Him, they can have His full and free forgiveness and eternal life. They just need someone to tell them. 

Our work is by no means finished until the Lord returns or calls us home. That is why we continue making the need known, and why we keep on serving the faithful churches Christ is building across the former Soviet countries. The fruit being gathered for His glory is worth the hard work, fervent prayers, tears, and occasional obstacles. We couldn’t do it without you, and I am thankful for each and every one of you as you help sustain this great work—in Jesus’ name!

For our Savior,

Michael Johnson
President