Immanuel’s Child grows into a movement for Christ

This issue of the Good News Report is special to me because the lead feature is about the SGA-supported Immanuel’s Child Christmas outreach. When SGA president emeritus Bob Provost first invited me to join the staff in the mid 1990s, I began working to help raise urgently needed support for the wonderful ministry being carried out by the churches we serve across the former Soviet Union. In those days shortly after the fall of communism, the doors for ministry in those countries were still relatively wide open. The communists had done all they could do to keep children from hearing the Gospel and being taught of Christ. We wanted to develop an effective way to help the churches minister the love of Christ to needy children and their families. By God’s grace, provision and direction, Immanuel’s Child was born!

Since then, the Lord has enabled SGA to help the churches reach an ever-growing number of children. Last year, Immanuel’s Child outreaches were used by God to reach a record 61,095 children, with 44,711 of those kids coming from unbelieving families.

More than 3,000 repented and trusted in the Lord Jesus as their Savior. And the fruit didn’t just come among children. We saw 22,850 adults participate in the outreaches, and 636 of them trusted in Christ! A total of 4,102 children began attending Sunday school, and 1,755 adults began attending church services.

What a cause for rejoicing and praising God for what He has done! I trust this encourages your heart as well, because you have been a full partner in ministry through your prayers and generous support. 

In earlier days, the Immanuel’s Child outreach took place on or around January 7, which is celebrated as Christmas in Russia and the other former Soviet countries. But we have seen more and more churches decide to also hold outreaches during Western Christmas December 25. In fact, Ukraine even made it official to celebrate Christmas on December 25. The extra day helps open doors to help reach even more children and their families with the Gospel. I am looking forward to this year’s celebrations, trusting in the Lord to help us set yet another record attendance and participation. Won’t you join me in praying for this in advance? I can’t thank you enough. 

For our Savior,

Michael Johnson
President