DEAR READERS OF OUR NEWSLETTERS!
 We appeal to all of you with a very serious prayer request. If you are at least a little informed about the current issues in our society in America, you can’t help but notice that the enemy of human souls is doing whatever he can to destroy our families and to entice our children so that they would fall away from their faith in God.
Read the letter by the senior pastor of Bryte Church, I. Dronov who is pleading with all believers to join together and pray, not only for our children, but also for the repentance of the professors in schools, colleges, and universities. Let us plead with God to stop their plans so that our children would not stumble and be their prey, and would not fall away from the faith. May God move us to be zealous in prayer in the midst of this spiritual battle!
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YOUTH FORUM 2024
The leadership of four Slavic and Ukrainian Associations of the ECB of the U.S. made a decision to organize a Youth Forum 2024 in Sacramento on April 19-21. Right now they are deciding about the theme of the seminars, selection of speakers, scheduling and printing, and all the relevant issues related to the forum. This forum will be the first combined youth event in the history of these given associations of the U.S. The forum’s website will also be made available in the near future.
We are praying that the joined partnership of the youth from various states of America could become something permanent and that there would be a welcoming atmosphere for all. Please pray that God would bless this great event in the lives of Christian youth.
President of PCSBA of ECB, Ivan Mileyev
FRUITFUL BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AT SPRING OF LIFE CHURCH
Since the beginning of the year, Spring of Life Church in Mukilteo has had a lot of activities. They had the teens’ camp, baptism of twenty people, prayer meeting before Easter, during which the church members could prepare their hearts for Easter, as well as a grand celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. For more about the life of the church, read an article by Pastor I. Karabut on the Association’s website.
Baptism of Twenty People
EASTER CONCERT AT ROCKLAND CHURCH
Sunday evening, April 16, at Rockland Baptist Church, Sacramento, was marked by the performance of the choir and orchestra under the direction of Y. Zhilovsky. The theme of the church service was about Easter. There were joyful hymns and a sermon about the power of the resurrection of Christ and the meaning of this holiday in the life of every person. Those who attended this even were able to reflect on their own lives and ponder their relationship with God. More details can be found here (in Russian only.)
Choir Participation with Orchestra’s Involvement
JESUS: CRUCIFIED, RESURRECTED, AND COMING AGAIN
On April 23, Grace Avenue Bible Church hosted an Easter celebration with this theme; the joint choir, together with the Slavic Chorale, participated in the program. The conductors were: Sergey Yanovskiy, Irina Khaliulina, and Pavel Kravchuk. Read more details on the website -- click this link (in Russian only.) The next performance of the choir will be on April 30 at the Living Stones Church at 10:00am. Free admission.
WOMEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST
Every year, in March/April, the Moms in Prayer Ministry of Bryte Church host a prayer breakfast for women. The theme of the breakfast for this year was “Christ: My Justification.” F. Avramenko, who is the leader of the church’s women’s ministry, covered this theme in detail, taking Romans 4:25 as the primary Bible verse. Read her article here (in Russian only.)
Prayer Breakfast Participants
LESSONS OF FAITH
“Moses” was the Christian musical of the Quo Vadis Theater, which took place on April 22 and 23 at the Second Slavic Baptist Church. The audience was able to be taken a few thousand years back, to observe the life and faith of Moses and to be with the Israelites in the wilderness. In his sermon, Pastor Ivan Komarchuk pointed out the consequences of our decision that are made in faith. There was a call to repentance, and many hearts responded in renewing their hearts in faith and obedience to the Lord. A few people prayed the prayer of repentance for the first time. For more information, read an article by S. Iotko – click this link (in Russian only.)
Scene from the Play
HUMANITARIAN RELIEF AID TO UKRAINE
From April 16-23, Christians in Sacramento were collecting aid to transport to Ukraine. The collection and packing of the container took place at the Second Slavic Baptist Church. The cargo will be delivered through Poland, and then through volunteer organizations in the Lvov and Poltava regions, which are hot war zones in Ukraine. For more information, read on the Association’s website.
During the Time of Gathering Donations
HOW PROBLEMS CAN BECOME OPPORTUNITIES
On March 18, there was a conference for Sunday school teachers at the Second Slavic Baptist Church. The main speaker was Jennifer Dyachenko. The theme was: “How our problems can become opportunities.” Over 60 representatives of various churches were able to attend. For more information, read an article by S. Iotko – click this link (in Russian only.)
This is how many of us were there! This is only part of those who serve in the Sunday School ministry of our churches.
MINISTRY TO SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN OF NEWLY ARRIVED IMMIGRANTS
On March 18, the department of ministry to children with special needs had a meeting at the Slavic Baptist Church of West Sacramento to welcome newly arrived families to Sacramento who have children with special needs. Eight new families came to this meeting, and only one of them was a family of believers. This meeting was organized at the request of newly arrived families who wanted to find out more about ministry for children with disabilities, as well as to establish relationships with other parents and children who have the same needs.
At the end of the meeting, the pastor of the church, Igor Verstak, shared a message from the Bible. He urged parents to turn to God for help and not to rely only on help from people. For more information, read an article by N. Smolikov.
During the Meeting
ABOUND IN GODLINESS
On March 11, a church in Montebello hosted a women’s ministry meeting for all the women of southern California. Olga Litovchenko and Yelena Mileyeva, who are leading the women’s ministry in the Association, taught about practical godliness. They presented the content as it is taught in the Scriptures, and then along with other women, they discussed what that practically looks like in everyday life. For more information – read an article on the Association’s website (in Russian only.)
Event Participants
LIVING STONES CHURCH’S FAMILY RETREAT
On March 17-19, The Living Stones Church had a family retreat. The speakers were Anatoliy and Natalya Tarasovets, who recently came here from the Kirovograd region. Anatoliy was a pastor there, and along with his wife, they were involved in the Campus Crusade for Christ ministry. More details can be found on this web page (in Russian only.)
Retreat Participants
NEWS FROM THE MISSIONS FIELD
MINISTRY IN FRANCE
Over the last five years, the Babich family has served as missionaries in Strasbourg, France. This is not an easy ministry. They encounter many different and unpredictable problems of people who come to the church. This ministry is able to take place and grow only by the power of God and with the prayer and financial support from Christians in different countries. Read more about their ministry in a newsletter by Pastor S. Babich (in Russian only.)
Sharing Bread with Refugees
EASTER GREETING FROM SPAIN
The Light of Life church in Torrevieja (Alicante), Spain had their Easter celebration on April 9. “Christ is risen; He is risen indeed!” These are the greetings that were resonating from the lips and the hearts of those who were there. The entire church service was dedicated to the work of Jesus Christ on the cross; we have gotten new life and salvation through Him. More details about the celebration are given by the church pastor, V. Kovba (in Russian only.)
Sunday School Involvement in the Celebration
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