Russian Murders

I just received a letter from Anya Chentsova, Galina's daughter, about the brutal murder of an Orthodox Priest in Russia. You can read the story here. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2006/12/05/012.html

This event tells one reason why ministry in places like Russia and Zimbabwe is so difficult. I just had lunch with Mark Roser who has served in Zimbabwe with his wife Pat and children for over twenty years. The leader of Zimbabwe, President Mugabe, has adopted the same kind of Socialist Stalinist strategies that are popular in Cuba, China, North Korea, Iraq, and Russia. Mugabe, Castro, Mao, Saddam and Kim Ill Sung, like Stalin, have devised demonically evil plans to keep people under their thumb and totally on guard against persecution, murder and prison.

As soon as anyone speaks up about the need for religious and political freedom, he or she is immediately punished or killed. Putin obviously had the former KGB/FSB agent poisoned in England and there will be little if any consequences. What can we Americans do?

1. Only prayer and the gospel will prevail over the long run. It is a long battle. the people have been so conditioned to allowing the government to do anything they want there will be no immediate change in the government.

2. Pray for revival and awakening. There were 300 churches in Moscow in 2000 but half of them had to close by 2005. It is legal to plant a church but it is very difficult to sustain a church. The mafia and government will steal the group's money, turn down requests for zoning, forbid building and harass the leaders.

3. Support leadership development. Many leaders of the new churches are recent converts who still struggle with addictions and violence. They desperately need healing and support.

4. Pray for our government to deny Russia the right to join the World Trade Organization. Putin must be held accountable for his crimes.