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R K.

In: Russia
ID: 160368
R

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Acts 20:24

At 20 years old, I experienced a call from God to serve Him with my whole life. In that moment, I knew of nothing that could compare to this privilege and high honor. Four years later, the Lord directed me to join High School Evangelism Fellowship, which was also known as HiBA (High School Born-Againers). It led to a move from our family farm in New Jersey to an apartment in Brooklyn, NY.

For 10 years I enjoyed a fruitful ministry to teenagers in New York City and knew it was where God had placed me. However, a desire was simmering to go outside of the United States, to a place where people had less chance to hear the gospel. Just after the breakup of the Soviet Union, I was in a missions conference where the keynote speaker was Robert Provost. The Lord hit a nerve when he described the huge vacuum existing in Russian young people. That night, I inquired of the Lord about going to Russia, which began a two-year journey. With each step, God's hand led the way and prepared me to go.

I arrived in Russia on September 1, 1993, and began the HiBA ministry to teenagers under a newly formed organization, Tree of Eternal Life Association (TELA). TELA now has a strong staff of Russian nationals, and its primary ministry is the HiBA Club, a small group ministry for discipling teenagers, which is being used in many churches throughout Russia. These small groups emphasize living the Christian life and being a witness to others. Another TELA ministry is Lighthouse of Hope Camp, which started in 1997 and continues to be a vital tool for evangelism. It bears the testimony of teenagers who trusted in Christ, got baptized, joined a church, and now are serving the Lord.

I joined SEND International in 2002, which opened a door to address the needs of biblical education and church planting in addition to continuing TELA's ministry to youth. There is a connection between these three areas that begins with youth ministry, continues with formal Bible education, and has the desired outcome of young adults becoming pastors, missionaries, and church leaders. May all be done for the glory of God.

160368

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