At the beginning of the year, we completed the Alpha Course. At the final meeting, we summarized the results and gave everyone the opportunity to share personal insights and reflections they had gained during the course. During this time, the group became truly close-knit. The final topic of the course was about the church, and it was a great encouragement for me to see the openness of the participants and their sincere desire not just to attend meetings, but to be part of the church and walk this path together.
The most significant event of the month was the official opening of the Slavic Evangelical Church. This is a long-awaited and important milestone, for which we are grateful to God. It also became a confirmation that everything that had been done before was meaningful, even if it took a long time.
We ask you to pray for us:
For the further development of the church
That the Lord would raise up leaders in Lebanon—faithful and mature servants to whom the responsibility for ministry can eventually be entrusted
That new people would be established in the faith and build living, personal relationships with God
That the Lord would continue to bring those who are being saved
In December 2025, we held Christmas services in Lebanon. These days became a time of God’s presence, challenges, and powerful testimonies of how the Lord is building His Church in the Middle East.
The services took place throughout the country — from Tyre and Sidon to Tripoli near the border with Syria. During the week, several meetings were held each day. Special attention was given to ministry among Syrian and Iraqi refugees who had experienced war and loss. We witnessed hearts opening to the Gospel, and after the services many people, with tears in their eyes, thanked God, saying that the Lord had spoken to them personally.
The beginning of the mission was marked by a serious trial: before traveling to Tyre, we learned about a recent rocket attack in that area. After prayer, the entire team unanimously decided to continue the ministry, trusting in God.
The Lord honored this obedience: a new church was opened in Tyre, and the first baptism was performed.
We are grateful to everyone who supported the ministry with prayers and donations — your support has brought hope, joy, and fruit for God’s Kingdom.
Larisa shared that she found her calling in isolation—living with her family high in the mountains, rarely going out to see people, taking care of the household, and serving those close to her. There, far from the noise, she felt a sense of peace. But unexpectedly, she added that she had recently started smoking. I couldn’t help but smile—in my understanding, “peace” and “cigarettes” simply don’t go together. It was clear that we were facing someone who was weary and deeply lonely.
With me was a young woman who had recently accepted Christ and renounced esotericism. She told Larisa how Jesus had changed her life. We shared passages from the Bible. At first, Larisa’s expression was sad, but the more the Word of God was spoken, the softer her gaze became—until suddenly she smiled for the first time. In that moment, she opened her heart to Christ.
Together we said a prayer of repentance—simple, heartfelt words—and with all my heart I felt the heavens rejoicing. After the prayer, Larisa began asking questions about yoga and “good luck” rituals, and then said herself, “I don’t want this anymore.” Only the living Spirit of God can work in such a way.
That evening, among the mountains and the silence, another soul found the Savior. This experience once again confirmed that no isolation and no philosophy can bring true peace. Peace is in Christ!
One of the highlights of the month was a women’s breakfast, where two new participants joined us. We talked about how God is at work in our lives and why it is so important to turn specifically to Jesus. In today’s world, it’s becoming popular to seek help from “the universe,” from within oneself, or from a psychologist. But we discussed how all these paths are ultimately deceptive. Only Jesus Christ is the true Healer of souls. Only in Him do we find real peace and rest.
Many women shared personal testimonies of how God had spoken into their lives in supernatural ways. These were touching moments that showed just how close the Lord is to each of us.
Our Saturday children’s gatherings also continue. This month, we introduced a new format: after the lesson, we now read a short Bible passage together with the parents and discuss what God is saying to us through His Word. Another mother and child joined us recently, and I rejoice at how the Lord is gently leading and expanding this ministry.
We also had many personal meetings this month — times when we simply prayed for one another, giving our worries and burdens to the Lord. In such moments, it becomes so clear that “the Lord is near to all who call on Him.”
Thank you so much for your prayerful and financial support!
In the Middle East, especially in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Turkey, people’s attitudes toward the Gospel have changed over the past decades. This became particularly noticeable after the civil wars in Syria and Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of people fled their homes, becoming refugees in other countries, without shelter or means of existence. In the civil war, many people saw the true face of radical Islam. Tired of war, terror, and death, people began to show interest in learning about Jesus Christ.
The Lord is opening doors for evangelism in these regions where the preaching of the Gospel has been closed for many centuries. In 2023, we organized children’s camps in Lebanon. Parents brought their children to daily activities and worship services. The camps were held across the country, starting from Tyre in the south and ending in Tripoli in the north. Over a thousand children heard the message of salvation. In Istanbul, on March 17, 2024, a Slavic church opened in the historic city.
Therefore, we plan to hold evangelistic services in Istanbul on May 12, 2024. We ask the “Lord of the harvest” to send laborers to the ripe fields. Tickets, accommodation, and meals will cost us $4000. We will be grateful for any assistance! Thank you!
In early May 2023, we started conducting children’s camps in the city of Tyre. Youth from the USA and Germany came to help. Brothers worked with the boys, and sisters worked with the girls. Every morning, they welcomed the arriving children who eagerly participated in all the activities. The daily service began with collective worship, followed by biblical lessons. The sessions ended with entertaining children’s programs.
The children embraced their caretakers with joy as a sign of gratitude. Many of them told us that they had never felt such warmth and love from their close ones and family members. Our goal was to show Christ’s love, sow the Word of God in the hearts of children and youth, and point the way to Christ. The camps were held with children in the south of Lebanon in the city of Tyre, in the central part of the Bekaa Valley, and in the north of Lebanon near the city of Tripoli. Vyacheslav Kirnev was responsible for administration and organizational matters, and with God’s help, he successfully fulfilled his responsibilities. The children received meals on time, and to the best of our ability, we created all the necessary conditions for these ministries. We sincerely believe that the sown Word of God in the hearts of these souls will bear good fruit in due time.
Dear brothers and sisters, thank you very much for your participation in this ministry. Thanks to your prayers, the Lord arranged, blessed, and protected us from any adversaries and enemies of the Gospel, and your donations made it possible to conduct these blessed services.
