Russia (MNN) — Terrorism threats surrounding the Olympics in Sochi have tensions high. Police officers are being proactive in identifying threats and taking action.
Those tensions are causing problems for approved Olympic outreach. Russian Ministries just started their ministry. The goal? 700,000 copies of Scripture and Christian literature in 11 cities.
Olympics outreach in Russia (Courtesy of Russian Ministries)
Wally Kulakoff with Russian Ministries is in Vladikavkaz, 500 miles from Sochi. “We went to the city square. We set up a table. We engaged people. We handed out a lot of literature. We prayed with a lot of people. Today, people accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.”
Authorities had told Christians not to evangelize. Kulakoff says they’re using the system to their benefit. “While we were in the marketplace, three times the police came to disperse our table, to disperse our engagement with the local people. But, to their surprise, we had permission from the local government.”
Kulakoff says, “It is very tense. The security is very high. But with the right attitude, with the right administration and the right approach by receiving permission to be on the street to deliver the Word of God, it is working, and we saw results today.”
According to the team, Russians appear to be ready to hear the Gospel. “People wanted to be prayed for, people wanted to receive Jesus Christ because their life was meaningless, their life didn’t have a purpose.”
The team is distributing the Russian/English New Testament, Gospels of John, a Scripture magazine called “Hope,” and a book titled, “More than Conquerors” — stories of Christian athletes.
The Russian Ministries team will be meeting up with Greg Yoder in Sochi next week. Pray that more people will come to Christ during the Olympic outreach.
Wally Kulakoff’s passion for sharing the Gospel is contagious! The people in Sochi are certainly blessed to encounter this believer in Christ. God is doing His work there because there are people willing to step out and be His hands and feet. Thanks, Wally and all who are serving there, for your courage and commitment!
Hi Wally
We have read the article about the outreach.
We praise God for being an instrument to extent God,s
Kingdom in Russia.
We are part of the Soar
international team at So hi, arriving tomorrow evening and would like to meet you.
We are from South Africa.
God bless you,
Abundant blessings
Dave and Christie Gilburt
Keep up the good work brother, soldiering for The LORD!!! (Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Dear Wally, We are thrilled to learn of your outreach to the Russian people. Our prayers will be with you and the team as you give out His Word during these days.
Our Love in Christ, Ruth and Joe