Russia (SGA) – The history of the Russian city of Belgorod goes back to the 1200s. It’s not far from Ukraine’s northern border, and SGA-sponsored missionary pastor Piotr Tokar has been ministering to a wide variety of people. Not long ago, he wrote to thank you for your prayers and support for his ministry, which includes reaching out to a *Roma family in the area
Piotr Tokar’s church in Belgorod is vibrant and growing, by God’s grace!
(Photo courtesy Slavic Gospel Association)
I lead small Bible study groups and visit families where we study the Scripture. Right now, I am visiting four families and read the Bible together with them. There are Christians in these families, but each one also has unsaved loved ones, and they are ready to welcome me. The visits are not in vain. After one of our studies, a Roma boy of 12 in the family asked me at what age could a person repent? I told him that as soon as he felt the Lord knocking at his heart, he could pray and repent, and open his heart to the Lord Jesus.
Several months passed, and when I visited this family again, I could see that the boy wanted to repent. A brother along with us for the visit issued an invitation, and I could see that the Holy Spirit was working in the heart of the boy. He looked at us and then at his parents. He was indecisive, as if he was afraid of his parents. I then asked his father and mother if they would allow their son to repent, and they agreed! As soon as the boy heard that his father and mother were not opposed, he prayed and asked the Lord Jesus to forgive him. We prayed with him, and saw how happy his parents were with their son’s reconciliation with God.
All this happened on a Saturday, and the next day on Sunday two young Roma men from these same families came forward in the church and repented. I had been visiting these families for a long time,he Lord showed me that it was not in vain. I thank all of you for your prayers that you offer to the throne of grace!
The Roma people are often on the receiving end of harsh treatment across Eastern Europe, and culturally, they can be very difficult to reach. But with God, all things are possible. By His grace, new names have been written down in glory! Please keep praying for Piotr and his ministry, and for an even greater spiritual harvest.
*Editor’s Note: The Roma are commonly called “Gypsies,” but this is considered a negative, pejorative term by the Roma people.
