June 7, 2011

It was an incredible privilege to return to Ufa, Bashkortostan, Russia for the seventh time and to serve with Chris Carr, his team, and our Russian brothers and sisters in Christ. I have served on short-term trips in the former Soviet Union since 1995. I am grateful to say that because of God’s grace and mercy this most recent trip was as meaningful as my first trip and equally successful.

Thanks to the ongoing work God is doing through Chris and his team, I found that we were able to engage in meaningful ministry the entire time were in Ufa. Through a partnership with our dear friend, Pastor Zhenya, the Pastor of Grace Church, and Pastor Leonid, Pastor of House of Prayer Church, we were privileged to share God’s word with their congregations. These dear pastors and their people always graciously receive us and listen intently as a translator relays the message in their heart language.

We also enjoyed wonderful opportunities to minister to believers and pre-Christians alike during a picnic. The picturesque location and the perfect weather conditions provided an ideal environment for fun and fellowship.

Even though we played a simple game of baseball with a whiffle ball and bat, God used the time to reveal Himself and speak to many people. I spoke with two older men who were watching nearby. Soon one of our Russian friends joined in and engaged them in a long conversation about Christ.

When I had explained the basic rules of the game with those from Grace Church and their friends, I shared the difference a personal relationship with Christ continues to make in my life. Both church members and friends listened intently.

After a game that included close plays, lots of laughs, and good-natured kidding between teams we stopped to relax and eat. As everyone finished their lunch someone called my name. I turned to see that my friend, David Scurry, a retired school principal who attends our church in America, had brought a group of Russian young men over to meet me. I was delighted yet surprised. You see, David knows not a word of Russian, yet through his friendly, outgoing nature God used him.

These young men gathered around and God took over. As though it was scripted, I could sense the Spirit guiding me as I shared with them. After introducing myself, I asked each one who they were, where they were from and what they were doing or planned to do when they finished school. All were college students who were planning further education, work and one was entering the army in a few days.

After they all shared their plans to work, to marry, to own a home, to have children, to retire I asked, “then what?” To which they responded with puzzled looks, “We die.” At that point, I asked again, “Then what?”

This opened the door for a personal sharing of the Gospel with them. I was able to introduce them to Zhenya, Chris, and other friends. The young man going into the army asked me to pray for him. Each one personally thanked me for talking with them and I realized that God had truly touched their hearts.

That evening when I spoke at The House of Prayer I was overjoyed to see a couple of these young men attended. Later, I was delighted to see that another had sent a “friend request” to me via Facebook. His message reads in part:

The incredible joy of sharing with sincere seekers and growing believers is one of the reasons I am grateful to serve in Russia. By His grace, I hope to be able to continue to have this privilege for many years to come.

By His Grace,

Mark Bordeaux, Lead Pastor

Life Worth Living Ministries – Westside Baptist Church

Sumter, SC USA

lifeworthliving@hotmail.com