I am writing this quick Blog today from the office of The Church of Novokuznetsk in Siberia. Today was our second full day to minister here in the city.
It is amazing to see that although we are on the other side of the world from where we live in America, that our Christian Brothers and Sister are all the same. Their love for Jesus is intense and they are very committed to serving Him. The church here is growing fast because of their commitment to serving and ministering to the lost.
The church capacity is about 450 and each service is full with many who originally were living a life of addiction and prostitution. Now many of these same children of God are the church deacons and Teen Challenge administrators.
The needs of those on the streets here is no greater than those who we minister to in the Streets of Springfield. MA, however, their desire to get well and be free seems much greater. They need the Lord and they know it.
The structure here is simple and effective!
If someone wants to change their life the good people of this church will introduce them to the Lord and immediately welcome them into their church. If they have an addiction, they are welcome to the Teen Challenge. This includes 3 month detox and then they are invited into a long term program.
On Sunday we had the opportunity to minister in Zapseeb, a district in the city known as "a district of drug. Many accepted Jesus and others joined us at church immediately.
The devil is very clever but not very smart. It is easy to identify his Spirit of hopelessness on these streets because it is the same spirit that oppresses the streets in Massachusetts and every city in the world. The devil's cleverness only works when he can isolate the weak sheep and then gather them together with others of his flock made up of the weak, oppressed and wounded. They live in poverty and darkness and so they live in despair.
The solution is the same in Siberia as it is in America.......we must introduce the weak wounded sheep to the Light of Christ. We do this by bringing His light into the darkness. His light dispels ALL darkness. It works every time. Alleluia!
Today we also had the opportunity to minister in one of the Taijina and Osinniki Teen Challenge centers. I preached the message of Ezekiel 47. We invited the 13 men who attended to go deeper with God into the healing river of the Holy Spirit. Scripture proclaims that everything touched by the river is healed. Each and every man came forward to receive a touch from the Lord, Our team of 6 laid hands and prayed for these men. The Holy Spirit brought tears and healing. It is an honor to serve God in this way.
I cannot upload photos or video at this time, but when we return home on the 19th of August I will blog a full report.
Until then...please hold us in prayer.
From Novokuznetsk , Siberia......
May God Bless you beyond all you could hope or think!
Jack & Cathy Desroches
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