Archive for the ‘Service and Ministry’ Category

The Rewards of Faithful Service

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

Colossians 3:23

Like many other believers in the Soviet Union, Alexei had difficulty finding a job because of his faith. Finally, through a cousin, he was hired as a lead technician. When another worker, the secretary of the Communist Youth League, found out that a Baptist had been given such a responsible job, he complained and forged letters full of accusations against Alexei. He charged Alexei with crimes like trying to sabotage the factory, or worse, proselytizing the other workers. Knowing the accusations were completely false, Alexei tried to stay out of the conflict. Then another person in the department spoke up, saying that as a member of the Communist Party, he could not possibly work under a Baptist.

After only six months on the job, Alexei was let go. From that time on, Alexei would find a job only to get fired a short while later for being a Baptist. He would start somewhere else, and again lose his job. In one year he was fired five times for his faith.

Finally Alexei approached a transformer factory where the boss was a secret church member. He gave this man a signed statement saying he wouldn’t ask for any kind of technical responsibilities, even though he was well-qualified. Under these terms he was hired to be a low paid metal worker.

For nearly 20 years Alexei worked faithfully, giving his best to that job, even though he was capable of much more responsibility and that the communists would never recognize the quality of his work. Even though much of his work was only semi-skilled labor, Alexei knew that his service was really for God and that in all things, he should strive to please Him. Rewards and recognition weren’t important.

In the end, however, Alexei did receive a reward for his faithful service. When he left that job, the communist boss commented that he wished all the workers were like Alexei. Years of faithful service left a strong testimony for God in the hearts of many who were resistant to Him.

Lord, help me to serve You faithfully, knowing You will use my labor for Your purposes.

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The Difference One Person Can Make

Friday, February 18th, 2011

And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap.

Ezekiel 22:30a

In the middle of the dreary Brezhnev years when Soviet society itself was stagnating, Vladimir Antonovich arrived to organize a youth orchestra in Lena’s church. His enthusiasm was contagious, and soon they had a woodwind/brass orchestra, a string orchestra of Ukrainian folk instruments, and a choir. All of this, of course, was strongly discouraged by the government. Youth meetings were forbidden, and the authorities knew that these musical groups were used as a cover for religious activities.

Lena and her older brothers were in the string orchestra: Yakov played bass mandolin, Viktor, tenor mandolin, and Lena, soprano mandolin. They assumed Vladimir’s enthusiasm because he poured himself out for them.

The youth orchestra performed on holidays, at weddings, funerals, and baptisms, and traveled all over Ukraine. In a way, the shared adventures made up for the taunting and teasing they endured at school, and helped them to stay strong in their faith. Even though the trips were forbidden by the Soviet government, the pastor didn’t want to stop them. For him, being summoned for interrogation or having to pay fines were minor irritants, a small price to pay in exchange for watching a generation of new believers grow and mature.

It all ended when Vladimir had to leave the church and move to another city; the government was putting too much pressure on him and the church. But was it all in vain?

In later years the fruit of Vladimir’s work became obvious. The children who were the same age as Viktor and Lena and had the benefit of several years in the youth orchestra, remained faithful and stayed in the church. Those who were older or younger tended to leave the church because of pressure at school. Such was the influence that one person was able to have, and it was enough to counteract all the pressure the government could muster.

When I am discouraged, thinking what I do has no impact, I remember Vladimir, and how he was willing to stand in the gap, faithfully serving despite the risks. If I serve where God has put me, I know my work will not be in vain.

Lord, help me to serve you faithfully and to trust you to bring the harvest.

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