Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Fall of 2010, Greg Lawrence, fourth from right, in Vladivostok with pastor Ruslan, third from left

I have been asked to coordinate the year-end funding effort for the ministry of the SRS in the former Soviet Union. In October, nine Eurasian pastors came to visit churches in twelve states.  These men were encouraged by reverent, word-centered, God-honoring worship and churches who take covenant nurture and discipline seriously.  Seven of these men from Russia, Latvia, and Kazakhstan want their churches to form a Reformed presbytery in Eurasia.  We give glory to God for this fruit produced through the ministry of the Slavic Reformation Society.

My church (Christ Church) had the privilege of hosting pastor Ruslan of the Far East of Russia whom I met during my trip last fall to teach for SRS in the Far East.  When he visited us here we were again struck by the great opportunity to help men like Ruslan preach the Gospel where just a few decades ago, Christians were being imprisoned and killed for their faith.

Most of these men are in the midst of formative training with the Slavic Reformation Society’s Biblical Theological Seminary.  The training comprises three things:

Semi-annual teaching by Blake Purcell and our Russian staff, complemented by visiting teachers from the US. (Jack Phelps and Gregg Strawbridge have been invited to St. Petersburg in March 2012)

Live on-line courses taught year-round by Russian staff assisted by men like you.

Annual mentoring visits by Blake and Cathy Purcell to the pastors and their families (most of whom have never met a Christian homemaking wife who stays home to raise the children).

To enable this training we need to raise $3000/month in new support. We are asking each church to partner with us with a new or increased gift of $50/month ($600/year); also for 30 new individuals to do the same.

In order to allow ample time to confirm teachers, arrange for travel visas, and for students/pastors to be able to make their travel plans, please let us know of your pledges by December 15, 2011.

I will be posting status updates on our goal to raise $3000/month by the end of the year on our website--we are grateful to those who have already begun to give toward this effort.

You may send your gift online through Paypal at www.slavicreformationsociety.com

or send a check to:

Slavic Reformation Society

P.O. Box 794

Louisville, MS 39339

Pray that through SRS and your gifts, “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:9

Yours in Christ,

Greg Lawrence, Pastor, Christ Church (PCA)

http://christchurchmankato.com