The first snow has arrived in the Arctic regions. It is blowing cold, and I am at a conference with Christian leaders, who have arrived from the reindeer herding areas of northern Russia, despite the ongoing war in the country. For the first time, we gather for prayer and edification with evangelical leaders from Russia since the special military operation began in Ukraine.
I remember very well how I was driving my car in Laponia from Jokkmokk in Sweden to Pello in Finland a few years ago, when suddenly a herd of about thirty reindeers stood in the middle of the road. I managed to stop just in time and swerved to avoid the herdsman, who was protectively walking behind his flock. When he shot me an angry, reproachful glance through the windshield, I heard a clear inner voice: ”Will there be any reindeer herdsmen in heaven?” Suddenly I understood that it was not possible… unless we tell them about Jesus!
That was the main reason, why we were gathered for the 10th seminar at the Mission Bible School for the Arctic Peoples in Russia. We heard reports of how seven Russian Sami have recently been baptized in Christ, as well as how several small evangelical groups have been established among the closest language relatives of the Uralic people groups – the Chanties, as well as among the Nenets, Selkups, Komis …
Missionaries have gathered unreached peoples in tents on the tundra. Some of the local Christian messengers have lived with nomadic reindeer herders for weeks during the summer. They have organized Sunday schools for the children and meetings in cultural houses and around campfires under the open sky.
Even as the Iron Curtain has descended over our Europe, the borders of God’s Kingdom are expanding into new areas. The church in Russia is alive, and new people groups are being reached with the Gospel.
Please pray that this revival may continue. The last hindrances before the second coming of Jesus Christ need to be taken away (Matthew 24:14)!
Rauli Lehtonen, Jesus4Eurasia
Swedish
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