“From Communism to Christ: The Newest Chapter”
by Wes Peppers
Global AFCOE Coordinator
An Amazing Fact: Ukraine occupies only 0.45% of earth’s dry land, but it possesses 5% of the world's total mineral resources including coal, nickel, uranium, and the some of the largest reserves of sulfur and mercury in the world!
Ukraine is not only rich in natural resources but also people who are hungry to hear the gospel. It is the gateway to Russia, which combined with Ukraine and other Russian speaking countries, adds up to more than 250 million. That’s why Amazing Facts has concentrated its efforts in reaching these people with the everlasting gospel, because Jesus paid a much higher price for their souls than all the wealthiest minerals on earth could afford!
In early 2011, Amazing Facts launched its third 4-month AFCOE program in Ukraine, and God’s blessing has been witnessed in miraculous ways. Almost 100 students have received training in soul-winning during these four-month sessions, and about 500 more in shorter AFCOE to GO programs. In only three evangelistic campaigns that have supplemented each 4-month program, nearly 150 people have given their lives to Christ through baptism and joined His church. Scores more have been baptized since then as our graduates have gone throughout Ukraine and Russia preaching the gospel and sharing God’s truth with hungry souls. Hearts are being renewed and lives are being changed through AFCOE programs all around the world.
During the program, students received several weeks of training in Bible classes and soon began reaching out into the community offering Bible studies. “I didn’t know what to expect,” said Alex, one of the students. “I was nervous about being rejected, but I trusted that this was God’s work and believed His promise that He would guide me to the right people.” God fulfilled His promise as more than 300 requests for Bible studies came in after only two days of outreach! The students also hosted a health expo that drew more than 100 visitors.
The Devil Kicking Up Dust:
It’s always wonderful to tell the stories about what God has done, but there are also great battles that take place on the front lines of God’s work. The devil isn’t happy about losing people from his ranks, and he does all he can to prevent it. This session was no different! More than forty billboards went up all across the city of Chernitsvi, Ukraine advertising our Bible prophecy seminar. The theme of the seminar was “2012: Is it the End?” With all the hype about the Mayan Calendar and other paranoia surrounding 2012, we knew it would be an opportunity to capture people’s attention. While we should not predict any day, year, or time of Jesus coming, the Bible’s message is clear about the signs that we should watch for in the last days.
Immediately, websites began to appear with statements such as. “Unless these meetings are stopped, the violaters will be punished.” The Ukrainian National News (equivalent to CNN in the U.S.) did a story on the advertisements. It wasn’t positive to say the least. The dominant orthodox church was behind the report, and they put pressure on the political authorities to stop the program. Local church leaders even received a phone call from the governor of the state who questioned them. KGB warned that there would likely be protests and also monitored the meetings. Nonetheless, we claimed the promise of Romans 8:31-37 if God is for us, who can be against us? We also believed that God had all power to continue the meetings despite any opposition from the enemy.
Everyone prayed day after day for God’s outpoured blessing and that He would do something great. We knew that it was God’s will to have this program, and we were determined to be faithful regardless of the consequences. As opening night arrived, the hall was packed with standing room only! Because of this, we went to double sessions, at 4 and 7 pm, and there was not even one single protestor the entire series despite all the threats! God did not allow the preaching of His word to be hindered. I think God has a sense of humor, as the very building where the meetings were was once the Regional Center for Atheism and Philosophy in the 1970’s. It was used for lectures that proclaimed there was no God. Now in 2011, it was used to proclaim God’s last day message!
Divine Stories:
Vera was a 20-year-old young lady who grew up in a church but never fully committed her life to Christ. After a series of devastating events in her life, she determined to just live as she pleased: partying, drinking, drugs, relationships and anything else to bring happiness to her life. As she made plans to move and start this life, she had a terrible back injury. The Dr. said he could treat her, but she could only receive treatments in the city she currently lived and would need 4 months of treatments. So, she decided to post-pone her move. Just when the 4-months were ending, someone gave her an invitation to attend the Amazing Facts seminar. She decided that she would give God one final chance to show that He was real. As she came night after night, tears flowed from her eyes as she saw the love of Jesus for her.
As she was crossing the street one evening to come to the seminar, a driver didn’t see her, and a car was headed for her. She didn’t have time to react and knew that it was going to hit her. As her heart jumped, all she had time to do was cry out, “Jesus help me!” In a moment, the car stopped only about one inch from striking her. “It seemed as if a Divine hand just stopped it. I know Jesus answered my prayer.” Her heart was melted, and she gave her life to Jesus that very night. “God used my injury to create just the right timing for me to attend this seminar. He miraculously saved me from being hit by that car. I now know that He is real and has a plan for my me. I love Him with all my heart”
Sergey:
Coming from communism, Sergey had been an atheist all His life. “I never really had any belief in God and never thought He could help me with my problems if He did exist.” As Sergey got older, he began to think about what the future held. “I knew that I would not live forever, and I began to wonder what happens after death.” The more he thought about death, the more he felt that he wasn’t prepared for it. A struggle in his heart led him on a search for meaning. He started reading the Bible, and after only three months of reading, he stopped smoking, drinking, and cursing! “I knew that God was real, and I sensed His presence each day in my life as I learned more about Him.”
He began to look for a church but could not find one that was following what he read in the Bible. He asked God to lead Him to the right church. He felt impressed to visit some family members in the very city at the same time the seminar was beginning. One of the students who were in our program randomly knocked on the door of the relative’s house, and Sergey answered. He was shocked at the invitation to the meetings and considered it an answer to prayer. He never missed a night as he listened to the truth of God’s word. He extended his stay in the city and gave his life to Jesus. “I never knew that I could have such hope of a bright future in my life. When Jesus comes again, I plan to be ready to go home with Him. This is something that will get me through each day and every hard time I face till I get to heaven.”
Edgar:
Edgar is one of the biggest soccer stars in Ukraine at a well known university. His future is very promising as a professional player. As a young child, his parents both died in a car accident, and he now lived with his grandmother. He desperately wanted hope that he would be able to see them again in the future. Many nights he cried himself to sleep wishing to just see them one more time. Though he had everything going for him in the world: good money, education, and a bright future, he still longed for deeper meaning and purpose in life. Searching everywhere he could, he was discouraged that nothing could seem to give him the hope he was looking for. Nothing could fill the hole in his heart.
Having given up on everything else, he lifted a prayer as he walked home from soccer practice. “God, if you are real and care about me, please do something in my life to fill this void.” On that same walk home, he passed one of our students who began to talk to him and ultimately gave him an invitation to the meetings. “I remember the subject on the 2nd Coming of Jesus. My heart swelled more and more with the joy and hope that I could see my parents again if I trusted in Jesus.” With eyes full of tears, Edgar accepted Jesus into His life. “Jesus means everything to me. He has forgiven me for my sin and given me a future brighter than any soccer game ever will.”
Edgar was faced with a big test during the seminar. His team would have to go play a game in Poland, and he was required to go. He really wanted to stay for the rest of the meetings, but he knew this was impossible. “The coach never lets anyone miss a game for any reason, ever. It has never been allowed.” However, Edgar believed that God was calling him to stay for the meetings. We prayed together, putting it in God’s hands, and he called the coach. “Sure, if these meetings are changing your life for the better, then you need to be there,” the coach responded. Edgar could not believe it. “God really does answer prayer, and I know that He really does care about my personal life.” Soon after, Edgar gave his life to Christ in baptism. “This is the best decision I have ever made in my life, and I know Jesus is coming soon.”
Angel:
Angel was a young lady who took a wrong turn in life. She always wanted to do the right thing, but she could never seem to be strong enough. She wandered further and further away from her family and began spending time with people that weren’t the best influences. At first, she begain drinking only socially, but soon she found herself partaking daily. Not long after that, she was introduced to some people who were using drugs. Wanting to fit in, she took what they offered. Her life began to spin out of control, and she felt like everything was a fast blur. She soon found herself not only using drugs herself but selling them to others. She became one of the main sellers in the city. All the people in the drug scene knew her.
One morning, she realized just how far her life had deteriorated when she began to sell drugs to kids. “How could I let myself get this far?” She began to cry out to God for help. “God, if you don’t help me, my life will soon be over.” God answered with a phone call from her mother. “I have been praying for you, and I sensed you are in danger. Come home. Angel did, and God began to heal her life for several months. Her mother surprised her one day by saying, “There are some Bible meetings starting soon, and I want you to come.” Angel agreed. She came almost every night, and she found freedom from her haunting past. “I never thought God would accept me because of my former life, but He has given me greater peace than I could ever hope for. I look forward in the future not to selling drugs anymore but sharing the gospel with everyone I meet, especially those who I sold drugs to before.”
Svetta:
Having been almost killed in a severe car accident, dying from cancer, and other harsh circumstances, Svetta was tempted to give up on God altogether. “I could not understand why God allowed me to go through so many trials.” All her hardships had led her to a breaking point when she was ready to just give up. She cried out to God, but there seemed to be no answer. Though she lives in Italy, she came to Ukraine for some business. Not knowing why, she felt a heavy impression to stay in town a few more days. Idly waiting for days, she felt foolish that she even acknowledged it. But on the day she was thinking to leave, she was sitting on a park bench contemplating what to do. After a simple prayer, she found an invitation to the Amazing Facts Seminar. “I first dismissed it as something put on by a sect or cult, but as I looked closer, it peaked my interest.” She saw that Wes (the speaker) previously had cancer that God miraculously healed him from. She felt like she had something in common, so she decided to go.
“From the very first night, I felt God speaking to me.” When she came home, she called her husband in Italy and told him that she would not be coming home until the meetings ended, no matter how long they went! Reluctantly, her husband agred to let her stay. Night after night, she learned about the loving character of God through the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. She found all the answers she was looking for. “Never before had the Bible come so alive to me as during these weeks. I found food for my soul and a renewed passion for Jesus.”
Her family though, following the national religion, didn’t like her attending the meetings. They called her to their home and demanded that she stop attending. They even threatened her. “I love you,” she told them, “but I must continue to attend these programs. God is speaking through them, and I want to know the truth.” They sent her mother with her to keep an eye on her. The first night she came, she sat with arms folded and angry look on her face. However, by the time the meetings ended, she was overjoyed with the truth and joy that is in Christ and His word. They were both baptized together. “God has brought me through cancer and so many more tragedies. Though I questioned it many times, I now know that it was to really prepare me for this moment to accept Him fully as my Savior. Not only this, my mother has also given her life to Jesus, and I am so thankful to God that I have a part in His eternal kingdom. Nothing on earth could express all that God has done for me. I will give Him my life.”
Not Satisfied Yet:
These are only a few of the many stories which happened in Ukraine that testify of God’s power during these meetings. As Global AFCOE’s extend across the globe, thousands more will soon hear the cry to follow Jesus in the last days. Everywhere the Holy Spirit is preparing people for His soon return. We look forward to sharing with you more stories soon as AFCOE India launches this year. Please continue to support Global AFCOE in your prayers.
If you would like to contribute to setting up more training centers, send your gift to Amazing Facts marked, “Global AFCOE.” Your gift will turn into countless souls for the kingdom of God.
If you are interested in attending our four-month or 10 day course to experience revival and evangelism training, visit www.afcoe.org or call 530-422-7994 today!