There was no doubting the desire and determination of God’s people to become more mature in their faith, and to reach out with the Gospel to communities as yet untouched. There was one overarching problem, however – the lack of appropriate resources and tools to achieve their goals.
It was like a building site without bricks or mortar, or the scaffolding to support the workers. As one church leader put it: ‘Give us the tools and we will do the work!’
That has always been SGA’s approach, and it remains so today. The Mission recognizes that it is the responsibility primarily of the local churches in communities across Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Far East Russia to heed the summons of Christ’s ‘Great Commission’ to make disciples, to plant churches and to reach the unreached with the Good News of Jesus.
It is our responsibility to support our fellow-workers, whom we hold in the highest respect for their faithful commitment and dedication to their often difficult task, through the provision of necessary tools and resources for Gospel ministry.
THAT SUPPORT IS OFFERED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS TO HELP ADDRESS THE NEEDS SHARED WITH US BY THOSE ON THE GROUND.
Providing access to faithful biblical teaching and training of leaders lies at the heart of SGA’s ministry – opportunities to learn and be equipped which otherwise would not be possible.
The production and distribution of suitable Bible-based literature for the work of evangelism and for the growth and maturity of believers continues to be a vital need, as does the provision of material suitable for leaders who are pursuing theological education at a more advanced level. Small libraries of books presented to graduates of our Mission Schools help to establish a resource for their ongoing ministry.
The provision of church buildings and meeting places for small churches and new churches is not merely a matter of convenience but, in the Orthodox context particularly, a necessity for effective evangelism and church planting.
Providing transport for evangelists and pastors living and working in isolated and scattered communities is a very practical way in which SGA has supplied essential ‘tools’ for maintaining and expanding effective ministry. In some regions, there are people and communities which would simply not be reached without the provision of suitable transport. Reports from SGA-sponsored evangelists in Far East Russia graphically illustrate this.
