BIEMs of Light February 2022

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• One of our BIEM missionaries has a fresh opportunity to travel within a restricted-access Muslim country to share the Gospel and distribute Gospel media. We praise the Lord for providing this opportunity. May He bless this evangelistic outreach with safety and spiritual fruit!

• In the nation of Georgia, our missionaries the Hoblitzes rejoice for a new opportunity: “We have acquired land in a completely Muslim village with a campground on it and a house for a potential church plant. We are praying for a young couple to come and work with us to develop this church plant and camp ministry.” Praise God for such vision and for making this property available. May He continue to lead and provide for this new ministry location!

• Praise God for opening doors. Over the course of time, the various needs of one of our Ukrainian national missionaries have enabled him to get acquainted with the mayor of their town. Recently, that unsaved mayor and his wife wanted to spend time with this missionary couple who state “It’s interesting that this couple doesn’t let anyone into their lives, yet they want to fellowship with us. Our request is that you pray for this couple and for God to help us speak about Him always and to everyone.”

• Despite recurring restrictions and concerns about covid, our missionary Vitaly Yurchenko rejoices that their church’s puppet team continues to receive invitations to put on evangelistic performances. The most recent show was in Kyiv, Ukraine, for adults and children with disabilities. Vitaly says, “Puppet performances are interesting for all ages. This is an accessible message of truth for everyone, regardless of age and intellectual development.

Prayer - Pray with us!

• Although an unresolved military conflict continues in Eastern Ukraine, recent tensions threaten the possibility of a major invasion of Ukraine.  Regardless of whether the threat is real or a bluff, please pray no new war will come to this land and that the existing conflict will be halted.

• Pray for the peace of God to rule the hearts and minds of believers in Ukraine. Pray that churches and believers will perceive and act on opportunities to share Christ with fearful, unsaved ones around them and that no restrictions the government adopts would interfere with having services.

• Please pray for those nations behaving in a hostile way toward Ukraine and pray that the peace of God would rule in our hearts despite the circumstances.

• Please pray for our civic authorities, that those in positions of authority will have wisdom in this crisis, and that they will not adopt any laws that are contrary to the Bible.

BIEMs of Light January 2022

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• In Central Asia, where our believers are ministering to Afghani refugees, another Shiite man trusted Christ as Savior today! Praise God for working in these refugees’ hearts.

• In December, God received glory through many public Christmas services and evangelistic presentations and through home visits, with gifts of groceries and Bibles. Seeds of Truth have been sown and continue to be sown. May God cause those seeds to put down roots and grow!

• In Desna, Ukraine, our church planters faced opposition right from the beginning. Recently, though, the city administration wrote the church a letter of gratitude, thanking them for positive contributions to the community: assisting men with drug and alcohol addictions, helping families with many children, organizing children’s camps…. While there are still individuals with negative opinions, the church is pleased to receive this written encouragement from the civil authorities.

• The Tuttles, BIEM missionaries in Tbilisi, Georgia, report they had a large turnout for their Christmas Eve service. Visitors included university professors, schoolteachers, and even a national government Cabinet member. All these heard God’s way of salvation presented in sermon and song. This praise item is also a prayer request that those hearts will embrace the truth they heard!

Prayer - Pray with us!

• Most, if not all, of our missionaries are continuing holiday evangelistic outreaches into January, since this is their traditional month for celebrating Christmas. These include holiday evangelistic programs, home visitations with gifts of food to needy families, and special services for orphans and foster families. Please pray for souls to understand the Gospel and to embrace the Savior.

• Please keep praying for funds for multiple building projects: (1) to complete the new church in Smolin, Ukraine, (2) to purchase a larger building to house the rehabilitation ministry in Desna, Ukraine, and (3) fund-raising for the newly organized congregation in Cherni, Belarus, to build a building. This small but active congregation currently meets in a cramped room. So far, they aren’t large in numbers, but they are conducting evangelistic outreaches with great zeal!

• Please continue to pray that the Ukrainian authorities will grant humanitarian-aid status to our next 40-ft. container of aid and supplies, which is packed and ready to ship. After submitting the initial thick bundle of required documentation, BIEM’s Vitaly Bilyak had to submit another 18 pages. We would like to ship these supplies without unnecessary delays.

• Our team in Central Asia has a heartfelt desire to increase their evangelistic outreaches throughout 2022. For the team, please pray for their health, strength, zeal, good articulation of Scripture, and protection from hostile opposition. For those with whom they share the Gospel, please pray for open minds, open hearts, and spiritual understanding of the truths they will hear.

Summer Camps 2021

Summer Camps 2021

BIEM’s missionaries and volunteers rejoiced that 2021 allowed us to resume widespread summer camps after the Covid restrictions of 2020. Whether overnighting in tents and cabins or ministering in day camp scenarios, camps provide unequaled opportunities to touch young hearts. In addition to fun games and activities, campers sing Christian songs, learn to pray, and hear daily Bible lessons with the goal of evangelism. If you would like to read a more extensive report on our 2021 camps, please click HERE.

BIEMs of Light December 2021

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• In conjunction with BIEM’s 40th anniversary, you will soon be receiving a special, extra-long edition of our Challenger newsletter. It highlights just a sampling of the huge number of blessings that God has poured out through this ministry over 4 decades. We hope you will read this historic issue and join us in praising God for all the great things He has done!

• BIEM missionary Vitaly Bilyak has fulfilled the colossal task of completing 60 documents required by the authorities in Ukraine to grant humanitarian-aid status to our next shipping container, which is waiting to begin the ocean voyage. Now the praise also becomes a prayer request that whichever officials handle the paperwork will look favorably on it and grant humanitarian-aid status.

• Because many Russians want to learn English, one of our missionary families in northern Russia hosts an English Movie Night every Monday. They receive 15-20 new people each week. Some visitors return for church. “We practice communication skills and learn English grammar based on the Gospel of Mark.” Hallelujah, this weekly outreach has led to souls being saved and baptized!

• In Kyiv, Ukraine, a key ministry partner with BIEM, the Temple of Salvation Baptist Church, has celebrated its 60th anniversary. Founded during the days of militant atheism in the USSR, this church, too, is a testament to God’s grace and sustaining power despite oppression!

Prayer - Pray with us!

• We asked you to pray for Pastor Lasha and Maia, good friends of BIEM who were battling Covid in the nation of Georgia. Although Maia pulled through, Lasha did not. We understand the Lord knows all things and permitted Lasha’s early promotion to glory, but please pray for Maia and her two children, David and Tamar, as they continue without their husband and father.

• Our upcoming mailing includes information about two special building projects—a church building in the nation of Belarus and a new home for the rehabilitation ministry in Desna, Ukraine. Please pray even now that God’s people will understand the importance of those needs and provide funds.

• BIEM president Sam Slobodian is planning a December 9 trip to Russia for an overdue visit with our national missionaries. Please pray for swift processing of his visa to enter Russia, for protection from Covid (Russia still has a high rate of infections), and in general for God’s blessing on this trip.  

• All our missionaries will be engaged in Christmas outreaches to share the Good Tidings of Jesus Christ. Some of those efforts will be entire church programs. Please pray for them as they plan these programs and outreaches. Pray, too, for unbelievers and those who have settled comfortably in vain religions to have their understanding enlightened concerning Christ and salvation.

BIEMs of Light November 2021

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• Forty years ago, in 1981, the Lord prompted Peter Slobodian to establish a new mission—Baptist International Evangelistic Ministries—dedicated to evangelizing the Soviet Union. Then, the USSR persecuted and imprisoned active Christians. Rejoice with us for the huge changes God has worked and for the countless opportunities He has opened for evangelism. He is still answering prayers!

• Some time back, the rehabilitation center near Ternopil, Ukraine, accepted into the program a man named Igor. Igor had been addicted to drugs and alcohol so long that he was in pitiful physical condition. They feared he might die. But Igor accepted Christ! His thoughts and attitudes changed. His sister declares he’s a different man. Physically, he’s still recovering, but praise God for working!

• Not long ago in Desna, Ukraine, Sam Slobodian assisted in baptizing several people, including Vlad, a man whose life of drugs, thievery, and homelessness, had landed him in prison more than once. But through Desna’s Christian Rehabilitation Center, Vlad embraced Christ and repented. Once again, God saved the soul of a man who had been rejected even by his own family!

• In Nahabino, Russia, Pastor Pavel Rumachik recently baptized three people. Two of those were Kristina and Alyona, daughters of a man named Alexander who was once a drug addict but trusted Christ and became one of the first members of Pavel’s church. Praise God for continuing fruit!

Prayer - Pray with us!

• In the nation of Georgia, national pastor Lasha and his wife Maia have been battling Covid for the last 10-11 days. Although Maia seems to be through the worst of it, Lasha remains in ICU in serious condition. He’s intubated, battling pneumonia, an infection, and Covid. These are good friends of BIEM and faithful servants of the Lord. Please pray for full recovery.

• The Rehabilitation Center mentioned above in Desna, Ukraine, now houses 12 men. While we praise God for changing lives there, the small house currently used is already overcrowded. A more suitable building is needed. Please pray that the Lord will guide provide a larger building, plus funds to acquire/refurbish it for ministry. Here’s a link to learn more: https://vimeo.com/639555377

• Also in the Republic of Georgia, BIEM missionaries report some wonderful salvation decisions. But these new believers face opposition from family members and Orthodox priests. Please pray for them to grow in grace and in the knowledge of God’s Word. Also, other friends and acquaintances are listening to the Gospel but not yet embracing it. Please pray for those souls.  

• An Afghani woman, F., led 4 Afghanis to Christ in October. But her landlord is creating problems and threatening to evict her. Please support her in prayer.

BIEMs of Light October 2021

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• Because a cold rain put a damper on last year’s annual Bible Quest in Ukraine, this year the organizers held it earlier. About 200 teens earnestly studied the book of Luke to compete. As a result, 8 teens came to the Lord, and all of them benefited from increased knowledge of the Word of God, plus wholesome fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ.

• In September the 2nd Baptist Church in Bilogorodka, Ukraine, baptized 8 people. Half of them were the family of 87-year-old Pavlina. She had watched the church construction from home, began attending services, and trusted the Lord. Although weak from heart-related medical issues, Pavlina insisted on being baptized with the others even though she had to be carried in and out of the water.

• Praise God our container designated for Ukraine is loaded and ready for shipment. This container contains over 200 padded pew chairs and a large number of folding chairs and tables that will be a blessing to churches. There are also a good number of musical instruments, including two pianos, and a great amount of clothing, shoes, medical supplies, and sports equipment for youth ministry.

• This spring, we asked you to pray for a new BIEM church plant near Brest in Belarus. Although meeting in a light, temporary structure, that new church is now functioning. One soul accepted Christ at the very first service, and two more at the second service. They now have 23 members!

Prayer - Pray with us!

• Praise God for the growth of the youth ministry in Ternopil. After last year’s camp, 20 new youth began attending youth meetings. Several have trusted Christ and were baptized.  Church planter Vitaly Bilyak reports that even more have started coming after this year’s camping program. They’ve all heard the Gospel, but a good number of them need salvation. Please pray for them.

• Please pray for a team associated with BIEM that is boldly evangelizing in Central Asia among refugees from Afghanistan. Yesterday they were in a village where the Taliban had been fighting the day before. Please uphold them in prayer as they minister life in the midst of death.

• The Covid situation seems to be worsening in Ukraine. There’s a possibility the government will reinstitute restrictions, including the ban on public transportation. Huge numbers of Ukrainians depend on public transportation, so that would affect our believers too. Please pray.  

• In Bila Tserkva, Ukraine, BIEM’s Bruce Tuttle requests prayer for the family of Pastor Volodya Sholopko and his church. Brother Volodya had pastored the same church that shares space with Bruce’s pastoral training classes but recently succumbed to Covid. Natasha Shalopko is suddenly widowed, and the church will need a new minister.

BIEMs of Light September 2021

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• Countless Afghanis have fled to other parts of Central Asia. Missionaries connected with BIEM have been reaching out with God’s love and the Gospel. One recently reported, “Praise God, two Shiite Hazara Afghanis trusted Jesus as Savior this morning in our refugee group.” As politics turn lives upside down, may many more refugees find truth and life in the Savior Jesus Christ!

• In Lviv, Ukraine, our missionaries the Levtseniuks have been extremely busy all summer with on-going church reconstruction and summer camp. This month, they rejoice to have 5 candidates planning to be baptized. Praise God for spiritual fruit!

• BIEM’s field director for Central Asia was supposed to fly back to the U.S. when he lost his sense of taste and smell. A test confirmed Covid. He immediately started a regimen of ivermectin and zinc, which helped him feel great within 24 hours. Over the next 5 days, churches had him preaching to fellow Covid quarantiners twice a day. Praise God, man’s delay was God’s plan as 10 more souls trusted the Savior before he flew home Covid-free!

• Thank you so much for praying for the summer camps. In addition to the fact that we had no serious injuries among campers, the American volunteers who went to work in camps were warmly received by campers, and they enjoyed working side by side with the Ukrainian camp leaders!v Countless Afghanis have fled to other parts of Central Asia. Missionaries connected with BIEM have been reaching out with God’s love and the Gospel. One recently reported, “Praise God, two Shiite Hazara Afghanis trusted Jesus as Savior this morning in our refugee group.” As politics turn lives upside down, may many more refugees find truth and life in the Savior Jesus Christ!

Prayer - Pray with us!

• A political rift between the countries of Ukraine and Belarus has closed the border between these two countries, preventing our Belarussian students from attending our spring seminary session in Kyiv. Please join them in praying this would be settled so they can attend classes this month.

• This month BIEM is happy that, once again, our national missionaries Igor Fomichov and Vitaly Bilyak can be in the U.S. to visit supporting churches. Please pray for safety and good connections with churches as we travel many hundreds of miles with these faithful brothers.

• The church in Desna, Ukraine, runs a rehabilitation center for men with addictions. God is blessing, including the recent baptism of a man who had spent 18 years in prison! The rehab center has been operating rent-free in a house lent to the church. However, that agreement expires in spring. Please pray as the church searches for a suitable house in which to continue this ministry.

• Our missionaries in the Republic of Georgia report that the nation has attained the rank of most Covid cases per capita of any country. The government is reimposing prohibitions. Even without restrictions, the virus has hampered ministry with pastors in the hospital, closed churches, canceled baptisms, and a canceled couples retreat. Please pray for God to reverse this situation.

BIEMs of Light August 2021

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• Camps have been held in many places this summer and will finish this month. Praise God for working! In Russia, an elated Pastor Alexander writes, “Thank you for the support. With God’s blessing, we’ve held 3 camps. A fourth will be in August. We’ve heard many prayers of repentance from children and teens….” He describes how a man who was observing ended up being saved!

• Sergei Skripnik, who pastors at our new church plant in Borschiv, Ukraine, had the joy of baptizing 3 believers, and 2 of those are a father and son who were baptized together. May God strengthen these new believers and continue to reach souls through this newer church plant!

• More about camps! This summer, for the first time in a long time, we have Americans making mission trips to Ukraine to work in summer camps. The war in Eastern Ukraine and Covid-19 has prevented Americans from participating in our camps.  However, we rejoice that this summer we have 3 groups of Americans (18 people) traveling to work in 4 different camps! 

• We praise God for creative brethren on our ministry fields! This year in Belarus, they held a unique camp, not for kids but for widows. BIEM missionary Nikolai Ryzhuk says, “Many of them live lives that are far from easy. The widows were encouraged and comforted in the Lord. They returned home joyful and asked that, if the Lord prolongs our lives, that we hold a similar camp next year.”

Prayer - Pray with us!

• Covid-19 continues to create challenges for ministry. For instance, in one Russian city, BIEM missionary pastor Oleg writes, “Cases of Covid-19 have not terminated. In fact, we are getting more people infected every day. On one hand, people are afraid of being vaccinated, because they don’t trust the government. On the other hand, they stay home most of the time, because of fear.”

• The Hoblitzes, one of BIEM’s couples in the nation of Georgia writes, “We praise the Lord that we can continue our evangelism dinners. It’s a joy to minister to students from Africa, India, and other countries…Many students lack assurance of salvation; some have not understood salvation at all, and some come from typically hostile backgrounds. Just a week ago we had a chance to explain the Gospel to a Muslim young lady.” Please pray for such souls to understand and embrace the Gospel.

• In Central Asia, 51 youth attended a camp, the majority from Muslim families. Not all responded to the Gospel, but some did! And everyone heard the Good News. Please pray for God to water the spiritual seed that was sown in their hearts.

• Please pray for the church in Borshchiv as they along with their entire community experienced flooded basements due to a torrential rainstorm.  Fortunately, their basement is unfinished and was used just for supplies that will cost $500 to replace.  Another $1200 is needed to provide this church with a pump and generator for future prevention.

BIEMs of Light July 2021

Praises – Rejoice with us!

•  In Central Asia, another soul has come to Christ through the women’s shelter. A woman who fled from her physically abusive husband said, “I thought about everything you said and how you work. I see you are different, and I believe that your God is really true, and I want to be like you. Tell me more about Jesus … I want to receive Him as my Savior.” Hallelujah!

• Recently, the church in Ternopil, Ukraine, ordained Andrei Eliseev to the ministry of deacon. Andrei oversees the daily operation of the nearby Christian rehabilitation center. This is especially exciting since Andrei himself was once addicted to substances but underwent rehabilitation and discovered new life in Christ. How exciting to see God redeeming ruined lives and helping such believers to grow in grace and knowledge of the Word of God!

• The church planted by the Hoblitzes (BIEM missionaries in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia), holds evangelism dinners for university students from Africa, India, and other nations. Some students come from lands that are hostile to the Gospel, but they feel welcome there. Some haven’t accepted Christ yet but do attend services and listen. Praise God for yet another method of evangelizing.

• Thank you to everyone who prayed for us to have wisdom concerning our next 40-foot container shipment. (Changing procedures make it more difficult to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine efficiently and economically.) We have developed a procedure that we hope will meet the required regulations while keeping expenses to a minimum. We’ll try it this autumn!

Prayer - Pray with us!

• Please pray for a need in Chernihiv, Ukraine where Lyosha Savchuk has been leading the church which is now outgrowing their facility. Pray for direction, and funds for a larger facility.

• Last month, we requested prayer that BIEM would receive the $40,000 needed to hold this year’s summer camps. Praise the Lord, the full amount has been received! Now, if you would, please shift your camp prayers to safety for the campers, wisdom, clear articulation for camp leaders, and for the Holy Spirit to work through camps in the hearts of all campers who attend.

• In recent days, some new believers have been baptized in Western Asia. Others there are planning to be baptized soon. Please pray for these relatively new believers who live in predominantly Muslim areas, that they will grow in grace and strength and knowledge of the Word of God.

• As the Taliban gains strength in Afghanistan, many refugees are pouring into bordering countries where BIEM has personnel. While this does provide opportunities to reach out to these needy people there is serious concern that the Taliban will attempt to advance beyond Afghanistan. Please pray that this does not happen.

BIEMs of Light June 2021

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• On May 29, our missionaries Nikolai and Svetlana Ryzhuk in Drogichin, Belarus, had a God-glorifying wedding for their son Tolik and his bride Alexandra. The ceremony also gave an opportunity for 40 unsaved relatives to hear the Gospel. One returned for church the next day.

• In May, our director for Central Asia led a Muslim man there to faith in Christ. Also, local evangelists working with him have been blessed with additional salvation decisions. God is saving souls in spiritually difficult places!

• Near Moscow, a recent conference was held for men who have been freed of addictions through the Christian rehabilitation ministry. It’s exciting to see how God has totally changed lives, blessed many of them with wives and children, and transformed them into active church members through this ministry. May God be praised!

• In Kyiv, Ukraine, our missionaries the Kellers are thrilled for the increased opportunities spring weather has provided for street evangelism. They and their team use a variety of methods to engage passersby in conversation, which then naturally leads to spiritual conversations. Praise God for caring hearts and active believers.

Prayer - Pray with us!

• BIEM is currently in the midst of three church-building projects—two in Smolin and Borschiv, Ukraine, and a third project in Siberia. All three are in different stages of progress. Please pray for each one. Pray for safety for the workers, for healthy curiosity among unsaved neighbors, and for sufficient funds to push each project to completion soon.

• In Bila Tserkva, Ukraine, our missionary Bruce Tuttle is involved 100% in pastoral/church-planting training. In recent times, he has increasingly visited Tbilisi in the Republic of Georgia to teach there as well. Seeing a need for a permanent training center in Tbilisi, Bruce is prayerfully contemplating transitioning to Tbilisi. Please pray for God’s guidance in the many decisions this will entail.

• Praise God, of the $40,000 needed for this year’s summer camps, we now have over $35,000 on hand. Just a little over $4,000 is yet needed, so please keep praying. Also, please pray for God to prepare receptive hearts in the children, teens, and young adults who will be attending. May He be glorified through these camping ministries!

• Please pray that the Lord will enable us to ship a container of supplies and humanitarian aid to Ukraine soon. International logistics for such shipments to Ukraine have changed, which greatly complicates matters. We need divine wisdom and guidance. Thanks for praying.

BIEMs of Light May 2021

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• When a social organization visited the Christian rehabilitation center near Ternopil, Ukraine, to test residents for hepatitis, tuberculosis, etc., our minister Andrei Eliseev offered the men’s services in a volunteer capacity. He rejoices that not only does this connection allow them to provide a useful community service, but it also gives periodic opportunities to share the Gospel!

• Despite Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv being under lockdown due to the escalating cases of Covid, the spring session of our seminary went smoothly. The lockdown halted most public and commercial transportation, which made it impossible for many students to attend. Still, over 25 students were able to come. We praise God that 12 of the 18 graduates were able to attend the graduation service. 

• In recent days, our director for Central Asia has been traveling in those lands and joining in evangelism. Praise God, a number of former Muslims have repented and come to Christ!

• Another recent event was a youth conference held in the Moscow region. There, guest speakers testified of God’s working, answered questions, and inspired teens and young adults to joyful service for the Lord! Thank God for a rising generation of believers becoming active in ministry!

Prayer - Pray with us!

• The BIEM board of directors approved plans for a new church plant in the country of Belarus on the outskirts of the large city of Brest. A place to meet is urgently needed. Please pray that property for this new church can be purchased soon.  

• This month, we plan to bring two of our Ukrainian missionaries (Vitaly Bilyak and Igor Fomichov) to the U.S. to visit churches and give updates. Please pray for no problems and smooth traveling as they travel both internationally and within the U.S. throughout May.

• Please pray for favorable weather and safety as construction continues on the new church in Smolin, Ukraine. On any construction project, each day presents opportunities for injuries to happen. May God protect those working and aid them in making swift progress.

• Now that May is here, we must increasingly turn our thoughts toward plans for summer camps overseas. We have a long way to go to collect the $40,000 we typically expend for all of these camps. Please pray God prompts those who can help to remember this need!

BIEMs of Light April 2021

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• In Central Asia, Pastor River (not his real name) was excited to report 3 more Muslims accepted Christ as Savior this past week. Hallelujah, the Kingdom of Heaven is growing!

• In March, a family and youth conference in Belarus ministered both to families and older teens on the topic of marriage. Topics included the image of Christ and the church, the importance of marriage, and ways of managing conflicts within marriage. The organizers were very pleased with this conference and anticipate continuing fruit from it in Christian homes.

• At the new church in Borschiv, Ukraine, BIEM missionary Sergei Skripnik reports new people attending, including a woman who had been deeply involved in the occult and magic. After a conversation, she agreed to burn all of her occult books. Now she is the first to arrive for church services! Sergei says, “Pray for her, that the Lord will fully free this soul from all filth.”

• In our February BIEM’s of Light we requested prayer for the church building project in Siberia, Russia where authorities halted the construction.  We are glad to report that the issues have been resolved and construction has resumed.  Praise God!  Thank you for praying!

Prayer - Pray with us!

• In March, we requested prayer concerning another possible church-planting opportunity in the Republic of Belarus. Please continue praying as the Board of Directors considers all the details.

• According to reports, the government of Ukraine is contemplating another Covid-sparked lockdown that would affect public transportation. If that happens, our spring session of the Seminary in April would be in jeopardy. Please pray for wise decisions, both by authorities and seminary leaders.

• As reconstruction continues on the building in Borschiv, the work has shifted to creating Sunday school rooms upstairs. This will include adding insulation, drywall, ductwork, and other items, to make the rooms functional. Please pray for the safety of the workers plus finances for materials.

• Due to the war in Ukraine and the coronavirus, it has been a while since a group from the USA has gone on a mission trip to Ukraine.  Praise God that now an American group is planning on a missions trip to Ukraine this summer to work in our camps.  Please pray for this project.

BIEMs of Light March 2021

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• The Kellers, our missionaries in Kyiv, Ukraine, often engage in street evangelism. Because of a recent lockdown due to Covid-19, they got to speak with more people than ever before. How? So many businesses were closed that their evangelism table was the only attraction!

• Some months ago, the Ryzhuks, our missionaries in Belarus, requested prayer for their son Tolik who underwent back surgery. Tolik is now doing great and manages a physically demanding job. On May 29, he is to marry Sasha, a young lady who was already winning souls at the age of 12.

• The 2nd Baptist Church in Bilogorodka, Ukraine, recently hosted a benefit concert for a local charity that assists children with disabilities. (The Buykos’ daughter Angelica is one of the singers.) The church was packed, including residents who had never stepped inside before. We praise God for this opportunity to demonstrate care, for both people’s spiritual and physical needs.

• In Kyiv, Ukraine, despite the pandemic and the fact that students weren’t allowed to travel from Belarus or Eastern Ukraine, the January session of our seminary had 40 students for all of the classes, plus 30 others who came to audit 3 days of special teaching on the Christian home. We praise the Lord for opportunities to deepen students’ knowledge of God’s Word and to strengthen loving bonds within families.

Prayer - Pray with us!

• Please pray concerning a possible new church-planting opportunity for BIEM in the country of Belarus. We always seek God’s guidance as we prayerfully consider each possibility.

• In the nation of Georgia, a number of Baptist churches have been coordinating a food outreach to families economically disadvantaged by Covid. Please pray that this project will glorify God and help the churches to establish ongoing relationships with families that need the Gospel.

• As mentioned in various Challenger prayer letters, the church in Chervona Sloboda, Ukraine, has developed a very effective puppet ministry that has evangelized in schools, orphanages, and other locations. But due to restrictions from the virus, organizations haven’t been able to invite them for months. Please pray for God to open opportunities to resume this effective outreach.

• Although we can’t share details, our workers in various places have recently reported exciting salvation decisions involving souls in Kyrgyzstan, Iran, and other challenging locations. However, new believers in these areas sometimes fear letting others know of decisions for Christ. Please pray for God to encourage their hearts and to strengthen their new faith. Also, pray for a team of 4 evangelists who continue to travel and share the Gospel.

BIEMs of Light February 2021

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• In Central Asia, local authorities sent a commission from the mayor’s office consisting of the city prosecutor, plain clothes police, the health department, and a fire inspector, to examine the building Pastor Righteous and his congregation meet in. Praise God, not only did they find no cause for closing the building or persecuting the believers, but Pastor Righteous also had a chance to share his salvation story with them!

• BIEM’s director in Ukraine, Eugene Buyko, reports that outreaches during this time of Covid have resulted in more souls attending church. May these visitors hear, believe, and trust in Christ!

• In the past, soldiers on the military base in Desna, Ukraine, could not attend our church plant without difficult-to-acquire permissions, and an escorting officer. In a dramatic change, the base commander is now permitting soldiers to attend freely. Praise the Lord!

• We praise God for answered prayer in Belarus. Anton, the nephew of our missionary Nikolai Ryzhuk, was in an automobile accident and spent 45 days in a coma. Doctors were already giving up hope. But God woke Anton up! He is in his right mind and is walking again.

Prayer - Pray with us!

• BIEM has been assisting with a church-building project in Siberia. Recently, building inspectors halted the project by imposing several complications. Local believers have suspended further work until the inspections are completed. Please pray for a good resolution.

• In Chernigiv, Ukraine, BIEM missionary Lyosha Savchuk reports that a number of youths have begun coming to the church. He attributes this to boredom brought about by the lockdown. Whatever the reason, praise God for these seeking souls. Pray for their salvation.

• In Western Asia, our missionary Sasha R. is operating under fairly tight restrictions due to Covid. He requests prayer that they will be able to return to regular church services, and for an evangelistic outreach they are planning.

• In the country of Georgia, which lies between Turkey and Russia, our missionaries the Hoblitzes write, “There is a small Muslim village called Sakar, about two hours from Tbilisi, where we have begun an outreach and where we hope to have a church plant. We have mentioned this before as a prayer request. So far, we have had good fruit there among Muslim children and a few parents.  Through an amazing, unexpected provision, we have been able to purchase land there with a building on it (land is cheaper in outlying villages). We are praying for a young couple to go and live there and plant a church.”

BIEMs of Light January 2021

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• In December, all of the staff in BIEM’s home office contracted Covid-19, but we praise God for strengthening them. The office is back to normal operations. However, our bookkeeper, Amy Slobodian, still has a persistent cough related to the virus and the resulting pneumonia. Doctors have changed her medication 3 times, so this is also a prayer request.

• During Christmas week, some of our evangelists in Central Asia reported a number of salvation decisions among Muslims in diverse places. Praise God for opening their eyes to Truth and touching their hearts!

• In the town of Ivanovo, Belarus, BIEM missionary Nikolai visited a tiny congregation (which has no pastor) to hold a service, including the Lord’s Supper. A man who had never been there before showed up. Toward the end of the service, that stranger stood and declared, “I’m a sinner. I want to repent.” As it turned out, the man was only passing through town. While waiting for his next train, he decided to visit the little church—and God worked!

• Praise God, a building project in connection with the Christian Rehabilitation Center in Vilna Tarasivka, Ukraine, received more donations than expected! BIEM missionary Bruce Tuttle shares that he attended a recent church service where 2 more of the men in the program repented and placed their faith in Christ. May God bless this ministry and the building project!

Prayer - Pray with us!

• Ukraine has announced a lockdown as cases of Covid-19 have soared. Please pray for health for the believers, and that our missionaries will still be able to minister to people’s needs.

• Please pray that our Seminary in Kiev will still be able to hold its winter session later in January, as those responsible consider all possible measures to enable classes.

• Because some churches celebrate Christmas on December 25 (as in the West) and others on January 7 (traditionally in the East), evangelistic Christmas services and outreaches are continuing into January. Please pray that God will especially work in souls during this time.

• Praise God that about 20 teenagers are still regularly attending as a result of this summer's camp program operated by the church in Ternopil, Ukraine.  Brother Vitaly Bilyak states that these are unchurched youth, some with rough backgrounds who are basically off the streets.  Please pray for their salvation and growth.

BIEMs of Light December 2020

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• We praise God for more souls coming to Christ in Central Asia.   Many have been saved through the “King of Glory” film project conducted by our missionaries.  The Lord is working abundantly!  This is a wonderful answer to the prayers many have prayed for this project.

• In Western Asia, one of our missionaries who conducts online services due to Covid restrictions, reports a number of salvation decision from viewers in various lands—Belarus, Siberia, the Republic of Georgia, Ukraine, and Abkhazia. Also, God allowed his church to hold a Thanksgiving service in an outdoor café. Many Muslim patrons of the café watched and listened to testimonies with interest. Afterward, café staff approached and requested prayer!

• Last month we requested prayer for a planned youth conference in Brest, Belarus. Praise God, that conference took place, and as time passed, there were no reports of sickness among those who attended. The conference provided an uplifting, encouraging time for young believers.

• Praise God for continuing opportunities provided by the Coronavirus in Ukraine where the church in Bilogorodka assembled and distributed care packages with Gospel literature.  Praise God for the compassionate hearts of these church members who reached out to widows, a local orphanage, and to families in their community stricken by the virus.

Prayer - Pray with us!

• Please pray for our missionaries. A number of them have contracted Covid-19. Several have already recovered, but each regrets those days when they couldn’t minister actively.

• Please pray for favorable weather for construction work on the new church going up in Smolin, Ukraine. For services, believers have put up a military tent which is heated by a very simple woodburning furnace that is basically a barrel with an exhaust pipe.  Not the most comfortable setting for worship services but one that certainly demonstrates their dedication.

• Sasha, one of our missionaries to a predominantly Muslim land, was able to conduct a baptism right in the Mediterranean Sea as a public testimony. This church has often done so. Pray that they may continue to have such services without incident, and that onlookers will understand the Gospel.

• Please pray for a full recovery of BIEM missionary Bruce T., who is suffering from the coronavirus.  Though he is improving he has been unable to teach the students in his Pastoral Training school in Bila Tserkva, Ukraine.  Praise God that these classes have been able to continue since Bruce enlisted the help of two other missionaries, who are teaching the classes by Zoom.

BIEMs of Light November 2020

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• In the nation of Georgia, our missionary “M.T.” started a Bible study for 4 young people. The study stopped due to quarantine, but 2 of them continued reading Scripture and trusted Christ at home. One shared her new faith with a girlfriend, and that girl trust Christ, too! A male in the group shared Scripture with 2 other teens, and they also repented and placed faith in Christ. Like ripples in a pond, the circle of believers expanding!

• Churches in Eastern Europe and Russia have each been setting aside a Sunday to celebrate Harvest Holiday. Despite a very odd year, God has provided an increase from their gardens, fields, and orchards, plus new souls have come to the Lord. May He be praised!

• In the 1990s, the first soul saved through Pavel Rumachik’s new church near Moscow had been a drug dealer. Recently, that man’s son, too, was baptized. Praise God for changed lives!

• Despite the lingering Covid-19 situation, we had a good group of volunteers who donated their time to help with our calendar mailing. We thank the Lord for friends who contribute in various ways—taking photos, doing the printing, packaging… At times friends even volunteer to assist with maintenance and yardwork around BIEM. We praise God for each one!

Prayer - Pray with us!

• v Many friends recall the church on the military base in Desna. That ministry has resulted in a good number of church planters. One of those church-planting couples is heading up for us a church-building project in Smolin, which is near another military base in Goncharovsk. The foundation is in, and walls are going up. It’s important to finish the walls, roof, doors, and windows before the extreme winter weather. To do so, BIEM is trying hard to raise $50,000 quickly. Please pray that the Lord will prompt hearts of some who can help reach these goals.

• Sasha, one of our missionaries to a predominantly Muslim land, plans to hold a baptism next week right in the Mediterranean Sea as a public testimony. This church has often done so. Pray that they may continue to have such services without incident, and that onlookers will understand the Gospel.

• This month in the country of Belarus, multiple churches plan to hold a youth conference in Brest. Please pray for good attendance at the messages will help to solidify these young people’s faith.

• We rejoice that in recent days a number of souls in Central Asia have come to Christ! Our missionary “Samuel” led one family to Christ, and now another woman, too. Another Muslim woman has listened to the Gospel. She dreamed about a blood-stained cross and agreed to start reading a New Testament in her language. God is moving!

Summer Camps 2020

Summer Camps 2020

Despite the obstacles and delays caused by Covid-19 concerns, BIEM praises the Lord for the summer camps we were able to sponsor in multiple countries in Eastern Europe.

BIEMs of Light September 2020

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• We requested prayer for 4 Afghani men—Salim, Amin, Shafo, and Farid—who had been listening to presentations of the Gospel. Praise God, Farid has now placed his faith in Christ!

• Praise God for the street evangelism led by BIEM missionaries Vitaly and Alexandra Keller in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine.  Every week they and their team meet and engage passersby with interesting methods of introducing the Gospel. They encounter both Ukrainians and foreign visitors.  Please pray for God to impress on listeners the weight of their sins and their need of the Savior.

• The Gospel is not bound by pandemics. In Central Asia, citizens are still under lockdown due to Covid-19, but Pastor River texted to say that last week he led 5 Muslims there to Christ!

• Excellent progress is being made on transforming the house purchased in Borschiv, Ukraine, into a church building. From the roof to the new, large septic system, improvements and repairs are preparing this location for public worship. We praise God for it and for the generous donors who made it possible!

Prayer - Pray with us!

• By September, summer camps are over and children and teens in Eastern Europe start back to school. Please pray that the truths they heard will remain fresh in their minds. May God continue to open kids’ eyes to their spiritual needs and draw them to faith in Himself.

• BIEM is currently involved in three church building projects. Please pray for God to supply both the resources and the workers needed for each one.

• Please pray for brother Tim, a BIEM missionary who recently suffered 8 broken bones when a heavy item accidentally fell on his foot. He faces a difficult rehabilitation. Please pray for a full recovery and that he would be spared the arthritis that doctors mentioned as a possibility. 

• Please pray for a BIEM missionary family in Russia we will refer to as Brother V. Due to stricter controls of the borders and international financial transfers that began with the coronavirus, this family has not been able to receive the support BIEM has collected for them in the U.S. To survive, Brother V. has taken a maintenance job. One Russian church has also taken them on for partial support during this crisis. Arrangements have been made for brother V to travel to a nearby country to receive the support that has accumulated. Please pray for God’s provision and continued blessing on the ministry despite these challenges.