CEE Story From The Mission Field
The Heart of Ministry
March 18, 2008
The smell of food fills the air as guests enter the small apartment in Moscow, Russia. They are greeted by the sounds of children’s voices, laughter and conversations in English and Russian as the busyness of getting set up surrounds them. House church will begin soon at the home of Bill and Susan Smith*, members of the Moscow Arts Team (MAT).
On the couch sits Masha, a new believer who came to Christ through the team’s ministry. MAT member Jennifer* plays the keyboard, accompanied on the guitar by Julia, a country-and-western singer. Her interest in the MAT has led her to this church service, her mom and boyfriend in tow. Sardana, a young Asian girl, is talking intently with Susan on the other side of the room. She has been attending house church for several weeks and asks searching questions about what she hears. “She’s so close,” Bill said, referring to her growing interest in spiritual topics and the ultimate decision they believe she will make to follow Christ.
This is the real business of the MAT—presenting Christ as the Savior of the world to the lost people of Moscow. Its ministry takes on different faces—English camps, acting classes, art exhibits and musical presentations—but its heart is in this room, worshipping Jesus.
Although the apartment is small, the work God is doing is substantial. The group has been meeting for more than a year. At first just the team members gathered, but with time others they have met and befriended have joined them. Last year Masha professed Christ as Lord and was baptized. She was the first attendee to recognize her need for Christ and repent, but each week unbelievers are present to hear the teaching of the Word.
In addition to inviting people to home church, each MAT member also tries to be active in discipling outside of church meetings. Masha and Rachel* began studying the bible together soon after becoming friends. It was through those one-on-one times that Masha grew to understand her need for Christ. Another team member, David*, uses the Greek New Testament as text when meeting with Vartan, a linguist who has agreed to help David brush up on his Greek. Bill meets with this same man weekly to discuss spiritual matters.
“Whether it be in a one-on-one setting or house church, we want non-believing Russian artists to be receiving the Word on a weekly basis,” David said.
MAT team members are thankful lost Russians are willing to hear the message and study the Bible with their American friends. The artists enjoy house church and are curious about faith.
“We believe that God is going to use that to change them,” David said.
That hope drives the MAT to continue its ministry among the lost of the Moscow arts community. Please join these team members in praying for many to recognize their need for Christ and respond in faith.
To find out more about the ministry of the Moscow arts team, visit the website at hope4artists.com.
*Names have been changed for security reasons