Central Asian Theological Seminary

For two weeks in June Mark taught a course on “The Gospel of John” for Central Asian Theological Seminary (CATS).  It was a special joy to team-teach the course with long time friend, Pastor John Svendsen. Our students were ‘the cream of the crop’- 24 committed and experienced servants of Jesus from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgystan, and Kazakhstan.

‘B’ is a Youth Pastor in the far north of Russia. In fact, the name of their town literally means ‘the ends of the earth.’ This frozen land is far from ‘B’s warm homeland in the southernmost Central Asian republic. When he left there the first week of June it was snowing. When asked when the first snow of the winter will come he answered, ‘about August 15.’ But he brought great news of hearts that are warm to the grace of the Lord Jesus. In these places where faithful Russian saints were exiled during the Soviet regime, the church is growing! Their blood spilt into the frozen soil bears much fruit.

‘P’ is also from the far north of Russia. He is an ethnic ‘Yendez’ > a people group connected to the Eskimos. He said his grandfather was a man who hunted for all his needs. ‘P’ joked that when his grandfather needed matches he would kill a Geologist. ‘P’ brought his joy and love for God into our class daily. He has an active ministry among his people, including helping to translate the Bible into their language.   

When ‘V’ was a young girl her family moved from their home in a remote part of the most populous Central Asian republic to the capital city in search of a better life. Materially they found it. And Jesus found ‘V’. As ‘V’ grew in faith she announced to her parents that God was calling her to return to their home area and share her new faith. This news shattered their home. Not only had their only daughter denied Islam, now she wanted to go backward to poverty. “Absolutely not,” her parents decreed, “we forbid you to go.” So ‘V’ prayed. God’s answer was dramatic. Her father’s business unexpectedly collapsed, leaving the family impoverished. Both father and mother, with nowhere to look but up, called upon the name of the Lord Jesus and were saved. Within a year, in 1998, the whole family was back in their hometown, preaching the gospel. About five converts were quickly won and the decision was made to start a church. But because of strict government persecution, this was to be an ‘underground’ cell based church. Today more than 450 people, in over 40 cells, belong to this church. Their goal is to grow to 72 cells by next year. Though the church is ‘underground’ (i.e. meetings are held as secretly as possible), government authorities persistently disturb them. Yet, God is using even this for His glory. Their tactic is to arrest, interrogate, and imprison the weakest and newest members thinking this will prompt them to recant their confession of Christ. Instead, this has become a ‘discipling process’ forging the newbies into bold witnesses! Several members of the police force, and their families, have now also joined the church.