Cypress Valley Bible Church in Marshall, TX has been involved in ministry in the country of Moldova for many years. Moldova borders Ukraine, and its history is intimately connected with Russia. Today, it is an independent country.
As with most countries, there is very little Free Grace teaching in Moldova. The view that one can lose one’s salvation is firmly entrenched. Cypress Valley has labored to help rectify that situation. Through contacts with people in Moldova who are affiliated with East West Ministries, the church conducts Bible conferences there. As a result of these conferences, some have accepted Free Grace teaching, while others have expressed interest in learning more.
This year, GES has been asked to help conduct a Bible conference to encourage Free Grace believers there and to expose others to the wonderful teaching of grace and the assurance of salvation. Three of us are scheduled to teach there in January. Mike Lii will lead a session on the doctrine of salvation. Kathryn Wright and I will deal with issues pertaining to discipleship, and the distinction between it and eternal salvation. In addition, we will be addressing problem passages.
Issues we will discuss include salvation, the meaning of water baptism in the Christian life, and the Nation of Israel, which is a big issue there. We are told that the people love to ask questions, and there will be ample opportunity for them to do so. We are also expecting people from Russia, Romania, and Ukraine.
Mike, Kathryn, and I will also be bringing a number of Free Grace books and evangelistic tracts to the country. This material is made possible by all the folks who support GES. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, and for the people who come to the conference, it would be a financial burden to buy the books that would help them tremendously. We will have books from various Free Grace authors. I am sure that many readers of this blog can remember how the writings of somebody like Zane Hodges helped them understand the Bible. Hopefully, many in Moldova will say the same thing!
Before we return to the States, Lord willing, Mike and I will also speak at two separate churches on Sunday morning.
I hope that the prospect of what we plan to do in Moldova is an encouragement to all the partners of GES. This is all a group effort. Many of you are involved in this ministry through giving, prayers, encouragement, and other means. How exciting is it that we can be used by the Lord to give the message of eternal life to people who live on the other side of the world? It is almost as if we were living in the time of the Book of Acts.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your love for the Lord and His message. Together, we are sending that message out. A special thanks goes out to Cypress Valley for giving us this opportunity. Lord willing, when I return, I will give a report of how the trip went.
