Dear Ministry Partner,
I have just returned with good news from the mission field God has given us in Central Asia.
I was the invited speaker at the 17th Annual Prayer Conference for Revival in Central Asia, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, a call to prayer to bring Revival to the whole region. Five former Soviet countries – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan – participated.
400-500 attended the three days meetings. Just days before, Putin had announced his emergency mobilisation for Ukraine, so hundreds of thousands of Russians were fleeing the call-up, flooding the former Soviet states, here, in Central Asia. I spoke in the Friday and Saturday evening meetings and then in the church on the Sunday. The Power of God was present throughout, and we saw many powerful miracles! For 17 years Pastor Yury has led this prayer for revival – God will answer!
Afterwards I spent time with the senior pastors from Kazakhstan. Since 2003 & 2007, following some of the most powerful meetings I have ever held, I have not been able to return to Kazakhstan because of the persecution against the churches. To be allowed to speak in the meetings this time, I had to get a ‘religious visa’ from the government. For the first time ever in all my life, I was required to supply the government with legal evidence that I was a Christian!!! Funny! But finally, they granted me a 12-month religious visa. So, with the leaders I spent Sunday afternoon and Monday planning the evangelism that we can do together in these next critical 12 months. The Union of New Life Churches want me to evangelise in places where there has never ever been evangelism before. And Pastor Yury, who leads the prayer for revival, wants a crusade in the capital city, Almaty.
I truly believe God’s timing is perfect, just as it has been in Russia and Ukraine. For some years I have been saying that the next mission field is Central Asia – now God is confirming it. The need is great, they face threats from Russia, Islam, and satanic power. Both Putin and the Pope were in Kazakhstan shortly before me. Putin, attempting to rustle up support for his war. The Pope, further developing his plans for a one world religion. But there is only one true faith – in the only one true God and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Coming Messiah! No other religions accept Jesus as God’s Son who died for our sin. Many who are deceived believe that Moslems worship our God; and not only the Pope, but some Christian leaders believe that there are many ways to God. The Bible is clear, the only way to God is through Jesus and the cross. In my prophetic film on Israel, ‘The Stones Cry Out’, we filmed inside the Dome of the Rock, the Moslem shrine on the Temple Mount, and the Arabic lettering around the inside of the Dome, which says, ‘God has no need of a Son’.
Following Kazakhstan, November 16-18, we are holding 3 days’ evangelism in Tbilisi, Georgia. (Russia invaded Georgia in 2008, annexing 20 percent of the country, as in Ukraine). We began our planning in 2019 before Covid stopped us – but this setback only means we are now well prepared. We have the support of the Government of Georgia and the Orthodox Church.
In June this year, with my Georgian organisers, I met personally with the Minister for Religious Affairs – can you imagine, he met me off my plane at his government office at 10 o’clock at night and spent the whole of the next day with me, planning the event which he regards as important for the nation as we do. The opening day has been announced as a ‘Day of Tolerance’, a great opportunity to demonstrate how tolerance really works through and for Protestants as a dynamic religious minority. This event will be a very public showcase; representatives of the government are expected. Several major TV channels are also coming to film and make news reports for the national media channels.
Our chief organiser was a basketball player in his youth. To attract the young people, he has invited famous Christian basketball players from the USA to speak to the young people the day before the evangelism, to encourage them to come and hear the Gospel! Please pray. This move of God began in Georgia after my last Mission in 2010; we expect an even stronger breakthrough in November!
Our work in Ukraine continues despite – and because of – the war. As I began writing this letter to you, our staff in Ukraine held very important meeting of the Spiritual Council – leaders, bishops, archbishops. It was held in a very, very precious atmosphere of real unity! Unity, which cannot be destroyed. We thank God for this! The following decisions were made by the Spiritual Council:
•To hold an 8th National Day of Prayer for Ukraine in the Sport Palace on Saturday, 10th June, 2023 (or earlier if the Victory comes sooner, and/or restrictions are lifted).
•To hold a day of ‘Prayer of Unity for Protection and Victory’ this Autumn 2022 (dates and location to be confirmed, it may be Kyiv or Lviv). This should be an event for up to 3000 people.
In Ukraine, as they release vast areas of occupied territory, they are finding desperate conditions. Our staff are working on the relief operation, on the frontline, at great personal risk and need our prayers and support. We have provided them with bullet proof clothing, but they need God’s protection.
As you can see, we are busy and need your continuing support both in prayer and finance. This is a difficult year for us all, but we thank you for the continuing level of support which has enabled us to increase the level of our evangelism, prayer and vital aid.
And as I warned in Kazakhstan, the Bible is clear, dark days are coming, but God’s promise is to deliver the Church in Power and Glory! And with this challenge, God’s Fire and Power grows stronger in me – and I hope, in you!
David
‘I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now’ (Philippians 1). These words remind me of the wonderful years of evangelism we’ve held together with you. Like Paul, I thank God, as I look back on all those incredible miracles, for every memory of what He has done. And I thank God for you, who have shared and supported this vision. Thank you! I look forward with expectation and anticipation at what God will do next!