Dear Friends and Partners in evangelism
What wonderful news from the Coronation! Every part was a proclamation of Scripture and the simplicity of the Gospel – and to see our Hindu Prime Minister reading from Colossians and the representatives of other faiths hearing the Gospel and joining the hymns and prayers was a wonderful experience. Thank God for Britain.
Since my last letter, I have been to Ukraine. What a triumph of blessing! Most of the time was filming for our documentary on Ukraine which is being produced with some urgency. But on the Sunday, I preached to a church with 5,000 attending despite the war! Pastor Henry introduced me simply by saying that 30 years ago the church did not exist; and that he was simply my interpreter in the Dynamo Stadium! What a testimony after 30 years – the church he started after that evangelism in the stadium now has 5,000, not just members, but attending during the war!
On April 17th I celebrated my 91st birthday, the exact 50th anniversary of my miraculous release from the communist prison, in a special Ukrainian restaurant with our staff and my great friend, Boris, who pastors the largest Messianic Congregation in Europe. He remembered so movingly how he was one of those 200 Ukrainians who spent 3 months evangelising in Siberia with me in 1994; he came back on fire to start his congregation! What a wonderful witness to the Power and Glory of God! Boris and Henry are only two illustrations of what happened to those who evangelised with me in Ukraine and Siberia in the early 1990s, changed by the incredible miracles they witnessed.
Then on 29th April we had the first Day of Prayer for Ukraine in Germany – so powerful – 400 attended but hundreds more watched online. Already this has stirred Germany, and now they want us to organise more and much larger Days of Prayer in Germany! Something is dramatically changing in Germany – which is part of my ‘vision for Europe’.
Now by the time you receive this I shall be on my way to Armenia where on 27th May we will hold the first National Day of Prayer in Yerevan – a powerful breakthrough in this former Soviet country whose President has just attended Putin’s May 9th curtailed military celebrations in Moscow! But this will be a bigger demonstration of power – God’s Power – as all denominations come together in unity for the first time in nearly 2000 years for prayer! What a testimony to the Glory of God, with the Power and Fire of the Holy Spirit – and no guns or tanks! This breakthrough has come after seeing what has happened in Ukraine through united prayer. Because of my personal meeting with the Head of the Armenian Church, the ‘Catholicos’, the evangelicals can join in prayer with the centuries old Apostolic Church!
I believe that to succeed in changing the nations we must firstly break through with powerful prayer, then release the Holy Spirit’s Power in evangelism. Nothing happens without prayer. Prayer has been such an important part of my life, a real relationship based on 2-way communication. I talk to Him and He responds by clearly answering. This is confirmed by the fact that both times I had cancer the Lord communicated with me to confirm what He would do. Then in my prison cell, just three days after my conviction by a communist court, He showed me in a dream the exact day and place of my release, that I would be speaking in the Royal Albert Hall in London on the Easter Monday – but He did not show me how He would do it! That was the surprise He kept to the last!
With me, the Lord speaks clearly and not in riddles, very precise, then does exactly what He says!
Almost by accident, twice in recent days I have for the first time in 75 years revisited the place where, as a teenager, I attempted several times to climb Beachy Head on the grassy side; on two consecutive days Satan physically put a barrier and stopped me. However, in determination, on the third day I claimed victory in Jesus’ Name, I defeated that demonic power and climbed to the top! Symbolic yes, but important for me today, as there are evil-inspired people who want to stop me even today! They cannot succeed, as we have seen in Germany and will see now in Armenia!
Despite the war our united Interdenominational Spiritual Council has received permission to hold our next Day of Prayer in Ukraine. For security reasons we cannot publish the exact day or the place. But all preparations are being made – I will be there – and together we will demonstrate God’s Power over Evil!
Our work in Poland continues with the team we have working there. This includes my friend, Antoni, who founded and heads the Alpha courses in Poland. Although very evangelical, he has a responsible position in the Catholic Church and is able to open many doors for me!
Thank you for your vital support. Although I am supported by all my family, and my youngest daughter and two granddaughters work in the office, life in my position can be very ‘lonely’ at times! Most people of my age are retired and spend much time with family, but I am so busy with long distance travel, ministry, work in the office – as well as time set aside for my close relationship with the Lord. Some years ago, I felt I had to apologise to my family for my long absences over the years (including one year lost in prison, and one year when I spent 7 consecutive months in Belarus, Siberia, and Ukraine). But this has only brought us closer, so that I feel closer to my family now than ever before. But my life is Jesus first, ministry second and family third! Many marriages break up because of similar reasons, but my wife supported me to the end. As she famously said, “I never stopped him!”
Thank you for your letters, emails and support, they comfort and encourage me. What I do would be difficult for a 60-year-old – but I’m 91 and I won’t stop unless (and I believe) Jesus comes back! Keep giving – keep praying! I also pray and believe a miracle will happen here in our beloved land – what happened at the Coronation was a key! I want to have more Days of Prayer here, soon!
David
‘I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in Him is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about His Son. (Romans 1:8-9).
Thank you for your continued support of this ministry in prayer and finance. We thank God for you. Your support enables us to preach the Gospel, and we continue to provide humanitarian aid to the displaced and vulnerable in Ukraine; please continue to pray for our staff there as they risk their lives helping others.