Challenges and Changes
War, upheaval, and natural disasters routinely create dangerous situations for those who live and work in Eurasia. The constant stream of discouraging reports often fuels doubts that anything positive can be accomplished. But God is opening doors of opportunity for His church in these last days. Behind the scenes — even underground — He is preparing His children to take the gospel to the region’s most remote, spiritually dark places.

New Countries Opened
In much of Eurasia, missionaries cannot preach crusades, openly distribute gospel literature or publicize the opening of a new church. But they are establishing a presence. By using creative ways to address needs among specific people groups, they are building relationships and sharing the claims of Christ.

Strong National Leadership
Dr. Ivan and Sheila Satyavrata now lead the AG ministry in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India, started by Mark and Huldah Buntain. This fully indigenous church is continuing to address the needs of the hungry and spiritually lost.

Recently church leaders representing Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal made plans to meet and discuss ways to reach their own nations and also the Southern Asia area as a whole. Through national-led initiatives, they are expanding their vision to reach every segment of society. In the Middle East, despite the threat of violence and unrest, believers in Jordan are offering help to those seeking compassion and hope.

Youth Involvement
Several teams of U.S. youth have gone into difficult areas of Eurasia and made a major impact. One team has dedicated a year of service to Kyrgyzstan. In all facets of university life, these young people have made their presence known and endeared themselves to the campus and the surrounding community.

In Bangladesh, student friendship centers serve as welcoming places where young adults can ask spiritual questions in a nonthreatening atmosphere. Across the CIS and Baltic Republics, university outreaches are being planted among young adults who were taught that religion is for the weak.

Increased Burden For Children
In many Eurasian nations, the culture places little value on children, making them prime targets for predators. Missionaries in Southern Asia recently developed curriculum that can be used to form neighborhood Hope Clubs. Currently 22 teachers have been trained and are reaching out to 1,000 children. The goal is to reach a million children with the gospel.

In Russia, a missionary is conducting training seminars and preparing resource centers where children’s workers in Siberia can find curriculum and teaching tools to reach boys and girls. Royal Rangers is a growing ministry as workers sense the importance of teaching children the principles of God’s Word along with needed life skills.

A church in the Middle East is focusing on reaching out to about 200 street children. Workers feed the children, wash their clothes and share Christ’s love. As a result, children are learning to love Jesus and worship Him wholeheartedly.

Ministries of Compassion
Two recent disasters devastated parts of Eurasia. The December 2004 tsunami wiped out communities in Sri Lanka and India. A few months later, an earthquake brought destruction to parts of Pakistan and North India. In cooperation with national believers, missionaries have provided medicine, food and basic necessities to the suffering. Construction projects are ongoing to help people without shelter, schools or medical facilities. These efforts provide a platform for expressions of Christ’s love in areas unreached by the gospel.

The challenges of working in Eurasia are no secret. Crumbling economies, corruption and crises are a way of life. But God’s power is not bound. He is enabling missionaries and national believers to rise above the obstacles and take the good news to the most gospel-resistant areas.