"They did not know whether they were in heaven or on earth. They only knew that God dwells among men. They could never forget that beauty."

This is the report that emissaries brought to Prince Vladimir of Russia from the Greek Orthodox church in Constantinople 1000 years ago. From this report, Vladimir decided to make Russia a "Christian nation." As Vladimir conquered eastward across Siberia, Orthodox priests went with the armies, spreading Orthodoxy across all of Russia. Unfortunately, Orthodoxy then and now is more about political power than faith. The 1997 law that limited the rights of many religious groups was a joint effort of the Orthodox and communists to consolidate their power.

After returning from my orientation with CBI this summer, I got a taste of Russian Orthodoxy for myself. I attended a conference on Alexander Men, a Russian Orthodox priest who was martyred in 1990. He was known for his evangelical views, and as such was a threat to the establishment. At this conference, I met some of his followers and was pleased to see a real faith in these Orthodox believers.

Some Highlights of Support Discovery

Since then, I've been busy sending out support letters, making phone calls, and visiting churches. I've been able to take a few trips to visit some of you, and that has been a definite blessing. One of the unexpected opportunities that God has also given me in this time has been the chance to share the gospel with some of my non-Christian friends. In particular, I was able to visit my Orthodox Jewish friend (a different kind of Orthodox!), Ariel, and share the gospel with him.

I have also had opportunities to get involved in different kinds of ministry. Some of the highlights of this time have been raising money for three missionaries at a Vacation Bible School by teaching the children about missions (we raised $1000!) and visiting a Russian Jewish church in Brooklyn on Sunday evenings. I have also taught about missions in Russia at my home church's prayer meetings. And on one morning, I led a Bible study, shared my testimony, and preached a sermon at a Women's Retreat on the theme, "You are the Light of the World!" This is not how I expected to be used, but our God is full of surprises!

How is my support coming? Very well!

Thanks so much for all of you who have committed your time and/or finances! If you'd like to start supporting me, here's my contact information.

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for me as I speak in churches on October 24, November 8, 9, 10, 14, and 21, that the Lord would use me to encourage people to get involved in missions.
• Pray for the Ukrainian presidential elections on October 31, that the winner will continue to allow religious freedom. Ukraine has become a base for Christian missions throughout Belarus and Russia, so this a critical election for the whole Russian speaking world.
• Pray that the Lord would raise up the remaining prayer and financial support needed so that I could leave for the Russian speaking world sometime next summer.
• Pray that God would give me love to serve others and faith to see Him over my circumstances (which can be very up and down in support discovery!)
• Pray that God would continue to give me opportunities to share my faith.

In His surprising grace,

John White

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