THE WINDS OF CHANGE OVER RUSSIA!         CM/FM    1/98
--What it means for the work and for you!
By EURCRO

Dear wonderful worldwide Family,
         We love you so much! You've all been a tremendous support to the work in Russia over the past years, through your prayers, your help with donations and provisioning, and going as missionaries or sending your loved ones to the needy of this land.
         As you know, towards the end of last year the Russian Duma (parliament) finally passed the long-agonized-over legislation restricting religious freedom in the country. This is something which we had prayed against for many months and which the Lord did delay in answer to our prayers for more time and freedom in Russia, but which apparently He couldn't, in order to fulfill His plan, hold off forever. So the legislation has now gone through the necessary legal steps to become law. Throughout the last months of '97, some members of our CRO teamwork spent considerable time seeking the Lord and counseling with Family members in Russia regarding the meaning of this new legislation for our work there. We asked the Lord for His guidance as to how to proceed in light of this new law and the resultant change in climate and attitude amongst some of the Russian people. As a result, He's given us good guidance and guidelines, challenges and cautions, and most exciting of all, promises of continued fruitfulness as we stay close to Him!
         Knowing of the love and unity of our wonderful Family, and seeing how the fruitfulness of the work in Russia over the past years has been the result of a united effort on everyone's part, we wanted to share with you how things presently stand and what the Lord has shown us about the future of our Family and the national Church in Russia. Although in a transition stage, our job there is far from over, and it could be that our greatest work is yet ahead of us, as we teach and train and establish and strengthen those who have and will yet receive Him through our witness. Your fervent prayers for our Russian missionaries and your help and support are still needed, perhaps more than ever. And if the challenges and the need presented in this article tug on your heart, if you feel the Lord is calling you personally to the "new" Russian field of '98, then get a confirmation from Him and write us today! We need you!

What Is the New Legislation and What Does It Mean for Us?
         According to the new law, any religious group existing within Russia that has not been registered in Russia for 15 years or more (like us) is allowed the freedom to believe what they want to believe within their group, but they are not permitted to spread their beliefs to others. This means that we, along with many other churches and groups, no longer have a legal right to freely distribute literature or conduct public evangelistic activities.
         While the new law is worded in such a way that it appears to protect the religious freedom of individuals, at the same time it basically locks believers of religious groups into a cage of inactivity: You're free to believe whatever you like, but you cannot spread your beliefs to others--except your "already established followers." There are other rules governing the groups which have been registered in Russia for 15 years, and then there are yet other rules--or rather extended freedoms--for the more "established" religions of the country, the main one being the Russian Orthodox Church.
         The implementation of this law has so far been most apparent in the large cities such as Moscow, Petersburg and Novosibirsk. Until now, the smaller cities for the most part seem quite unaffected, thank the Lord. The implementation of federal laws in far-flung cities and provinces of Russia can take a very long time and can vary greatly from city to city, and this certainly seems to be the case with this law restricting religious freedom. However, we have started to receive reports from a few Homes in smaller cities which are also being restricted in their witnessing activities by local authorities. But we're very thankful that overall the effects of the law and the tightening climate are still limited, and the Lord is lovingly and faithfully giving us the time we need to prepare and plan for what is ahead.

Changing Climate and Attitudes
         In the large cities, though, the mindset and sentiments of the general public are changing from being liberal and open to being much more suspicious and dubious of religious groups and foreigners in general. In some ways, the attitudes of some (though not all) are reverting to much like how they were in communist days, when everyone was very suspicious and fearful of anything or anyone that wasn't state-approved and registered.
         Our Family members have already experienced a wide range of changing reactions to their witness, from being questioned as to whether they are legal and registered simply because they offered a tract to a passerby, to Homes in large cities with CTP ministries being suddenly questioned by the establishments they've been regularly helping as to whether they are legal and if they have taken care of their registration. In general, it seems that people are becoming more careful that those they associate with are following the new regulations.
         There seem to be many reasons for this change in attitude and climate in Russia. Besides the new law itself, there has also been a lot of propaganda related to it, as well as indoctrination by the media against small religious groups. The Western ACMs have made Russia and other EE countries their targets, and in October '97 the Family was viciously attacked by a very large, prestigious and widely-read newspaper that reaches most of Russia, and as far as the Ukraine and other republics.
         Quite a few sobering incidents have occurred recently which the Lord has used to show us that things are no longer as they used to be in past years--at least not everywhere--and that we must change with the times. A few examples are:

         --A Russian Christian man and friend of the Family, who has a small charitable foundation, was raided. The authorities broke down doors and confiscated his personal belongings, as well as his humanitarian aid.
         --A team that went postering on the streets in Petersburg had a fairly serious incident when dear Ruby was attacked with some sort of pepper spray or gas. This is the only incident so far where a Family member was actually hurt, although it wasn't too serious or long-term. Thank the Lord for His protection! (See Grapevine #32, "Hated of All Men!")
         --A couple of young people from a Home in Moscow were out on one of their regular singing engagements when, at a party, a man from a foreign network news station mentioned to one of the singers that while he didn't know the Family personally, he did know they are on the top of the government hit list of groups that they want to expel from Russia!
         --In another city, after a negative news article and TV program, two of the schools for handicapped kids that the Home ministered at asked the Home not to come anymore, since parents were coming to the administration of the school and complaining that the kids are "being forced into religion" by Family members.
         --Another Home reported: "At the school where we have been teaching English, some of the parents complained and threatened to close the school down because we were teaching religion to the children. We were teaching them the story of Christmas, and were making a manger scene with them that they would take home as homework. Nothing serious came of it, but we have to change our approach now. Before, the school directors would even encourage us to talk about religion, and a lot of our students have gotten saved, but due to the new law we are having to go more underground in many ways."

The Lord's Guidance, Comfort and Promises!
         None of this should really be surprising to us, since the Lord has told us all along that the doors in Russia would close again. But it shows that that time is approaching now and that we're entering a new phase of the work in which we'll need to learn to operate in new and different ways. The passing of the law and the ensuing change of attitudes have caused us to seek the Lord for the guidance and direction we desperately need in order to be able to continue reaching and raising up His children in this country.
         Through prophecy, the Lord has stressed the vital importance of our prayerfulness and unity, the need to change and tailor the ways in which we have been operating to adapt to the new climate, the need to be more in tune with the Lord at all times and to follow Him closely for each situation, the need to be more security conscious, and the need to emphasize feeding the sheep He's already given us and strengthening our national Church. It seems that our days of being able to openly witness and distribute the posters by the millions as we have are numbered--at least in some areas of Russia. But the Lord has promised that if we will be faithful to pray each step of the way, we will still have many fruitful days ahead of us! Praise the Lord!
         Following are excerpts of a few of the many prophecies the Lord has given us in recent months as we've taken various situations and questions to Him, which should give you an idea of how the Lord is leading and what He's emphasizing in this new day of fruitfulness that He promises if we'll follow His voice:

         (Jesus speaking:) I'm so proud of you, My children, for much has been accomplished in this great land. But now is the time soon approaching when the Scriptures must be fulfilled, when the signs of the End must come to pass and be fulfilled. I cannot hold back the tide forever, for My Word needs to be accomplished and fulfilled and the Man of Sin shall shortly arise and stand upon the world stage. He is even now preparing this land, this vast, powerful land, for the Antichrist's entrance on the world stage, and he will have much to do with this great land, as has been said in the Word. For this land is controlled by the ACs, and they are now working on accomplishing their plan to bring back darkness and control and dictatorship.
* * *
         (Jesus speaking:) Fear not and worry not that your days of fruitfulness have come to an end, for I say unto you that there are days of great fruitfulness ahead! But you must adapt and you must follow My instructions to walk circumspectly and be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, for the days are evil. If you are faithful to do this, to walk prayerfully and carefully, diligently heeding My checks and My warnings and hearing My voice--daily--I shall protect you and I shall perform great and mighty works through you--in a different way, not in a way that you imagine or expect!
         I shall continue to work through you and to use you mightily to reach many, but it is not in the way that you have been used to. Seek Me each day, walk prayerfully one step at a time, and do not take for granted any of your old modes or methods of operation. If you are obedient and follow these instructions, you shall have days of much fruitfulness--even greater fruitfulness in many ways.
* * *
         (Jesus speaking:) I need a Gideon's band on this field that will be able to accomplish My goals and not their own goals. So follow the leadings that I give you; follow up on the people that I bring along your path. Encourage them to fight, strengthen them, prepare them.
         These days are crucial for each of your Homes here, and if any of the Homes are not in tune with Me, they will be left behind. So encourage those who you can to pray and seek Me concerning their situations, for this is an important time and it will determine many things for the future.
* * *
         (Jesus speaking:) It was impossible to start a work here years ago, yet you did it because you took time to follow My Word, My vision, My goals! I used different laborers for each of those stages of the work here in this field--pioneers, babes, teachers, shepherds, people with wild faith to try the impossible, to try things that they were never able to try anywhere else!
         It's now coming to another stage, more restrictive, yet it will bring forth fruit. For there was a time when everyone could go the direction they had faith for, to work on ministries they wanted to work on, and it brought great fruit and much Word was given. But now as times are changing, there is a need for new guidance. It's time to learn to face the need of this field, the need of the lost, in a new way. It's another stage of My preparation for My dear Family for the Endtime, to learn to do things because I said so, to learn to work tightly as one team with the same goals, though in different places.
* * *
         (Jesus speaking:) Each one needs to have the faith for what it is that I want them to do, and they need to be convinced of My will. Deciding to stay in this land will mean risking your lives to preach the Gospel. So seek Me earnestly before making this decision and see if this is the country I wish for you to be in, for then will I speak to you words of confirmation and encouragement.
         Those who decide to remain will need to have a strong connection with Me, for their very lives will depend on it. They must seek Me for each step they take, for each corner they turn, for every word they speak, for every piece of paper they give out. They must watch and pray and be sensitive; they must be attuned to My voice and whispers, for then I will be able to warn them of danger as it approaches. They will find doors closing suddenly, and things which once seemed easy and normal will now be a risk and difficulty. Decisions which once seemed common will be matters of life and death.
         But fear not, for all things are possible with Me, and I will protect and provide for you, touch each of you with My power and Spirit, and envelop each one with My protection. As you seek Me, I will replace fear with peace, doubt with faith, uncertainty with confidence, worry with trust. Unite as one Family, one body, one army. For together you will stand strong, and together you will continue to reach My sheep in the land, and together you will withstand the forces of darkness and the councils of the Enemy.
* * *
         (Jesus speaking:) The time is coming of more discipleship training, training the ones that [you] now have, in the Word and helping them to grow strong so that they in turn can lead little bands of believers. I have given the vision of building the national churches, and this is it! [You've] got to do it! This is the only way that My Word will be able to continue to go out! So [you] must invest this time that [you] now have wisely so that [you] don't look back later on and wish [you] had. (End of excerpts of messages from Jesus.)

Nationwide Prayer Day Held
         In light of all the Lord said and the emphasis He placed on hearing from Him for His guidance today for each individual Home and situation, we asked each Home in Russia to set aside a special day dedicated to uniting in prayer and to hearing from Him for His personalized direction and guidance. Each Home did this toward the end of last year, asking the Lord how He views the situation in their city or area specifically. They asked for a confirmation on continuing on with their present activities and ministries, or the Lord's warnings of anything they should be looking at differently, or even discontinuing completely. They asked specifically about open witnessing, poster or other tool distribution, follow-up methods and locations, CTP ministries, and so on. They also asked the Lord for any specifics regarding the security and safety of their Home and location, and how open He wants their Home to be.

We Still Need You!--Your Prayers, Your Support--and You?!
         Well, as Dad said about Heaven, "It's not the end, it's only the beginning!" So as we begin this new phase of our work and witness, our teaching and training of the national Church in Russia, we want to thank you in advance, dear Family, for your continued prayers, love and support. We still need and depend on it greatly--now more than ever!
         Please keep the safety and security of our precious members in your prayers, including the many thousands who know and love the Lord and are learning more about Him as a result of our witness. Please also pray that the Lord will help us to quickly gain the skill and sensitivity we need in the use of the spiritual weapons He's given us, as we know they are essential to the Lord's ability to keep and use us in the months and years to come.
         For any of you who are praying about coming to Russia--or praying about which mission field the Lord is calling you to--Russia is still open and very much in need of dedicated laborers. Although there are still areas of the country which are open to distribution of our literature and more open methods of witnessing and we don't yet know what the end result of the law will be, we do know that the times are changing, as we've explained. It's important to understand that the Russia of '98 could be very different than the Russia you've heard of before via the many testimonies of mass postering and wide-open witnessing in previous years.
         When praying about whether Russia is the field for you, please keep in mind that you may not be able to burn free on road trips or CTPs as we have in the past, but your ministry may be an underground one. The need for teaching and training our nationals and converts is great, so a burden and determination to learn the local language is more essential now than in the past. Visas may become more difficult, and part-time jobs or student visas may be necessary. Above all, a close link with the Lord and attentiveness to His daily leading and guiding through prophecy is essential!
         We hope this doesn't scare you from even thinking about praying about becoming part of the Russian work, or sadden you that the days of freedom and distribution are over, or cause you to think you now have to be so undercover that no one would see your light shining in Russia at all. That's what we're there for, and our light will continue to shine as brightly as ever! But it is important to realize that things are not as they have been in the past few years, and anyone going to Russia or remaining there will need to be prepared to adapt to the new climate and tailor their witness and other activities (and means of support) accordingly.
         Speaking of support, any financial help you can continue to give to the Russian work is still greatly needed and appreciated. Special gifts to the Russian work have been dwindling in recent months, but the needs are still great, even greater now that time is shorter than ever and it's becoming even more difficult to raise what little support the Homes could through tool distribution or provisioning within the country. And as things get tighter and more difficult, it will most likely become increasingly difficult for the Homes to survive financially. Many of our non-national missionaries often need to spend as much as half the year fundraising in Western European countries or the States, which takes that much time away from them reaching the field.
         So please continue to consider the needs of Russia when praying about where to designate your extra gifts. Every bit of help goes a tremendously long way here and plays a major part in the work that is accomplished! If you don't have a specific missionary or Home that you're personally helping, you can send your contributions via your monthly report to the "Reach Russia Now" fund, and they will be prayerfully distributed to needy and fruitful Homes and projects. We're very thankful to each of you who have given so sacrificially over the years towards the work in Russia. The fruit has been tremendous, and you, our dear Family, have a part in every soul won and every life changed as a result of your giving and your prayers.
         We'll end with a quote from our wonderful Dad, whose faith and burden and love for the Russian people is what gave us the faith and burden and love to reach out to them. He said, "It reminds me of what the Scotsman said when he was praying before he went to his church, 'Lord, I can nay gay lest You go with me.' I'll not go unless You go with me! And we couldn't have gone unless you had gone with us! Praise the Lord! We couldn't have done it without you!"
         And we still can't do it without you! Thank you for going with us! We love and need you!
         With much love, thanks and prayers,
         EURCRO


Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family