Friday, December 28, 2007

Overton Ministry Report - Merry Christmas

Ruth and I send you our warmest Christmas greetings from Moscow, Russia. Though far away, we are remembering you and appreciating you in our hearts. Thank you for your prayerful and material support of our ministry this year. As we serve the Lord together we are actually participating in essence of Christmas.


THE MEANING OF LIGHT AT CHRISTMAS
In a foretelling of our Savior’s birth the prophet Isaiah wrote, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land will have the light shine on them.” (Isaiah 9:2)
In Moscow’s northern climate, December is a time of great darkness. It is a time when one can really feel the heaviness of fallen humanity and a time when you can actually feel a great hunger and craving for light. I understand now, more than ever, why European church fathers choose to celebrate Christ’s birth during the darkest days of the year.


LIGHTING UP RUSSIA

This year, through your support and encouragement, we helped the Russian Baptist Union to send out 600 short term summer missionaries. This is an increase of 400% over last year’s summer outreach. After making a map of the ministry locations and sending churches, the thought occurred to me, that this map is starting to look like a Christmas tree!


We are very thankful to the Lord for His blessing. Still, Russia remains to be a country with less than 1% evangelical believers. Besides secular atheists and nominal Christians, many of Russia’s other citizens have never heard the gospel in the context of their Asian, Islamic and Shamanistic cultures.


As we look forward to 2008, we continue to trust the Lord for the privilege of partnering with you in spreading the Light of the Lord’s gospel. We are remembering you fondly and praying for God’s blessing and protection in your life.

Jim and Ruth Overton

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