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Shalom In Messiah Jesus:
Immigrants in New York City
have been in the midst of an intensive summer course called Patriotism 101 – rooting for American athletes in the Olympic
Games, hearing our national anthem time after time, considering the principles of our President and his opponents here in
New York, seeing our flag everywhere, and remembering what happened on 9/11 and why.
What is it about America that
would cause literally millions of people from around the world to want to live here, leaving everything behind to begin all
over again in a foreign land where great struggle is guaranteed before any possible success?
Our English/Bible, citizenship
and computer students often answer that they came for a better life for themselves or their families. I could add the following
insight, which is actually the third verse of our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner":
O thus be it ever when
free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation;
Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven-rescued
land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And
this be our motto, “In God Is Our Trust”;
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
Most Russian Jewish immigrants still do not know that our nation was founded specifically
on the principles of the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Despite a turning away by many in America, God until now has
mercifully blessed our homeland for the sake of the foundation and the calling and the remnant of those who love Him today.
Immigrants
may see the evidence of blessing, without understanding the reason for it. They may notice the national symbols that move
us, without tracing every thread that pulls at our hearts. Yet here they are in this new land, and God is at work among them.
For
those of us serving at the Russian Community Life Center, our highest allegiance is to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Through dozens of classes each week in our ministry center, we teach His Bible and His Gospel. We seek to represent His Kingdom
in our own lives as we share His way with others. We refer gratefully to America’s heritage as an object lesson to glorify
Him. We also mention His people today – people like you – who demonstrate our foundational values through such generous support,
prayers and concern on behalf of Russian-speaking immigrants in Brooklyn.
Our facility in the epicenter of Russian
Jewish Brooklyn is vital to the work, and we still need more stable financial support to pay the rent, insurance and electricity
costs. Currently, these total over $5000 monthly.
First and foremost, we are asking our friends to pray consistently
for the ministry in Brooklyn – for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to draw others and enable us, and for fruitfulness, protection
and provision. We also hope that many might be led, perhaps even for the first time, to help us with a special gift this
month, or maybe a small amount every month. Contributions to the Russian Community Life Center are tax-deductible.
“And
if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.” (Isaiah 58:10) How much brighter is this than the rockets’ red glare!
Thank
you so much for your beautiful prayers and support. We trust the Lord to abundantly bless His promises.
For His Kingdom,
Leslie
McMillan
Executive Director
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