Spiritual Freedom Russia update Jan 2010

Greetings from Moscow, where it is record cold and we are anxiously waiting for a little bit of the predicted global warming. I first would like to thank those who have supported Spiritual Freedom Russia. We made it through another year. Although we were closed for 3 months we ended correcting 9,513 courses. We had 4,000 new enrollments and we had 5770 continuing students. 9770 new courses were also mailed out. The staff responded to 2,993 personal letters. Each month we receive into the offices hundreds of letters from the students, many testifying of the work the Lord is doing in their lives. Every letter received is responded to personally by one of the staff. Many prisoners have been raised up in the orphanage system.

The letters in many cases are the only contact the prisoner may have with the out side world.

Even though SFR correspondence ministry has been received into over 700 prisons with a population almost at one million only 1% of the prisoners have been effected by this ministry,

The opportunity for the Gospel in the prisons is tremendous

Another great opportunity that has presented itself is to the friends and family of inmates.
Love one’s relatives and friends at the request of the inmates can participate in the correspondence program. Currently 25% of the students have come from people outside the Prison system. Many live in one of literally tens of thousands of villages all across Russia. What makes this area of ministry of interest to us is that in many of the small villages scattered throughout Russia, most of them do not have any access to any evangelical influence. Bible correspondent courses and Christian literature are a way to reach many of these people through the postal system.
I believe along with many other Russian Pastors that the work of SFR is vital to the work God continues to do in Russia. Those that are involved with prison ministry here in Russia have observed that God is doing a wonderful work among Prison population. For many years the gospel was totally forbidden in the prison system .Over the last 16 years the doors have opened and many broken men and woman, have come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, many now serving the Lord in local churches through Russia. We believe God is preparing men and woman in the prisons for the greater work of the Gospel here in Russia.
Unfortunately with new legislation even evangelism in the prison is beginning to close. However since SFR reaches out to the prison population via the postal system these doors remain open.
It has been our desire for Churches in Russia to fully support this ministry.
And we have seen progress from the local churches, individual believers and even from inmates to support this work. Unfortunately at this time in the life of SFR we have had to seek outside support. I know many of you have ministries and missionaries at home and abroad that you support. However if God has given a heart for Russia, this is one ministry that is worth investing into. I would ask you to consider supporting SFR It cost on an average about $18.00 for a student to complete one bible course. We currently have over 40 bible courses. Please share with a friend about SFR. Thank you and God Bless.
Here are a few of the Letters from the students.
Vladimir Eremeev, Tatarstan
Yes, I was a Satanist – the devil's slave. Yes, it was the Bible which has led me to God. In the beginning, I started to read it with the only purpose - to find mistakes in it. But it turned to be the opposite. The Bible has put me on my knees before God in order to tearfully ask forgiveness from Him and help to quit Satanism. Because Bible has no mistakes indeed! The Bible has made me to destroy all the occult books I had. Because it has become my main book.
Praise God for I have quit Satanism and joined Christ – my Savior. This is my last (* 43 completed) Bible study, but I don't what to part fellowship with you. If you happen to get some new studies, please, send them to me. I will wait for it!
Your brother in Christ, * my note

Galiya Borozdina, ex-con, Yekaterinburg region.
I worry a lot about you because there are no letters for a long time.
I really miss a fellowship with you, which gives me life strengths, as you are given to me by God.
I am doing fine, but not always smooth, but I set my hopes upon God and pray more often with my words and life is getting easier.Sometimes I weep, sometimes I smile, but I try to avoid despondency. Only the Lord knows how it is difficult sometimes.I sincerely concern about your problems, but the Lord will not leave you with no help. This is what I believe and pray about. By the will of God today I have received my pension; it's not large only 2118 rubles ($70.00), but I want tohelp your ministry. It's very little, only 200 rubles ($7.00) which I send you in this letter and I am ensure that they will get to you with God's help.
Please, receive it and I always pray for you.


Denis, prisoner, Yekaterinburg region.
I’m praying for you for and the school that you will continue the work. Thank you for the Bible. I am very happy about it. I read it and I share with others who don’t have one. We all pray for you. Waiting for the next course,Peace to you.

Maxim, prisoner, Kazan’ City.
Our fellowship is praying for your supporters and for your good health,How are doing? Is everything OK? Our prison is waiting for your Bible lessons. Please know that the Lord does not send us trials above our strength! Hold on! Write us and share with us your worries.We pray and we will pray for you without loosing hope and faith.May the Lord keep you,

Alexander, released prisoner Volgograd region.

I was waiting for these courses and I confess that for some time I thought that they would never come. But in a meantime I was reading the Word of God. But of course with your lessons and your help it is much easier to understand the Scripture and I learn it with greater understanding. In this aspect your work is undoubtedly the way for me to the truly grow in the knowledge about our Lord Jesus Christ.

Vladimir, prisoner, Yakut region

I am happy that I’m connected to the Holy Scripture and walk everywhere with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I thank God for the Bible which you sent me and for the very wonderful and vital lessons. I wish I could spend all days long in prayer and in Word of God…

Prayer requests for Spiritual Freedom Russia

For the staff

For our director Alexy and his wife Rita. It has been a difficult last 3 months. There son Alexy JR has been sick and it was finally diagnosed that he had and infection on his heart valve. God did a miraculous work and He was accepted into the best heart surgery center in Russia. Alexy had the surgery last week and he is already recovering. Alexy Jr. has a restored heart but please pray for his spiritual heart to be reborn.

Please pray for the students

For all of you that have followed this ministry I wish you could all get on a plane and come over and see the work here at Spiritual Freedom Russia. God is doing a good work! God Bless you and all that God has called you to in the building of His kingdom. dean