What is Happening in America?

We are witnessing the most aggressive thrust for total control by Marxism in the history of our country. The objective of Marxism has always been worldwide, total domination – so USA has been the major target for well over 100 years. The overthrow of Russia by the Communist Party happened in the bloody “Bolshevik Revolution” in 1917, and the Marxists have been gradually infiltrating every area of influence in America ever since. They use subtle propaganda until they have enough clout to manifest blatant strong-arm tactics in the courts, in the schools, and on the streets in violent riots, break-ins, beatings, murders, burning buildings, cars, etc. Have you noticed how they have infiltrated and taken control of public schools, higher education, news sources, political parties, Hollywood, major corporations? So, by November 2020 they pulled out the stops in order to steal the election, then mock and vilify any patriot with the courage to object to the fraud and seek to expose it.

To illustrate what I’m talking about concerning events that are confusing and crazy to a logical-minded patriot, here are a few excerpts from a recent letter we received from American Family Association (afa):

“Dear Richard and Della,

     The influence of the secular Left is so ingrained in our culture that even innocent school children are caught in the crossfire of the fight to expunge Christianity from American public life. Here’s a recent example:

     Like thousands of other schools across the nation, when Simpson Central Elementary School resumed in-person classes last fall, students wore face coverings. Some masks included logos of favorite sports teams, various decorative symbols, and even political messages such as ‘Black Lives Matter.’

     But Lydia Booth, a third-grader who wants to be a missionary, wore a mask so objectionable that school officials forced her to remove it. What was the face mask message that caused the outrage as the story became public in February? ‘Jesus Loves Me’.

     The whole incident would be no surprise in a big city, secular stronghold, but Simpson Central Elementary School is in Pinola, Mississippi – a small community with a population of 1,543 that is dead center in the buckle of the Bible Belt. Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian legal group, is now defending the 9-year-old girl’s religious rights.

     Richard and Della, I have news for you: Godless secularism is increasingly the dominant religion in nearly every sphere of American life.

Christian activists – like you and me – are the last defense against America’s headlong

fall into a moral, political, and economic abyss from which she will not recover

     I’m sure you’re aware that the fight is growing fiercer every day as members of the secular Left grow more blatant in their hatred of God. Take the recent debate in the U.S. House of Representatives over the so-called Equality Act, a sinister bill that aims to dismantle religious liberty in favor of sexual rebellion. Rep. Greg Steube, a Republican serving Florida’s 17th District, spoke passionately about the dangers of dismissing God’s created order. Steube also read from the Bible in his defense of the biological differences between men and women. Quoting from a Bible commentary, he said, ‘Whenever a nation’s laws no longer reflect the standards of God, that nation is in rebellion against Him, and will inevitably bear the consequences.’

     Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) brazenly responded: ‘Mr. Steube, what any religious tradition describes as God’s will is no concern of this Congress.’

Make no mistake: Many in America, including some of our leaders, are in rebellion

against God, and the people of this nation are suffering the consequences!

     Here’s a heartbreaking example. A stunning new Gallup poll shows that nearly 16% of Gen Zers (ages 19-24) self-identify as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender). Among this age group, 11.5% said they are bisexual… It is clear that decades of propaganda from Hollywood, corporate America, public schools, and higher education have brainwashed an entire generation.” Tim Wildmon, afa

What Should We Do?

But we choose to go with the actual science (knowledge) of God’s Word of Truth – not the distortions of fake news and evolution-based fake science such as “there are many genders” or “the earth is 4 ½ billion years old.” “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth… Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:1, 26-27; “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host… Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!” Psalm 33:6, 8 (ESV)

From a Former Issue

Now let’s look back to a couple of pertinent clips from our September 2016 prayer letter:

“A Bold Example to Follow”

“Recently I heard a news report on American Family News about a couple in Texas who own and operate a wedding chapel, are devoted Christians, and are taking a bold stand for God’s standards concerning marriage only being for one man to one woman. As I understand the situation, the husband posted a public notice that God created male and female, He is the author of marriage, and any weddings in their chapel would be according to God’s ordinance. Anyone wanting something else can go somewhere else! An interviewer asked him if they are prepared to face the attacks and possibly lose their business over this. He said, “Yes, we are!” He also said that they hope that their open stand for God’s standard will encourage many others to do the same. He pointed out that more Americans need to wake up and realize how close we are teetering on the edge of losing all our freedoms. We need to stand up and speak out while we still can! Will we become the Soviet Socialist States of America? You choose!”

This next one may make you smile, but it is now even more pertinent than five years ago – because the “imbecility” is getting even worse.

“Our Little Champion in the Cultural Clashes”

“Several people have mentioned how they like my stories about our outspoken little granddaughter, Trinity Hope (who is now five years old and going to kindergarten three days a week). Last month I asked her if I could go with her to kindergarten on her first day because she was so excited, anticipating how much she would enjoy it. She pointed her finger at me and said, “No! You’re not ready!” (Well, so much for graduation from high school and college, plus post graduate studies at Ozark Bible College, etc.!) Then she said, “You’re not five!” Okay! She got me there!

Recently she wanted Sandy to take her to a Target store to buy something, but Sandy is participating in the boycott of Target, so she told Trinity, “No, not yet.” Then Trinity decided she would just march in there and resolve this crazy, controversial issue. She told Sandy she would go in the girls’ restroom and say, “You boys just get out of here. You don’t belong in here! Then she would go to the doors of the boys’ room and shout, “You girls get out – you don’t belong in there!” Oh, for the wisdom and boldness of a child. No wonder that the Word of God declares that a little child shall lead them.

Do you realize that many years ago, long before the craziness of this transgender movement and the bathroom issue, British journalist, Malcom Muggeridge, wrote, “We have educated ourselves into imbecility”? Could it be said more clearly or concisely?”

Why This Focus?

If you are wondering why a prayer letter entitled Overseas Outreach is so concentrated on “What Is Happening in America?”, here are my reasons:

  1. For much, if not most, of America’s history, this free nation has been the primary exporter of Christian missionaries all over the world! Even our founding fathers and mothers on the Mayflower had their focus on sharing the love of Christ with the native American Indians.
  2. God called Saul of Tarsus to become the apostle to the Gentiles, but he never lost his deep love for Israel. In fact, here is what he wrote to the believers in Rome: “I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Romans 9:1-3 (ESV). We love our Overseas Outreach! We also love our country!

What is Happening in Ukraine and What is God Doing There?

First, here is a letter from an astute friend in Ukraine:

“Dear Rick and Della…I wanted to share with you what is taking place here in Ukraine. It is believed that there are now over 100,000 Russian soldiers stationed at the Eastern and Crimean borders. Russia is sending military trains daily loaded with heavy armament and soldiers…using the newly constructed Kerch peninsula bridge.

Russia has recently set up military field hospitals and command centres along the border. It looks very likely that a full scale war will erupt at any time…and all I can say is it will be horrible. The present US administration is using Ukraine as its proxy to engage Russia in a full scale war. US Generals and Biden administrators have been meeting with Ukraine military commanders and government officials encouraging Ukraine to engage Russia.

The US has sent more war ships into the Black Sea and I believe others are stationed close by in the Mediterranean. The US has been flying reconnaissance missions over the Eastern Region under the title “NATO.”

My thoughts…this US administration is determined to start a war and it looks like it will be in Ukraine. The majority of Ukrainians are against it. Just a few days ago Ukraine received nearly 3 billion dollars from the IMF…a very sudden and unexpected gift.

Easter is a few weeks away here in Ukraine and maybe our Lord Jesus will return before then…His Kingdom is advancing each day.”

In our most recent report from American Bible Society, I read: “The Ukraine crisis with Russia has become the bloodiest European conflict since the wars over the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. Over 4,000 Ukrainians have been killed, and millions of people are suffering. More than 2 million had to flee their homes as refugees. Entire communities have fallen into poverty, an issue that has been made worse by the COVID-19 crisis.”

Sergei’s Report for March

Next, I want to give you a more complete picture of Sergei Golovin’s report for March 2021. Last month I shared just two paragraphs in our prayer request section. This full report not only gives you the black clouds, but also the silver lining of God’s manifested grace and power! Sergei Golovin wrote:

“Beloved brothers and sisters,

 Thank you very much for your care, support and prayers! With great joy, I present you the Christian Center for Science and Apologetics 2021 March newsletter.

 The new wave of COVID hit Ukraine. The case rate level is higher than ever before, and the death rate level has multiplied five times. We are now under strict quarantine restrictions again. Many of our partners get sick. Some passed away, young and old, and it is extremely painful – we could never prepare ourselves for this. However, what we were prepared for during this new wave is shifting our teaching, preaching, studies, and fellowship to online format again. We are well equipped and much more experienced compared to a year ago when the pandemic just started. The Kingdom work never stops!

  Nevertheless, the month of March provided a brief window between the two lockdowns, and we did our best to get the most of it for the ministry. The biggest project of that period was a short-term trip to the city of Kherson. It included meetings with regional leaders, a seminar for youth leaders of the town, and a South Ukraine youth conference.

  The seminar was in a format of interactive fellowship on the biblical principles of leadership development for the church and missions. The conference’s theme was the evidences for God’s existence provided by the Bible, science, history, philosophy, experience, etc. Based on the experience of last month’s conference at Rivne (Western Ukraine), we have already planned it for 200 persons, rather than 50 as it was our mistake last time. And we were wrong again! 250 young men and women signed up for it in advance, and some more showed up at the last moment. It was a great joyful time of celebrating the love and wisdom of the Lord together. The participants were excited about our books for equipping themselves and others for the ministry work. The video report from the conference will be available soon. Please join our prayers for these children of God who are to pass the baton of solid biblical faith to the church’s next generations!

  We had to cancel most of the offline projects scheduled for the month (like teaching at Transcarpathia and seminars at Ternopil). Nevertheless, we decided that the public schools’ Christian teachers’ conference on shaping children’s worldview is too strategically important to cancel it (new restrictions were announced just the day before it). We changed its format. Though the conference was initially for teachers from many regions, we limited the attendance to only the local ones who are in contact anyway (see the pictures attached). The rest joined it online – the on-demand video is now also available. We used those days of softer restrictions in the best way. The quarantine restrictions became much tougher two days later. All the schools are closed now till at least mid-April. Please pray with us for God’s guidance, wisdom, and protection for our teachers.

  Another great news: we got the first university-level textbook on Christian doctrine published in the Ukrainian language.  Due to the partnership with Tavriysky Christian Institute, it is approved for use at colleges and Universities of the country. Even students in secular schools will now be able to study the foundational issues of Christian faith by the book produced by Christians, not by atheists like it was before. May the Lord be praised!

  The fraternal fellowship with the Ukrainian Evangelical Seminary administration complemented the joy of the month. We evaluated what the Lord teaches us during times of uncertainties, shared the experience we got, discussed the possibilities the future may provide. The partnership’s upcoming plan is to video-record the Bible and Logic course at the end of April. It will be used for the combined training format we practice (offering the lectures’ videos followed up by online discussion afterwards). The format of the recording itself will depend on the epidemic situation. Please keep these plans in your prayers.

  Please pray for our country, for all our partners’ health and safety, for the opportunities to reveal God’s greater glory through the challenges we face.

 Please keep praying for our ministry, our team, our families, the finances, and God’s guidance and protection in everything we do. You are in our prayers as well.

 Yours in the love and grace of Christ Jesus, Sergei”

What Would God Want Us to Do?

In view of these catastrophic situations in the world, in America, in Ukraine, here are some indications from Scripture about what God desires for us to do:

Focus on Jesus

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV) “But my eyes are upon You, O God the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the traps of the workers of iniquity.” Psalm 141:8-9 (NKJV)

Act Like Men!

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV)

God, give us men!

A time like this demands

Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;

Men whom the lust of office does not kill;

Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;

Men who possess opinions and a will;

Men who have honor; men who will not lie;

Men who can stand before a demagogue (tyrant)

And condemn his treacherous flatteries without winking!

Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog

In public duty, and in private thinking;

For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,

Their large professions and their little deeds,

Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,

Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps.

~ Josiah Gilbert Holland

Remember the Joyous Truths of the Gospel

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.”1 Corinthians 15:1-7 (NJV)

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.” Romans 6:1-7 (NKJV)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, whodo not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 (NKJV)

Remember the “Rs” of Scripture

  1. Repent!if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
  2. Return!Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.’ But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” Jeremiah 6:16 (NKJV) “Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.’” Jeremiah 17:5 (NKJV)
  3. Revive!Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation. I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land.” Psalm 85:6-9
  4. Restore! Especially restore fervency in prayer! “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16 (NKJV)
  5. Resurge! After every persecution of Christians in New Testament times, they chose to resurge with evangelistic outreach! Let’s follow their example! Proclaiming the gospel is our commission – and the Sermon on the Mount is our battle plan!

Remember That There is Only One Race – The Human Race!

All of us human beings are descended from our original parents – Adam & Eve. God Almighty created two genders and only two (male and female) – but only one race! There are many people groups and nationalities – but all of us are related through our original parents! Let us treat one another with kindness and respect!

Remember Who is in Control!

Praise: There is only One Sovereign Ruler – in this country; in this world; in the entire universe – and no one can dethrone Him. Remember also that His throne is NOT a duplex!

“Jesus, because You did not back down from the cross to give me life, I will not back down from life to give the world Your cross!” Kim Meeder

Prayer Requests

  1. Please pray with us for God to use our testimony booklet, Powered by Prayer, Propelled by Passion, Protected by Providence, in English now, to reach souls for Christ and to help prepare bold witnesses for Christ, and by the end of 2021 to be touching lives in both the Ukrainian and Russian languages. Recently Sergei Golovin sent us this email:

“Dear Rick, the death of Katya is not a great personal loss only. It impacted our translation and publishing plans a lot, since Katya was among the best in our translations team. We had to change the schedule accordingly. Nevertheless, your project is still in our list – both Russian and Ukrainian. The translation is started, and we expect its completion by Christmas. Any support you could provide for it would be highly appreciated. Yours by the grace of Jesus, Sergei”

2. Please pray earnestly for USA and Ukraine – especially for a massive spiritual awakening in each country.

3. In our fourth prayer request last month, I wrote “…more effective and zealous outreach.” Now I want to clarify that I did not mean to imply that our Overseas Outreach representative couples in Ukraine are not already using effective and zealous outreach, but rather let’s pray that their fellowship with one another will spark and fuel even greater outreach in these tumultuous times.

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