Russia - Heart of hope

Alcoholism had left him without a home, a job, his family and friends. As Vladimir wandered aimlessly throughout Russia’s frosty and desolate streets, he felt he had reached the point of no return.

In his despair, he began looking for a tree from which to hang himself. Out of the corner of his eye, Vladimir spotted a plaque on a house that read, “The Church of Immanuel”. It captured his attention.

“I had never heard of Immanuel before,” says Vladimir. “I found myself returning again and again to this house. With great fear I knocked on the door and I went in.”

Inside, Vladimir learnt that Jesus was Immanuel—his heart began to fill with hope. “I entered the house as the most unhappy person on this earth but I left full of hope,” says Vladimir. 

He started to attend Bible studies with a Bible League-trained Christian and received a Bible.  “For the first time in my 50 years, I had a Bible,” he says. “As I read the Bible, I learned what the Lord Jesus Christ did for sinners like me. I repented and accepted the Lord. Today I am preparing for baptism and I continue to read my Bible. God’s Word is now always with me."

Alcoholism is a major problem in Russia. It is estimated that every third Russian man and every seventh Russian woman, is an alcoholic. God’s Word is desperately needed in Russia so that Christians can be equipped to share the Good News with the lost.

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