Two families who are front-line fighters in the battle for souls in BUS received their training in Arkansas.  Robert and Janet Lee* came from Sherwood Arkansas and planted their lives in Central Asia. David and Peggy Richardson* served in Conway AR as minister of music and youth before heading to the this post-soviet world.

God called Robert to be a missionary in 1978, but it wasn’t until he and Janet were serving at a church in Sherwood, AR, many years later that she sensed the same calling. Now, they have served in BUS for four-and-a-half years, providing the theological education that was unattainable during communism to Russian Baptist churches in Central Asia,

“The Russian Baptists are the ones who have gone through hardship and persecution during the seventy years of Soviet rule,” Robert said.  “They have kept their faith and sensed the obligation of evangelizing Central Asia.”

Robert is teaching students who want to be pastors and missionaries and mentoring church planters.

“Please pray for me,” Robert said, “that I will mentor lovingly, wisely, and effectively and that these men will build a revival culture in their churches and communities.”

When David and Peggy Richardson met at seminary they were drawn together by their desire to reach the nations and the next generation. After seminary they poured their lives out in Conway, AR, ministering to youth, college students, and internationals. This was just one stop in their journey to the mission field—by the time they arrived in BUS, with children in tow, they had spent 10 years gaining experiences and relationships that prepared them for life in the former Soviet Union.

Through teaching English, befriending neighbors and sharing Christ, David and Peggy have been able to help start a church, which is growing and has plans to multiply. In addition, a door has opened in another part of their country that has expanded their realm of influence.  Four times a year, David and Peggy, along with another missionary family, host a one-day training retreat for all the fellowship leaders in a particular region of the country.  David focuses on team building through adventure recreation and Peggy leads “craft therapy” sessions with the ladies.

“As we look ahead we see doors and windows opening and closing, as they do in these former Soviet places,” Peggy said. “We’re asking God to use our gifts & potential for such a time as this.”

The Lees and Richardsons are just two families out of many who have come from Arkansas to make an impact on Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). How many more potential partners are waiting to join CEE in winning this region for Christ? This month, the CEE Summit will be held at First Baptist Church, Sherwood, AR, April 21-22. Attendees will learn how they can be involved in what God is doing in BUS and other CEE fields. To find out more or make plans to attend, click here.

Come partner with CEE!

*Names have been changed for security purposes

“Many years ago, when my life was in turmoil, I had an unforgettable dream. In this dream I heard music and felt an unexplainable sense of peace. I began to search for the source of this peace by searching in many books and by attending many seminars. But, I could never find peace. And then, years later, a choir was singing on television. The song they were singing reminded me of the music of my dream. Once again, I felt a great sense of peace. I wanted to know what they were singing about, but they were singing in German. Once again, I began the search for this wonderful peace. I knew this song held a clue.

A couple years ago, I once again heard this song coming from what sounded like a music box. Actually, it was coming from a toy Father Frost. It was a very expensive toy, but I knew I must have it because it held the key that would help me find what I had been searching for.

I finally found the answer at the English as a Second Language Christmas Party. I loved the classes that taught me more than English they also taught me things about the Bible and God. During that celebration, we sang songs in both English and Russian. A few of us were invited to lead the singing and I was handed a Russian songbook. When the music began to play, I recognized the tune at once, and there before my very eyes were the words to that peaceful song, ‘Silent Night, Holy Night’. Finally I found the source of that perfect peace. It is in God’s greatest gift to us!”

This testimony comes from someone who was silently seeking God, even though she couldn’t express that as her need. How many more are silently seeking for Jesus? How many more will come to learn English and learn of a Savior instead?

To find out more about how you can be a part of teaching ESL as a volunteer in CEE, please contact us. Please join us in praying that every student in CEE will find the source of perfect peace!