During the month of January I was privileged to travel with Brother Mike Criswell to Moscow and Penza , Russia . I am very appreciate of the opportunity and the confidence show in me by the church at 85th and Euclid in Kansas City , MO. In my estimation the trip was very fruitful. We spent two weeks in Penza (the church in Tula had unfortunately dissolved prior to our coming) and preached each night. The first night Mike began by preaching verse-by-verse through Ephesians 1 and I followed up with a theme sermon from some idea discussed the night before and we would have questions and answers after the service. We continued through Ephesians up until that Saturday, but the question revealed that those brethren are not as effected by Calvinism as we are here in the states, and we changed our direction the next week. Sunday Mike spoke on the “Seed of the Kingdom” and Monday I began a series on the History of the Russian Orthodox Church with mike following up by addressing specific doctrines (Priesthood, miracles, icons etc.) The crowds grew and the discussions were very productive. By the time we were ready to leave those brethren had become very dear to me and I was sad to go, but it is my prayer that more conservative preachers will make trips to that land to encourage those churches in their difficult struggle to stand for the Faith of Christ. Upon my return to America I was able to worship with the brethren here in Columbia before I left for a meeting in Turlock , California . The Meeting in Turlock went wonderfully with good attendance throughout the meeting including several preachers. It was an absolute joy to stay in the home of Brother and Sister Rodney Nelson and to get to visit with Richard and Glenda DeGough and the other brethren there. I know of few finer people in all the world. My next meeting is not until April, and so I look forward to spend time working here at home with these brethren. I solicit your prayers for the work. – CED
