The Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) has been spreading Christian compassion and love in 10 countries of the former Soviet bloc through its Immanuel's Child outreach program.
With the donations the ministry has received, members of local churches have gone door-to-door providing children with a special gift, a Bible, a Star of Bethlehem ornament that reads, "JESUS LOVES YOU" in Russian and features a donor's name, and a note saying the person is praying for them.
"They use this as a great opportunity to invite unchurched families to their churches," SGA President Michael Johnson explains. "They celebrate the Christmas story, they share the gospel, they distribute gifts, they sing Christmas carols, and this year we blessed 50,000 children throughout those countries."
Church leaders have told Johnson the Immanuel's Child program is one of the best tools they have to reach people.
"The fruit has been quite significant," Johnson relays. "As many people heard the story for the first time, they were blessed both in word and deed. They came back to the churches, and many of those families came to faith in Christ and are growing the churches."
The Slavic Gospel Association also takes the program to the many orphanages.
