BethEl Russian Messianic Congregation and Ministries
P.O.Box 360165
Cleveland, Ohio 44136 , USA.
Igor Bagirov, Missionary and Pastor
On Youtube @ Bethel Russian Bible Messianic Ministries
Dear Friend,
Grace and Shalom to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah! Thank you very much for your sacrificial faithful support by prayers and giving. We are greeting you with Shavuot- Pentecost Feast, which occurred in the beginning of June. Shavuot means weeks in Hebrew. It is celebrated on the 50th day after the Passover. According to tradition- this is the day of giving the Torah to Moses on Mt. Sinai. In the New Testament, this day is called the Pentecost, meaning from the Greek word 50.
A great miracle happened on that day. Before his ascension, Jesus promised his disciples that the Holy Spirit will come upon them. Pentecost is the miracle described in the Book of Acts 2:1. In the Bible this feast is known as the feast of harvest, and the first sheaf had to be dedicated to the Lord. When Yeshua was in the desert 40 days and 40 nights and was tempted by Satan, Yeshua told him, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by word that proceeded out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
He is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, pointing to the main gift of God- His Holy Word.
In fact, this is the essence of the Jewish celebration Pentecost.
Liberation from slavery wasn’t enough to make Israel “kingdom of priests and holy nations.” Without God’s word, Israel would just be a group of freed slaves, assimilated in other nations and eventually wiped out from the sagas of history. It would not be exaggerated to say that the people of Israel were born as a nation in Sinai. Pentecost is the celebration of the Birthday of God’s covenant nation. In the same way, we can say that salvation, which Yeshua made available to us through cross wouldn’t be enough to build the church on Earth. Of course, He saved us from darkness and slavery of sin by his atonement. But if he didn’t say what to do next, his disciples would go back to being fisherman. But Lord needed “fisherman of men” (Mt 4:19). He needed people that would listen to his Word and spread it throughout the World. It becomes possible through outpouring at the Holy Spirit, on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. That’s what Yeshua told his disciples in Luke 24:48-49 and in Acts 1:8. Before receiving mighty power of the Holy Spirit, disciples were weak and lost. Now they had power, wisdom and force, needed for them to become apostles. Without receiving Ruah Ha Kodesh (in Hebrew), Holy Spirit, there would be no church, no gathering of believers, united under apostles, who spread all over the Earth, among all nations Good News about Messiah Lord Jesus. Pentecost is birthday of the church.
This year Shavuot begins on June at Sunset.
In May, by God’s help, I witnessed to more than 1000 people. Most of them we met at a gay parade, and at Broadway show outreach in Minneapolis MN.
Most of this evangelism I’ll right God willing in my next prayer letter.
In San Francisco I met a gay person who was sitting on the ground at a street. I started to share Good News with him. I offered him NT which he gladly accepted. After that he told us that he has some vision illness, and asked if we may have the same book, but with bigger letters. Praise God, we had a large print of Gospel of John which we also gladly gave him.
God blessed us within couple hours sharing gospel in downtown San Francisco to several hundred people. When we finished, we chose to go back to a parking lot by the same way we came there. Soon I saw the same gay person who was sitting at the same place on the ground. Because I already witnessed to him I decided to do not stop again, and just passed him. I turned my head back to see a man, and was surprised. The person was reading the Word of God we gave him. He was reading! Praise God! It’s really encouraged me, and gave me joy. Praying that this gay person will repent by God’s mercy and accept Jesus as his Lord and Redeemer.
At another mission trip to San Francisco we also, as always by God’s grace, were very blessed. We chose to preach at Pier area, where we met hundreds of Americans and tourist people from around the world. Most people did not want to hear Wonderful News, and rejected to get Christian literature. Shortly couple store owners from the street there came to me and aggressively asked me to leave the place. They told me that because my preaching people walking faster and avoid entering their stores, so they lose the business. Shortly later, another group of young people came from marina boat business with the same argument against me. I was not afraid of them, but to avoid further conflict, I chose to walk little bit forward, and continue to preach and share Gospel. Before I left this business people I shared Gospel to them too. Some other people were angry to hear about the Lord. A gay person came to me and said that I am disturbing his peace by preaching about Jesus.
Next step we had at a Russian Jewish area where we met also many people to whom we witnessed, and distributed literature and Bibles. Some of them were open and accepted. We even met a man from Mongolia who spoke Russian. Russian Jewish gay person unfortunately was not interested.
Thank you again for your prayers and partnership. People from our congregation send you shalom and thanks. My family is very appreciative for your prayers. Please continue to pray so that God will send more faithful supporters to our ministry. We need solid prayer and financial support to continue. Last month we had for 2000 dollars short from what do we need for monthly base. We trust in God!
If God leads you to start or continue to send us your financial help, please send your donations to Beth-El Messianic Congregation and Ministries, P.O. Box 360165, Cleveland, OH, 44136.
All donations are tax deductible.
May the Lord God of Israel richly bless you.
Please pray for Israel as we see that there are more and more attacks against God’s chosen people.
It is also the sign for Jesus soon return
Maran Ata!
Shalom in
Yeshua,
Beth-El
Messianic
Congregation
and Pastor
Igor
