BethEl Russian Messianic Congregation and Ministries

P.O.Box 360165

Cleveland, Ohio 44136 , USA.

Igor Bagirov, Missionary and Pastor

(440)532-1127; pastorigorbethel@yahoo.com

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 proceedeth 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 April, by God’s help, I witnessed to more than 1000 people. In Sacramento Roseville mall, I met 8 Israelites. One of them told me that it’s a strange for him to meet a Jew who believes in Yeshua. He asked me: ”Are you a  Jew or a  Christian?”. I responded: “I am a Hebrew-Christian”. I witnessed to him why and for what God chose people of Israel. The man hugged me and said that we are Jewish brothers. He told me that he is interested to learn more about Yeshua and will read again carefully Isaiah 53. Other Israelites were asking me why I am targeting to them to witness. I answered:” Because to the Jew first”. All nations are blessed from God through Jews in the Messiah Yeshua, and that Yeshua is the only way to be saved. Another person whom we met in the same mall was from Iran, a Muslim woman. She was very open to hear a testimony, and accepted Gospel of John in Farsi. At the end she asked me a question:” Is Mohammed from God?” I needed to respond. I asked Lord give me a wisdom to answer the question. I honestly said: “No”. I was shocked when the woman told me that she also thinks that Mohammed is not from God, and that she does not like him. I encouraged her to start reading Scriptures which we gave her. Praise God of Israel! Another man we met was from Kyrgyzstan, a Russian speaking Muslim. We already witnessed to him a year ago and  offered Bible, but he rejected. This time was different. God touched his heart and he accepted Word of Grace.

Next step for an outreach was an historic area in Old Sacramento. We were sharing Gospel, publicly reading Bible and witnessing. Even some people used bad words and showed middle fingers to us, no any serious incidents were occurred. A Muslim person from Pakistan accepted NT.

In Portland OR, I met an Azerbaidjanian Muslim person. He told me that he is a history teacher and interested to have NT. We gladly gave it to him. A woman from India, whose husband is a Muslim from Afghanistan, got Gospel of John in Arabic and some materials for herself in Hindi. Two Russian speaking Turkish women received witness about Jesus, and another Turkish man got NT in his language.

I met some Israelites as well. One of them even recognized me, because few years ago he got Scriptures from me in a different state. Another Israelite man got NT, but two others rejected. In Washington Place mall (Portland area), I met 3 Jewish people. All of them did not want to hear about Yeshua.  And with one of them, a woman, I had a conflict situation because she became angry when I told her that Yeshua is the Lord and the Messiah.

In an airport I met a Buddhist monk, and had a conversation with him about Jesus. Praise God that the monk accepted NT. A young lady from Hawaii also was interested to listen the Gospel and accepted Christian literature.

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. 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