Student Journeys Into Muslim Territory of Russia

Team spends week ministering to teenagers
By Spencer Prosen
Our destination was Karachaevsk, which is in the Caucus Mountain region of Russia near the southwestern border. This area is 95 percent Muslim and extremely poverty-stricken. Families are torn apart because fathers are either leaving their families or dying. The teens of Russia are losing any example to live by, and have a very small concept of our Christian God.

The few Christian believers I came in contact with were among the strongest I’ve ever met. We were dangerous people to be associated with because this region is one where missionaries, and those who support them, are thrown out or arrested when found. These people, fully understanding the consequences, gladly took us into their homes.

In this Muslim territory, works are thought of as the means to salvation, and the real concept of grace was impossible to communicate, especially with the language barrier. God’s presence helped us push through these difficulties.

As a teen, I felt unprepared and ill-equipped, but I begged God to speak through me. One young man I met named Anton was unlike most of the campers. He was older and had lived a hard life. He accepted Christ at the family camp two years ago but is uncertain about how to live for the Lord.

At one point in the middle of the week the entire camp hiked up a mountain nearby, which included a beautiful waterfall. Anton and I talked for most of the walk about our different, yet similar stories. I was honored to pray with him at the top of the mountain. Back at camp our team learned that the guide who took us up the mountain had heard about Christ, but was not a believer. With the language barrier it would have been impossible to approach this man. Anton volunteered to talk with this man about Christ, and in the end was able to bring him to the Lord. As a man who fought the battle daily he kept the faith and was victorious!

We saw countless stories of God’s love for His people in Russia. Despite the poverty and hardships we encountered we saw Him glorified through their lives and their love for one another.