We helped start the Odessa church, and we still attend there and take part, even though it is now an organized national church. We help in many ways -- here's the Latest Church News from Odessa!

Clay spent most of the past week waiting in line at the Russian Consulate in Odessa, trying to get a religious visa to go from Ukraine to a conference in St. Petersburg December 5th. After 3 days of standing in the street, waiting to get in, they told him they would not rush his visa, no matter what their site said. But Clay is not too let down. He's sad to miss this conference, but it would be nice to be home for awhile! In the past month, Clay's been to Holland for a week, to seminary in Kyiv, to a week's conference in Bulgaria, and to Izmail on the Romanian border! It has been too, too busy. But it has been a productive time, so pray for the Lord's will about all our travels and need for rest.

Clay has been busy preaching of late. He preached 3 times in Odessa in August. He also took the 5-hour bus down to Izmail to preach during September.

 

Both of us have been busy with the Odessa Springs Family Counseling Center – helping with Board meetings and seminars for training the Ukrainian Christian counselors who will be cooperating in this center. It is so exciting to see these men and women from various churches in our center, focused on applying the Gospel in Ukrainian homes!

 

Clay has also been busy with the Business Center, helping it to reorganize. Erika was quite discouraged in mid-August, but she fasted and prayed, and the Lord answered by giving her a renewed vision for business and for Ukraine! More later as things unfold.

 

Clay also met with the Church Session and was sad to hear that the Soup Kitchen has been closed. The funds were insufficient to carry on. We held a special meeting to honor those who have cooked and cared for the elderly over the past 10 years, where we were glad to learn that most have been able to find other sources of food--but are still lacking the spiritual care and love they found among us. Pray for them.

 

Pray also for the church as it decides what to do with "The Ark"-- a Rehab Center they own which closed a year ago. The congregation has made 9 suggestions for its use, and the church is considering their options.

Church News from Odessa: (updated: July 20, 2008)

- Clay preached last Sunday on being fruitful trees -- OR ELSE! Jesus actually CURSED the fig tree. Very many people commented on how the Holy Spirit used this in their lives. Today, Pastor Valera Z. built upon that theme with a powerful sermon on love and forgiveness. After lunch, the church sang and evangelized in the park in front of the church. This evening, Pastor V.Z. again evangelized to a full house at the organ concert of a local organist. Our church youth have been very busy -- even assisting the Belgorod church. We had TWO church teams visiting from the States this week -- so we're enjoying anything but the "lazy" days of summer! Thanks for praying.

Church News from Odessa: (updated: June 27, 2008)

- Pastor Larry Roff from Lake Worth Florida brought a joint Presbyterian Choir from Florida, Columbia SC, and Arizona! It included 4 vocal soloists and 3 organ soloists! It was such a great sound that we recorded the performances and Larry is producing CDs! (contact Larry for information: larry@lopca.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

- Clay was invited to preach at the dedication of the new church building in Belgorod-Dnestrovsky. Both the visiting choir and church choir sang and it was a joyous celebration!

- The Business Consortium has chosen an official name: The Center for Ukraine Business Projects, and they will soon be launching their website. They share an office downtown with the Counseling Center. Keep checking the menu link above for the latest Business and Counseling news!

- The Counseling Center is finally seeing clients, who are paying for the services! This is a novelty in Ukraine, and it is working! They are interviewing other qualified Christian counselors to join in this endeavor.

 - Clay was also invited to preach this Sunday at the Odessa downtown church. After the service, we will be setting up a tent in City Park across the street and evangelizing!