Steve and Daniel in Benderi/Tiraspol

I asked Steve to write a brief summary of their work in Tiraspol/Benderi. Here is what he wrote. To God be the praise.

Steve and Daniel left Chisinau on Thursday, April 10th to work for 3 and ½ days with the saints in these two churches. These two churches used to be together under the sponsoring oversight of an American institutional congregation and one strong willed individual. However, through the work of Serghei Corcimaru and several visiting American brothers a few individuals from the city of Tiraspol made a decision not to continue in this sponsoring arrangement. As a result of their decision they now meet in the flat of Vera and Vicili in Tiraspol. Vera and Vicily are so kind that they gave up their two room flat for us so Steve and Daniel would have a place to stay. We found this small group of 5 adults and two children to be zealous for the Lord and striving to gain more knowledge of the word of God. Even though they are small they are mighty in the faith and we were very uplifted by them. Vicily the preacher was so kind to give up his time of teaching the saints there so that we could teach. He is a very good student of the Bible and has a wonderful and kind heart. We were very edified by them and we pray that we edified them. They were very pleased with our lessons pertaining to growing in the faith while being aware that there are hindrances to our faith that Satan will lay before us. We were able to have studies with them every day and the time we spent in Tiraspol was very profitable for both the congregation there and Steve and Daniel.

Steve and Daniel also worked with the group in Bendari. This group has had its share of challenges. First of all, they were established through the efforts of some in the institutional church. They were taught that they would be under the oversight and control of an American congregation and their representative. This congregation then solicited funds from other American congregations like them to raise the funds to build a very beautiful facility that is one of the nicest facilities in that area. They have had to endure a strong willed local preacher who dictated to them what the American overseer wanted and controlled them with American funds sent to them and brought over twice a year by the American representative. Through the enduring efforts of Serghei C. and visiting American brethren of the non-institutional belief the saints here have studied the arrangement they have been serving in. A major breakthrough occurred about a year ago when there was a local preacher change. The new preacher is an older Russian man by the name of Alexander. He has many personal issues with the government in Russia and lives in danger because of these issues. He is a victim of the Chernobyl accident years ago. Through all of this he has most sincere heart to do what God wants him to do. The congregation took a step to mark three ladies who were being very divisive and trying to hinder this group from studying the truth about church organization found in the New Testament.

Steve and Daniel were able to meet with this group in the building provided them by the American congregation sponsoring them. They enjoyed long discussions with them about Scriptural oversight and the autonomy of the local church. After a 3 and ½ hour question and answer period on Saturday this group of great hearts decided to break down the barrier of unscriptural organization and do what they should do to separate themselves from the American church and representative oversight. Serghei Corcimaru whom they all have a great respect for had been prohibited by the American representative to speak and teach in this building. The congregation made a decision on that Saturday that this was the last strong hold, the last “order” and “command” that they needed to “disobey” from the American representative and they would be out of his oversight. Through discussions with them it was decided that Steve and Daniel would arrange for Serghei to speak at their worship service the next day. This was done and the start of a new era for the church in Bendari has begun.

This great decision does not come without tremendous sacrifice and cost. The local preacher has a flat or an apartment in the upstairs of this building that is part of his compensation. He is in danger of not only losing his living quarters but he also is in danger of losing his financial support. More than likely this will occur in just a short period of time. Then the congregation and the preacher will both have to find new quarters. This will not be easy. This congregation is one that has the zeal and wants to have the knowledge so they will never stray from the Lord again. We pray that they are able to contain their zeal and search and study God’s word to gain the knowledge.

The 3 and ½ days in Tiraspol and Bendari area were great days that the Lord blessed Steve and Daniel with and we pray that the congregations there benefitted from their visit as much as they did in visiting.