The Gospel Distributed on a Kiev Busline
Photo shows a subway line, not a bus line, in Kiev
When a local church in Kiev, Ukraine invited Back to God Ministries Russian outreach to partner with them to distribute devotional leaflets, the answer was “yes.”
“We’ve been partnering for two years with this church in Kiev to distribute leaflets to local residents,” says Russian ministry leader Rev. Sergei Sosedkin. “The leaflets contain some of our articles, biblical messages, and information about our ministry’s website. Someone from the church had the idea for volunteers to distribute the leaflets—along with a copy of the Gospel of John—to people along the bus line that passes by the church.”
The bus line, which starts near the subway station, is a busy location for many street vendors. When one of the vendors along the bus line heard about the leaflets, he bought a ticket to ride the bus for the sole purpose of getting one of the devotionals. “I don’t need to take this bus, but I got on because one of my buyers told me that I can get a gospel here,” he told the volunteer distributing the materials.
As soon as the vendor received the gospel, he exited the bus. Many other bus passengers took the materials, not just for themselves, but also for their friends.
At first, the bus drivers were suspicious, wondering if the materials were from a cult. But soon they observed the positive response from those riding the bus. In fact, when the leaflets and the volunteers were gone, the drivers called the church and asked, “Why aren’t you coming for the gospel work anymore?”
“The devotionals provide samples of a short daily reading from the Bible along with a message to discuss the verses,” explains Rev. Sosedkin. “The goal is to use the devotional message to touch the hearts of readers and invite them to visit our website for additional resources to help them in their faith walk.”
Originally Back to God Ministries produced 1,000 of the leaflets for distribution to non-believers who attended a special Christmas service held at its partner church. The project was so successful the church asked Rev. Sosedkin to partner with them to produce an additional 50,000 to distribute in other ways.
The bus line is just one way the devotionals are getting into the hands and hearts of seekers.
Thank you for your support of Back to God Ministries Russian outreach. Pray that God will use these materials to draw people into relationship with him.
