IWC Report from Ufa

By Chris Carr, field host for IWC teams

International World Changers did just that the week that they were in Ufa , Russia with us - they worked with God to change the world here in our city. The three crews distributed at least 160 Bibles, 400+ invitations to worship services/events, 400 evangelistic Frisbees, 300+ promotional brochures about the Baptists' rehab centers, 100+ evangelistic tracts, & 200 light bulbs. They engaged people in one-on-one evangelism through personal testimonies and use of the Evangecubes. They engaged folks through sports evangelism. They prayed on multiple streets for the people as they walked passed and for the folks living in scores of apartment buildings (by the way: without prayer, there is no foundation for church planting; I consider your prayer activities to be among the most important things done did the ENTIRE week). They shared the gospel with up to 60 different kids and teenagers through the summer bible club.

Through IWC work efforts in cleaning up 3 different sites, they provided a positive witness of servanthood to Ufa youth, local municipal officials, and a wide TV on 2 different channels. Three newspapers reported positively about the IWC work with Ufa youth; although there was no overt mention in the articles of faith, we can rest assured that the reporters, editors, sound technicians, and camera men were directly exposed to the gospel in a way probably like never before. The IWCers “shine like stars in the universe as they hold out the word of life” (Philippians 1:15 )!!!

One older lady publicly repented in Nizhegorodka. Four new folks attended a worship service in Sipailovo. Many civic officials gave positive reviews of the IWC work and witness, some of them even directly asking questions about our faith, questions about the Bible, questions about our doctrinal beliefs, questions about how our faith affects our families, etc. The status of evangelicals (including Baptists) was raised with those city officials and local youth workers with whom the teams had contact. In other words, the good deed done by these IWC teams became the spark that ignited questions and we were able to “give a reason for the hope that we have” (1 Peter 3:15 ).

Come and serve with us next year in Ufa!
More IWC projects for 2006