Ministry of Andrew Urshan

Rhoni · #1 11-25-2007, 01:27 PM

Today we had the privilege of hearing a missionary to his homeland/Russia, Bro. Keisel. He spoke in Russian and his son interpreted for him. Bro. Keisel's great grandfather came to know Jesus Christ through baptism in Jesus name and the infilling of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues, through the ministry of the late Andrew Urshan. This was 2 years before the iron curtain was constructed and all evangelism to Russia had to go underground. Bro. Keisel's father was put into prison for not renouncing Jesus during the reign of the KGB. There are 5 generations now serving the Lord and after the iron curtain fell...the Keisel's decided to stay In Russia instead of immigrating the the United States to witness and take the gospel to their own people. It was an amazing story.

Our church supports the missionaries there and when taking the offerring this morning a new suit of clothing was donated to Bro. Keisel and a new pair of shoes. He had on his son's shoes and an older inappropriate for the weather type suit. Another man donated his expensive ring to the work, and another a silk tie...many other things came in but the response financially was awesome also.

The late Rev. William Schmidt loved to tell the old stories of the life and ministry of the Urshans and Andrew Urshan in particular. It was wonderful to see how the fruits of his labor have existed since before the iron curtain, until it's destruction, and on to the church in Russia today. I thank God for the ministry of the saints of old who have passed from this life who left such an amazing legacy.

Blessings, Rhoni

Barb · #2 11-25-2007, 02:03 PM

The UPCI has another missionary family to Russia, Bro. & Sis. Mark Shutes...

Mark was just a baby when his parents allowed he and his brothers and sister to attend S.S classes through the Bus Ministry at South Flint Tabernacle.

Mark's parents said that they wanted to come and see what their children were learning, and they never left.

Today Mark is a fine young man preaching the gospel in a land that was walked by Bishop AD Urshan.

Falla39 · #3 11-25-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb

The UPCI has another missionary family to Russia, Bro. & Sis. Mark Shutes...

Mark was just a baby when his parents allowed he and his brothers and sister to attend S.S classes through the Bus Ministry at South Flint Tabernacle.

Mark's parents said that they wanted to come and see what their children were learning, and they never left.

Today Mark is a fine young man preaching the gospel in a land that was walked by Bishop AD Urshan.

Missionary and Mrs. Mark Shutes came to our church when they were

deputizing and we were deeply touched by their testimony and vision

for Belarus (White Russia) several years ago. Beautiful couple with a

definite burden for the land of their calling.

Blessings,

Falla39

Rhoni · #4 11-25-2007, 02:48 PM

Sis. Barb and Sis. Nancy,

Thank-you for the additional compliments to the ministry of A.D. Urshan. It is wonderful when God sends laborers into the harvest but it is equally wonderful when God calls the people from their own country to stay and labor among their own people...gives strength to the work.

Blessings, Rhoni

Spooky2 · #5 11-25-2007, 06:20 PM

the shutes are in st petersburg. robert and sheri moses (from illinois and with upci) are in moscow.

Spooky2 · #6 11-25-2007, 06:38 PM

i stayed with rob and sheri in moscow. they were a wonderful blessing both trips.

he was telling me upci was interested in knowing how many were in the russian "underground church" (those who came to truth thru the ministry of andrew urshan). bro. turner's primary work was locating the members.

apparently it was a much smaller number and different than expected. the russians were accustomed to worshipping quietly, and continued to do so.

he said there were other changes, but didn't go into them.

Spooky2 · #7 11-25-2007, 06:43 PM

rhoni, in response to your saying you'd never adopt and why:

flip side... it can be a wonderful thing, both for the parent(s) and child(ren).

there are no guarantees that biological children won't make your life miserable.

i know i'm making a difference in danil's life, but he's changed my life for the better. i cherish the adoption, no matter the future.