Mission trip to Azerbaijan

Ephesians 2:19

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God

Jude 1:20

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost

Psalm 84:1

How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast

2 Corinthians 1:13

Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort

Hosea 6:6

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings

Psalm 84:12

O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee

1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1Peter 3:14

But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye.

Jude 1:21

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life

Ephesians 2:13

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ

Revelation 22:17

And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely

Mission trip to Azerbaijan

Thursday, 04 August 2011 18:47

On July 22 – August 2 we were on a mission trip to the Republic of Azerbaijan. There were 5 of us from different Calvary Chapels in Ukraine (Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava).

First of all I want to thank the Lord and all of you for your prayers for the trip.

Our goal was to find out what spiritual atmosphere in this Muslim country was like. We were seeking to see if doors for the Gospel were open, if there was a need for a Calvary Chapel there. We were trying to understand if the Lord had it in His plan to use us as the Calvary Chapel movement to reach people of Azerbaijan for Jesus Christ.

Pictures from the trip are available here:

The Lord put together a wonderful team (Dima Sagaidachnyi (Kharkiv), Anya Shevchenko (Kyiv), pastor Eric Bouge and Augusta Hintz (Poltava), Oleksiy Satenko (Kyiv)). God gifted each one of us with necessary gifts, as well as willingness and wisdom to use them during the trip.

We had much fellowship and many meetings with people we were initially planning to see, as well as with many new acquaintances. We sought to encourage local Christians and share the Gospel with those who don’t know the Lord. We witnessed how both, adults and young people, even those claiming to be Muslims, were very open to the Gospel. On Sundays we could attend local (Baku) churches and praised the Lord for planting and using them there. Then we also had a chance to visit several small churches in other towns and villages of Azerbaijan. It was a blessing to worship Christ together and witness God’s work in people who submit their lives to the Living God! However, you can clearly feel the need for teaching on practical grace. New believers and church leaders need to be edified specifically in the Word of God.

While on this mission trip we were seeking opportunities to share about salvation in Jesus Christ with different social and age groups of people in Azerbaijan. We witnessed people’s interest and openness to the Good News.

I believe God’s Spirit is working in Azerbaijan now and wants to save many people there. I believe there is a niche for a church like ours there. Therefore, I want to ask all of you, His church, to pray that the Lord would send forth His labourers into His harvest according to His will and timing.

Please, pray for an opportunity to plan another trip to Azerbaijan, for a greater impact of Christianity and Bible truths on this nation. May the people of Azerbaijan come to know Christ’s grace and God’s love! And may we as the church be sensitive and obedient to the Lord if He is willing to use us in this place.

Oleksiy Satenko