We appeal to all pastors and church members with a fervent request to join Christian parents in praying that God will protect their children from the influence of atheistic education while they are studying at secular schools, colleges, and universities.
Recently, a Christian father approached me and asked for pastoral support. As we were talking, he shared that recently, he has been especially burdened for young people studying at secular educational institutions, who are being exposed to the destructive influence of a Godless worldview. He shared a story about his own experience—his son has gone from being a God-fearing Christian, committed to ministry in the church, to being an atheist who rejects the Bible and everything that is good and pure, due to the influence of some professors who boldly and shamelessly teach such a worldview. Now his son rejects the Christian worldview and does not want to have any fellowship or any conversation that promotes biblical values.This man indicated that the night before, he had been praying the whole night, seeking an answer to the question of what to do in his situation when any pleading, warnings, and requests are rejected by his son. He sees the gravity of the situation and does whatever he can for his son. He is now left only with the hope that the Lord can do what he, as an earthly father, cannot do. He understands that, unfortunately, many other parents have the same concerns. He shared that the Lord is calling him to ask pastors and our entire church to pray that the Lord would protect our children from instructors such as these, who are destroying the faith of young students, and to pray that they would not be led astray.
Over the last few weeks, I have heard about many young men and women who have turned their back on the Lord, whose faith has grown cold. I heard these stories from parents, brothers, and sisters during my pastoral visits. The stories are all very similar: A son or daughter, studying in a college or university, took a class of literature, philosophy, or psychology. As the professor gained their trust and met with them during office hours, the students deserted their faith in God.
I recall that on November 4, 2008, the majority of us in California voted for Proposition 8, which defined marriage as “a relationship between one man and one woman.” During that time, the Slavic community and churches were active in affirming this biblical truth for society. There were debates, meetings, and protests in colleges and universities. Many were saying that without the support of the Slavic community, there would not have been enough votes. As you know, a few years later, godless people with perverted minds were able to change the law in their favor.
At the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009, when I was looking for a job in my vocation, I was interested in teaching at a college. I got acquainted with teachers of biblical disciplines, religion, and ethics, and thought of them as future colleagues. I was shocked to find out that the majority of them were either atheists or agnostics. They were nice people who were ready to give advice, to help, and to schedule meetings. Some of them openly shared that as professors, they were actively pushing for an agenda to develop a system which would be instrumental in destroying the faith of Christians. They developed various methods to work with believers, to have an individual approach to each one, to have additional meetings, etc. Their method was simple. The first step is to gain the trust of students, to impress them with their knowledge of the Bible, history, and Christian teaching, and then, through presenting various forms of reasoning, lead them to conclude that the Bible cannot be the ultimate source of truth, and that Christianity is no better than other religions or other worldviews. There were seminars where the professors shared their experiences and resources, and created support groups for achieving these goals. The purpose of this so-called education is to target children from Slavic communities—our children. Right now, from a young school age, our children are the target of demonic attacks.
May the reminder of this encourage us to stand before the Lord for our families and all the families that the Lord has given to our communities. He gave us a responsibility to guard them. If the local Christian families who have tried to raise children to believe in biblical values are, as we now see, experiencing defeat, then what about those who do not even have such a foundation? What about those who have recently arrived, are not fluent in English, and do not understand the American culture? Their children may be easy prey for the enemy.
They come to our churches searching for advice and protection. What can we offer them? Not much. Some only have the experience of, “Thou shalt not.” However, do you remember what the little boy had when he was found by the disciples of Christ? He had five loaves and two fish. Many can bring their desire to help, and the painful experiences of raising their own children. But even that will be enough if we entrust the little that we have into the hands of the Lord. Do you remember what the Lord did before He fed the 5,000? He instructed the disciples to “sit in rows.” Mark states that these were rows of 50 and 100. The disciples had to organize the crowds. Then the Lord prayed, as He “looked to the heavens, and blessed…”
I would like to call each one of us to do what we can: we need to set our life in order and pray. Christ charged us with a great responsibility, commanding us to “make disciples” (Matt. 28:19). This means that we are to put in the effort, not get discouraged, and find opportunities for discipleship. We need to get on board with this plan, to humble ourselves, and admit that regardless of the age or situation we are in, we have something to learn, need to find time for others and be accessible to them, and help them to learn.
I would like you to read a letter from the person who asked for help and sought prayer support. He is one of many with a similar need. He does not stop, as the Lord is compelling him to do everything that he can in order to be faithful to Him, and for the Lord to fulfill this need.
“Very often, our children suffer and even leave the faith because they attend educational institutions: schools, colleges, and universities. The pastors are proposing to start constantly praying for this need. We need to pray for the teachers who are teaching our children so that first of all, they would come to repentance, but also so that the Lord would send a revival among teachers and professors.
Second, we are to pray that God would intervene in their deception, so that they would not be a stumbling block for our children. We are to pray that God would put a hedge over our children and protect them from influences that could destroy their faith.” A.A.
The idea about such a plan for prayer was presented at the city’s pastor’s meeting (NorCal Pastors Association) on April 24 and had unanimous support. The pastors prayed for this need themselves, and decided to share this need in their churches, to have others join in this important intercessory prayer. Every church member should pray for this need.
We are asking everyone to share this information throughout all churches, regardless of denomination or language. This problem affects every Christian. The more people who join in pleading with God for mercy and the protection of our children, the better. May God bless you in this good endeavor!
I.Dronov
Senior pastor of Bryte Church
West Sacramento, California
For download, click these links: the letter in Russian | in English.
