On July 18, the Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church in Anaheim, had a joyful occasion: ordination of a young minister, Andrey Stebakhov for the deacon ministry.
The service was attended by about 50 people. The joyful setting, a well-prepared program, singing of the choir, youth, and the local church orchestra created a special mood for celebration. There were so many people who wanted to participate in the program that some of the pieces had to be moved to the following week. Brother Andrey served as the youth leader and is currently taking an active role in organizing and being part of the Sunday’s church services. It’s a great to bless the representatives of the younger generation for ministry. It is a blessing when the representatives of the second generations are getting involved in the church ministry.
I gave some instructions to Andrey and Oksana reminding them of the requirements for both the deacon as well as for his wife which are presented by Apostle Paul in the Epistle to Timothy. I wished him to be a good soldier of Christ, to be ready for a spiritual warfare and be able to use both the defensive as well as offensive spiritual weapons. The local pastors, Yuriy Ovcharenko and Rudi Wiens took place in the ordination process.
After such a great church service, everyone was treated to a reception of specially ordered and individually wrapped sandwiches. Leaving this church, I was thanking God that despite the quarantine and the limitation of the pandemic, God continues to do His work in calling new ministers to His fields. No circumstances can stop this movement in expanding the kingdom of God.
I wish God’s blessings upon Andrey and his wife, Oksana, who have received the blessing for the ministry. Jesus Christ said that the harvest plentiful and how abundant are the fields during these last times.
Ivan Mileyev
