Note: Ludmila Genrikh is one of FEBC's most effective children's broadcasters. Pre-teens who listen to her programs write her and call in on the regular basis. Find out more about this engineer and teacher who is "fulfilling her destiny by being a ‘waitress.'"

I am a mother of three, and some of my most precious memories of my children centered around mealtime. There is something special about sharing food with little ones. It is also amazing to see how spiritual nourishment changes children when we serve them the Bread of life — His Word. They grow and change in remarkable ways.

The first time I began working with children was 27 years ago. At that time it was a crime to teach children about God. We were allowed to gather for services, but the Communists wanted our generation to be the last ones to know Christ. My goal is to make sure that the next generation knows the name of Jesus so that very real changes take place in Russia because of their faith.

When I was asked to record a radio program for children, I gladly accepted and did my best, but when I listened to it later I was utterly disappointed. It was boring. So I decided to record the conversations from my children's group, where there is a plenty of laughter and where kids asked unexpected questions and openly share their lives with one another. I recorded everything, mixed it and cleaned it up to prepare the program for broadcasting. Young listeners identified with it immediately, and our audience began to grow.

We recorded several hundred programs with dozens of different children participating in them. The spiritual growth of these kids was evident as the weeks flew by. Typically, half of the children who participate in these groups are non-believers, but they come to learn more about God. They ask hard questions and nothing is "sugar-coated." I remember two feisty sisters who came to the group. Their mother had to drag them in the first time. They fought constantly. Sometimes they would literally attack one another, fists and all, during the lesson. I've never seen such hatred among siblings. It was amazing to watch God change them. Today Alla and Lena are in our church, serving Christ with great passion. And the wonderful thing is, when Alla and Lena grew in Christ, so did thousands of pre-teens who regularly listen to our program, Lessons of Good News.

One of our listeners, eleven-year-old Sergey, wrote to me: "I've been listening to you for a year. I know that God is real, because He changed me inside." This "change inside" is so evident from the letters and phone calls we receive. Children are being filled with hope and love, and there is nothing else I'd rather do in life but help them touch their Creator.

God cares about the next generation, and so should we. People say that it is difficult to love today's pre-teens because their attention span is short; they do not read and they think they know everything. But when I look at their lives, I see how undernourished they are spiritually. I see how humongous their parent's problems are to them, such as alcoholism and divorce, and I can't help but love them. They deserve a little bit of someone's love. They need it to survive. Again and again I see little miracles; lives are being changed. I know I am fulfilling my destiny by being a ‘waitress' at the most important feast of their lives.

I want to thank all FEBC supporters for making it possible to offer the Bread of Life to millions of Russian children. Without the radio outreach we might be able to help dozens, but with your support we reach multitudes. I am grateful to God for making both of us a part of this miracle, similar to the feast where Jesus fed thousands. Once again He has decided to multiply the little we have to feed enormous, starving crowds.

Gospel writers fail to mention the children who were fed when Jesus multiplied the bread. But Jesus made a point to feed children then, and He continues to feed them now.

"Your programs are my way to Jesus..."
Interview with Ludmila Akhterova

Q. Ludmila, you've been doing programs for Russian children since 1998. Since that time, what changes have you seen in evangelistic work among Russian kids?

A. Today FEBC has several capable evangelists for Russian children. Ludmila Genrikh and Anna Pchelintseva exemplify the caliber of people who are reaching Russian youth for Christ. On the other hand, the challenges today are much greater. In the early 1990s simple children's programs were a novelty and Bibles created for them were cherished. Today we must compete with sophisticated computer games and new forms of entertainment, as well as godless television shows that children become addicted to. Unfortunately, millions of Russian children are raised in homes that are not only godless, but lack any moral guidance. We have the greatest message to share with these children, but we must be both entertaining and real to get their attention. Once we do, we present the gospel to them.

Q. How is FEBC accomplishing that?

A. As you noted in other articles in Update, Anna Pchelintseva reaches out to young children with remarkable stories that convey God's truth. Ludmila Genrikh helps pre-teens tackle intriguing questions, while I concentrate on the six to ten year old age group with storytelling. I do this by telling realistic stories that can actually occur in Russian children's lives. Storytelling is an art that never goes out of fashion, and children respond if they see themselves in those stories. Lena, a 9-year-old listener, wrote to me and said, "Aunt Ludmila, sometimes I feel that you live in our apartment building, because you talk about things that my friends and I do or talk about." This is the greatest compliment to me.

Q. What is your philosophy on presenting the Good News to children?

A. I like the direct approach. In my programs I talk openly, clearly, and directly about God. I speak of Him in realistic terms. My stories show children in believable situations. It seems natural for them to ask God for help, to pray to Him, and to take steps of faith, even though many of my characters have never entered into an evangelical church. In this way I try to reflect the reality of my listeners' lives and the reality of God. I also include Bible stories that show how the people in the Bible are just as real as they are.

Q. And they respond?

A. They do. They write about their struggles, ask questions, and open their hearts. Alexandr, a 9-year-old Siberian boy, wrote me a few simple sentences, but I could tell that the Holy Spirit was working in his life. Read this: "Aunt Ludmila, I am writing to share what's going on in my life. My mom became a believer five years ago, but now she is disappointed with Jesus, and says it's too hard to follow Him. She never reads the Bible anymore. My father almost died recently when he became really drunk. The doctors saved his life, but I think that it was God who saved him. He cannot drink, the doctors said, but he probably will, unless he becomes a Christian. Your programs are my way to Jesus. You know what I mean? I listen to you and pray with you. It helps me to know that God knows what's going on in my life, and now you know, too." It does not get more real than that, does it? FEBC programs are often the only connection to God for children who live in difficult circumstances, such as Alexandr, who was forced to grow up fast. We would like them to remain childlike, so they can hold on to that which is the most real thing in the world, the love of their Heavenly Father.

Projects That Need Your Support

1. Children's programs. Please help us reach thousands of Russian youths for Christ by supporting FEBC's outreach to children. $1,200 monthly is needed.

2. Satellite broadcasting. We need additional help to pay for the switch to satellite broadcasting in Moscow and St. Petersburg. $3,500 is needed.

3. Advertising. FEBC-Moscow is now broadcasting on the new frequency, AM 1134. We must advertise the new frequency to make sure people know about the station. $2,500 is needed.

4. Renovations. Studio/office interiors in St. Petersburg needs to be renovated. Renovations have been put off for too long. While some of the services will be donated, $4,300 is still needed for materials.

Ongoing Projects:

Russian broadcasts: You can sponsor a 15-minute program aired on one of the Russian stations for just $15.

Russian Staff: You can sponsor a Russian staff member for $250 a month. You will be able to receive information about the staff member upon request.

Ethnic programming: The Russian Federation includes 32 ethnic republics and districts. FEBC RM develops programs for several of these groups in their own languages. FEBC RM also broadcasts the gospel to other C.I.S. countries, such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

Please make checks payable to: FEBC Russian Ministries #680. Thanks!