FEBC RM - Far East Broadcasting Company

The young people of Russia spend five times more money on drugs and alcohol than the Russian government spends on education. Every year Russian teens consume more than one billion liters of alcohol, trying to ease the pain of emptiness in their souls. These scary statistics do not discourage FEBC broadcasters. Instead, they compel us to reach as many young people as possible for Jesus. When the Apostle John was writing to "strong young men, overcomers of the devil," he knew that the next generation was dying in sin, but he also knew that some would respond to his words of faith. The Apostle never lost hope, and neither will we.

There are several FEBC broadcasters who reach Russian young people for Christ. They record special programs that help teens fight drugs and find a purpose in life. They reach them with musical programs and candid talk shows. They challenge them to live a pure life. They pray for them when they call with questions or when they get in trouble. Our young hosts argue with their listeners, inform them, challenge them, educate them and reach them with the love of Jesus Christ. We believe there is hope for the young generation of Russians, but we know their only hope is in Jesus.

In this Update we focus on our ministry to the young people of Russia. Read on. Be encouraged.

Youth is Not a Sin
Reaching Russia's Young People for Jesus through Radio
By Victor Akhterov

There is an old saying in Russia that "youth is not a sin," which means we need to believe in the next generation. However, wasted youth is a sin; in fact, it is a tragedy. And in Russia, millions of young people are wasting their youth, chasing empty dreams and sinful pleasures, and thousands are dying. Dying young and unsaved. Despite the very real heartache, there are great signs of hope for Russia's young people.

Recently I was co-hosting a live program at FEBC's studio in Moscow and we discussed management and leadership issues with which young professionals are grappling. We talked about a young man named Daniel, who exhibited both strength of character and creative flexibility, and we linked it with current issues at work. Several young Muscovites called with questions. All of them were unchurched, and most of them asked for moral advice in relation to their work. I was encouraged; many of them were thinking not only about success, but about proper ways of reaching it.

Andrey's call was especially poignant: he had to choose between lying in order to support his immediate boss or getting fired. I talked to Andrey, a 22-year-old manager, and helped him see that there were other options beside a confrontation with his boss. I also challenged him to continuously work towards raising the moral standards in his organization. I knew this young man could do it if he became a Christian. That's why I also suggested he seek support through a local church, where he can meet young believers who will embrace him and help him meet God. There are thousands of unchurched young Russians like Andrey who are looking for help. Very often they come to us when a crisis hits, and we connect them to churches in their area.

We have several young broadcasters who are influencing their generation for Christ every day. I asked Alexandr Anisimov, FEBC's radio programmer in St. Petersburg, if he could describe an average Russian teenager, and right away he painted a picture of a very postmodern creature -- someone who does what he or she wants at any given moment. Not surprisingly, this lifestyle gets them into trouble and one day they realize that something important is missing from their lives. They discover that they do not have real freedom; their substitute for God's Truth brings only temporary relief.

"I understand teenagers well," says Anisimov, who is 21. "As a generation, we hurt because we see no meaning in our lives. Many of my former classmates are drug addicts. Some are dealers, some are in prison, and others are dead. Several girls have had children out of wedlock. Those are the realities of the wild youth culture. I experienced enough of it myself," continued Alexandr. "When both of my parents became alcoholics I entertained the thought of suicide on several occasions. I was desperate to find real meaning. Then everything changed dramatically when my brother brought me to church, and I accepted Jesus. Today I want to help others find freedom in Christ."

I asked Alexandr what he liked the most about being part of FEBC radio. "Oh, it's so easy to meet girls now," he laughed. "I visit any church, and there are girls who want to meet me because I am on the radio. But really, my favorite moments are when young people call me during or after the program and share their lives with me. They know that I understand them. In moments like these I often feel inadequate, but also dependent on the Lord. Only Jesus can help those who, at 16, have lost friends to drugs or parents to alcoholism. Only Jesus can heal their hearts. And He does."

We are there to help Russian young people when they ask for help. But we also work tirelessly to reach those who do not even feel a need to look for spiritual answers to life's problems. "My goal is to help young people find God even when they are not looking for Him," says Alyona Pak, a young radio programmer in Moscow who's been with FEBC for five years. Ethnically Alyona is both Korean and Russian; she grew up in the Russian Far East where there used to be a large Korean population. "While I always felt a little like an outsider because of my Asian features, I was like everyone else," Alyona explained, when I asked her how she became a Christian. "I became a Christian simply because someone casually invited me to a Christian student center, where I met Jesus. My goal today is to prepare programs that I would have listened to seven years ago as a non-believer; another words, programs that are easy to listen to, unpretentious, but radical in many ways. Radical, because Jesus is like that: He wants to revolutionize a person's life. As Christians we have to be stylish in our presentation and sensitive to the youth culture.

I am immersed in this culture at the university I attend, and I know what a turn-off it can be when someone barges into a young person's life and says: 'You know nothing. Here's the truth: Jesus loves you.' I'd rather talk to people heart-to-heart about their lives, using their lingo, respecting them as persons, and at the same time not being afraid to share the Truth.

Recently, I was interviewing a Christian musician who is also popular among non-Christian youth. We talked about how God saved people through his songs, how an abortion was prevented, and a suicide averted. We talked about sin and forgiveness, about the real darkness of drugs and the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Many people called in to share their stories; I'll never forget Masha, who called to thank us for our ministry on the radio. She was sobbing as she told us she didn't see any purpose in her life, and it was FEBC radio that helped her turn her life around. 'Masha, don't cry," I said. 'Those are the tears of joy,' she responded, 'I am a believer today because of FEBC.' We are there to help people like Masha," said Alyona.

We often talk about love in our youth programs. We talk about a crucial difference between love and lust, about the right way to find a husband or a wife, about the dangers of premarital sex and, of course, about the source of real love. "Yes, love is what Jesus is all about, and I try not to only talk about His love, but show it to my listeners," says Roman Voskresensky, a young broadcaster for Radio Teos (FEBC Russian Ministries).

"By the way, I met Jesus through a girlfriend. I was in love with her, but at that time I was a wreck, and our relationship was going nowhere. I didn't know anything about God, but my girlfriend was from a Christian family. When her parents found out that she was involved with me, they began praying for both of us. They acted very loving towards me, were patient with me, and they prayed… a lot. It didn't work out between their daughter and me, but as a result of her parents' prayers and love both of us became believers," says Roman with a smile.

I was recently doing a review of FEBC RM's radio programs, helping our broadcasters to be more effective in reaching people for Jesus. When I listened to Roman's programs, I could not critique him for voice technique or the proper way of interacting with callers, because his programs are so full of passion, full of life and love, that it feels he is talking to your heart. His programs are the extension of his soul: he is very open and transparent, and listeners love that.

"I had my first experience in radio working as a newscaster and a DJ at a secular station. One day the program director called me into his office and asked me to share my faith. He listened to me intently, concluded that I was a 'real believer' and fired me on the spot. I was in shock. If only I knew that God was simply preparing me for the Radio Teos ministry. Many people say that my programs are emotional, and I guess they're right. But my purpose is not to stir emotions, but to help my listeners build their lives on the Rock."

I asked Roman what kind of people respond to his programs. "It's true, I think, that people respond to others they feel some connection with. I am a musician, and I often notice that musicians and other creative types open up to me. Just days ago I spent a couple of hours with Slava, a very talented artist, who needed spiritual help. I pray that he will call again and one day accept Jesus like so many others."

Alexandr, Alyona, Roman, and other FEBC broadcasters are doing all they can to reach Russian young people for Christ. Many of their listeners say no to sin, accept Jesus and take the gospel of Christ to their friends. All of this is possible because of the army of supporters who make it possible for the message of Christ's love be heard.

Young Listeners Write

NO GREATER JOY
"I became a Christian through your broadcasts. Dear friends, you changed my life. Now I live with God, and there is no greater joy than this. I continue to listen to your broadcasts for encouragement, education and wisdom. I call you my spiritual parents."
- Anatoliy from Chernovtsy, Ukraine

ASKING FOR HELP
"I am 17 and am struggling with drugs. The first time I tried them with a group of friends, it was so innocent. We were just doing it 'for fun.' A year has passed, and three of us are completely dependent on drugs. I truly want to stop. I listen to your programs and to me they are the only encouragement I get. Please help me. I want to be healed and I believe that only God can help me."
- Elena from Khabarovsk

PRAYING FOR PARENTS
"I listened to your radio station and became a believer. I joined a church and now am saved. My parents are against my faith, though, and it is tough for me to deal with their constant pressure. This pressure is more difficult to handle than peer pressure; I made new friends, but my parents are the closest people to me, yet they do not understand my faith. Maybe God can change their hearts."
- Dmitry, 15, from St. Petersburg

"I WANT TO LIVE"
"I know that I will die if I do not quit using drugs. Everyone says that there is no hope for me. The other day I watched a TV program where an official said that the government should spend money on drug prevention and not on recovery. Everywhere I hear that my life is not worth fighting for, but in your programs you say that there is hope for people like me. Please pray for me. I cannot quit drugs by myself, but I want to live. I am only 21."
- Alexandr from Krasnoyarsk

TRANSMITTING HOPE
"I work with alcoholics and drug addicts. Many receive healing, but sometimes these problems seem overwhelming and impossible to conquer. I thank you for working consistently to save the young people from this evil. Your station transmits hope to thousands of young people every day."
- Evgeny from Pavlovs

FIGHTING THE DARK POWERS
"I used to be involved with occult practices, and today I cannot live a normal Christian life. I feel that my will is being suppressed by spiritual forces that controlled my life in the past. I want to be free. Please pray for my complete liberation from the past. Many of my friends are also struggling with these issues, and I want to be a great testimony for them."
- Roman from Kiev, Ukraine

LISTENING IN PRISON
"I listen to your station here in prison in Metallostroy. My friends also listen with me. We are all too young to be here, but we are criminals. We listen to your programs because you say that there is hope for everybody, that God can give us a new life. And that is what I want, a new life."
- Sergey

"THEY ARE JUST KIDS"
"I pray that God will save many teenagers here in Novosibirsk. My heart breaks when I see my neighbors, 13-year-old boys, smoking marijuana or when I see 15-year-old skinheads. They are just kids, but nobody seems to care about them. Thank you for reaching many of them for Jesus."
- Tamara from Novosibirsk

FREE AT LAST
"Last Sunday I was baptized, and I wanted to write to you and once again thank you for changing my life. Without FEBC I would probably still be living a sinful life. Today I am free and saved because of your ministry. I have many new friends and also Jesus as the Best Friend for life."
- Andrey from Chernovtsy, Ukraine

CHANGED HEART
"I came to know the Lord through your ministry a while ago. I was recently assaulted by hoodlums and now am recovering from my injuries. One day I was struck by a realization that I do not hate those who attacked and robbed me; I feel sorry for them and pray for them. God truly changed my heart. Thank you, FEBC, for introducing me to my Creator."
- Irina, 22, from Khabarovsk

Projects That Need Your Support

YOUTH PROGRAMMING
Programming for the young people. Programmers like Roman Voskresensky, Alyona Pak, and others are bringing many into the Kingdom. Every week we broadcast dozens of youth-oriented programs on several FEBC stations. Please prayerfully consider helping us reach young Russians for Christ.

SATELLITE BROADCASTING
Satellite broadcasting will help us build several inexpensive FM stations throughout Russia. These stations will broadcast the signal from Moscow and/or St. Petersburg. We need additional help to pay for the switch to satellite broadcasting. We also need to cover monthly operating fees. $2,500 is urgently needed.

SAIPAN BROADCASTING
FEBC Russian Ministries is reaching thousands of Russians and other former Soviet nations by broadcasting on FEBC's international shortwave station on the island of Saipan. People throughout Russia, as well as newly independent Muslim nations, respond to these broadcasts. We need an additional $2,300 a month to cover electricity costs.

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!

GIVE ONLINE TODAY: https://ssl.charityweb.net/febc/russia/

FEBC Russian Ministries Update is a quarterly
newsletter published by FEBC Russian Ministries,
Box 1, La Mirada, CA 90637
Tel. (562) 947-4651, Fax. (562) 943-0160
E-mail: russia@febc.org
Web: www.febc.org/russia

In Canada: FEBCanada, 6859 Antrim Ave., Burnaby, B.C. V5J 4M4

In Australia: FEBC, P. O. Box 183, Caringbah NSW 1495

In New Zealand: Voice of Friendship, P. O. Box 620, Masterton, NZ 5915

Far East Broadcasting Co. is a non-profit ministry and a member of Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability