FEBC RM - Far East Broadcasting Company

Evgeny Sarapulov is one of the most effective FEBC broadcasters in Moscow, especially when it comes to pre-evangelistic work. Every morning he talks with listeners for an hour, encouraging them, helping them lead purposeful lives, and guiding them towards faith in Jesus Christ. He is especially popular among the young people. I asked him why he thinks he’s able to strike a chord with them.

Evgeny: As a former university professor I gained a lot of insight into the minds and hearts of young people. I know full well that under all their coolness and detachment there is a deep longing for real love, for a meaningful life, and for a spiritual touch from God.

I remember when two students came to me with a problem: they did not have a place to live. Their landlord had evicted them, and the dormitory was full. These girls came to me to ask for prayer. “We do not believe like you do,” they said, “but we see how God helps you in your teaching. You make us think about spiritual matters. Please pray for us. God will answer your prayer.” I did. And their problem was resolved the same day.

Rudi: It was a secular university, right?

Evgeny: Yes, and my mission here at FEBC radio is to continue to treat people holistically, first of all showing them how God helps me in my life. Recently one caller said to me: “I want to serve that God you serve.” Comments like this tell me I am fulfilling my mission.

Rudi: And you receive many testimonies like this?

Evgeny: Thank God, many. Yuri called recently. He is a young professional, working in an art-related field. He liked my positive, uplifting program. Yuri explained that after college life has become dull and mundane, and he needed encouragement to go on. “But most of all,” he said, “I was impressed with your comments about the purpose of life. You explained that the purpose of life is hidden in God, and that resonated with me. While I never denied God’s existence, I never attempted to know Him personally. Now I want to know Him, just like you do,” said Yuri.

Rudi: So, Evgeny, most of your listeners are young people?

Evgeny: I would say so, even though many people who are over forty also listen to my daily program. I have a lot of experience advising people about interpersonal relationships, such as bosses and co-workers. People call in to ask me questions, and I help them by pointing out Bible-based methods of dealing with other people.

Evgeny: Recently I received a call from Tamara, a fifty-year-old woman, well-educated, who was impressed with my problem-solving skills. As I talked to her, I discovered she was in serious bondage to the occult, yet she didn’t even realize it. While Tamara said she does not believe in God, she promised she will “read the Bible from beginning to end” to discover the secret of my success. I pray that God will reveal Himself to her through His Word.

Rudi: Wonderful stories. Why do you think your programs are so effective?

Evgeny: Oh, I think there are several reasons. I try to talk about God in the context of people’s needs and try to be honest with my listeners. However, the biggest “secret” is that my words reach hundreds of thousands of people. People call it “a miracle of radio,” but I call it the miracle of FEBC supporters who make this radio ministry possible. Every day I thank God for those who give towards our ministry.

Broadcasters sit behind a microphone and speak the Word, but it takes an army of supporters to share it with millions of people throughout Russia.

Rudi: Evgeny, what do you see as the main problem today in bringing people to church?

Evgeny: One reason is constant negative information about evangelicals in secular media; but we are counteracting this problem with showing people who Christians really are. Also, there is a huge cultural gap between a Christian and non-Christian lifestyles. I remember when Alexander and Anna called me after a program one day. They went to a church for six months, were really inspired, and accepted Christ. Later, however, they stopped attending—they didn’t feel like going since they both work. This is a typical case. It’s not customary for Russians to attend church every Sunday. However, many people like Alexander and Anna now listen to FEBC—every day. We always emphasize the importance of attending church, and many of our listeners eventually become solid members in their congregations. I challenge people to change something in churches they attend, create something of value. I personally went through a difficult period after I became a Christian; it was tough to deal with the church’s subculture. But I can say that I was able to change many things in my church even as a new believer.

Rudi: Talk a little about your past.

Evgeny: My father is a well-known educator, so the value of education was instilled in me from a very young age. As a young person, I was hungry for power. I studied karate, and later became a military officer. As a young lieutenant I helped protect Russian boarders, and was also a part of the military wing of the KGB. In 1991 I joined the Communist party for the same reason: I was looking for power. However, the world was changing rapidly, and after several months I became completely disillusioned with Communists; I left the party, left the military, and began studying psychology. After I received an advanced degree in psychology I knew, without a doubt, that psychology is not the answer to human problems. I felt powerless and completely disillusioned. That’s when I met missionaries from Ukraine who were organizing a church in our Siberian city. I became a believer.

Rudi: It did not stop you from studying, though.

Evgeny: That’s true, but my motives were completely different. I received another degree, researching the effects of the Christian faith on Russian society.

Rudi: Going back to your FEBC ministry, what are your plans for the future?

Evgeny: In addition to what I’m doing, I have two projects in mind. I want to create a program that specifically serves college kids. I know them well, always keep in touch with them, and I know I can help them learn more about Christ. I hope to make that a weekly program. Another weekly program I am working on is called Hospice. I have a lot of experience consulting terminally ill cancer patients. There are so many problems there, and they receive so little help. In the Western countries there are numerous organizations, support groups, programs, etc. for cancer patients. In Russia, there are very few. People who are terminally ill are crying out for help. And I know that most of them need not only psychological, but spiritual help. They need a friend who will understand them, help them deal with their situation, and tell them the truth about God and their eternal souls. I am ready to start working on both projects.

Rudi: When do you plan to begin?

Evgeny: As soon as we have adequate financing. I’ve been asking our Russian listeners to support these projects, and many people responded, but we were able to raise only 10% of what we need. I’d like to take this opportunity to ask our supporters in other countries to help. The audience is ready, and I know that many, many people will be saved through this program.

Rudi: What is the biggest expense in the Hospice project?

Evgeny: Airtime requires a lot of money. In addition to that, we need to advertise it to those people who need help the most, and it takes resources to advertise. Rudi, I am also passionate about the project for students, because in fifteen years those people will become the leaders of Russia. We must help them get in touch with their Creator.

Rudi: Evgeny, what is the most important thing that you tell your listeners?

Evgeny: That God is their Father, and they can approach Him as they would approach a gracious, loving, and understanding parent. I emphasize this to my listeners because this relationship with God is what keeps me grounded, and it keeps me going. Each of us needs a daily touch from our Heavenly Dad.

From Hopelessness to Purpose: Reaching Russian Men

Born and raised in a single-parent family. Non-Christian upbringing. Experimenting with drugs at 14. Several sexual partners before marriage. Unfaithfulness in marriage. Divorce after three years. Never attending church. Drinking problem. Dead at 58. This is a statistical portrait of an average Russian man.

Oleg Bindasov, an FEBC broadcaster, has successfully developed programming that impacts Russian men for Christ. His programs deal with issues such as the true meaning of manhood, the joy and responsibilities of fatherhood, freedom from substance abuse; and the importance of faith in God. Oleg’s broadcasts are highly effective in helping Russian male listeners, one of the most difficult population groups to reach with the gospel, learn how to build a relationship with Jesus.

Oleg uses emotionally charged stories from his own life and from the lives of Christian men he interviews to draw these listeners to Christ. “Your programs touch me where it hurts,” wrote Andrey, responding to one of Oleg’s programs. “I know that I am not the kind of father I can and should be. Being a good father could be my greatest accomplishment, and I am blowing my chance to help my son become a real man. I ask you to pray for me, please, because I do not know how to pray.”

Oleg states, “Reaching people like Andrey is what I am here for. I believe that if Russian men realize that they can live full, purposeful lives and turn for help to God, Russia will change as a country.” He concludes, “Men need a purpose to achieve, a goal to strive for, and Christianity provides worthy and achievable goals for them. It is our responsibility to help men realize their potential as leaders.”

Projects That Need Your Support

EVGENY SARAPULOV’S “HOSPICE” PROJECT
$200 monthly is needed to air Evgeny Sarapulov’s programs in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Khabarovsk. These programs will reach thousands of terminally ill patients and help them find a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

SARAPULOV’S PROJECT FOR STUDENTS
$200 monthly is needed to promote and air special programs for university students. Through helping them resolve their issues, Evgeny will guide them towards accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior.

PROGRAMS FOR MEN
Oleg Bindasov’s programs for men. $300 monthly is needed to air programs for men on FEBC stations in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk, and Saipan.

AIR-TIME EXPENSES
One of FEBC Russian Ministries’ largest expenses are the monthly payments for the electrical costs of our transmitters. Our expenses increased because it was necessary to switch to more powerful transmitters in Moscow and St. Petersburg. At this time, we need an additional $800 monthly to continue broadcasting.

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

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