No Ordinary Sunday

There are some First Days of the week that stand out as no ordinary Sunday.  Such a Sunday morning seems to find a special spot in our memories and warm our hearts as no earthly fire can.  Each person who enters the church sanctuary has a personal need, realized or unrealized.  Some come for fellowship, some for a specific prayer need; others are facing a job lay-off or a crumbling marriage, but all desiring to be refreshed by laying their burden or brokenness before the Lord in worship.

Through the doors of the sanctuary on this remarkable morning came a reserved and timid looking young family, meticulously dressed, wearing smiles that were both telegraphing awe and fear at the same time.  As I approached the family their eyes caught mine and I said, “Good morning, welcome to Arvada Christian Church, my name is Paul.”   The mother and father glanced at each other then the husband looked at me and said in a heavy accent, “Good morning, my name is Yuri”.  I could see that he was desperately struggling to speak in English. Yuri then introduced his wife and children.  As I helped them find a seat they graciously received the worship bulletin.  Turning to greet others, I overheard the hushed tones of the visiting family talking among themselves in Russian.  Their words expressed a sense of excitement that transcended any communication barrier.   It was as though a dream from years ago was now in these moments bringing a joy of reality to their hearts. There was no one in our congregation that could speak Russian.  My thoughts raced. “How could I communicate to Yuri’s family?”

On the wall in my church office I had hung an autographed picture of a Three Star Russian General. The officer had become a Christian and was now fulfilling his vow to God.  His testimony and heart felt challenge as he spoke moved people to answer the call to personally place the Word of God throughout the Russian Military. The General had served as the highest ranking officer in the Russian Army assigned to Afghanistan War.  His helicopter was shut down and as it was approaching the ground he cried out, “God ,if you are real, help me to survive this crash! I will serve you with all my life!”  He survived his life threatening wounds and never forgot his promise to God.  He had come to America on several occasions to speak to Churches and raise funds asking Christians to assist by providing funding to purchase Bibles.

It was not just the autographed picture of the General that I was retrieving from my office.  There was a long letter written by the General that covered the entire back of the photo.  Hand written in Russian and addressed to me personally he thanked me for preaching the Gospel and encouraging me to be strong in my continued service in the Lord’s Army.  It was indeed a treasured gift.  The General had served on Yeltzin’s personal staff in Moscow. He had also given me an epilate from his uniform which I had attached to the frame of the picture.  I will never forget when he handed me one 3 star insignia on a shoulder epilate and said in his strong Russian accent, “Paul, I can only give one of these to you.  If I give to you two, you must serve in the Russian Army for three years.”

Immediately, before the worship prelude had even begun, I removed the picture and 3 Star epilate from the office wall and took it to Yuri.  He showed it to his wife and then to each of his children.  It was the only way that we could communicate that day.

They closely observed every aspect of the worship service and participated when they could.  As I preached they were attentive and sat on the edge of their pew.  I wondered what it must be like to attend church and not understand the words being spoken. They all participated in the Lord’s Supper as the emblems were passed.   After the service Yuri communicated by hugging me as a tear rolled from his eye down his cheek.  He handed me the General’s picture, I pushed it back to him.   I wanted him to have it.  His wife gave me a small piece of paper with an address on it. As I slipped it into my pocket Yuri smiled and took his family home.   When they left the foyer I silently prayed for them. I watched through the glass as Yuri’s family made their way back home walking, bounding with a happiness in their stride.

Early in the following week I searched for a Russian translator to assist me in making a call in Yuri’s home.  Through the help of a determined business man in the church, a translator was found and it was our privilege to visit Yuri, Liya, Nickolay, Yakov, Pavel, and Yelena in their new apartment located only a few blocks from the Church building.  Yuri again hugged me and invited us into his home.   It was a personal call that I will long remember.   Yuri had been in the United States for only three days before visiting the church.  His dream was to come to America and attend an American church.  He had been baptized in Russia and had been raised in a Christian home.  Together we talked about the Word of God.  We talked about our families and our children and our common desire to serve the Lord.

It was exciting to learn of the musical backgrounds of each of the children and Yuri’s wife.  They showed pictures of their worship service in the Ukraine with each of the children and Liya playing on the worship team.  “I see that your two oldest boys play the violin and viola.” “Yes, but not now”, Yuri responded sadly by saying, “When we left our home in the Ukraine. Nickolay and Yakov’s instruments were confiscated and we were not allowed to let instruments made in our homeland make their way to America with us”. I was speechless by his revelation followed by a deep heartache that could only be known by a father who knew how important a musical instrument can be in the life of a child.  Yuri’s words were a reminder of the spiritual music that flows from the soul of every follower of Christ.   The songs of wonder and awe at the works of God’s mighty hand are a very real part of our spiritual lives.

Our conversation continued and came to a close as we prayed for each other.  First I prayed as the translator interpreted.  Then Yuri prayed as the translator spoke in English.  I asked if Yuri’s family would like to sing next Sunday morning and they graciously accepted the invitation.  

The following Sunday, they came to the platform bringing their Russian hymnal asking my wife Janice, the church pianist, to accompany them.  Our cultural backgrounds and language barriers, however extensively separated, were wonderfully united in Christ.  Even the written music notation on the pages of the Russian hymnal unites our ability to accompany each other in the common expression of musical notation.  Now the language roles were reversed.   As the family began to sing, two hymns were translated in the minds of every person in attendance. Each knew the hymns as, “How Great Thou Art”, and “Amazing Grace.”  When the family finished the hymns, the resounding, “Amen” expressed a heartfelt appreciation for what had just happened within the walls of this urban American church. 

In the weeks that followed, I began an extensive search for a violin and viola for Nickolay and Yakov.   Through the benefit of an anonymous gift, two new instruments were secured and made ready for presentation to Yuri’s family.   Accompanied by the translator, and the leadership of the church we made our way to the apartment complex.  As we knocked on the door, our hearts leaped for joy in the knowledge that God had provided two beautiful stringed instruments for this family.  As the door opened we all were graciously welcomed into their home.  I explained that it was a privilege to give these instruments to your children on behalf of a grateful congregation.  Tears again began to flow as the cases were opened and the children were summoned.  The smiles and emotion that filled their living room gave praise to our faithful Heavenly Father who had brought them to America. With thankful hearts they erupted into Praise to Him and expressed since thanks for the genuine love expressed by fellow Christians that they had just met.

A few weeks later, for a second time, there was not a dry eye in the entire congregation as Nickolay and Yakov played their new instruments following the Lord’s Supper. Their little brother Pavel joined his brothers by playing the flute.  The beautiful music flowing from their hearts by the gentle touch of their fingers pressing the stings upon the ebony. Their uniform bowing technique upon the strings had brought the congregation together in true worship.  Our eyes were not upon ourselves we were listening in praise to God as the music echoed though out the wooden walls of the Sanctuary.

Yuri’s family never missed a service in the months that followed.  Their English skills improved and they continued to bless the church always with a smile and an exuberant joy.  They found brothers and sisters in Christ in a far away land where their dreams came true to eventually  become American Citizens. The transcending love of Christ for His churches is powerful to all peoples of the world

The challenge of expanding global missions at home and abroad is a task that must be accomplished through the commitment of God’s people.  The empty pews of American churches cry out to be filled as we reach out to the vast multitudes of ethnic diversity.  By encouraging compassion here at home, we will also regain the zeal and right perspective for a world view of missions.  The spiritual heritage of those who have blazed the trail of mission accomplishment in the past spur us on to a new dedication of the spiritual work that is before us.  United as one body of Christ we can meet the challenging goals that are seem almost impossible in the 21^st century.  The Great Commission given by Jesus to His disciples is found in Matthew 28:16-20.  Fulfilling that commission does not always mean becoming a foreign missionary on the other side of the Globe.  It may mean that you must be a missionary to the one who comes through the doors of the local church who cannot speak your language, who has hopes of serving Christ with you, or may be saddened by the things they had to leave behind to make their dreams come true.  One Lord, One Faith, One baptism, and one God the Father. One dream to serve Christ wherever he leads and gives opportunity to reach a soul who is searching.

For God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son … John 3:16  

Paul Sisson