It was a wonderful privilege, recently, to participate in the 100th anniversary celebration of the Central Evangelical Christian church in the nearby city of Zaporozhye.  As can be imagined, a church in the former Soviet Union that has been ministering for a century has experienced seasons of deep tribulation.  The South Church, as it is known by many here, overcame adversity even through the reign of Lenin, Stalin and the other Soviet premiers, as well as the harassments of the KGB.   There were years when the church had to virtually operate “underground” because of the intensity of the persecution.  

  The pastor, Leonid Petrenko, is a good friend, and has allowed me the privilege of preaching in his church on several occasions.  He’s a man of deep love for the Lord and contagious energy for ministry.

  During the anniversary service, he encouraged the congregation by saying, “Friends, let’s remember that the same faithful God that was working in us during those years is still working mightily today!”  He then reminded them of the baptismal service that was held the past weekend.  He continued, “When I was still a student in school, each Monday I was ordered into the office of a man who was locally in charge of affairs for the communist party.  He would berate me, threaten me, and command me to give up my “foolish” belief in God.  This happened each week.”

  “But many years have passed.  And who would have thought that this past Sunday, I would have the opportunity of baptizing the grandson of that very man in our church!  God truly does work in marvelous ways!”  

  Later, as I was talking to Leonid, I shared with him how that story had impressed me.  I asked him, “How did that man’s grandson ever get to your church?”  

  “Actually,” answered the pastor, “Several years ago, it was that man himself who was the first of his family to come to our church.”  

  The look on my face must of been incredulous, because Leonid continued, “Yes, it’s true.  It was some years ago.  I had just finished a sermon in which I had mentioned the man who would call me into his office weekly, trying to force me to give up my faith in God and serve the socialist system.  After the service, and prayer, I walked down from the pulpit.”

   “The congregation had been dismissed, but hadn’t yet even had a chance to leave when, suddenly, there was an interruption.  A man was calling out, working his way to the front of the church.  ‘Just a moment,’ he was shouting, ‘I want to say something.’  Everyone became quiet, and suddenly, I recognized this man!  ‘Do your remember the one you heard about in the message today?’ he asked the congregation.  ‘Remember?  The man who would weekly call young Leonid into the office to mock him and belittle his faith in God?  That was me, friends!  I was that man!  But here I am today in this church!’”  

  Pastor Leonid smiled.  “God has a beautiful way of turning things around, doesn’t he?”