Our congratulations to Rev. Sergei Kukushkin, ERSU graduate, who was ordained in December as pastor of the Trinity Presbyterian Church of Kherson, Ukraine. He had been supplying that work while he completed his M.Div. studies at ERSU, working together with MTW missionaries. The church's joy was abated, however, a week later, when beloved missionary Cindie Pike lost her life in a tragic accident. Pastor Sergei played an important role in bringing comfort and perspective to congregation and friends at a very difficult time.

Please pray for comfort for Sergei and the church -- and especially for Cindie's husband, Mel Pike, who is returning this week to close up their apartment and move to Odessa, where he will continue to serve as a church planter.

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The Odessa Presbyterian Church will be host to a widely publicized "International Organ Festival" in April! They have invited 5 concert organists from across Europe to participate. The church will web-cast the performances.

The organ was a gift of donors in the USA, who responded to an appeal from Pastor Larry Roff (Schenectady, NY) to place a pipe organ in the century-old Presbyterian church in Odessa, Ukraine. They host two benefit concerts per month, with donations going to local hospitals and charities. They pastors always give an introduction, reminding the enthusiastic audience that this is more than a music hall: "We are an active church, with services each Sunday. Please join us for worship! Here is what we believe...". They then share the Gospel with their Ukrainian neighbors, and usually share the connection of the organ music with the Christian Faith.

Please pray for the festival to be a clear witness to Christ, especially in the Easter season when we celebrate his Death and Resurrection!

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Clay preached in English last week in Odessa, and our good friend and church member Anya Dudkina translated. Watch it on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4adm6BWPoJ4&feature=plcp

The sermon is "Called to be Special" from Exodus 19

(the Russian title: "The Holy God and His Holy People")

Two young adult church members contributed their time and talents to set up this website and put this online. We're seeing the church put its gifts to use for the Kingdom!

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Our church in Belgorod-Dnestrovsky, Ukraine: kids playing chimes with organ: http://Proud of them!

Just imagine! If the church there didn't exist, these children most likely would not have known about Jesus!

Special thanks to Pastor Larry Roff, who helped provide an organ for the church to use in their outreach and worship!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp04VTDvx2s&feature=youtu.be


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Odessa church is now on YouTube! They've started broadcasting their sermons. So if your Russian is up to par, you can tune in for our sermons!

http://www.youtube.com/user/ERPCOdessa

We are also thankful to Jill Martin, who translates the sermons each week for English-speaking visitors!

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  1. Mississippi Nights
  2. N Odessa Legal Documents
  3. L’viv Worship
  4. Church Planter Assessment