Participants:
Series Code: TDY
Program Code: TDY210065A
|
00:01 As you're well aware,
00:02 we're living in unprecedented times. 00:05 Join us now for Today special program. 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:18 Mending broken people 00:23 I want to spend my life 00:29 Removing pain 00:34 Lord, let my words 00:39 Heal a heart that hurts 00:44 I want to spend my life 00:50 Mending broken people 00:55 I want to spend my life 01:00 Mending broken people 01:15 Hello and welcome to another 3ABN Today program. 01:18 Thank you for joining us as you do each and every day. 01:21 This is going to be a great program today. 01:24 It is, you know why? 01:26 Well, the Lord's going to be here for one, am I right? 01:28 The Holy Spirit is going to be here. 01:30 Yes, and we have one of our favorite people here. 01:32 We do, in the whole world Sister Julia Outkina, 01:35 all the way from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. 01:39 And, Julia, it's a privilege to have you here today. 01:42 Yeah. 01:43 I feel so good to be back here. 01:46 We haven't been here for two and a half years 01:49 because of these difficult times 01:51 that we're living in. 01:52 And to be back, 01:54 it just feels as Danny when he comes to Russia, 01:58 he says, "I'm back home. 02:00 I'm back to my Russian home." 02:02 And this is how I feel coming here. 02:05 I'm back to my American home. 02:07 And as we were just reminiscing with Danny it is... 02:10 Soon it'll be about half of our lives 02:14 that we know one another. 02:15 Had been knowing each other, that's amazing, isn't it? 02:17 Yeah. It's beautiful. 02:19 Well, Yvonne, now you haven't known Julia as long. 02:22 But between you and Julia and her mother, 02:27 you guys really click as they say. 02:29 For sure. Right? 02:30 For sure. 02:32 First of all, I've heard so much about you 02:34 from Danny because he talks about 02:37 just what you've done, 02:39 what the Lord has done through you in 3ABN Russia. 02:42 And then I met your mom 02:45 and I just fell in love with her 02:46 the moment I met her. 02:49 Like we just had a heart connection 02:51 and now she's my mom, Ichika. 02:52 Yes, and you are her Yvonne Ichika. 02:58 She's a darling. I love your mom. 03:00 Yeah, my mom has very, very special feelings 03:03 towards Yvonne. 03:05 And, you know, all our lives are witnessing about the Lord, 03:10 so they had this special connection. 03:12 And then when my mom got sick, really sick, 03:16 and I shared with you and Yvonne 03:19 and then Yvonne wrote a letter of encouragement and so on. 03:23 And then she sent me just immediately another one 03:26 and she said, "Julia, 03:28 I'm prompted by the Lord, 03:30 that you teach your mom how to pray in Jesus name." 03:34 And, you know, of course me being a Christian 03:38 for almost 30 years, of course, I pray in Jesus' name, 03:41 but somehow because my mom, she's a wonderful person. 03:45 But she has a certain kind of resistance or something, 03:50 like I feel, "Oh, do I speak to her 03:53 just dare to pray in Jesus' name?" 03:55 But then when Yvonne wrote that, I thought, 03:58 "This is a prompting from above 04:00 and I shouldn't be ashamed 04:04 of asking my mom to pray in Jesus' name." 04:06 And I did and I said that Yvonne 04:09 that your favorite Yvonne Ichika 04:12 suggests that we pray in Jesus' name. 04:14 And you know, and since then, 04:16 it has warmed my heart 04:18 just to know with the heavenly happiness. 04:23 That now my mom when we pray together, 04:25 she prays in Jesus' name. 04:27 Oh! 04:29 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. 04:30 That's incredible. 04:32 That's wonderful. 04:33 Well, as many of the folk know, and many of you, 04:35 maybe you don't, Elder John Carter 04:38 asked 3ABN to go with him 04:41 to a city called Nizhny Novgorod, 04:43 formerly Gorky. 04:46 And I'd heard a Gorky, 04:47 but in Russia I've never been to Russia. 04:50 I've been to Romania, but I've never been there. 04:52 And he said, "You know, God has opened doors. 04:55 We've rented this huge sports center, 04:57 and we're going to hold meetings there. 04:58 We have no idea what kind of response, 05:00 would you want to bring your crew?" 05:02 Now, at that time 05:03 we were just talking about earlier. 05:05 Julia, we were in our eighth year 05:07 because this was like 1991, 05:09 when he talked to me to go in '92. 05:12 And, of course, we were, 05:14 actually went on air in about '86. 05:16 So it wasn't that long after we were on the air 05:19 but I said, "Absolutely, we want to go. 05:21 We want to be a part of this." 05:22 And then what we saw was a series 05:25 of miracles through Elder Carter, 05:27 through the Russian people. 05:29 I mean, it's been an amazing opportunity 05:31 and then 3ABN had the opportunity to build 05:34 what Elder Carter says 05:35 is the largest Protestant facility 05:37 in all the ex-Soviet Union. 05:39 And it's huge. 05:41 We could really never configure the square feet. 05:43 I've tried, and I'm a carpenter and it's hard to do it, 05:46 so big and counting the basements. 05:48 But we figured 250,000, maybe more, 05:51 I don't know, but it's a huge facility. 05:53 God gave us a property, eight acres property, 05:55 this facility back when literally, 05:59 you couldn't own, foreigners couldn't own. 06:01 But there was a young governor there, 06:03 34 years old, named Boris Nemtsov 06:07 and so we ended up... 06:10 That he said, we're going to make this very democratic. 06:13 We're going to let foreigners come in 06:15 and invest and do businesses. 06:17 And so then we found out through a little bit later 06:21 Sister Julia Outkina, 06:22 professor of English, Dr. Outkina, 06:25 and there in Nizhny Novgorod had been coming to the meetings 06:29 just to hear the language spoken by, 06:33 you know, westerners or people other than Russians. 06:36 And so then it was, I guess, 06:38 late in the several weeks of meetings, 06:40 but it was late before you 06:42 really gave your heart to Jesus, right? 06:44 Oh, yeah. 06:45 I just came there to listen to English 06:47 because I had never heard anyone 06:49 whose mother tongue is English 06:51 because my teachers were Russian too. 06:53 And so I went there to listen to English, 06:56 and when Pastor Carter started inviting the audience 07:00 to raise their hands if there is some need, 07:03 if there is a need for a prayer, 07:05 I said to myself, 07:06 "Oh, no, I'm never raising my hand." 07:09 Then he started inviting people to stand up for a prayer. 07:13 I never stood up for a prayer. 07:16 And then the first two baptisms 07:19 took place in June 1992, 07:24 and then, just before the third one on Thursday, 07:30 I thought they will leave so soon 07:32 and I will not hear anything about God anymore. 07:36 And then the Lord had it 07:38 that Pastor John spoke about, 07:42 "Don't you know that your bodies 07:44 are a temple of the Holy Spirit?" 07:46 And he didn't say they will be a temple of the Holy Spirit 07:50 when you become good or when you sin no more. 07:54 He didn't say that. 07:55 He just said what the Bible says, 07:57 "Don't you know that your bodies are a temple 07:59 of the Holy Spirit?" 08:00 And that was a moment of my conversion. 08:02 I just thought I am good enough the way I am 08:07 because no one knows myself better than me. 08:10 And I know how much imperfection there is, 08:13 and how many like wrong things in my personality there are. 08:19 And then the Lord says, 08:20 "I want your body to be my temple, 08:23 the temple of My Holy Spirit." 08:25 That was just a moment when I was just so happy. 08:29 It was kind of a physical feeling 08:32 just the light going from up through me. 08:38 And there was no literal light. 08:39 It was just how this impressed me, 08:43 this thought, and I just, I know that 08:48 that was the moment of my conversion. 08:50 And I thought if I'm good for God, then I'm good. 08:54 And by the way, as Danny mentioned, 08:56 my brother was the governor 08:58 of this region. 09:03 I was married. 09:05 I had a son. 09:06 I was a PhD in Linguistics, 09:08 so seemingly fulfilled from every aspect of life 09:13 with the most low self-esteem. 09:16 I mean, just didn't appreciate anything 09:19 about myself and just... 09:22 And then that very moment, 09:24 you know, I became good, good for myself. 09:27 Yes. 09:28 Isn't that amazing? 09:30 And I mean, my self-esteem, 09:33 it doesn't exist anymore 09:35 because I'm in the Lord and I'm good for Him. 09:39 So it doesn't, anything else doesn't matter. 09:42 So I'm not worried about... 09:45 I praise the Lord, I never have it over, 09:48 but I never have it under either, it's just... 09:51 It's right with the Lord. 09:53 You realize your value, that you have value to God. 09:58 And that's, I think, what made the difference. 10:01 When you found out that the Holy Spirit 10:04 that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, 10:07 and then you felt that light, you know... 10:10 And it's interesting because when God created the earth, 10:13 He said, "Let there be light." 10:15 And that's what He does in our spiritual lives as well. 10:18 He shines the light on our dark places, 10:22 and so you felt that, 10:24 that Holy Spirit come into you, I believe. 10:27 And so, praise the Lord, that's so beautiful. 10:29 Then how did you make known you wanted to be baptized? 10:36 You know... That's an interesting story. 10:38 Danny prompts me to remember it. 10:43 Okay, I will and, of course, I have never forgotten it. 10:47 You know, I listened to Pastor Carter's sermons, 10:50 and he preached about many things, 10:53 including Sabbath, of course, and it was fine with me. 10:58 I thought, "If the Lord's Day is Sabbath, 11:00 then it's my day with the Lord, too." 11:03 I didn't have a problem with that. 11:05 But as far as food, like... 11:09 Well, I was not sure and so... 11:15 But still, I didn't have a resistance really. 11:19 And so one day I went to a marketplace 11:24 and I bought a certain products, 11:29 and I contaminated my finger. 11:32 And it started pestering. 11:36 Well, it started inflaming and... 11:41 So I had it all bandaged. 11:44 And since I was kind of... 11:49 Well, Sabbath was fine with me 11:50 because it was fine with the Lord but still, 11:53 well, to be honest, I did that on Sabbath. 11:55 So I bought those things on the Sabbath, 11:58 and then I went to the marketplace, 12:00 and then my finger started inflaming. 12:03 And then my brother had this group 12:08 of American preacher, 12:12 Pastor John Carter, American media, 12:15 Danny Shelton, and his 3ABN team. 12:20 He had them invited to his office 12:23 because Russian Orthodox Church was unhappy 12:27 that Protestant people have come to Russia 12:30 to bring their own religion as they said. 12:32 And my brother wanted them together 12:35 and so they were all in my brother's office. 12:39 And I just... 12:41 It's the Lord. He prompted me. 12:43 You know things were so simple at the time. 12:45 I could come to my brother's office 12:47 and no one would even ask me 12:48 where I'm going and who am I. 12:51 And so I came there. 12:52 I looked from his back room 12:55 into what was happening there 12:56 and I thought, "Oh, they're all here." 13:00 And then the meeting went on, 13:03 I don't know if Danny will want to speak 13:04 more about that meeting. 13:06 But then when the meeting was over 13:08 and I went to the front door to meet them 13:12 and I told them the story about my conversion that, 13:17 you know, you preached to me about Sabbath. 13:20 I thought Sabbath is okay with the Lord. 13:22 I mean, Sabbath is the Lord's Day. 13:23 It's okay with me. 13:25 Nevertheless, I went shopping on Sabbath 13:26 and see what happened, my finger inflamed. 13:30 And Pastor Carter was there and Danny was there, 13:33 so this is how I really, 13:36 personally met you the first time. 13:38 And the church leadership, when did you meet them? 13:42 And the church leadership, it was another miracle 13:45 because when I filled out my baptismal vows 13:49 as they do in Russia, 13:51 that I agree with all these beliefs. 13:55 And then at the end, it said, 13:57 "How can you be helpful to church? 13:59 Leave us your contact information." 14:02 And I said, "I can translate," 14:04 because that was all a translation program. 14:09 I wrote, "I can translate." 14:11 I left my phone number. 14:13 And then there was a meeting 14:15 between Danny and the local conference, 14:18 and this was when Danny already 14:21 through an amazing leading of the Holy Spirit 14:26 made sure that this building 14:27 is bought for 3ABN Russia facility. 14:31 It's just a big miracle. 14:34 And, Danny, 14:36 it was a non-finished construction. 14:37 It stood there for 15 years non-finished 14:40 because the metal plant that owned it, 14:43 it couldn't finish the construction. 14:45 And so then Danny needed... 14:51 Danny wanted good quality building 14:55 and he wanted 15:00 his cousin's husband, 15:02 John Canter to be a supervisor of construction. 15:05 And he knew that John Canter would need a translator 15:10 and so the Lord made it so that the translator 15:13 who was supposed to be there 15:15 for that meeting with the conference... 15:17 John Canter was not there yet, but there was plan, 15:21 the meeting with the conference and no translator. 15:24 That translator couldn't come and then they find this, 15:27 my number, and they called me. 15:30 And I said, "Oh yes, I'll come." 15:32 And so I came to translate. 15:35 And just at that meeting, 15:38 Danny was impressed that I could be 15:42 of help to 3ABN Russia. 15:45 It was amazing because, as she said, 15:47 what's the odds of her being there? 15:49 We baptized 2532 people. 15:52 And for them to look through all this 15:54 and even see that she was not only a translator, 15:58 but a PhD in Linguistics, 16:00 and then to call her 16:02 because I'm only there for certain times, 16:04 and then to be at that meeting. 16:07 And as she was translating, 16:10 I just looked at her 16:12 and it was like the Lord told me, 16:13 she's the person that basically... 16:18 You build 3ABN Russia around, 16:20 of course, the Lord and His principles, 16:24 but she's the person to be in charge 16:27 and it was sure with me. 16:30 And so what I had found in some other countries 16:33 as we'd gone into different countries, 16:35 some I won't name, but it's hard to find people, 16:38 especially that were living under communism, 16:41 who, their motto was, we pretend to work 16:44 and the government pretends to pay us, 16:47 to find people who were what we would call 16:50 and this side is on us because they justified, 16:53 well, hey, this money I've, you know whatever. 16:56 But as soon as I saw Julia, I knew I could trust her. 17:01 And so I knew and then I found out, 17:03 of course, about her brother being the governor, 17:06 and was at the meetings, and that's where I'd met you. 17:10 And so it was just an amazing event. 17:12 The Lord put this together 17:14 and then finding this huge building, 17:17 which again another miracle. 17:19 I didn't know this till two or three years ago. 17:21 But we were headed to the conference officials 17:23 to show me some big building and where we were, 17:27 it was flooding over the curbs 17:29 and the car stalled right in the middle of the road. 17:31 So we got out, to get out of the water 17:33 and I saw through a bunch of big trees building 17:36 and I thought, "That's where they were taking me." 17:38 So I took off and headed around 17:41 and looked at this huge facility 17:42 and I said, "I love it. 17:45 Let's buy this and we'll work on it. 17:46 We'll build it." 17:48 And they didn't even tell me at the time 17:49 that's not really where we intend 17:52 to show you but, 17:53 you know, the Lord blessed 17:55 and it's a fabulous facility there. 17:57 And thank you, all of you at home 17:59 for your prayers and your financial support 18:02 because tremendous amounts of people 18:06 giving from small amounts to large amounts, 18:09 you know, got 3ABN Russia started 18:12 but they keep it growing. 18:13 And so that's today we want to give you an opportunity 18:16 to support 3ABN Russia 18:18 but, Julia, of course... 18:19 Oh, go ahead. 18:21 Oh, no, I was going to say we have a free gift for you. 18:23 If you do support 3ABN Russia, Julia and her team brought... 18:28 A little Matryoshka. A little... 18:30 Well, these are little key chains. 18:31 Almost like Matryoshkas except they don't come apart. 18:35 These are little key chains, 18:36 and they're free for you with any size donation, 18:40 you're going to get it 18:41 in this cute little Russian bag. 18:44 And so they brought 200 of these 18:48 so first come first serve. 18:50 But please call in or write, 18:55 you can call (618) 627-4651. 18:59 And make your donation to 3ABN Russia 19:02 because they have a special project 19:04 that they're working on. 19:06 Okay. 19:07 We'll talk about that in a few minutes. 19:09 So we're giving you the background, 19:11 every bit of what happened 19:13 and what's happened over the years 19:14 was already preordained. 19:16 The Lord had this in mind 19:18 from the foundation of the world. 19:20 And for all the people, 19:22 for Julia and not knowing all the background 19:25 and for her brother to be right there 19:27 in that position that he was. 19:31 When we first met him, he was not happy we were there. 19:34 After he got to know us and to see us 19:37 and speaking to Elder Carter, 19:39 then he said, "You know what, we have a bigger enemy," 19:41 talking to church leaders then, 19:43 "we have a bigger enemy than each other. 19:46 We don't want communism to come back, 19:47 so we're going to allow these Adventists to stay here. 19:49 We're going to allow..." 19:51 And so it was an open door 19:54 for people to come to Russia. 19:58 And he had, I think, 52 million people 20:01 they said at the time in his constituency. 20:03 If you look at all the cities around, 20:05 I don't know there's a lot of people, millions 20:06 because Nizhny is what? 20:08 Three and a half or four million. 20:09 It's huge. 20:11 I just can't believe how God... 20:13 Well, I can believe it but I'm just saying 20:15 everything was orchestrated. 20:17 The way you met her, the way you met the governor, 20:20 you know, the baptisms, 20:22 the way you found the building... 20:24 You couldn't have drawn up a plan and say, "Okay, 20:27 I'm getting John Canter there." 20:29 Yes. 20:30 And, you know, he's Canadian 20:31 that married to my cousin, Janice Shelton 20:35 and then was in construction for years, 20:37 Adventist school teacher. 20:39 And yet I knew John and hadn't really realized 20:42 he's from Czechoslovakia, his parents. 20:47 Yes, which is kind of close, isn't it? 20:49 Yeah, and he had some understanding 20:50 of the language. 20:52 Not a lot but he picked up Russian, amazing. 20:54 I mean, I left him there, 20:56 just basically left here, "John, here you go." 20:59 And then they come back a few months later, 21:00 and he's speaking to everybody getting... 21:03 and I'm like, "What happened? 21:04 You've learned this." 21:06 But a man who was driven and he said, 21:08 "Now I know who I was basically, 21:10 why I was created to be." 21:12 Wow. 21:13 All the things he had done was to work. 21:15 So he and Julia worked together 21:16 and she followed him around in the cold weather. 21:19 And I remember she had her little bag of stuff. 21:21 She'd get out goodies 21:22 because John didn't like to stop 21:23 and it was freezing outside, working in the wintertime. 21:27 But I mean, a tremendous amount of effort 21:29 that everybody put in and then we hired 21:32 probably a little over 100 Russian workers there too 21:35 to help build this facility. 21:37 And it took a while but thank you 21:39 for, again, for your love and prayers and support. 21:42 But I want to go up now, 21:44 we've told enough about the history of Julia, 21:46 so Julia then, when the building 21:48 got where it could be... 21:49 You know, we could get in it and use it. 21:52 I asked her, of course, to be the Russian director. 21:55 And she, of course, didn't feel she... 21:58 Maybe that was, you know, I don't know if I can do that. 22:00 So I had to explain to her, which I do to most people. 22:03 I don't know I can do what I'm doing there 22:04 but we just do it. 22:05 In other words, the Lord opens up doors 22:07 for she willingly did it and has done an incredible job. 22:11 First of all, I love you like the sister you are in the Lord. 22:15 And I've told people this publicly 22:17 if I could count the people 22:19 who I've had the most impact in my life 22:22 and I have the most respect for 22:23 and they gave me just five one hand 22:25 with four fingers and a thumb 22:28 of who I respect and love the most. 22:30 She would be right at the top of that list 22:32 because I've watched her 22:34 that what she has done for the cause of God 22:36 and what she's been willing to sacrifice her time, 22:39 you know, her energy. 22:41 Everything in her life has been dedicated not for herself 22:45 but for getting the gospel to the world. 22:48 And I should be upset at her 22:50 because I gave her a raise one time 22:52 and I found out she was splitting 22:54 that among the other workers. 22:56 Then Mollie said, well, I wasn't supposed to... 22:57 She wasn't supposed to tell me 22:59 but somehow I found out 23:00 we used to give her clothes to take back 23:02 because she was going to be on TV. 23:03 I'd go over there and I'd see her workers 23:05 wearing these clothes. 23:06 I mean, that's the way Julia has always been. 23:10 But, Julia, thank you so much for what you do 23:13 and what you have done all of these years. 23:15 And God has blessed you with so many gifts, 23:17 so many talents and your leadership 23:20 is incredible. 23:21 And you're like all of us, I'm sure, 23:23 you know, so I don't want to embarrass you, 23:25 but I mean, by bragging on you too much. 23:27 But we're uplifting the Jesus in you 23:30 because we all have failures and shortcomings. 23:32 We all sin. 23:33 We all make mistakes, but God has honored your faith, 23:36 and your willingness to go forward in a country 23:39 at that time with communism. 23:41 I'm not going to say it was fallen, 23:42 it was still falling, because a lot of the people 23:45 still had that mentality 23:47 and you couldn't just do what you wanted to do. 23:49 I mean, it was very, very tough to work with. 23:52 But now it's gone from a dream to a reality and approximately 23:57 how many people can hear 24:01 programming in the Russian language 24:02 in the ex-Soviet Union and around the world? 24:05 Well, first of all, Danny, like you say that, 24:10 on your four fingers and the thumb, 24:16 the same way about 3ABN 24:18 and the way you have run it through the years, 24:21 and the way Greg and Jill run it now 24:23 as president and vice president, 24:26 because life is difficult, 24:28 and there have been so many shaky moments in life. 24:32 And I just looked up to you and I looked up to you all. 24:36 I looked up to 3ABN and I thought, 24:39 "This is an amazing ministry ordained by God. 24:41 This is worth living for. 24:44 This is worth serving. 24:46 And this is worth helping in every way 24:51 to promote the gospel to my people, 24:53 to the Russian speaking people of the world. 24:55 And again, it's not me, I know this for sure. 24:58 Today, you know, I was praying, 25:00 I was just looking at the beautiful nature 25:04 that you have here in Southern Illinois, 25:06 the beautiful weather. 25:07 It's very beautiful for me now. 25:09 And I just said, "Lord, thank you so much 25:12 that in spite of all of my shortcomings, 25:15 and all of my big mistakes and small mistakes, 25:21 You have flourished... 25:23 You have nurtured 25:24 and You have expanded the Ministry of 3ABN Russia 25:27 so that it can do its purpose for which You have created it 25:33 and for which so many people around the world, 25:35 so many viewers of 3ABN support it. 25:39 That it goes into all the world, 25:41 that it brings the good news of salvation to the people. 25:45 So well, there's 300 million 25:50 Russian speaking people in the world 25:52 and our internet can reach all of them 25:56 so potentially all the people. 25:59 In Russia, there's about 120 million people living 26:03 and 3ABN has for us 26:08 because you subsidize it, you paid for it, 26:11 two satellites over Russia 26:14 that cover the whole country 26:17 of Russia. 26:20 In cable stations and all that. 26:22 Yes, and I have the information here that 26:26 at this time 547 cable companies 26:31 rebroadcast our signal from those two satellites 26:35 around the clock. 26:37 That's amazing. 26:38 Wow, praise the Lord. 26:40 Yes. 26:41 Yeah, the amount of cities covered is over 3,600 cities. 26:45 So we are not 26:48 on the huge cable companies 26:52 but we are on small ones and small ones cover a lot, 26:56 yeah, and they reach more 26:59 because in small places there's less distraction, 27:03 and they are willing to have our programs 27:06 when they watch the samples they say, 27:08 "Oh such good content. 27:09 We don't know of anyone else who creates such great content 27:13 that makes the society healthy, that makes a person healthy, 27:18 that makes families healthy." 27:21 Not enough just in the physical meaning 27:24 of the world of the word physical too 27:26 but also mental, also spiritual, 27:30 so how important is that? 27:33 And during these years, almost 29 now, 27:37 we have over 13,000 video programs 27:42 in 156 series of programs that we have on the air. 27:46 All in the Russian language. 27:48 All in the Russian language 27:50 and we have over 11,000 radio programs 27:54 in 114 series. 27:57 And we have all kinds of programming 28:00 and it's just amazing how the Lord 28:03 gives the talents to His ministry. 28:06 It is His ministry. 28:07 And I came there, as Danny mentioned, 28:11 with no administrative talents. 28:13 I don't consider myself a born administrator, 28:17 not for sure. 28:19 But he gave, he gives the vision, 28:22 he gives the capabilities and then some people come very, 28:28 like, modest in their capabilities. 28:32 And then all of a sudden such talents 28:34 are revealed in them 28:35 because this is what the ministry needs. 28:37 Yes. 28:38 And, well, in my opinion, 28:41 sometimes when they think that these are their talents, 28:44 and they think that they... 28:46 You know, they can achieve much more in other places. 28:48 And they go, and I look at what they produce and I think, 28:54 "Oh, where's your talent? 28:56 I mean, where has it gone?" 28:57 Where did it go? 28:59 Yeah, where did it go? 29:00 So, praise the Lord for 3ABN Russia. 29:05 We actually, I think we have a video role, right? 29:06 Yes. 29:08 And maybe we could show it and it'll tell us a lot more 29:10 then we want to talk to the folk at home 29:12 about an opportunity to support. 29:14 Yeah. 29:51 Today, 3ABN Russia extensively produces 29:54 and distributes Bible-based life saving programs 29:57 for the Russian speaking people of the world. 30:00 The number of which is about 300 million people, 30:04 but let us go back to the very beginning. 30:09 It is all started on November 15th, 1984, 30:13 in the United States, as Danny Shelton 30:16 contemplated the messages of different churches. 30:19 He had a distinct thought in his mind. 30:22 I want you to build a television station 30:25 that will reach the world 30:26 with the undiluted three angels' messages 30:29 that would counteract the counterfeit. 30:31 Even though it seemed impossible, 30:33 God provided for everything in the best possible way 30:37 because Danny accepted the Lord's calling 30:40 and entrusted its fulfillment completely 30:42 into the Lord's hands. 30:44 Everything that happened 30:45 after that was nothing but a miracle. 30:49 After eight years from the foundation 30:51 of Three Angels Broadcasting Network, 30:54 in 1992, Pastor John Carter and 3ABN team 30:58 came to Nizhny Novgorod 30:59 for a big evangelistic campaign. 31:01 As a result, three massive baptisms took place. 31:05 Over 2,500 people entered the waters 31:08 of the Great Russian River Volga 31:10 to enter a covenant with God. 31:12 This evangelistic series was covered by quite a number 31:16 of Nizhny Novgorod's mass media. 31:18 Articles appeared in the newspapers 31:20 containing positive reviews and words of appreciation. 31:25 The miracles didn't end there. 31:27 Danny Shelton was able to raise 31:29 all the necessary funds 31:30 to build 3ABN Russia Evangelism Center 31:33 that now houses 3ABN Russia production studios, 31:37 the local conference headquarters, 31:39 the biggest church, a Christian school 31:41 and ABC store and many more. 31:45 In the 1992, Julia Outkina was invited 31:48 to work at 3ABN Russia 31:50 as a translator for John Canter, 31:52 the construction supervisor from 3ABN. 31:55 At the same time, she became the host 31:57 and editor of programs, 31:59 and then the Executive Director of 3ABN Russia. 32:03 The first programs of the face-to-face series 32:06 were filmed with a little 32:07 high-eight home video camera. 32:09 But nevertheless, when aired by our first broadcaster, 32:13 a local TV station, CTNN. 32:15 They received a great response 32:17 from the viewers up to 1000 letters a week. 32:21 How quickly the time passes? 32:23 It seems that it was just yesterday. 32:26 For 37 years of 3ABN and 29 years of 3ABN Russia, 32:32 the Lord has been guiding, 32:34 promoting and protecting this amazing ministry. 32:38 Nowadays, millions of people can potentially 32:41 watch 3ABN Russia's channel every day. 32:44 We do receive letters and comments 32:46 from our dear viewers, 32:48 which show how God touches their hearts 32:51 through our programming. 32:53 I often watch 3ABN Russia YouTube channel 32:56 and my daughter listens to Three Angels radio 32:59 at every spare moment. 33:01 The benefit we get is enormous. 33:04 Thank you very much. 33:06 We had an amazing time making the programs together. 33:10 I will remember being on your programs 33:12 as God's blessing as long as I live. 33:16 The Lord arranged everything so that these programs 33:19 have already thousands of views, 33:21 praise Him. 33:23 The crew made a video about our rustic center 33:26 for children with disabilities. 33:29 And by the grace of God and thanks to a charity 33:32 concert organized by 3ABN Russia last year, 33:35 we can continue to help children 33:37 with special needs. 33:39 So working with The Three Angels team 33:42 has left a deep impression on me. 33:45 A very interesting video about the Bible. 33:48 So much information and different opinions. 33:51 The Bible is one of the most commented 33:54 and quoted books in the world. 33:56 Each time I open the Bible, 33:58 I find something new for myself 34:01 including parallels with the modern age. 34:04 Each time it is a real revelation. 34:07 In the Bible, there are prophecies and truth, 34:10 blessings and advice for lives. 34:14 God blesses every employee of 3ABN Russia. 34:18 He gives us ideas, 34:19 spiritual gifts and skills that help us 34:22 make quality programs for His glory. 34:25 He sends us speakers and guests of His choice. 34:28 God's light cannot be hidden. 34:30 It is so powerful 34:32 that no darkness can consume it. 34:35 The Lord supports every one of us. 34:37 We feel it every day. 34:39 In 1992, what is happening in Russia today 34:43 would seem completely impossible. 34:45 At the moment more than 540 cable operators 34:49 broadcast program in 3,600 cities of Russia. 34:53 There is active and steady growth 34:55 of subscribers on YouTube and our social networks. 34:59 For all of these we are awed at the Lord's might and power. 35:05 We always remember with a special warms the times 35:08 when 3ABN team visits 3ABN Russia. 35:11 When you visit 35:13 it seems as if you always have been here with us. 35:16 All the warm smiles and heartfelt conversations, 35:20 all the exchange of spiritual experience 35:22 and professional opinions are priceless. 35:25 We always recall your visits 35:27 to our 25th and 27th anniversary 35:31 with the warmest feelings. 35:34 Together we've held wonderful church services. 35:37 Praise the Lord and rejoice in Him. 35:40 Blessing and being blessed by God's love 35:42 and the testimony of His power around the world. 35:46 We pray for the Lord's richest blessings upon you, 35:49 dear 3ABN team, upon all the sponsors of 3ABN 35:54 and the family of yours. 35:56 The Holy Spirit moves your hearts 35:58 and your hands making you God's messengers 36:01 on earth at these end times. 36:04 Praise the Lord for these 37 years of 3ABN. 36:08 Happy Anniversary, 3ABN. 36:17 Oh, praise the Lord. 36:19 That was good. Praise the Lord. 36:20 That was so great. 36:21 Thank you. Thank you very much. 36:23 Praise the Lord for the 37 years of 3ABN. 36:24 You make a big difference in the world. 36:27 3ABN makes a big difference in the world. 36:29 It's not only Russia. 36:31 It is in Cuba, I don't know, 36:34 everywhere around the world. 36:37 What an amazing ministry run by simple people, 36:41 supported by simple people. 36:43 It's just, you know, the dedication, 36:45 the willingness to serve the Lord. 36:47 So a big thank you on behalf of the Russian people. 36:51 Oh, well, you too all of you. 36:53 And again for those of you at home, 36:54 without you none of this would be possible. 36:56 I mean, it's amazing for me to look at that building 36:59 when we first saw it to where now of the studios 37:03 and all the work that's been done 37:05 and all the cable stations 37:07 and the millions and millions of people 37:08 being reached and literally thousands of people 37:11 who have come to know Jesus and been baptized 37:14 in the Adventist Church, 37:16 you know, and accept Christianity. 37:17 It's just amazing. 37:19 You know 37:20 hundreds of thousands probably letters 37:21 that you've gotten over the years for 30 years. 37:24 I remember we used to get Bibles. 37:26 You've given amount by the thousands and thousands 37:29 and I mean, it's incredible the work 37:31 that they do 37:32 in this great country of Russia. 37:34 I love Russia. 37:35 I know I grew up, and Julia and I in the Cold War era, 37:39 you know, back in the 50s and 60s, 37:42 when I thought about Russia, 37:44 I thought about an enemy, 37:46 and I'm sure she probably thought the same thing. 37:48 When you think of America you think of the enemy. 37:51 You go over and you meet the people and you say, 37:52 "Hey, we're all God's children." 37:54 That's right. We're all God's children. 37:55 It doesn't make any difference 37:57 what our governments are thinking 37:58 or how they're acting. 37:59 These are people that have a right to know about the Lord. 38:02 These are people 38:04 that if we can share the gospel with 38:06 and where we've never been able to because of the Iron Curtain, 38:09 East Germany and all of that 38:12 and Russia and get behind that was an impossibility. 38:15 Till God said, 38:17 "You made it impossibility, I haven't." 38:19 That's right. 38:20 All you got to do is go forward 38:22 and blessing of God is on the go. 38:24 And all of a sudden, way goes Iron Curtain 38:27 and all of a sudden the message 38:28 is going through with great power 38:30 and so it's incredible to watch. 38:33 What we want to do, Julia, 38:34 I know that you have a lot of needs 38:36 and it's true that we subsidize a lot most of that 38:42 though Russia has changed tremendously, 38:44 when we first went there. 38:45 We never saw fruit. 38:47 We didn't see grocery stores. 38:48 We didn't see any malls. 38:49 We didn't see anything in those years. 38:52 Today, Russia... 38:54 You don't know if you're in America 38:56 or Germany or wherever, 38:57 there's great malls, 38:58 there's great restaurants everywhere, 39:00 there are businesses 39:02 and people's lifestyles have changed. 39:04 But still yet the amount of money 39:06 they make compared to say 39:07 here in America is much, much smaller. 39:10 I know several hundreds a month. 39:11 I don't know where we're... 39:13 So right now the money wise, we still, 39:17 our money goes a long ways in Russia 39:20 because I'm not sure what the ruble 39:21 to the dollar ratio is. 39:24 But when we give to Russia, 39:27 it really, your money is like it's multiplying. 39:30 You get more buying for your buck. 39:32 You do. 39:33 If I can use... 39:34 If you can use that term, then I'll go with it. 39:36 That's fine. 39:37 So there are some needs that we have that would make... 39:41 which we now do. 39:42 So tell us a little bit about 39:43 what some of the production needs you have? 39:45 Okay. 39:47 Coming back to what you have just said, 39:49 when you first came to Russia, bananas were a rarity there. 39:54 It was just a rare thing. 39:56 So you invited us to a restaurant 39:59 and it was my family and some other workers 40:05 and you ordered bananas there, 40:08 which was a luxury to order. 40:10 And then some from your, 40:13 from the American ladies they just started 40:16 you know, they peel the banana 40:18 and then they started removing those little threads. 40:21 I looked at that and I thought, "What a waste?" 40:28 Eat it all. 40:29 Yes, eat it all. 40:33 Now, of course, Russia is better off in many ways. 40:38 And, yeah, the wage 40:42 maybe about $500 a month now 40:46 whereas in those times 40:48 it was about $15 a month, 40:52 so a lot of change. 40:58 And the cost of sustaining 3ABN Russia 41:03 and of maintaining it, of expanding it, 41:05 it is high too 41:07 because all the equipment is bought 41:11 from the manufacturers of the world level 41:16 because they don't produce it locally. 41:21 So our big need 41:25 is satellite fee every month. 41:29 Well, it is for two Russian satellites. 41:33 Do you want me to give them the numbers? 41:36 You can or not. 41:38 There's a number of things to go through. 41:39 Yeah. 41:40 Okay, so there is satellite fee every month. 41:44 Then praise the Lord, you know all this massive production 41:48 that we do we have been doing only with one control room. 41:52 We have a big studio downstairs. 41:54 We have a small studio upstairs 41:56 and we have a studio in the big sanctuary, 41:58 but the set of the equipment is the same. 42:01 So we just carry the same equipment, 42:03 the same cameras, the same control panels 42:06 from one place to another. 42:08 Now, thank you 3ABN 42:09 that we are getting equipment for another control room. 42:15 We built it with our own hands. 42:17 We didn't hire any contractors. 42:19 We did it never stopping our production process 42:22 just in between 42:25 and we need 42:29 quite a bit of money to finish it. 42:31 So there's still need to finish it 42:34 from the point of view of equipment, 42:36 so we need more equipment about the same amount 42:39 as we have already got from you. 42:42 And then our big dream is to have an LED panel. 42:48 LED panel makes such a big difference 42:51 because you don't have to construct the sets 42:54 because it shows a picture. 42:58 Then the sets become very diverse 43:00 because it's all done on a computer. 43:03 You don't have to remove the sets, 43:05 to put up the sets. 43:06 So our big request 43:09 to those who are able to support us now, 43:13 very big request is to participate 43:17 in an LED panel for Russia. 43:21 So for backgrounds like there are folks at camp meeting 43:24 when you see the sets, 43:27 whether it be for Christmas sets, 43:28 Thanksgiving sets, all of those, 43:30 those are no longer hand built. 43:32 We build a frame, 43:34 but then these lights behind it to put together 43:37 they're in like two-foot by two-foot squares. 43:40 When you can feed those by computer 43:44 and you can put beautiful backgrounds 43:46 without having to build and tear down 43:48 and store and bring back. 43:51 It makes a huge difference and we've been using them 43:53 for the last several years here. 43:55 And it's incredible the amount of labor 43:57 that they say they pay for themselves 43:58 just in the labor of tearing down 44:01 because we can have one beautiful set 44:04 and then within maybe 10 minutes later 44:05 if we really choose and don't worry about 44:07 what's in front so much, 44:09 we can change the background 44:10 and have something absolutely beautiful 44:12 and looking good. 44:13 I mean, you're going to look through windows 44:15 and see birds flying 44:16 and leave some of our programs doing, 44:18 those are LED lights. 44:20 I mean, it's just amazing how that works. 44:22 But we could do those enough for you 44:25 for what between $50 and $60,000 in Russia 44:28 and I mean, to me that's incredible. 44:31 So we're going to ask you, 44:33 some of you at home watching this program, 44:35 if you want to support 44:38 we're going to give you address in just a little bit 44:40 that you can send donations. 44:42 There'll be tax deductible here to 3ABN. 44:45 We forward 100% 44:47 over there in order to purchase this equipment that they need. 44:51 So not only the production equipment 44:53 but these great LED background sets. 44:56 You'll see them if you turn on Fox, 44:58 if you turn on CNN news, 45:00 or whatever now you'll see all these sets behind, 45:03 and it's no longer building. 45:05 These are all beautifully done 45:06 and, I mean, work digitally with the computers 45:09 and, I mean, it's really amazing. 45:11 So what we'd like for you to do is pray 45:14 and ask the Holy Spirit what he would have you to do. 45:16 There may be somebody there who can give the whole $50,000. 45:19 Some of you might give $100,000, 45:21 some may give $10. 45:22 You may give $20 45:24 because we have the continual 40 plus thousand 45:27 or so a month to keep the Russia going, 45:31 the 3ABN Russia there 45:33 as well as the growth of constantly growing 45:37 and reaching out to more and more people. 45:38 So it's tremendous amounts of money 45:41 but you through the Holy Spirit 45:43 you have provided it all of these years. 45:45 But in these particular things the sets, 45:48 we really want to get those going 45:49 and they'll pay for themselves in labor cost alone. 45:53 And I think it'd be great as far 45:55 as when cable stations in Russia 45:57 see the sets and see the quality that you have, 46:01 their eyes are drawn to that 46:02 even maybe before the content and say, 46:04 "Wow, this looks like a really professional setup." 46:07 And it is by the way. 46:08 Yes, yes. 46:09 And so if you are impressed by the Holy Spirit 46:13 to send something in support of 3ABN Russia, 46:17 you can get a free gift of a Russian keychain, 46:20 Russian doll keychain. 46:22 And for gift of any size donation 46:25 of any size, 46:26 you get the keychain 46:27 sent to you in this pretty little Russian bag. 46:31 It is, and so if you call 46:34 (618) 627-4651 46:38 during non-Sabbath hours, 46:41 and just call in anytime between Monday and Thursday. 46:45 Right. Yeah. 46:47 When we look at the world, 46:49 and there's so much problems right now, 46:51 nation against nation, 46:52 you know, and people against people, 46:55 even within our own countries. 46:56 But when we look at that, 46:58 we realize we're still all just one. 47:01 We're brothers and sisters, you know, that are here by... 47:05 God created us in His image and the devil has separated us 47:09 in so many areas, but you know what? 47:12 Jesus brings us back together 47:14 so to much is given much is required. 47:17 If God has blessed you 47:18 and you can support 3ABN Russia, 47:21 then please do so. 47:23 And so, to me, Yvonne, 47:27 I've never ceased to be amazed 47:29 that year after year 3ABN Russia, 47:32 whether it's Australia, 47:33 whether it's New Guinea or Philippines 47:34 or wherever we're working, 47:36 God somehow provides through these people. 47:39 So we don't beg 47:41 and we don't have these begging tongs 47:42 but we let people know the needs 47:44 and then they're able to let the Holy Spirit tell them 47:47 what they should give and what they should do. 47:50 So I'm saying this today confidently knowing 47:54 that God's going to supply there His needs, 47:57 our needs, 3ABN Russia's needs through you 48:00 and through each of us. 48:02 We support too. 48:03 Yvonne and me, we support. 48:04 We don't just talk about it. 48:06 We make sure we give to projects 48:08 around the world that 3ABN's involved with 48:11 and we give to projects we're not involved with it, 48:13 to other ministries, actually, are doing 48:15 because we're all in this together 48:17 and that's to get the undiluted three angels' messages, 48:20 one that would counteract the counterfeit 48:22 into all the world. 48:23 Julia, we have a few more minutes. 48:25 Maybe we'll give you a little bit of time 48:27 to talk to the folk at home or say 48:28 whatever is on your heart here. 48:31 You know what has been on my heart recently. 48:34 The Lord allows the whole world 48:38 to understand more and more how deteriorating it is. 48:44 It now as Greg says, 48:45 in an open to our flagship program, 48:49 that we are living in unprecedented times, 48:53 which is true 48:55 and more and more people realize 48:58 how bad things are 48:59 and how still worse and worse they become. 49:03 At the same time, I didn't know, 49:05 I believe that it is a keen observation 49:07 that God's people are protected from everywhere. 49:12 And all those signs of end times 49:14 that are mentioned in Matthew 24, in Luke 21, 49:19 those signs concerning 49:20 God's people are not fulfilling yet. 49:23 We are not being put into jail. 49:25 We are not persecuted. 49:27 We are not betrayed by our close ones. 49:30 And this tells me that the Lord shows the world 49:33 how worse and worse it becomes. 49:35 People realize they need in God more and more, 49:39 and God protect His people to satisfy 49:42 the hunger and thirst of the world in Him, 49:47 in Himself. 49:48 This is why we're under His divine protection 49:51 and are just... 49:53 We have broad opportunities now. 49:56 So this is my thought that isn't it amazing 50:02 while everything else is falling apart, 50:04 becomes just, you know, more strange, 50:08 more difficult to put up 50:12 with in so many ways. 50:14 When you watch mass media, 50:16 when you think about your children 50:18 and about your grandchildren 50:19 and at the same time, 50:20 the Lord protects His people to go ahead 50:23 and to bring His message to the world. 50:26 That's why it's so important to stick to the Word of God 50:28 and not be blown by every wind of doctrine 50:31 because right now, the devil has gotten so bold. 50:35 He's shown himself to the whole world. 50:37 Thing that's happening every day 50:39 and you're watching on TV, 50:40 I don't care if it's the news. 50:41 I don't care if it's TV programs. 50:43 If you hear all the politicians on either side of the aisle, 50:47 things are like you say... 50:48 I must be what you say the other night is like 50:50 twilight zone or something. 50:52 Yeah, you feel like you're in the twilight zone. 50:54 Yeah, some of the stuff that's been said and done 50:56 and we're not going to it. 50:57 We're just saying there in general. 50:59 The devil is bold. You know why? 51:01 Because so many of us 51:02 are not studying the Word of God. 51:04 We're not sticking to the principles. 51:05 That's why it says, "Study to show thyself 51:08 approved unto God," 51:09 because we have to know 51:11 that where we stand to be on the side of God 51:15 and we can't just be blown by every wind of doctrine. 51:17 And that's why 3ABN radio, television, internet, 51:21 all around the world, Russia, 51:23 you know, all of the channels that we have 51:26 and all of our networks and literally right now 51:29 we have an opportunity 51:30 to do more than we've ever done before 51:31 because everybody is looking for something solid, 51:35 something that makes sense, because there's so much chaos. 51:38 There's so much unrest, 51:40 and they're looking to find peace. 51:42 Everybody wants to find peace and happiness. 51:44 Well, guess what? 51:45 You're only going to do it 51:47 through the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 51:48 So that's why we thank you so much 51:51 for your support 51:52 because we can continue to give the same message 51:54 that we've always given. 51:56 The world can go here, can go there, 51:58 all around but you know what? 51:59 The message is, Jesus loves us. 52:01 He died for us. 52:02 He made a plan of salvation for us. 52:04 He's coming back very soon in the clouds of glory. 52:07 And all we have to do 52:08 is claim the free gift of salvation, 52:10 confess our sins, He's faithful 52:12 and just to forgive us from our sins, 52:14 cleanse us from all unrighteousness 52:16 and then go and tell what He's done for us. 52:18 Our own personal testimonies 52:20 are greatest asset that we have. 52:22 That's all we need to have, and God will do the rest. 52:25 So on that I'm going to quit preaching 52:27 because our time is just about gone. 52:30 But, Julia, what an opportunities 52:32 to work together so we want you... 52:34 We're going to go to a newsbreak 52:37 and then maybe an address role 52:38 because we definitely want to get the address 52:40 and how you can support 52:42 in this particular project 3ABN Russia. 52:46 If the Holy Spirit impresses you 52:48 to support 3ABN's worldwide ministry, 52:51 you can do so in a variety of ways. 52:53 You can write to 3ABN, PO Box 220, 52:57 West Frankfort, Illinois 62896. 53:00 Again, that's 3ABN PO Box 220, 53:04 West Frankfort, Illinois 62896. 53:08 You can call us at (618) 627-4651. 53:12 That's (618) 627-4651. 53:16 You can also visit us online for live programs, 53:19 schedules and more at 3abn.tv 53:24 That's 3abn.tv |
Revised 2021-12-09