The Gospel for Every Person in Eurasia with Ruslan Zagidulin

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson sits with Ruslan Zagidulin, a Lausanne Regional Director for Eurasia, to explore the region's dynamic and complex spiritual landscape. From his personal story of faith—growing up in an interethnic Soviet family—to the unique challenges and opportunities for the church in Eurasia today, Ruslan provides deep insights into the region’s identity, mission work, and the next generation’s role in shaping the future.

If this conversation inspired you, take a moment to subscribe to the podcast, share this episode with a friend, and pray for the church in Eurasia. Want to get involved? Connect with Ruslan on social media and learn more about the work being done in the region.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Connect with Ruslan on Instagram - ruslan.learns (https://www.instagram.com/ruslan.learns/?hl=en)
• Learn more about the Lausanne Eurasia Region: https://lausanne.org/network/eurasia
• Find the Eurasia Regional Report: https://lausanne.org/report/eurasia

Guest Bio:

Ruslan Zagidulin was born and raised in an interethnic Soviet family in Kyrgyzstan. At 17, he converted to Evangelical Christianity. He graduated from Kyrgyz Technical University in 1998, majoring in cybernetics and engineering, then earned another bachelor’s degree in Christian Education from Bishkek Bible School in 2006. In 2013 he earned a master of theology degree specializing in Biblical Studies and Contextual Missiology. Ruslan is passionate about Intergenerational Leadership and Contextual Missiology, and is currently working on a PhD in Missiology at the International Baptist Theological Study Center at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Ruslan serves the Lausanne Movement as the Eurasian Regional Co-Director. He is married to Elena, and they have four sons: Roma, David, Robert, and Nathanael.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
.8259648506In our time, Gen Zs, they are not much interested in doctrines. 2 00:00:05,430.0011457939 --> 00:00:07,670.001145794 They are more interested in how you live. 3 00:00:08,440.0011457939 --> 00:00:10,720.001145794 they want to spend time together with you. 4 00:00:11,130.000145794 --> 00:00:23,420.001145794 And then when they realize that you are the authoritative person, they can ask you"Why do you live the way you live? And there was indication in words, I'm so happy that I was suffered for Jesus. 5 00:00:23,800.001145794 --> 00:00:25,150.001145794 I was beaten for Jesus. 6 00:00:25,170.001145794 --> 00:00:25,790.000145794 I am so happy. 7 00:00:25,820.000145794 --> 00:00:30,170.001145794 And was like, how can it be? People were so happy to be suffering. 8 00:00:32,745.876877666 --> 00:00:40,995.876877666 A very warm welcome to the Lausanne Movement podcast for those who have a passion to accelerate global mission together. 9 00:00:41,223.14978341 --> 00:00:54,913.15078341 My name is Jason Watson, and today we have an incredible conversation lined up for you with Ruzlan Zagadoulin, the Lausanne Regional Director for Eurasia, who shares personal insights into the realities facing the Eurasian church. 10 00:00:55,146.950468729 --> 00:01:12,246.950468729 During our time together, Ruslan shares his powerful journey of coming to Christ in a post Soviet country, the challenges the evangelical church face in Eurasia, and how he believes the next generation is the key to reshaping mission and ministry within the region. 11 00:01:12,587.913878464 --> 00:01:24,817.913878464 So if you're keen to learn more about Eurasia and how God is at work in the region, I want to invite you to grab your headphones and let's dive into today's interview with Ruslan Zagadulin. 12 00:01:27,167.596093235 --> 00:01:28,787.596093235 Ruslan, welcome to the podcast. 13 00:01:28,837.596093235 --> 00:01:29,977.596093235 It's great to have you with us. 14 00:01:30,510.262759901 --> 00:01:31,410.262759901 Hello everybody. 15 00:01:31,990.262759901 --> 00:01:34,707.596093235 I'm so happy to be with you, Watson, Wonderful. 16 00:01:34,727.596093235 --> 00:01:41,30.11750362 So Ruslan, I love to kick the interviews off by just getting into the backstory of those we're interviewing. 17 00:01:41,520.11750362 --> 00:01:44,280.11750362 And you have a very unique journey. 18 00:01:44,310.11750362 --> 00:01:45,380.11650362 You grew up in. 19 00:01:45,755.11750362 --> 00:01:51,805.11750362 Into with an inter ethnic Soviet family in Kyrgyzstan and became a follower of Christ in your late teens. 20 00:01:51,805.11750362 --> 00:01:55,765.11750362 And so I would love for you just to, to take us into that story. 21 00:01:56,68.19707062 --> 00:02:04,895.86473728 can you take us into that moment where you gave your life to Jesus? What led you to follow Jesus Christ? Yeah, that's the most interesting story in my life. 22 00:02:05,645.86473728 --> 00:02:07,195.86473728 And yeah, you're right. 23 00:02:07,245.86473728 --> 00:02:10,595.86473728 I'm, I'm born in very typical Soviet family. 24 00:02:10,681.40146175 --> 00:02:12,762.23462786 from my mother's Russian. 25 00:02:13,577.23462786 --> 00:02:17,187.23462786 means I supposed to be Orthodox Christian from my father's side. 26 00:02:17,247.23462786 --> 00:02:20,597.23462786 I'm Tatar and I supposed to be a Muslim. 27 00:02:20,977.23462786 --> 00:02:26,37.23362786 In the Soviet time, that wasn't a problem because everybody was like communists or Soviet people. 28 00:02:26,47.23362786 --> 00:02:30,437.23362786 But when I became a teenager, Soviet Union fell apart. 29 00:02:30,477.23462786 --> 00:02:34,677.23462786 And the question of identity was. 30 00:02:34,977.23462786 --> 00:02:35,917.23462786 Very crucial. 31 00:02:36,367.23462786 --> 00:02:40,167.23462786 And especially when you're a teenager, identity question is a really cool. 32 00:02:41,47.23462786 --> 00:02:46,440.19617718 But the religion portion of that was Hmm. 33 00:02:46,786.29617718 --> 00:02:56,368.0286301 should decide should I be a Christian now or should I be a Muslim now and I had this position or situation of choice. 34 00:02:56,768.0286301 --> 00:03:00,898.0286301 So actually I became an atheist when I was in school. 35 00:03:00,928.0286301 --> 00:03:09,98.0286301 So I decided to be atheist because I didn't like the situation when the leaders of the different religions put people in the conflict. 36 00:03:10,248.0286301 --> 00:03:16,593.0286301 But what's happened with my, one of my closest friends, He became a Christian. 37 00:03:16,733.0286301 --> 00:03:24,428.15183396 He started to, he was watching some broadcast on TV and, decided to follow Jesus, I was like crazy. 38 00:03:25,878.15183396 --> 00:03:28,704.81850062 a was a little bit angry about that. 39 00:03:29,834.81850062 --> 00:03:37,444.81850062 And his name, Eugene, he was at the some moment, moment said that he are not going to leave the same way he was living. 40 00:03:37,584.81850062 --> 00:03:42,184.81850062 And I was like, another one, signed in the world. 41 00:03:42,949.81850062 --> 00:03:49,609.81850062 what's happening after, after that, his life was really, really influenced or impact on me. 42 00:03:49,879.81850062 --> 00:03:54,89.81850062 He lived a completely different life and I was really surprised. 43 00:03:55,189.81850062 --> 00:03:59,569.81850062 And even I was in conflict with him. 44 00:04:00,239.81850062 --> 00:04:03,639.81750062 He was very calm, didn't afraid me. 45 00:04:03,859.81850062 --> 00:04:07,399.81850062 He was very calm and trying to be very polite. 46 00:04:07,449.81850062 --> 00:04:12,39.81850062 I was like, why, what's happening? So when at some point. 47 00:04:12,699.46931711 --> 00:04:23,137.15225474 when I was at home, I took this, um, uh, little book where the cartoons, it was like, life of Jesus and the story of the first church. 48 00:04:23,567.15125474 --> 00:04:31,507.15225474 And I just opened it in the one randomly in the one page, and there was a picture of some guys who were very shouting, very happy. 49 00:04:31,697.15225474 --> 00:04:36,117.15225474 And there was indication in words, I'm so happy that I was suffered for Jesus. 50 00:04:36,497.15225474 --> 00:04:37,847.15225474 I was beaten for Jesus. 51 00:04:37,867.15225474 --> 00:04:38,487.15125474 I am so happy. 52 00:04:38,517.15125474 --> 00:04:42,882.62675775 And was like, how can it be? People were so happy to be suffering. 53 00:04:43,362.34349278 --> 00:04:46,302.34349278 And I was like, very interested in the follow the pages. 54 00:04:46,302.34349278 --> 00:04:54,761.5523928 And I found out the person with the name Saul, he was supporting the, uh, the killing on the first martyr, Stefan. 55 00:04:55,430.69342542 --> 00:05:00,710.69242542 And I was felt that I'm in the same situation as this guy, Saul. 56 00:05:01,530.69242542 --> 00:05:06,650.69242542 then I saw the story with him, how he encountered Jesus. 57 00:05:07,440.69342542 --> 00:05:09,390.69342542 And it was an aha moment for me. 58 00:05:09,710.69342542 --> 00:05:15,260.69342542 So being in my apartment, I was like, now I see I'm not against Christians. 59 00:05:15,300.69342542 --> 00:05:20,0.69242542 Actually, I'm actually against those who are behind them. 60 00:05:21,0.69242542 --> 00:05:24,726.72248719 And I was, that was, Really interesting moment. 61 00:05:24,806.72248719 --> 00:05:29,16.72248719 I didn't know how to connect to him, how to address to him. 62 00:05:29,506.72248719 --> 00:05:34,655.49768747 And I was like, uh, fell on my knees and, ask if you exist. 63 00:05:34,955.49868747 --> 00:05:36,45.49868747 I believe you exist. 64 00:05:36,55.49868747 --> 00:05:36,725.49818747 Forgive me. 65 00:05:36,725.49818747 --> 00:05:37,705.49868747 That was mistake. 66 00:05:37,705.49868747 --> 00:05:40,565.49768747 I didn't want to make a kind of problems with you. 67 00:05:41,45.49868747 --> 00:05:41,865.49868747 Please forgive me. 68 00:05:41,885.49868747 --> 00:05:49,120.49868747 So I came back to my friend who became a Christian and ask him, you didn't forgive me for, uh, All that stuff I did for you. 69 00:05:49,460.49868747 --> 00:05:56,520.49868747 And he was saying at the very important, he was saying, knew from very beginning, it's not you, it's a Saturn behind you. 70 00:05:56,520.49868747 --> 00:05:57,760.49868747 And I was like, mom. 71 00:05:58,760.49868747 --> 00:06:04,660.49768747 Jesus behind him and Saturn behind me, I was really shocked in that moment. 72 00:06:04,660.49768747 --> 00:06:06,90.49868747 And he was like, I knew that. 73 00:06:06,90.49868747 --> 00:06:08,270.49868747 And that's a reason I prayed for you. 74 00:06:08,280.49868747 --> 00:06:12,30.49868747 So decided to attend the same church he attended. 75 00:06:12,170.49868747 --> 00:06:16,30.49868747 And from that time and seven teams, I a Christian. 76 00:06:16,505.49868747 --> 00:06:21,825.49868747 And never, never, would say disappointed with making this decision. 77 00:06:21,835.49868747 --> 00:06:24,845.49868747 I'm really happy to be with him, not in the conflict with him. 78 00:06:25,805.49868747 --> 00:06:28,145.49868747 That's a really good in my life. 79 00:06:28,155.49868747 --> 00:06:29,815.49868747 The best decision in my life. 80 00:06:30,169.49868747 --> 00:06:31,779.49868747 Rosanne, thank you for sharing that. 81 00:06:31,922.8320208 --> 00:06:45,236.16485413 I love hearing the backstory and, and I'm just curious, you know, you mentioned the importance of identity and how you were struggling with that as the Soviet Union fell you have, uh, you're in an inter ethnic family. 82 00:06:45,236.16485413 --> 00:06:48,906.16535413 So you got an orthodox mother, a Muslim father. 83 00:06:48,936.16535413 --> 00:06:57,388.8320208 How did they respond to you giving your life to Christ? Well, you can imagine to be, to became an evangelical for, for both of them. 84 00:06:57,388.8320208 --> 00:07:01,548.8320208 It was like a, to be a part of, sectarian kind of society. 85 00:07:02,528.8320208 --> 00:07:05,348.8320208 uh, they were a little bit nervous in the beginning. 86 00:07:06,88.8320208 --> 00:07:08,158.8320208 again, the life was changed. 87 00:07:08,158.8320208 --> 00:07:09,848.8320208 My life was also changed. 88 00:07:10,578.8320208 --> 00:07:15,452.16535413 And they started to realize that something, something happened with me, very good. 89 00:07:15,496.16535413 --> 00:07:18,942.16535413 Mm, So that became a little bit relaxed. 90 00:07:19,372.16535413 --> 00:07:21,742.16535413 And a very important moment was in my life. 91 00:07:22,172.16435413 --> 00:07:25,912.16535413 So, from my father's side, all guys are Muslims. 92 00:07:26,247.16535413 --> 00:07:30,418.16771685 In that time, there are a little bit, there were more nominal rather than today. 93 00:07:30,418.16771685 --> 00:07:36,161.50105019 Today, there are more, like, uh, dedicated Muslims, in my, among my relatives. 94 00:07:36,161.50105019 --> 00:07:41,85.97190111 But even in that time, they were, were not happy that I became a Baptist. 95 00:07:41,905.97090111 --> 00:07:48,657.63856777 So, my cousin actually, Morkin, Me every time when we gather it together. 96 00:07:48,667.63856777 --> 00:07:50,357.63856777 And there was a really interesting story. 97 00:07:50,677.63856777 --> 00:08:01,594.30523444 So my grandmother is, oldest person in the, like in the bigger family, she had authority to make a sometimes making decision and everybody follow. 98 00:08:02,179.30523444 --> 00:08:03,219.30523444 Follow her decision. 99 00:08:03,259.30523444 --> 00:08:05,329.30523444 And there was a really interesting situation. 100 00:08:05,329.30523444 --> 00:08:14,235.97090111 So in my cousin started mocking me in front of her and she said, shut up, don't tell him any, anything. 101 00:08:14,995.97190111 --> 00:08:20,405.97190111 was so surprised because, you know, he wanted, uh, please, you're like mocking me as a Christian. 102 00:08:20,995.97190111 --> 00:08:24,395.97190111 And she said, when you will live the same life, he lives. 103 00:08:24,670.97190111 --> 00:08:26,160.97190111 Then you can say something. 104 00:08:27,300.97190111 --> 00:08:31,254.97190111 And that immediately was spread that as a news among mm. 105 00:08:31,960.97190111 --> 00:08:36,220.97190111 and the totally change your relationship or attitude to me. 106 00:08:36,600.97190111 --> 00:08:40,180.97190111 So again, I would say identity is not just a label. 107 00:08:40,320.97190111 --> 00:08:41,680.97190111 It's not just a. 108 00:08:42,430.97190111 --> 00:08:44,800.97190111 kind of passport or sign or whatever. 109 00:08:44,960.97190111 --> 00:08:47,410.97190111 It's just a way of life you live. 110 00:08:47,440.97190111 --> 00:08:57,284.30423444 So for me, realizing, what is my identity? It's actually what I'm supposed to be in this earth, in this life. 111 00:08:57,679.30523444 --> 00:09:00,372.63856777 That's was actually answer for my question. 112 00:09:00,842.63856777 --> 00:09:03,272.63856777 I'm not going to be just a Tatar. 113 00:09:03,272.63856777 --> 00:09:07,902.63856777 I'm not going to be a, just a Russian, or I'm not going to be Orthodox or even a Baptist. 114 00:09:08,242.63856777 --> 00:09:11,464.8898892 I'm going to be a follower of Jesus Wow. 115 00:09:11,562.63856777 --> 00:09:13,572.63856777 my identity response. 116 00:09:13,809.79147491 --> 00:09:14,329.79147491 Wow. 117 00:09:14,389.79147491 --> 00:09:28,210.80697162 You know, I love that challenge of, where do you draw? Like, what well are you drawing from? Where's your identity coming from and where are your roots going? and you've spoken quite a bit about some of the contextualization that happened within Eurasia. 118 00:09:28,734.24030495 --> 00:09:31,584.24030495 and I would love for us to, to dive into that a little bit more. 119 00:09:31,938.34782573 --> 00:09:36,181.68115907 we were speaking off air and you asked me what, what I thought when Eurasia came to mind. 120 00:09:36,561.68115907 --> 00:09:45,335.0134924 And I'm sure that for many of us, we have different perspectives of what Eurasia is and the people that, that are within the region and the spiritual landscape there. 121 00:09:45,805.0134924 --> 00:09:49,65.0144924 So as someone that is within the region, that is, is. 122 00:09:49,305.0144924 --> 00:09:53,305.0144924 Desiring to see the kingdom of God just expand within Eurasia. 123 00:09:53,335.0144924 --> 00:09:56,956.10363122 Can you give us a snapshot of the region? Maybe share a little bit of the history. 124 00:09:56,956.10363122 --> 00:10:01,737.89262618 We've already spoken about the Soviet Union and how that kind of shaped the way that people thought. 125 00:10:02,117.89262618 --> 00:10:05,372.22595952 But what is happening in the church in your region? fantastic. 126 00:10:05,712.22595952 --> 00:10:12,222.22595952 I'm actually very happy to have this opportunity to share with the people about the region where I live, but. 127 00:10:12,702.22595952 --> 00:10:22,2.22595952 I think one of the stereotypes when people think about region is they're always diving or mostly diving in the word Soviet Union. 128 00:10:22,502.22595952 --> 00:10:27,232.22595952 So do not make equivalent Soviet Union, Eurasia. 129 00:10:27,242.22595952 --> 00:10:28,232.22595952 It's not the same. 130 00:10:28,302.22495952 --> 00:10:35,42.22595952 So when we talk about Eurasia, we're actually talking about the region, which is not Europe, which is not Asia. 131 00:10:35,372.22595952 --> 00:10:37,152.22595952 So who we are actually. 132 00:10:37,512.22595952 --> 00:10:39,648.89262618 So, that's a huge territory. 133 00:10:39,658.89262618 --> 00:10:41,108.89262618 If you will look at the map. 134 00:10:42,83.89262618 --> 00:10:51,373.89262618 And the population of that territory, it's a half of European population, almost as United States, but a little bit less. 135 00:10:51,693.89262618 --> 00:11:04,53.89162618 Can you imagine how spread the different cultures and different ethnic groups over, over Eurasia? then the Soviet time, were like leading by communist party. 136 00:11:04,73.89162618 --> 00:11:12,580.15511785 We, we had, uh, Similar, if you like, identity and, individualism was suppressed by the communist party. 137 00:11:12,580.15511785 --> 00:11:16,840.8341079 So, it wasn't a question for, to be in a society. 138 00:11:17,630.8341079 --> 00:11:27,237.50077456 do you believe? How do you, how do you live? You just to be a part of, faithful or committed part of the communism, uh, communist country. 139 00:11:28,47.49977456 --> 00:11:40,868.86679037 when, the Soviet Union fell apart, we, many of us realized that there is no Any more ideology of Soviet, or communist party, what we are going to be. 140 00:11:40,968.86679037 --> 00:11:47,938.76679037 And almost everybody, almost everybody started to think about the roots, ethnically, culturally. 141 00:11:48,298.86679037 --> 00:11:49,178.86679037 religiously. 142 00:11:50,705.53345704 --> 00:11:52,865.53345704 we realize that we are so different. 143 00:11:52,885.53345704 --> 00:11:57,865.53345704 If even we speak, still speak in, in Russian language in the many, many places. 144 00:11:58,285.53245704 --> 00:12:10,393.56373579 So we were realized we're really One of the biggest problem with the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union tried to destroy every roots. 145 00:12:10,403.56373579 --> 00:12:34,873.56373579 So if you will be asking young people in many places in, in Soviet, uh, former Soviet Union in that time, asking them about their grandparents, grand grandparents, that will be really hard to them to explain because physically the, a lot of millions people will like killed you know, And the history was like Timilish. 146 00:12:35,23.56373579 --> 00:12:39,133.56373579 The people was just follow one history was represented by Communist Party. 147 00:12:39,853.56373579 --> 00:12:49,886.89606912 now we started to discover in the 90s that we, we have a colorful, I would say so many, so much beauty we had in that, in that lens. 148 00:12:49,906.89606912 --> 00:13:03,363.97658395 We realize that even in a time of medieval, we played in Central Asia, we played a very crucial role in the trades between the, China, for example, and there was so much happening in that territory. 149 00:13:03,693.97658395 --> 00:13:11,674.43206343 We realized that Christianity in Caucasus, like in Armenia, in Georgia, was much younger than in Europe, actually. 150 00:13:12,54.43106343 --> 00:13:26,691.09873009 So we realized that, one of the northern part of Muslim country, And Bulgaria, not the Bulgarian Europe, Bulgaria, which was part of, of Russian empire later, were very educated. 151 00:13:26,771.09873009 --> 00:13:35,293.40177083 So that's a very, very broad, very colorful, very thick culturally, region, but very broad again. 152 00:13:35,613.40177083 --> 00:13:36,63.40177083 Forgive me. 153 00:13:36,423.40177083 --> 00:13:45,83.40177083 And when, when we talk about evangelical Christianity, the evangelical Christianity, probably it's just more than 100 years there. 154 00:13:45,866.16951921 --> 00:13:51,960.0684375 that was brought from Germans and primarily from Ukraine, from different parts. 155 00:13:52,670.0674375 --> 00:13:57,500.0684375 You know that? And there will still be a minority in every country. 156 00:13:57,990.0684375 --> 00:14:08,399.7073212 In every country, not only in central Asia, if we are talking about Russia or Belarus or Ukraine, are orthodox countries. 157 00:14:08,399.7083212 --> 00:14:11,469.7073212 And when we talk about evangelical, they're a real minority. 158 00:14:11,699.7083212 --> 00:14:15,49.7073212 They live in margins there. 159 00:14:15,483.64089251 --> 00:14:16,213.64089251 thanks, Ruslan. 160 00:14:16,223.64089251 --> 00:14:26,450.20102301 You know, as, as you were just sharing about the diversity and the minority that the evangelicals play and the early history, I mean, only a hundred years with, within the region. 161 00:14:26,830.20102301 --> 00:14:38,501.00041313 I could imagine with that must come quite a lot of challenges when it comes to, to sharing the faith, in terms of sharing genuine, like, Like you were describing earlier about this desire just to follow Jesus. 162 00:14:39,11.00041313 --> 00:14:49,650.99941313 could you unpack some of the challenges that of being faced within the region, realize we're talking about something that is very broad, but then also maybe some of the opportunities that you see for the kingdom of God in Eurasia. 163 00:14:50,312.00041313 --> 00:14:58,468.6670798 let me start from the, um, information, maybe a snapshot, how the mission were developed in the last three decades here in the region. 164 00:14:58,898.6670798 --> 00:15:07,78.6670798 So people outside of the region, primarily from the Western country, think about the region from the perspective or from the one calls Moscow. 165 00:15:08,8.6670798 --> 00:15:14,823.6670798 So everybody outside of the region think that Everything in the region could be resolved from Moscow. 166 00:15:15,323.6670798 --> 00:15:22,313.6670798 So a lot of mission, a lot of mission agencies started their work for the old region from Moscow, like in the 90s. 167 00:15:23,383.6670798 --> 00:15:31,995.55510895 But then they realized there is another very good place in the region, for several different offices is, is Ukraine. 168 00:15:33,165.55610895 --> 00:15:51,292.694215 And say a decade ago, we would say that a lot of missionaries, a lot of, work was done through Ukraine and different organizations work Now with the whole situation with the war, in a very difficult situation. 169 00:15:51,322.693215 --> 00:15:56,157.694215 I mean, Ukraine is not much involved in the region now. 170 00:15:56,547.694215 --> 00:15:58,137.694215 It's very understandable. 171 00:15:58,587.694215 --> 00:16:18,107.694215 They are more interested or can work primarily for their own country in the very, very, I don't, I don't have a, even have a word to explain or describe what kind of suffering that, They're experiencing, but a little bit with the Eastern Europe and maybe in Europe, they're more involved now. 172 00:16:18,117.694215 --> 00:16:38,54.29885176 So, a lot of work was cut off because of the war and that's us to the biggest challenge for that is how we can develop Our mission work here how we can work directly with, mission or global mission agencies. 173 00:16:38,94.29885176 --> 00:16:39,847.63218509 That's a one of the issue. 174 00:16:40,347.6321851 --> 00:16:49,497.6311851 Another issue, it's a leadership or social structure within the churches who were established by those who grew up in the Soviet time and you. 175 00:16:50,142.6321851 --> 00:16:57,705.9645184 probably can understand, from the books, from history, the leadership within the, this kind of mindset. 176 00:16:57,745.9655184 --> 00:17:12,232.6321851 It's a very strict hierarchical, very dictator, dictator kind of, you know, for younger generation to find themselves in, Celebrating diversity, celebrating differences. 177 00:17:12,442.6321851 --> 00:17:19,385.9655184 It's really hard to find themselves to be, fit to, to all this kind of, social structure within the churches. 178 00:17:19,705.9655184 --> 00:17:35,12.6321851 So, we now experiencing kind of, of, stagnation, but probably crisis passing the baton from the older, older leadership to the younger leadership, because they're thinking and see the world differently. 179 00:17:35,362.6321851 --> 00:17:49,633.3393442 I use the image of the passing the baton when the oldest generation, with a stick running or chasing the younger generation, trying to bat the baton and the younger generation cannot understand what's going on. 180 00:17:49,643.3383442 --> 00:18:00,33.3393442 Why the older guy with a stick is, is want to punch me or what, you know, because they don't want to run in this They have a different race. 181 00:18:00,53.3393442 --> 00:18:03,193.3393442 They have probably different game games. 182 00:18:03,193.3393442 --> 00:18:03,863.3393442 If you like. 183 00:18:04,268.3393442 --> 00:18:11,728.9412673 And there is a crisis, as I see in many, many places, ministries, churches, are crying. 184 00:18:11,848.9412673 --> 00:18:14,358.9412673 I mean, all the, all the generation are crying. 185 00:18:14,368.9412673 --> 00:18:16,552.2933615 We don't have a leadership at the moment. 186 00:18:17,322.2923615 --> 00:18:36,547.1933615 So that came from, Kind of, uh, heritage or background of the, or influence or impact of Soviet mentality, which is not applicable for, or applied for, for contemporary reality in the different places in Eurasia. 187 00:18:36,697.2933615 --> 00:18:40,27.2933615 Probably that's a biggest challenge at the moment. 188 00:18:40,57.2933615 --> 00:18:54,327.0160642 Of course, there is a lot of places like, in Central Asia and caucuses where the church is under persecution and, and suffering a lot of restriction with the religious law, not only in Central Asia or also in Russia. 189 00:18:54,357.0160642 --> 00:19:01,317.0160642 In in Belarus you can imagine that there are not much opportunities, but there is a lot of creativity, so. 190 00:19:01,632.0160642 --> 00:19:03,92.0160642 Jump into opportunities. 191 00:19:04,232.0160642 --> 00:19:09,522.0160642 So that's younger generation or Gen Z in this region. 192 00:19:09,642.0160642 --> 00:19:14,361.0170642 That's a hope for the old region that brings the gospel to this Hmm. 193 00:19:14,472.0155642 --> 00:19:17,145.3483975 corner, because they have, a creativity. 194 00:19:17,155.3483975 --> 00:19:19,995.3483975 They have a completely different mindset. 195 00:19:20,45.3483975 --> 00:19:22,25.3483975 They don't need the kind of structure. 196 00:19:22,335.3483975 --> 00:19:26,325.3483975 They don't need kind of permission or kind of bishop to do something. 197 00:19:26,335.3483975 --> 00:19:28,955.2493975 They just see the opportunity, start to do it. 198 00:19:30,465.3493975 --> 00:19:40,555.3493975 So what I see at the moment, the discontinuity with the structurally churches and the different initiatives, it's happening with the younger generation. 199 00:19:41,465.3483975 --> 00:19:42,645.3493975 me give me an example. 200 00:19:43,142.8482525 --> 00:19:46,788.4707251 during the COVID, because of the restrictions. 201 00:19:47,528.4707251 --> 00:19:54,90.6572848 All around the world, not only in our region, all these people weren't able to go outside of their apartments. 202 00:19:54,120.6572848 --> 00:19:57,250.6572848 And sometimes they need to buy something in the grocery store. 203 00:19:58,430.6562848 --> 00:20:03,0.6572848 if you are alone, you don't have relatives who do that, so you are locked. 204 00:20:03,10.6562848 --> 00:20:14,102.5310715 So in our church, young people, they realize if we will not go, will go for this, single, how would say, lone old people. 205 00:20:14,842.5310715 --> 00:20:16,752.5310715 So they start to help them. 206 00:20:17,172.5310715 --> 00:20:25,242.5300715 And they realized that these old people friends who doesn't have outside, who are not part of the church. 207 00:20:25,252.5310715 --> 00:20:30,202.5310715 They have friends, old people have friends who doesn't have relatives who can help them. 208 00:20:30,212.5310715 --> 00:20:32,202.5310715 So they started to help another people. 209 00:20:32,492.5310715 --> 00:20:33,52.5310715 So. 210 00:20:33,762.5310715 --> 00:20:41,711.5300715 In other words, there's a new ministry, just merch without, without any kind of strategic plan, Hmm. 211 00:20:41,842.5310715 --> 00:20:44,542.5310715 uh, recommendations and so on and so forth. 212 00:20:44,572.5310715 --> 00:20:46,762.5310715 And they continue to work up to now. 213 00:20:47,842.5310715 --> 00:20:53,748.8384519 helping the old people and people who are in need in, in our city. 214 00:20:54,168.8384519 --> 00:20:55,758.8384519 So it's just one example. 215 00:20:55,758.8384519 --> 00:20:59,675.5051185 And these exam such examples, we have a lot in, Eurasia. 216 00:21:00,132.1299939 --> 00:21:05,112.1299939 let's dive into this conversation around Gen Z because it's a passion that both of us share. 217 00:21:05,532.1299939 --> 00:21:23,201.8714442 And I think, I think it's pivotal, you know, because That image you gave, I loved it, of the older generation trying to pass the baton to the next generation, but the next generation saying, whoa, what are you doing? like, that doesn't sound like just a Eurasia situation. 218 00:21:23,451.8724442 --> 00:21:28,731.8714442 That same situation is true for me here in South Africa, as it is in North America. 219 00:21:28,731.8714442 --> 00:21:30,651.7714442 And there seems to be. 220 00:21:30,801.8714442 --> 00:21:35,21.8714442 In some cases, like a dissonance between the older generation and the younger generation. 221 00:21:35,21.8714442 --> 00:21:45,825.2047776 And so I'd be curious to hear from you, what you as, as all the leaders are doing to try and bridge that gap so that there isn't that disconnect between the older and the younger. 222 00:21:46,237.5634775 --> 00:22:03,311.8968108 do you have anything to share on that? when we talk about how to support and equip younger generation, we immediately fall in, uh, and go in our understanding of what does it mean to be supportive, right? Because we immediately start to comparison younger generation with our young age. 223 00:22:03,481.8968108 --> 00:22:10,511.8968108 So in that time, we probably need to some very strong leader with a different connections. 224 00:22:10,961.8968108 --> 00:22:14,611.8968108 Um, we need kind of permission and so on and so forth. 225 00:22:15,301.8968108 --> 00:22:26,162.3881567 As I see now, what is really needed for Gen Z is a authentic that people will be sure that when you have relationships. 226 00:22:26,917.3891567 --> 00:22:31,717.3891567 or relationship with a particular young person with teenager. 227 00:22:32,27.3891567 --> 00:22:36,887.3881567 There is no hiding stuff behind you that you just want to use them. 228 00:22:37,587.3891567 --> 00:22:46,27.2891567 That's a biggest need for younger generation to make sure that you have a friendship, that you are not going to use. 229 00:22:47,507.3891567 --> 00:22:51,287.3891567 So, from that perspective, I think that the answer is very simple. 230 00:22:52,387.3891567 --> 00:22:56,287.3891567 Be who you are, not trying to be a perfect leader. 231 00:22:57,167.3891567 --> 00:22:58,797.3891567 Be honest with them. 232 00:22:59,247.3891567 --> 00:23:01,507.3891567 They can forgive everything, almost everything. 233 00:23:01,517.3891567 --> 00:23:04,707.3891567 That's the generation now can forgive everything. 234 00:23:05,867.3891567 --> 00:23:16,642.7120337 That wasn't in my, in my, when I was young, that you try to be a perfect, you're trying to represent you, you're better than you are, but now it's not, it's not big deal for them. 235 00:23:16,662.7130337 --> 00:23:24,512.7120337 It's a more important that you can spend time with them, that you can laugh in with them, that you can eat with them, that you can, you know, be relaxable. 236 00:23:25,182.7130337 --> 00:23:26,672.7130337 Even you have a problems. 237 00:23:27,422.7130337 --> 00:23:30,542.7130337 then you can say, of course, I was mistaken. 238 00:23:30,572.7130337 --> 00:23:34,152.7130337 If you can recognize your mistake, then you will have more authority. 239 00:23:34,922.7130337 --> 00:23:45,376.0994439 So, think for all the generation who work within the region and also who work outside of the region and are trying to find some younger leaders. 240 00:23:45,846.1994439 --> 00:23:49,546.1994439 Here, just invest time to be with them. 241 00:23:49,806.1994439 --> 00:23:52,586.1994439 It's not about just like make a good business. 242 00:23:52,846.1994439 --> 00:23:56,576.1984439 We have, effort, we have some materials, we have resources. 243 00:23:56,576.1994439 --> 00:24:02,206.1994439 Could you be a part of our organization? Could you be a part of our mission? It doesn't work anymore. 244 00:24:02,566.1994439 --> 00:24:03,836.1994439 Just go and be a friend. 245 00:24:04,586.1994439 --> 00:24:17,489.5327772 with them, go into some, in some place, just spend time, tell them about your family, share with them, with your needs and be open to, prayerfully support them, something like that. 246 00:24:17,539.5327772 --> 00:24:21,229.5327772 And then you can realize that you have something in common. 247 00:24:22,229.5327772 --> 00:24:29,240.8656298 I really like to everybody to understand that God gave, uh, Or give vision not only for older generation. 248 00:24:29,690.8656298 --> 00:24:32,650.8656298 Here also give a vision for younger generation. 249 00:24:33,0.8656298 --> 00:24:36,470.8656298 It doesn't mean then the younger generation comes to the stage. 250 00:24:36,480.8656298 --> 00:24:40,460.8656298 Now the oldest, older generation should disappear. 251 00:24:40,580.8656298 --> 00:24:42,100.8646298 And vision is not relevant. 252 00:24:42,260.8656298 --> 00:24:42,650.8656298 No. 253 00:24:43,130.8646298 --> 00:24:45,500.8646298 That's the kind of different pieces of the puzzle. 254 00:24:45,510.8656298 --> 00:24:51,214.1989631 We need, we should spend time just, you know, to find the way how we can work together. 255 00:24:51,384.1989631 --> 00:24:52,404.0989631 That's the biggest challenge. 256 00:24:52,704.1989631 --> 00:24:58,498.721945 Need, as I see now, among young people here in Russia, probably all around the world. 257 00:24:59,44.3886117 --> 00:25:04,389.3886117 And how are you seeing Gen Z's come to faith? in Eurasia, in your context. 258 00:25:04,443.6944548 --> 00:25:08,513.6944548 it seems like God is doing and he is stirring up a generation. 259 00:25:08,963.6934548 --> 00:25:12,203.6934548 And I'd be curious to hear how that's playing out within your context. 260 00:25:12,623.3308184 --> 00:25:25,517.6867996 I was in the one conference and Pastor Ho from Singapore was sharing the difference how Gen Z receiving the Christ Words like my age people received Christ in that time. 261 00:25:26,497.6867996 --> 00:25:32,267.6750242 And what he's sharing is so resonating to me and realizing and follow this, diagram or picture. 262 00:25:32,606.0083576 --> 00:25:36,886.0083576 In our time, we need to convict people in some truth. 263 00:25:37,116.0083576 --> 00:25:39,996.0083576 So you're trying to explain who Jesus is. 264 00:25:40,416.0083576 --> 00:25:43,286.0083576 You're trying to explain that Jesus is son of God. 265 00:25:43,336.0083576 --> 00:25:51,726.0083576 He was dying for your sins and you are sinner and you should repent and receive Christ and you're done. 266 00:25:51,826.0073576 --> 00:25:53,86.0083576 You can follow Jesus. 267 00:25:53,961.0083576 --> 00:25:59,771.8301751 In our time, Gen Zs, they are not much interested in, in doctrines. 268 00:26:00,251.9231846 --> 00:26:02,491.9231846 They are more interested in how you live. 269 00:26:03,261.9231846 --> 00:26:05,541.9231846 they want to spend time together with you. 270 00:26:05,951.9221846 --> 00:26:25,491.9231846 And then when they realize that you are the authoritative person, they can ask you"Why do you live the way you live? So, answering your question, I don't think that apologetics now should be like a very, sophisticated, very evident or colorful. 271 00:26:26,215.2565179 --> 00:26:30,975.2555179 It should be authentic in terms of, uh, should be relevant to your life. 272 00:26:31,175.2565179 --> 00:26:37,95.2565179 So, if you can explain everything, but you don't believe in Jesus in daily life, it doesn't make sense. 273 00:26:38,250.2565179 --> 00:26:42,560.2565179 I should follow Jesus, it doesn't, which is, doesn't work for you and for your life. 274 00:26:42,970.2565179 --> 00:26:58,434.9104325 But if they're young person to see, and I give you example, one of the, our, our church, uh, disciple, was in a, teenage, like she was like 16 or 17 year old, and she was like visiting our house. 275 00:26:59,289.9104325 --> 00:27:00,589.9104325 And spending time with us. 276 00:27:00,949.9104325 --> 00:27:02,729.9104325 At the beginning we were a little bit scared. 277 00:27:02,759.9104325 --> 00:27:11,69.9094325 Can you imagine young person just came to your house and just sitting in sofa when you're doing your stuff for couple hours. 278 00:27:11,829.9104325 --> 00:27:14,959.9104325 It was like a spire, you know, just watching what's going on. 279 00:27:15,169.9104325 --> 00:27:17,549.9104325 And she was inspired because she was curious. 280 00:27:17,899.9104325 --> 00:27:25,319.9104325 Well, how relate this old religious stuff to their daily life? So after that, she became a follower of Jesus. 281 00:27:25,329.9094325 --> 00:27:27,195.652478 She decided to live the same, Wow. 282 00:27:27,301.652478 --> 00:27:36,532.1070235 So that's way how the younger generation now, Follow Jesus, they follow the example and it's relate to what we're reading scriptures. 283 00:27:36,912.1070235 --> 00:27:44,360.4236459 So when Paul, for example, say, trust to Jesus as I trust or trust me as I trust to Jesus or something like that. 284 00:27:44,650.4226459 --> 00:27:53,660.4236459 If you remember that passage, I do not remember how it's written in English, but the main, the main idea itself, if you can follow how Christ. 285 00:27:54,2.0903125 --> 00:27:57,872.0903125 Flourishing in some life, you can follow them to Christ by yourself. 286 00:27:58,122.0903125 --> 00:27:58,966.0893125 That's the Yeah. 287 00:27:59,32.0903125 --> 00:28:02,549.6416617 it works here Eurasia, or at least in Central Asia, as I see. 288 00:28:03,95.3083284 --> 00:28:03,305.3083284 Yeah. 289 00:28:03,335.3083284 --> 00:28:13,555.3083284 Rulan, you know, the, the image that, that I'm getting as we, as you were just sharing about, reaching the next generation is, is Jesus invited the disciples to follow him. 290 00:28:14,305.3083284 --> 00:28:17,935.3083284 uh, he, you know, he said, Hey, come, come and see. 291 00:28:17,995.3083284 --> 00:28:19,15.3083284 Come and see how I live. 292 00:28:19,27.2134938 --> 00:28:20,77.2134938 come and see the way. 293 00:28:20,387.2134938 --> 00:28:42,17.2134938 That I'm trying to teach you to live and who I am and it was through that following and interaction with him on a daily basis that they eventually said you are the son of God and perhaps the invite for many of us is to step off the platforms, to step off the stages and and sit around tables and sit in conversations with the younger generation. 294 00:28:42,398.2124938 --> 00:28:45,958.2134938 Or, of course, you can invite some people on the stage, not be alone on the stage. 295 00:28:47,36.0468272 --> 00:28:58,468.8964683 So, so Ruslan, another, one of the challenges you mentioned had to do with the mission organizations that, that had their centers in Ukraine. 296 00:28:59,223.8964683 --> 00:29:03,93.8964683 They no longer able to do what they were able to do because of the war. 297 00:29:03,563.8964683 --> 00:29:07,227.2298017 I would love for us to, chat about contextualized mission. 298 00:29:07,624.9025379 --> 00:29:16,599.4800176 think one of the biggest shifts that we are seeing is this, this shift away from, traditional Western led efforts towards more local grassroots movements. 299 00:29:16,842.9123509 --> 00:29:25,524.367617 so what are you seeing in terms of Eurasia regarding local believers leading the way in terms of taking the gospel into their region? Thank you for that question. 300 00:29:25,524.367617 --> 00:29:26,614.367617 It's, it's really good. 301 00:29:27,121.0342836 --> 00:29:34,96.9041465 can you imagine that, um, Particular mission organization, which working with, office in Ukraine. 302 00:29:34,526.9041465 --> 00:29:43,14.7509141 Now they realize that they need to open, office in a different place, like let's say in, Kyrgyzstan or in Belize, for example. 303 00:29:43,124.7509141 --> 00:29:53,634.7519141 So they have a kind of understanding of the region from the experience with the Ukraine, and they come to, to this new region, what they usually do. 304 00:29:53,914.7519141 --> 00:30:07,124.7519141 They're trying to explain how they were successful and they know already how to establish a relationship, how to start work, and that is the biggest mistake. 305 00:30:07,824.7519141 --> 00:30:11,474.7519141 Because they found themselves in a completely different situation. 306 00:30:11,534.7519141 --> 00:30:18,214.7519141 Yes, we can speak the same language as a Russian language, as a lingua franca for the region. 307 00:30:18,404.7519141 --> 00:30:21,584.7519141 But it doesn't mean that we have the same mindset. 308 00:30:22,164.7509141 --> 00:30:34,189.7519141 So, for example, If you ask some people in Central Asia to do something, they would very happy to say yes, which it doesn't mean that it will be yes for right now or tomorrow. 309 00:30:35,99.7509141 --> 00:30:36,949.7519141 just the beginning of conversation. 310 00:30:37,49.7519141 --> 00:30:51,289.7519141 People say yes because they're interested in you and should take a time, you know? So if you were kind of in a Western European mindset, for you yes means that tomorrow you will send the email. 311 00:30:51,599.7519141 --> 00:30:57,849.7519141 With a MOU and the person would sign that doesn't work here. 312 00:30:58,219.7519141 --> 00:31:14,796.2909736 So when we're talking about the cross, cultural leadership or cross cultural, work, we should spend or invest time, energy, just to understand what's going on, how people work there, how people live there. 313 00:31:15,666.2909736 --> 00:31:16,306.2909736 example. 314 00:31:16,717.7002477 --> 00:31:19,97.7002477 relationship between relatives. 315 00:31:19,387.7002477 --> 00:31:26,17.7002477 In our region, and especially in Central Asia, plays much more or bigger role than denomination. 316 00:31:26,897.7002477 --> 00:31:37,497.6992477 So when you come to the Baptist church, for example, and found young Kyrgyz guy who fits to you for your role, whatever. 317 00:31:38,767.6992477 --> 00:31:43,937.7002477 And you will ask some person the Baptist or leadership in the Baptist church, in the same Baptist church. 318 00:31:44,288.9179368 --> 00:31:54,220.9340661 I don't think the, the leadership, if, if they are not, relative to this particular young, person, will be understand why you, choose this particular person. 319 00:31:54,720.9340661 --> 00:32:05,160.9330661 But when you spend the time to understand how the relationship develops, you will find out for this particular person, you can find another pastor from different church. 320 00:32:05,965.9340661 --> 00:32:10,335.9340661 Who is a maybe a kind of relatives for him or for her. 321 00:32:11,175.9340661 --> 00:32:18,415.9340661 So I know for some people it's more complicated because you come to the place, you want to work be done. 322 00:32:18,415.9340661 --> 00:32:19,865.9330661 So you don't have much time. 323 00:32:19,875.9340661 --> 00:32:22,775.9330661 You just need to work, blah, blah, blah. 324 00:32:22,775.9340661 --> 00:32:26,205.9340661 And you should go, unfortunately it doesn't work. 325 00:32:26,375.9340661 --> 00:32:29,705.2738241 There will be a lot of, disappointments that work. 326 00:32:29,995.2738241 --> 00:32:32,435.2738241 So when we talk about the contextualization. 327 00:32:33,45.2738241 --> 00:32:37,302.5567864 I think that we need to think about the time to, dive in. 328 00:32:37,392.5567864 --> 00:32:44,792.5472223 Even you, when you ask me right now, can you give me an example, of context? I cannot do it because it's really Hmm. 329 00:32:44,968.5462223 --> 00:32:47,838.5472223 when you, where you work, it could be different. 330 00:32:48,10.8000838 --> 00:32:55,910.8000838 in Bishkek, in Kyrgyzstan, and completely different in Baku, in Azerbaijan, absolutely different in, in Belarus. 331 00:32:55,950.8000838 --> 00:32:58,820.8000838 It's completely different place and people are different. 332 00:32:59,659.8000838 --> 00:33:00,39.8000838 Yeah. 333 00:33:00,210.8000838 --> 00:33:01,160.8000838 in the same language. 334 00:33:01,979.3909929 --> 00:33:02,229.3909929 Yeah. 335 00:33:02,229.3909929 --> 00:33:25,816.4699568 And, and I think that what you're speaking into is the mistake that we make when we, you know, we, we kind of just think, okay, region all behaves the same and we don't realize that they are often these, cultural rhythms that are going in each of the spaces within that region with each of the ethnic groups and the, the language groups, all of that requires us to specialize and to get to know. 336 00:33:26,376.4699568 --> 00:33:28,786.4699568 the region and the people as they are. 337 00:33:29,116.4699568 --> 00:33:36,784.7952319 So what's one of the biggest mistakes churches and missionaries make when they engage new cultures? the people. 338 00:33:37,684.7957319 --> 00:33:38,854.7952319 that's the biggest mistake. 339 00:33:38,874.7962319 --> 00:33:58,884.7962319 If you can explain by yourself why a particular person in the region behaves in a particular way, Just based on your own experience, that's mistake, because probably the reason why this particular person behave in this particular way, roots could be different. 340 00:33:59,384.8115591 --> 00:34:03,742.2005742 I would say to not, jump in the conclusion why people do. 341 00:34:04,122.1985742 --> 00:34:09,242.1985742 Sometimes you can find it very easy to say that people in some nation are so lazy. 342 00:34:09,832.1985742 --> 00:34:15,552.1995742 Uh, really? Because they probably spend more time for building relationship. 343 00:34:15,552.1995742 --> 00:34:17,602.4247802 It doesn't mean they, work on that. 344 00:34:18,52.4247802 --> 00:34:20,402.4247802 It's probably the matter of trust. 345 00:34:20,402.4247802 --> 00:34:33,152.0732792 Can you imagine the person have a really, problem with the security so they can be in prison and then you come and ask him to do kind of translation, whatever. 346 00:34:33,612.0732792 --> 00:34:34,792.0732792 Or do some mission. 347 00:34:35,142.0732792 --> 00:34:37,202.0732792 Why he should trust you. 348 00:34:37,652.0732792 --> 00:34:40,182.0732792 Why he should jump in this work. 349 00:34:41,22.0732792 --> 00:34:47,913.912529 He need, uh, spend time or he needs to spend time and to make sure that you are a person whom you can trust. 350 00:34:48,63.911529 --> 00:34:51,243.911529 So from your perspective that people could be. 351 00:34:51,836.9972726 --> 00:34:53,656.9972726 Because people don't want to worry. 352 00:34:53,656.9972726 --> 00:34:56,896.9972726 They don't want to do something, but it's not, not necessary. 353 00:34:57,206.9972726 --> 00:34:58,256.9972726 They already do. 354 00:34:58,276.9972726 --> 00:35:03,206.9972726 They probably researching, they probably asking other organization about your organization. 355 00:35:03,666.2058612 --> 00:35:06,256.2058612 mostly they ask just friends about. 356 00:35:07,76.2068612 --> 00:35:10,676.2068612 And again, it's not about organizations, it's about people. 357 00:35:10,686.2068612 --> 00:35:13,476.2068612 It doesn't matter what kind of organization you represent. 358 00:35:13,486.2068612 --> 00:35:16,246.2068612 If you are not trusted person, it doesn't matter. 359 00:35:16,246.2068612 --> 00:35:20,146.2068612 You can belong to the very fancy, very good organization. 360 00:35:20,146.2068612 --> 00:35:24,6.2068612 People will not follow, don't work with this organization just because of the person. 361 00:35:24,496.2058612 --> 00:35:25,816.2068612 Because they need to trust. 362 00:35:25,866.2068612 --> 00:35:33,246.2068612 And again, if you are in a really difficult situation with a security reason, people are very, very careful on that. 363 00:35:34,315.2058611 --> 00:35:34,615.2058611 Yeah. 364 00:35:34,806.2068612 --> 00:35:36,786.2068612 as you can, uh, relationship. 365 00:35:37,156.2068612 --> 00:35:42,586.2068612 You can change your organization and then you will with a different organization. 366 00:35:42,586.2068612 --> 00:35:45,486.2068612 It will be much easier to set, your work. 367 00:35:45,836.2068612 --> 00:35:46,665.2058611 So Yeah. 368 00:35:47,116.2068612 --> 00:35:54,769.1306552 it's a very, very important, in our work, So don't compare yourself with the people you meet in the region. 369 00:35:54,779.1306552 --> 00:35:56,938.1296552 That's the biggest mistake, I Cool. 370 00:35:57,164.7963218 --> 00:36:03,464.7973218 Rizlan, this has been such a fascinating conversation, just hearing more about your region and some of the insights that you have to bring. 371 00:36:03,922.4541496 --> 00:36:10,529.4909528 How can listeners pray for you, pray for your region, pray for the church in Eurasia? there is, two things. 372 00:36:11,29.4909528 --> 00:36:15,524.058424 First of all, we have, we still have a kind of, legacy from Soviet time. 373 00:36:16,432.3660539 --> 00:36:20,52.3660539 another problem is, security reason. 374 00:36:20,932.3660539 --> 00:36:29,382.3660539 I would say the people to be work, want to work in, in secure kind of situation, but we don't have in the region. 375 00:36:29,472.3660539 --> 00:36:31,502.3660539 So they spend a lot of time. 376 00:36:32,105.6993873 --> 00:36:37,884.0327206 same time there is a good stuff because the people are more, you know, creative, find a way how they can work. 377 00:36:38,74.0327206 --> 00:36:46,768.6610492 But the biggest problem in that situation, Soviet time and, persecution is discontinuity, disunity. 378 00:36:46,778.6610492 --> 00:36:49,978.6620492 If you like, we ask a unity. 379 00:36:50,623.6620492 --> 00:37:01,303.6620492 And start talk about unity with the Soviet heritage, everybody or in a room or all, almost everybody in the room think about the suppression. 380 00:37:01,533.6620492 --> 00:37:08,693.6610492 So if one person want to unite everybody, it means they don't, they don't want to value everybody. 381 00:37:08,703.6620492 --> 00:37:10,883.6610492 They want to suppress, suppress everybody. 382 00:37:10,973.6620492 --> 00:37:15,798.5620492 So Hmm, very good word of unity became very, very popular. 383 00:37:16,838.6620492 --> 00:37:19,185.3287158 It's a toxic word now in the region. 384 00:37:19,205.3287158 --> 00:37:28,338.6615492 So we try to avoid this sometimes avoid this word because unity became a kind of suppression, or word using for suppression. 385 00:37:28,338.6615492 --> 00:37:36,406.7015769 And the same times we need some kind of unity because if you are alone, It's really hard to survive. 386 00:37:36,822.4878654 --> 00:37:40,682.4878654 because we're a tiny community, we know each other. 387 00:37:41,522.4878654 --> 00:37:43,552.4878654 So it's not the same like United States. 388 00:37:43,552.4878654 --> 00:37:46,422.4878654 If you come to United States and started to ask about the. 389 00:37:46,857.4878654 --> 00:37:52,447.4878654 Even a leader of megachurch and some people, I don't know, we have a lot here. 390 00:37:52,447.4878654 --> 00:37:53,137.4878654 It's different. 391 00:37:53,247.4878654 --> 00:38:05,130.7237581 Almost everybody know the pastors or bishops, uh, and you know, but you don't have kind of unity, still have a kind of, suspicious to each other. 392 00:38:05,260.7237581 --> 00:38:07,180.7237581 That's a Hmm, challenge for. 393 00:38:08,30.7237581 --> 00:38:15,360.7237581 As we use that phrase in the Lausanne for declare and display Christ together. 394 00:38:15,740.7237581 --> 00:38:17,605.494365 It's a biggest challenge for us now. 395 00:38:17,955.494365 --> 00:38:28,445.494365 So if people would be praying, supporting us and come for sure, because we still be a tiny community, the work are plenty, you know. 396 00:38:28,935.494365 --> 00:38:30,464.494365 And the workers are Hmm. 397 00:38:30,829.994365 --> 00:38:40,365.494365 so we just need people, not only money, not only materials, not only we need people who can come and just to be with us and just to work with us. 398 00:38:40,425.493365 --> 00:38:41,565.494365 That will be very cool. 399 00:38:41,681.1610316 --> 00:38:42,271.1610316 Wonderful. 400 00:38:42,441.1610316 --> 00:38:48,121.1610316 Ruzlan, I'm sure that there are some who are hearing you and they might say, I do want to come. 401 00:38:48,721.1600316 --> 00:38:58,872.5695784 So, so how can they connect with you? How can they begin to take that conversation a little bit more forward? Maybe it's even just for information, just to find out more, to connect with you. 402 00:38:58,902.5695784 --> 00:39:03,928.1049138 Is there any way that they can do that? easiest way is just to connect me through, social media platforms. 403 00:39:04,358.1049138 --> 00:39:08,389.9322951 I'm, in Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. 404 00:39:08,390.0322951 --> 00:39:09,960.0312951 So we can find my name there. 405 00:39:10,391.4939078 --> 00:39:10,931.4939078 And. 406 00:39:11,371.4949078 --> 00:39:14,31.4949078 Just knock to the door, send a message. 407 00:39:14,41.4949078 --> 00:39:16,279.4356105 I would be happy to answer Wonderful. 408 00:39:16,279.4356105 --> 00:39:20,29.3906105 I'll be sure to put that in the show notes for them so that it can easily just link to you. 409 00:39:20,446.0572772 --> 00:39:24,726.0572772 are there any final thoughts that you'd like to leave with us? It's been such a rich conversation. 410 00:39:25,126.0572772 --> 00:39:37,952.14829 Any last thoughts you would like to leave with those who are listening? Yes, I really want to say, we're almost every time thinking about the sharing the gospel as a, as a battle, which we need to win. 411 00:39:38,643.4688713 --> 00:39:41,493.4698713 I just want to say that was already won. 412 00:39:42,613.4698713 --> 00:39:45,593.4698713 Just, we just part of what God is doing. 413 00:39:46,28.4698713 --> 00:39:48,828.4698713 Just be open to see what he's doing. 414 00:39:49,638.4698713 --> 00:39:52,918.4698713 Don't try to be more missionary that God is. 415 00:39:53,738.4698713 --> 00:39:56,368.4698713 Just to follow him and enjoy. 416 00:39:57,28.4698713 --> 00:40:10,443.2223097 sometimes because, there is a lack of something, lack of energy, lack of time, lack of resources, we have kind of pressure doing this work we forget, almost forget about the beauty. 417 00:40:11,53.2233097 --> 00:40:12,173.2233097 Enjoy. 418 00:40:13,53.2233097 --> 00:40:28,373.2223097 Can we experience when we see how Christ is dealing with the societies, with a particular person, just enjoy how life changes, just, you know, that's something we're actually allowed to see and to be part of. 419 00:40:28,873.2223097 --> 00:40:37,413.2233097 So I want to speak about the sharing the gospel and the great commission, not in terms of the, we need to win, win, win, and then we'll, we'll reward and have. 420 00:40:37,593.2233097 --> 00:40:39,773.2233097 No, we already experienced something. 421 00:40:40,423.2233097 --> 00:40:43,843.2233097 Beautiful, something meaningful and something important. 422 00:40:44,113.2233097 --> 00:40:47,273.2233097 So that would be my last word to the audience. 423 00:40:48,13.8899764 --> 00:40:48,333.8899764 Wow. 424 00:40:48,333.8899764 --> 00:40:51,303.8899764 That's a beautiful way to end this interview. 425 00:40:51,663.8899764 --> 00:41:00,343.8899764 Rosanne, thank you so much for the time that you've given just to share insights into what's going on in your region and how we can participate and pray alongside you. 426 00:41:00,501.5044882 --> 00:41:02,61.5044882 Blessings to you and your ministry. 427 00:41:02,61.5044882 --> 00:41:06,407.5085317 Wonderful. 428 00:41:06,568.3585317 --> 00:41:07,518.3585317 to share a little bit. 429 00:41:08,218.3580317 --> 00:41:10,538.3585317 in mind, I didn't tell you about Eurasia. 430 00:41:11,168.3585317 --> 00:41:13,28.3595317 I just give you a kind of test. 431 00:41:13,58.3585317 --> 00:41:15,768.3585317 So if you really want to know about Eurasia, come. 432 00:41:15,988.3585317 --> 00:41:20,668.3585317 Or at least discover in Google what is Eurasia about. 433 00:41:20,793.3585317 --> 00:41:24,133.3585317 Find the good pictures and find a lot of good food. 434 00:41:24,153.3585317 --> 00:41:26,713.3585317 Find a lot of good, colorful people here. 435 00:41:27,93.3585317 --> 00:41:29,183.3585317 We're really, really good region. 436 00:41:29,583.3575317 --> 00:41:30,93.3585317 Thank you. 437 00:41:31,138.668632 --> 00:41:35,228.668632 Well, I hope that you enjoyed this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast. 438 00:41:35,508.668632 --> 00:41:45,858.668632 Next week, we will be back with a story from the Lausanne Movement's God on the Move podcast, which shares inspiring stories of faithful believers from the global church. 439 00:41:46,67.2701005 --> 00:41:52,147.2701005 This show will surely encourage you in your own faithful obedience to God's global mission. 440 00:41:52,359.5005891 --> 00:41:58,719.5015891 You can find a link to God on the Move in the show notes, where you can subscribe so that you won't miss when the episode drops. 441 00:41:59,24.2282603 --> 00:42:04,954.2282603 If you did enjoy the show, I want to encourage you to leave us a rating and review and share it with a friend. 442 00:42:05,442.8507961 --> 00:42:06,242.8507961 Till next week. 443 00:42:06,612.8507961 --> 00:42:07,62.8507961 Cheers.