By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
MINSK, Belarus (LBM) – Tommy Middleton and two other Louisiana Baptists recently traveled to Belarus to give the gift of Christ to those in the country.
Middelton, who has now gone on eight mission trips to Belarus, enjoyed delivering an early Christmas present to the people of that country.
“We shared the Gospel and tried to get the Gospel in the hands and the hearts of as many people as we could,” Middleton told the Baptist Message.
GIVING
Andrew Ryzhkov, founder of the Byelorusian Mission in-country ministry, said that in 2023, 5,200 people turned to Jesus through the ministry’s daycare centers, summer camps, youth conferences and distribution of “Good and Evil Illustrated Bibles” (a graphic novel style of presenting the Word). He expects a similar number to profess Jesus this year.
He noted that financial gifts from Louisiana Baptists have helped purchase some of the more than 51,000 “Good and Evil Illustrated Bibles” that have been distributed in the country from January through early November, compared to 49,000 Bibles that were handed out in 2023. His goal is to distribute one million copies of this “graphic novel” presentation of the Word by 2035.
Ryzhkov said that four out of 10 people who have received this special Bible (which uses “cartoon” artwork to tell Bible stories) have turned to Christ, and such evangelistic success only costs $10 per copy.
“Getting the Word of God into the hands of people is so important,” Middleton added.
GOSPEL-CENTERED
Belarus ranks among the most receptive nations he has visited, Middleton said. He shared that many times he will visit a church in that country, and upon returning the next year, he will discover that they have expanded membership, added ministries and baptized new believers in Christ.
He referenced one church he visited recently that now has two worship areas, a coffee shop and soccer field.
“It’s full of young people, and it was exciting to see that in just about under six years they had transformed a dilapidated building to a restored, renovated facility,” he said. “Now worship is going on in two stories of that building,” he said, with two congregations co-residing in that one building.
GOING
Middleton said that Louisiana Baptists have been actively engaged in evangelizing Belarus since 2014. During the years and mission trips that have followed, the multi-year effort has helped to constitute local congregations, complete construction projects and conduct training of pastors and lay people.
Middleton explained that the Belarusians’ passion for sharing Jesus keeps him eager to return each year.
Cullen McDaniel, minister of music with Jefferson Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, and Preston Thompson, pastor of preaching and vision with Redeemer Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, went with Middleton to Belarus during September 2024. While there, they taught at a pastors’ leadership training conference attended by 350 ministers. Meanwhile, they shared the Gospel during classes they taught at state-run universities and in one-on-one intentional encounters at targeted coffee shops.
He said the Belarusian Christians continue to embrace discipleship and planting churches, which has helped strengthened them to be bold witnesses to the country.
At the start of the pastors conference, he said, each attendee was asked to stand and introduce himself.
“It was pretty exciting to realize that when everyone had been introduced that all the regions (of the country) were represented there and realizing that this is finally a national ministry with national implications.”
PRAYERS NEEDED
Middleton said Rzyhkov’s passion for the Gospel has impacted Belarus dramatically.
“Andrew loves this nation,” he said. “He has a great heart for the Gospel and is one of the most focused men on getting the Gospel out and getting the Word of God in the hands of people. He is so respected by the pastors of Baptist churches but also across denominational lines, because his focus is advancing the Gospel and reaching the nation with the Good News about the Person of Jesus Christ.
Ryzhkov asked for continued prayers as plans are being shaped for future ministry to Belarus.
“Praise the Lord,” Ryzhkov said. “We’re asking the Louisiana Baptist Convention to partner again next year.
“Because many refugees are coming through Belarus … and hopefully the war will come to an end … we have the opportunity to show them the hope of Jesus,” he continued. “So, we invite people to come and join us on a trip.
“Louisiana Baptist churches, please send human resources, send Bibles and send your prayers. And let’s pray that 2025 will have more Christians to share Christ in many parts of the world, especially Belarus.”
To contribute copies of the “Good and Evil Illustrated Bibles” or for more information about a mission trip in 2025, email Andrew@byelorussianmission.org or visit byelorussianmission.org.
