Overton Update - April 17, 2008
DEAR PARTNERS IN MINISTRY!
Thank you for your prayerful participation with us as we serve the Lord in Russia. In my last update, I promised to send you news on the outcome of the leadership struggle and consequent financial crisis that beset the Russian Baptist Union in February.
It is difficult for me to tell you this negative news. Unfortunately, the Baptist Union’s board of 57 superintendents was unable to resolve the leadership and financial crisis in a way that would allow the denomination’s headquarters to continue in its regular operation. As a result, more than half of the denomination’s central administration has been asked to “voluntarily resign”.
In the Missions Department, this policy has deeply impacted my two primary focus areas; short-term mission and the development of local church mission committees. Because both of my key co-workers have been asked to resign, the main thrust of my efforts at the Baptist Union have been put on hold. We maintain hope that the Russian Baptist Union will find other avenues to fulfil its missionary calling (perhaps at a regional level).
Fortunately, this crisis is localized in one denomination and has not affected other Protestant churches with whom we also minister. In the mean time, we continue in our ministry with those denominations and are able to give a larger amount of attention to shepherding Pioneers’ Church Planting Teams across Russia.
We appreciate you and thank you for your prayers on our behalf.
With love in Christ,
Jim and Ruth
Overton Update - March 10 2008
Thank you for remembering my family in your prayers during my visit to our church planting teams in Siberia and during my “time of real testing” – taking care of the home and kids while Ruth was away at a conference for 9 days. We could not have made it thru without your prayers.
[Leeza (2), Ruth, Jim, Greg (7), and Ben (10)]
Some Good News!
After two difficult “tours of duty” our family decided that it was time for a vacation! And since our residence permits require everyone in our family to exit Russia one time every six months, we thought it was time to head south. With the help of a generous special gift from my home church, we were able to afford a discount tour to a sunny part of the Middle East (Egypt). It was great to get away from the dark weather and the daily challenges of life in Russia (If only for 7 days).
Some Negative News
While we were gone, the main administrative offices of the Russian Baptist Union (where I work) experienced an internal leadership struggle and consequently a financial crisis. In an effort to overcome these problems the Baptist Union’s “Council of Bishops” will be meeting in closed session next week. Please ask the Lord to grant the Council supernatural wisdom. This is a critical time for both the Russian Baptist Union and for the Mission Department in particular.
Unfortunately, I will be away from Moscow next week attending a PIONEERS leadership conference. Please say a special prayer for Ruth and the kids while they are home without Dad.
I will update you on the Baptist Union situation as soon as we receive any news. In all things we remember that God is our strength and our shield.
Warmly, in Christ,
Jim Overton
Overton Update - Jan. 13 2008
Thank you for your prayerful partnership with us as we serve the Lord together in Russia. We pray that your holidays have been blessed by worship, family and reminders of God’s great love.
Tonight, January 13th, Jim will be flying to
The main goal of the trip to support church-planting missionary efforts. During his travels, Jim will be visiting with two PIONEERS misson teams and with local Russian Baptist leadership.
Jim will be dressing warmly because the January temperatures in Krasnoyarsk and Khakasiya are constantly sub zero. If you have Google Earth you can open this“placemark link” and see a satellite image of the region.
Connected with these events, we are asking you to say a short prayer for us right now and as often as you think of us between now and January 23rd (when Jim returns).
Here are our prayers requests:
- Safe travels
- Good health; for Jim & for Ruth and the kids
- Wisdom regarding leadership decisions
Pray also about the question of our long-term residence in Russia. This year Russia is changing its law on foreign residence. Many missionaries (including us) are uncertain if they will able to receive the new style residence permit (something like an American "green card").
Thank you for your prayers and partnership with us as we are seeking and serving the Lord and His kingdom.
Warmly,
Jim, Ruth, Ben, Greg and Leeza Overton
PS. To get Google Earth: (http://earth.google.com)
Jim Overton
Overton Siberia Update - Jan. 29, 2008
Thank you for praying for me during my recent trip to Siberia. I was witness to the Lord’s provision and blessing especially during the day when the temperature dropped to -30 F.
More than just physical protection, the Lord answered your prayers for wisdom and guidance. Praise the Lord, Pioneers’ teams in Siberia are growing and are seeing people coming to faith in the Lord!
Please continue to pray for unreached Siberian peoples. They are living in one of the world’s harshest climates and have the lowest income levels in all of Russia, but all of that is insignificant compared to their isolation from the message of God’s love and forgiveness.
Please continue to pray for our family as well. This week Ruth is away at a leadership conference and I am home with the kids alone. For me, being a full-time “mommy” is much more demanding than my trip to Siberia. So please continue to keep us all in your prayers.
Here are our prayers requests:
- Safe travels for Ruth to and from her conference
- Good health for everyone (it is flu season)
- Progress toward establishing a new visa and registration in July of 2008
- Safety for Jim and the kids as they making a trip next week to renew visa registrations
Thank you for your prayers and partnership with us as we are seeking and serving the Lord and His kingdom.
Warmly,
Jim, Ruth, Ben, Greg and Leeza Overton
Overton Christmas update - 21 Dec. 2007
Merry Christmas!
Ruth and I send you our warmest Christmas greetings from
The meaning of light at Christmas
In a foretelling of our Savior’s birth the prophet Isaiah wrote,
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land will have the light shine on them.” (Isaiah 9:2)
In
Lighting up 
This year, through your support and encouragement, we helped the Russian Baptist Union to send out 600 short term summer missionaries. This is an increase of 400% over last year’s summer outreach. After making a map of the ministry locations and sending churches, the thought occurred to me, that this map is starting to look like a Christmas tree!
We are very thankful to the Lord for His blessing. Still,
As we look forward to 2008, we continue to trust the Lord for the privilege of partnering with you in spreading the Light of the Lord’s gospel. We are remembering you fondly and praying for God’s blessing and protection in your life.
Sincerely, Jim and Ruth Overton
