October 2003

A weekly 15-min. program about family life. Producers: Mikhail and Nadezhda Telepov, husband and wife team of family counselors. "The family in Russia is disintegrating, and there are very few resources to help young couples keep the family together," says Mikhail. "As a result, more than half of new families in Russia end up in divorce during the first year of marriage. This statistics are shocking, but they also help us see tremendous opportunities to reach many hurting people for Christ through FEBC's family-oriented programs." Nadezhda adds, "While showing people how they can build up their families based on biblical principles, we are also showing them that they cannot do it without Christ being the center of their lives."

Listener response to this program:

"Your program really helped my relationship with my girlfriend. I am not a church goer, but more and more I think about God, thanks to your broadcasts. When I talked to my girlfriend about Jesus and about some biblical principles, our conversations became much more meaningful. She is also seeking the Truth. Thank you."

The story of Elena:

Elena lives in Moscow. A year ago her husband divorced her.

"I was a wreck," says Elena. "I was absolutely devastated. I didn't have a place to live, and I had a one-year-old daughter to take care of." Elena moved to a low-income community complex where she rented a room and shared the facilities with twenty other people. "I had no TV, just radio," shares Elena, "but I could not listen to music. I was too depressed. So I switched to AM and heard a program about homeless people. It was a Christian program, and I was surprised that a guest on the program talked about loving homeless people. I was on the brink of homelessness, and it was great to know that someone cared. This station, FEBC, became my friend."

Elena did not know much about God. She continued to listen, though, and soon felt the need to visit a church. She called one of FEBC's hosts and asked for help. The host, a woman, befriended Elena and helped her find a Christ-centered church in her neighborhood in Moscow. The church embraced Elena and helped her to get on her feet emotionally and, most importantly, spiritually.

Today she is an active Christian who shares the gospel with her friends.

"I am so grateful to FEBC for showing me who Jesus is," says Elena, "and I get so much practical help from FEBC programs concerning the upbringing of my daughter."

No More Anger

Alexander used to be an angry man.

"My wife and I were having some marital problems, and I blamed God for my unhappiness without even believing in Him" says Alexander. "When I first heard the gospel from a street evangelist, I responded angrily. Who was this God who sacrificed his only Son to satisfy his own anger? I did not want to know him."

God had a better plan for Alexander, though. One day, as he was listening to radio, he found FEBC broadcast. The topic was family life.

"I knew this was what I needed, so I continued to listen. And God began to change my life. One day I called the radio station and asked for help. The host invited me to a church center and spent several hours with me. Two months later I called one of the FEBC preachers and prayed the sinner's prayer. Now I am looking for church."

There are thousands of people like Alexander who need help, and we are providing such help for them through the network of FEBC stations in Russia.

Help! Occult!

Rev. Sergey Khokhlovsky was hosting a program, talking about the dangers of occult teachings, when a woman caller with tears in her voice said,

"My son died, and my daughter-in-law walked out on us, leaving me as the primary caregiver for my granddaughter, Alisa, who is now 14. Alisa is simply uncontrollable, she does what she wants, and I simply don't know where to turn for help. I am scared now because Alisa became involved with an occult group. Please help!"

Our broadcasters helped her find the right Christian center where she could receive assistance. Occult teachings present great danger to Russia's youth.

Anna telephones FEBC:

"Thank you for helping me believe in God," said Anna, a caller during a morning radio program in FEBC-St. Petersburg. "Your programs are so full of life, so encouraging that I tune in every morning."

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