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Cornerstone Communications
Ukraine
May 27, 2009

Newsletter Contents

1. Greetings
2. VIDEO
3. Teaching for May.........Like Father, Like Son
4. Text from the Video...... (for those who would rather read)
5. Closing

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Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Dniepropetrovsk, Ukraine! As you can imagine, with the worldwide financial crisis taking its toll on many saints, I am using wisdom, and batching invitations so that I am in a particular area for an extended period of time, rather than hop-scotching all over the globe! We can use saints funds in a more effective way.

I just arrived here 2 days ago from Skadovsk. I had a woman tell me there, We are Jehovah Witnesses, and we have claimed Skadovsk. You cant do your show here. I told her, Skadovsk belongs to Jesus Christ, and were going to take it. We had a battle with promotions, but really, with the Lord on our side, they were no match! Praise be to the Lord! And, even though they tore all our posters down, we would put them back up, and we had an audience each night! God is good! Watch the 5 minute Video Report.

VIDEO MESSAGE

(if the box does not appear, click on the BLUE word that says HERE)

MAY TEACHING

Like Father, Like Son

I think one of the most complimentary things you can tell a parent is, Wow, your child looks just like you! The Lord also wants us, His children, to bear His likeness, His image. Ephesians 4:24 says You were created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. We are, like God, spiritual beings. Our spirits will outlast our earthly bodies! Joseph Garlington, a pastor and great speaker says, We are not human beings who experience a temporary spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings who are experiencing a temporary human experience! Amen!

Gods ultimate desire for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants for you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ. Becoming like Christ does not mean losing your personality, either. God created you to be unique, and wants to transform your character. How? Through Jesus’ Beatitudes, through the Fruit of the Spirit, and through the Father’s Love.

If you forget that Character Building is one of Gods plans for your life, you will become frustrated, and wonder, Why is this happening to me? This is not a popular subject, I suppose, and have lost many a reader about now! It does not change the truth. Many Christians misinterpret Jesus promise of abundant life to mean perfect health, a comfortable lifestyle, constant happiness, and instant relief from problems through prayer. They expect the Christian life to be easy.

Never forget that LIFE IS NOT ABOUT YOU! You exist for Gods purposes, not vice versa! God gives us our time on earth to build and strengthen our character for heaven. You must become spiritually mature. Some Christians mistake more knowledge as maturity. This is a false assumption. Yes, its true that the more you read Gods Word, you will learn how to be more Christ-like, but you must also fellowship with His people, trust God in hard times, and practice walking in the biblical precepts He has laid out for us.

You are a work in progress. Your transformation will take the rest of your life. Remember this, dear friend, that God is far more interested in what you are than in what you do. To quote a friend of mine, We are human beings, not human doings. God is much more interested in your character than your career, because you will take only your character into eternity. Gods purpose for you is far deeper: He wants to make us like Himself before He takes us to heaven. So, submit your life and your desires to Him, and allow Him to work out your ultimate good, if you will just trust Him.

VIDEO TEXT

After Panama, I traveled through the United States in route to Europe. I had spent a weekend in Dallas with a ministry called Tres Dias, and so I was refreshed spiritually.

I was met in Kiev by dear friends Ruslan Khuharchuk and Egor and Luda Egorov, who are also part of the Cornerstone staff in Kiev. I then took a train to Kherson where I was met by Pastor Vladimir Khuharchuk, Ruslans dad, and Dima and Ania Gribalov, who would turn out to be dear friends.

We went immediately in auditions for The Judgment Seat which wed do in about one month, and although the church is small, we had a great turnout, and lots of actors to choose from! What a blessing.

Skadovsk is a tiny quiet town situated by the Black Sea, and its oh so beautiful with endless fields of beautiful flowers outside of town, which are used to produce Canola oil, lots of parks and places to walk, including an imposing statue of Lenin in the town square, a reminder of Ukraines history in the Soviet Union.

Pastor Vladimir invited me to his church, and I was welcomed like a celebrity! Of course, I am not, and so I felt awkward, but still, I appreciated the churchs hospitality. I was able to preach there, and to share a message from the Lord.

We went into production, and had lots of meetings with workers who were willing to serve the Lord by helping with the show. Dima headed the set building, and we were on our way. Rehearsals began, and I was able to teach the actors the show, one actor at a time.

I had a free weekend, and traveled to Sevastopol where I had done a show just 2 years earlier, and visited friends, like Pastor Yuri Feodorovich, Volodya and Radion and others. Sevastopol is also located by the Black Sea, and is so scenic. I was sorry to leave, and pray that Ill be able to return to do another show someday soon, but for now I had to get back to work.

Rehearsals continued with the actors, and we also worked on the decorations. Finally it was time to move into the Dom Koltura, or the House of Culture in Skadovsk. The workers were eager to work, and they worked fast, as seen in these videos of the sets going up. I was so proud of everyone. The workers and I enjoyed our time together, and because we were so far ahead, we could stop and enjoy times of fellowship. The sets were almost up, and we were in final rehearsals as I gave notes to clean up last minute problems.

It was finally time for the show, and we prayed to make sure we were spiritually ready. We had full houses each night in this 600 seat House of Culture. Opening night, and although the actors were nervous, we were ready. The curtains opened, and the show went off beautiful. I was so proud of my children, my actors, as they gave three perfect performances!

Afterwards, pastor would deliver an altar call message, and hundreds would come forward each night, for a total of 300 people coming forward to receive Jesus Christ! Praise the Lord! On our final night, we video taped the show, and we took lots of photos of the actors. The church blessed me with a gift and a beautiful farewell dinner.

I was so blessed to be here, and Ill miss my time with with an amazing group of workers, like Dima-my set builder, Ania-my interpreter, and Natasha-the coordinator for the project, but especially to Pastor Vladimir and Alla Khuharchuk for making my time in Skadovsk such a blessing. The next day, I said goodbye to everyone, and got on a train headed for Dniepropetrovsk.

Spasiba Mai Druzia!

That is Ukrainian for Thank you, my friends! Thank you for your prayers for us while we ministered in Skadovsk. The Jehovah Witnesses were not too happy with us, and Gods Kingdom is expanding in Ukraine today! Thank You, Lord, for the 300 saved! Now, please turn your prayers toward Dniepropetrovsk. They need a touch from the Lord, and although the shows are powerful, only the Holy Spirit can touch a heart. In the meanwhile, I will keep you in prayer, too! God bless you!

For the Kingdom,
Richard Montez