Support what works
Change is an inevitable part of life. Where people flounder, is when they attempt to hold on to the past and keep things as they have been. What was good enough for our fathers may not necessarily be good enough for today.
The most logical and potentially world-changing plan is to reorganize the Cooperative Program to focus on what works in today’s world, rather than continuing to fund ministries operating out of old and no-longer-effective paradigms.
Key to all of this is to actively seek God’s guidance and to move only in the directions he says to move. God knows what will work to reach people far more than any human ever will.
And if we seek his wisdom, he has promised to give it.
Marsha Barrett
Longview
Pray for peace, friendship between Ukraine & Russia
Thank you for publishing “Singing Men of Texas praise God, deliver hope to western Ukraine.”
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As a Christian, I recognize the importance of bringing hope to all people, including by introducing them to Christianity.
We Christians must write and talk about the desperate need for peace in Ukraine, rather than make political statements such as “Russia seized Crimea last year” and “Russian occupation of Crimea.”
The crisis and war in Ukraine are far more complicated than simply blaming Russia—or the United States and European Union.
The “Russia seized” and “Russia occupied” statements do not serve any meaningful purpose other than to wrongfully politicize the wonderful work of the Singing Men of Texas.
I have worked and lived in St. Petersburg, Russia, 25 years. My husband is Russian, of Ukrainian and Belarussian descent. My girlfriend is Russian, of Ukrainian descent, and her family lives in Ukraine.
The Donetsk/Lugansk regions—where fighting is—and Crimea are settled significantly by Ukrainians who consider themselves ethnic Russians. In addition, there are many very deep family, cultural, social, economic, political and religious ties among Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Ukraine and Russia need the United States and European Union to support peace and these deep ties, since otherwise any “peace” will be short-lived.
I ask the Baptist Standard to stop politicizing the difficult situation in Ukraine and the work of the Singing Men of Texas there. Rather, please join me in praying for peace in Ukraine and continued friendship between Ukraine and Russia.
Cheryl Ann Sigsbee
St. Petersburg, Russia
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