Living in post-Soviet Union Belarus, Becky experienced some of the pressures that pastors faced in their efforts to shepherd their flocks. Many churches gathered in government-owned theater auditoriums. Trying to shut them down, authorities used various methods: regularly raising the rent, turning off the heat, locking the doors… In spite of the tactics, the faithful believers congregated anyway; even in public parks in the snow for hours. 

As she wiggled her freezing toes and prayed for God to help her Slavic family, He spoke to the native Texan’s heart, “Look at all the pine trees! Teach them the ways of your father, to build wooden churches, fast, efficient and less costly than bricks.” Embracing God’s vision, she started up a long road, facing challenging government restrictions and cross-cultural obstacles among people not accustomed to using their forestry materials for construction. The single woman missionary stood firm that Jesus would fulfill His word even if her faith was as small as a mustard seed. Through networking and thousands of divine appointments, we see God’s miracles time and again in each Mustard Seed construction project. 

One pastor in Ukraine said, “The roots are reaching across the border from Belarus and we also will have Mustard Seed trees.” Another pastor from Argentina said, “Our economy needs this. Come teach us as you taught the Slavic people.” 

Trusting God to provide every detail, International Networx teams join with pastors, missionaries and Christian leaders to help them develop their God-vision. We come alongside them, planning well, sharing skills, breaking bread together, and building the framework for generations to occupy a finished structure.

By God’s grace and according to His plan, we say, “Here we are Lord, send us.” (Isaiah 6:8)

And to those we train, we declare “Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell In.” (Isaiah 58:12)

Christians are still facing persecution in Belarus. In the winter of 2020-21, government officials confiscated the church building of a prominent evangelical church in the capital city of Minsk. In 2023 the church building was demolished by the government.

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 KJV