During recent decades, new scientific evidence from many scientific disciplines such as cosmology, physics, biology, “artificial intelligence” research, and others have caused scientists to begin questioning Darwinism’s central tenet of natural selection and studying the evidence supporting it in greater detail.

Yet public TV programs, educational policy statements, and science textbooks have asserted that Darwin’s theory of evolution fully explains the complexity of living things. The public has been assured that all known evidence supports Darwinism and that virtually every scientist in the world believes the theory to be true.

The scientists on this list dispute the first claim and stand as living testimony in contradiction to the second. Since Discovery Institute launched this list in 2001 over 500 scientists have courageously stepped forward to sign their names. The list is growing and includes scientists from the US National Academy of Sciences, Russian, Polish and Czech National Academies, as well as from universities such as Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and others.

A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism
“We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged.”

There is scientific dissent to Darwinism. It deserves to be heard.

Click here to read a press release about the Dissent list.
Click here to download a PDF copy of the Scientific Dissent From Darwinism list

The arguments that ultimately unravel the Darwinian synthesis aren’t terribly difficult to grasp. Anyone who remembers the rudiments of logic they learned in freshman composition can follow the essentials of the argument. Below are three articles to get started:

Fact Sheet: Microevolution vs. Macroevolution
Fact Sheet: The Cambrian Explosion
The Survival of the Fakest

Finally, if you have a Ph.D. in engineering, mathematics, computer science, biology, chemistry, or one of the other natural sciences, and you agree with the following statement, “We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged,” then please contact us at cscinfo@discovery.org.

Source: Discovery Institute — Center for Science and Culture

Please pray for Larissa Kopteva who is to lead the church in Plastun until Viktor Pels comes back.

Sister Vera is mother of our brother Justin Stelmakh, who has been a church member for several years. Since January she has faithfully attended all the church services, not only on Sundays but on weekdays too. Two months ago she joined ORTA group to study the Bible. Brother Peter , who repented at the Sunday service about a month ago, is sharing Jesus with all his friends and relatives. Couple days before his baptism he had brought his friend Alexey to the church house, and he received Jesus too. Peter says he has invited many of his friends to come to church next Sunday. Sister Eleonora testified that she was to have gone to Moscow but God had changed her plans and brought her to the baptismal service instead. She even chose to return her airplane ticket to the booking office for the sake of being baptized. Sister Nataly had had a sleepless night because she was so excited.

Brother Edward Korin graciously allowed us again to use the sauna with the swimming pool that he owns. As we gathered there, we worshiped together, and then Pastor Slava shared the Word and prayed for those who were going to be baptized. It was obvious that as they were receiving the holy baptism, God really touched their hearts and they rose from the water as truly new creations filled with the Holy Spirit. All those who attended the service were
rejoicing together with them.

After the baptism was performed, those who received it were given Bibles and special post-cards as a gift. The service was followed by a tea party.

On Sunday, April 30, all the congregation greeted those baptized, prayed for them and rejoiced with them.

I offered my guest a cup of tea. As we continued talking, I inquired why was it at my house that he had chosen to seek help out of all places. He answered that he had seen the sign on the gate that says ‘Life in the Word’. So he thought a Christian might be living here. When he got in the tough situation he somehow recalled of that and came to ask for help.

Arthur shared he was sick and tired of the life he lived and all he wanted was peace and rest. So I told him Good news of Jesus Christ, whose desire was to give him rest and His peace. This news was good indeed for my new friend, for I saw his facial expression change from fear to joy. The temporary ruler of this world had considered Arthur as his slave and even stamped him with his sign, a dragon tattoo on his left arm. I said to Arthur Jesus had died for the sins of all people, and his sins too, for them all to receive forgiveness of sin and freedom from Satan’s yoke, as well as the gift of the eternal life. It was followed by a sincere confession of sin and of Jesus as the Lord as Arthur opened his heart to his Savior. Jesus entered his heart, and I was very happy to see Arthur saved.

After a while my new brother decided to go home and see how it was there. He worried a bit about his belongings, money and documents that he had left there. So he left, and my heart was full of peace and joy because Arthur had been saved and he was not alone any more. Jesus was with him.

Viktor Korotkov currently resides at the house that the church bought for its mid-week meetings and other events. He takes care of the house and does a lot of one-to-one evangelism and counseling in the nearby area, which is a good potential mission field, so Arthur is not the only one who has been attracted to this place and heard the Good news. The church is planning to have several outreaches in this area in summer. Please pray that many people find the joy of salvation and God-given peace at this place.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."

We should never forget what Jesus went through to purchase our freedom from sin. The price was high. But without his shedding His blood we would not have forgiveness. Without His suffering we would not have joy. And if we do not want to depreciate the value of His sacrifice in our hearts it is a good thing for us to recall His suffering and His cross.

This sacrifice is not easy to be reminded of. It was hard. It was bloody. It was above everything a human could stand. Even to think of His suffering is too painful. That is why the first part of our church Easter celebration was not very light-hearted.

But what would the death of Christ be without His resurrection?!! The other essential part of the Gospel is that He not only died for our sins but rose again. And God was faithful to remind us of that too. At the end of the service there was a real outpouring of the Holy Spirit that brought such freedom that people danced and sang and even did the improvised round dance around the meeting place to Jewish tunes that set hearts on fire. I wish you could be there with us!

The celebration went on in the cafe on the upper floor of the hotel. It was time to eat! Our sisters did their best preparing delicious sandwiches, cakes and tea. As a male I can confess that nothing is so effective in bringing you into a joyful disposition of mind as a good lunch ;) And because it was joyful already it was a double joy! Our worship team miraculously increased, there were about 10 people singing and dancing up the stage, and even the voice of a Canadian was heard as Anna, our missionary friend sang along with the Russians in English. But the stage was too small for everyone, so others danced round the tables.

You know, sometimes we tend to forget that above all the church is a family. A family of blood realtions that are happy to celebrate their Lord. And when we forget, the routine may come and put off the fire of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. But when He comes who is our Lord, all the set forms, traditions, restrictions and structures we have established in our churches and our hearts collaps, and pure joy and love just burst out to respond our God and Father! And this is what He is longing for!

Our dear friends, from all of our hearts we wish you a Happy Easter, that is a celebration of death and resurrection of our Lord and our God Jesus Christ!

The third Million Leaders Mandate Conference was held in Vladivostok on April 7-8. This program launched by the EQUIP ministry lead by Dr.John K. Maxwell, a well known Christian author and expert in leadership training and development, is aimed at training 1,000,000 Christian leaders worldwide by helping them to improve leadership skills and build a Chrislike character and style of leadership. (You can read more at www.iequip.org). In Russia, MLM is hosted by 7 cities. Vladivostok conference was attended by about 300 pastors and leaders from about 100 churches and denominations from all Russia’s Far East.

Since the previous MLM conference in October 2006 church, as well as 3 other local churches, has been involved in facilitating this conference. This time even more church members were willing to serve as ushers in the conference hall and waitresses in the kitchen. They all were extremely enthusiastic about serving the body of Christ this way, and we consider it a privelege and believe God will richly bless them in return.

Some church members hospitably opened their homes to receive outstationed delegates. For some, it was a chance to make new friends, and for others to meet the old. For Alexander Chesnokov, sound operator, it was a special blessing. Alexander is a new believer. In October 3 pastors from other cities stayed at his place, and as they prayed with him he was baptised by the Holy Spirit. This time, as he returned home, he found another guest in his kitchen, and this
happened to be his long time BC friend, whom he had not seen since 1997. It proved that his friend had become Christian soon after that, and is now a Bible teacher in the nearby city of Ussuriysk. Alexander himself became a Christian in spring 2005. It was a joyful reunion of the two friends, once atheists, now sharing the same faith in Jesus. They had a lot to talk about.

Since January the church has started implementing the MLM study materials for in-church systematic leadership training. So far our monthly seminars have covered the following topics:

• God calls us to lead
• The heart of a leader
• Catching and fulfilling the vision
• Priorities and decision making

We had a privelege to be taught the latter by Fred Burckbuchler, MLM Associate Trainer and a speaker at the MLM conference.

After the Sunday service in church we try to spend time together somehow instead of starting off in different dirrections. Certainly, all of us have something to do at home, like chores to be done, dinner to be cooked, clothes to be washed and homework due on Monday. Yet God wants us to learn how to be a church family, and as we just spend some time together on weekend it seems to help in this area.

Two weeks ago we visited ‘rollerdrom’, a newly open facility for roller skating. Of course, that was quite a challenge for me as a 30 year old who tried roller skating once upon a time when a young child. That experience was far from being a success, so I left the idea of roller skating right there and for good. Now fancy me when a bunch of church youth graciously suggested that my wife and I ‘go roller skating’ with them after church. It surely took some gut to put on bright yellow roller skates (the biggest size they could find) and start moving. But what excitement it turned to be after I overcame my fear and made the first circle around the rink! I tell you my wife had a problem taking me out of this hall.

Also, we now have a tradition to take 6 to 10 people to a nearby cafe for lunch often after church. There we gather at the table for some ‘eating and meeting’. This is fun, and it really brings us closer and helps to build friendship. God certainly had a purpose in mind when He made a church family. The more the merrier!

Last Sunday we had a guest speaker Fred Burkbuchler speaking in our church. After the service we went to our fave place, and Fred joined us. It was a good time! We talked a lot, getting to know each other better and sharing our dreams and plans. This time it was a good crowd of about 15 people. We even had to put three tables together. It was a peaceful coffee shop invasion!

And soon and very soon we are planning a barbecue picknick for our home group. Another good chance for fellowship!

I took the morning bus to Plastun planning to reach the destination at 10 p.m. I preferred it to the option of taking the next bus at 3.30 p.m arriving at Plastun at 6 a.m. The idea of jogging in the bus all night did not  appeal to me very much.

So, on March 2 at 7.30 a.m. sharp, the South-Korean Grandbird headed the north to Plastun. With the almost 15 hours’ journey ahead of me, I had an excellent opportunity to meditate on the great things of God. I prayed and proceeded to read “The Majesty of God” by A.W.Tozer. This topic of the infinite depth was perfectly in tune with the state of my mind at the moment. I spent 2 first hours of my journey immersed in reading, and suddenly found myself in Ussuriysk, the first city on the way to Plastun. I was pleasantly amazed at the sight of a big red-brick church building next to the bus station where we made a 20-minute stop. My heart rejoiced for brethren and sisters in Ussuriysk having such a beautiful and glorious house of
prayer at their disposal.

At the station, a gypsy woman tempted me to use her fortune-telling skills. I kindly turned down her offer and gave her “The Way To God” Gospel tract instead. May God bless her heart! I remembered Adam, a gypsy brother from the city of Khabarovsk who had become a
Christian. Who knows, perhaps this dear soul would turn to Him too.

When we were about to board the bus and continue our journey, a young gentleman approached the driver with a humble request to take him to the city of Dalnegorsk. Unfortunately, this young man had no money, for he had been just released from prison. The Lord prompted me to help him buy a ticket. As we hit the road again, I introduced myself to the young fellow, whose name was Roman, and, the seat next to me being vacant, I suggested that he took it. We had a good heart-to-heart conversation, a great way to share the gospel. I also shared a wonderful Break the Bondage CD of a Christian band with him. I believe, it was just what he needed. He liked the songs so much that he listened to the CD twice. There were several stops on the way to Dalnegorsk that provided me with a great opportunity to minister to Roman and show him God’s love in a practical way. On arrival in Dalnegorsk, I took a picture of Roman and we exchanged our mailing addresses. The last thing he said to me was, ‘Thank you! I will never forget it.” After he left, I prayed for his salvation.

When we departed from Dalnegorsk, it started getting dark and snowing. We enjoyed the enchanting sights of God’s creation. I felt warm, peaceful and well in my soul. Time flew; only 10 miles separated me from my destination – and that’s where we got in trouble. The bus trying to climb a steep icy slope, the wheels slipped, and the vehicle went across the road and got stuck without a chance to move. We had to wait for someone’s help. The rescue operation took 4 hours, and finally we were set free from our snow captivity. The Lord had prompted me to take a videotape with  There is Hope Christian program with me. As we safely resumed our journey, I solemnly presented the video to the bus driver to thank him for his efforts and commitment to deliver the bus and the passengers.

On arrival in Plastun I was met by Victor Pels, the church leader, and other church members. We had a great time of fellowship. I greeted them on behalf of Vladivostok brothers and sisters and shared Christian books, CDs and videos that I brought.

At the prayer meeting Friday night I was pleasantly surprised that the church had new chairs that replaced the old and uncomfortable benches.

The hearts of the congregation were on fire to pray for the needs of the church and brothers and sisters. Sister Lena Medvedeva has a special prayer need. After 6 months of pregnancy, a malignant and fast growing uterus tumor has been discovered in her. Doctors suggested that the baby should be aborted, but she is determined to keep it, though it means 10 per cent fatality expectancy for her. Besides, her family situation with 3 children and back-slidden husband, one of the former church leaders, who had left the family several months ago, is rather grave. We united in prayer to lift her up to God who knows our needs, and we believe He also knows how to handle this situation. Please pray and believe with us for Lena’s healing, her husband’s repentance and family reunion, and safe delivery of the little Marcus (we already know it’s a boy).

Another highlight was the time at Michael and Larissa Koptev’s home. Though Michael became a Christian a couple years ago, he is not completely free from alcohol addiction yet, which hurts his wife a lot. Just before I came he had got tight again, and Larissa was very angry with him. When I entered their house I could feel the tension in the air. It did not even seem at first we could communicate. Michael was sober and very sorry for what he had done, but Larissa would not forgive him. After a while, though, Larissa and I were able to talk and gradually approach the issue of forgiveness. Then, the three of us started praying together seeking God’s answer to the situation, which came almost immediately. All the resentment and unforgiveness deceased and was replaced by God’s love. After we prayed I encouraged Michael to take heed into himself and into the doctrine, for the key to our freedom is God’s truth and this is the way for him to get delivered. I hope and pray for brother Michael to set free from alcohol addiction.

The greatest highlight of my trip was, of course, the Sunday service. I delivered the sermon on the God-given topic of Our mind is a battlefield. After the sermon we took communion. I believe the fellowship we shared was beneficial for everyone. In conclusion, we
prayed for the sick and needy and anointed them with oil. Then we had some tea and discussed several issues that had arisen in the congregation and needed solution.  With God’s help, we managed to settle everything, and through prayers of repentance peace and God’s order among the brethren was restored.

At 6.20 p.m. Sunday brothers and sisters prayed for me, put me on the bus and let me go back in peace, which I did, and now I am home safe and sound writing this account of my journey for you.

Anna felt the call for ministry at an early age and followed it entering the Bible College in Peterborough, Ontario, in 1997. She received her Bachelor Degree in 2001 and graduated to become a full time minister. But that was not enough. After 3 years as a pastor and a missions trip to Africa in 2004, she started feeling God’s leading for missions in a clearer way, began to explore more missions options and through a complicated process ended up at the ends of the earth, namely, in Vladivostok, where she is now employed as ESL teacher at Vladivostok National Economy and Service University. The position enables her to be a witness for Jesus to the students and faculty, by sharing her convictions as well as by demonstrating Christian life style, both in a classroom setting and through relational experiences.

Getting ready for her move to Russia she read the information on the Life in the Word Vladivostok Christian Center website and joined the church her first days in Vladivostok with the intention to help as much as she could. Rowsell says, she had been praying for the Life in the Word Church in Vladivostok and the sister church in Plastun long before she found herself at her first LWC Sunday service, and it was fun meeting familiar personalities known by the Internet pages now face to face. Ever since she has diligently served ever since being involved in teaching and preaching at Sunday services and in a small group, helping with English classes in a Christian music school overseen by Lyudmila Piskunova and now teaching ESL class for church members and pre-Christians, ministering on missions trips and supporting a miriad of
interchurch activities, and just being such a true and caring friend to many. One of the University teachers she works with has already visited church on Sunday and another one started attending a home group.

Travelling to Plastun in early January 2006 to see another church she had prayed for first-hand was a very exciing event for her. Though the trip took 18 hours by bus one way and 15 hours way back, she says, it was worthwhile. She hopes to visit it again before going back to Canada.

Anna seems to adjust well as she braves the challenges of life in a foreign country. She enjoys learning a new culture and new eductional techniques, being invloved in church and a home group, meeting people, making friends, talking and walking. Among her Vladivostok favorites are Chinese flea market and bliny (delicious Russian version of pancakes). Though she refers to the language barrier as her greatest challenge and frustration, since her arrival in
Vladivostok, she has made a considerable progress in the Russian language (especially after she spent several days hosted by a Russian family in Plastun, and without an interpreter). She is completely capable of reading Cyrillic writings aloud, singing worship songs in Russian, understanding a good deal of what she reads and hears, introducing herself to a Russian and even carrying out a simple conversation without an interpreter.

Rowsell’s teaching contract and visa expires in summer 2006. Please PRAY for her remaining months in Vladivosotk, especially that she can improve her Russian and that she can see and use properly every opportunity to witness to Russians about Jesus. Also, please pray for the direction of God for her future, very important for her at the moment, her teaching abilities and certainly, her family back in Canada.
Besides her family, one of the things Anna says she misses about home is snow. Primorye winter seems to be too mild for a Canadian. Another is peanut butter.

Finding her new identity (-:
On the steps of a Russian Orthodox Chapel