By Nadya Rodoslavova
As I recall what I witnessed in a recent trip to Europe, I get overwhelmed -- in a good sense of that word. I had an opportunity to visit EQUIP’s Country Coordinators in Ukraine, Russia, Finland, and Armenia and meet some of the EQUIP Certified Trainers. What a blessing it is to hear their stories of how the Lord is changing their lives through Million Leaders Mandate and is using them to impact many other people. There were quite a few memorable moments, but there is one in particular I would like to share with you.
As I stood on top of a hill in Armenia with thousands of neatly laid out houses at its foot, my eyes lingered here and there on beautiful structures enjoying the unique architecture. It was so peaceful. As my eyes continued to glide further across, I hoped to see the horizon. What I saw instead, took my breath away. From the flat plateau rose a magnificent sparkling white mountain. There was something magic and captivating about this mountain. It was difficult to take my eyes off of it. Mount Ararat...
Not many people know that the country of Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world and is the cradle of human civilization. Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, dates back to 784 BC. It is the first country in the world that accepted Christianity as its state religion. Armenia is surrounded by four Muslim countries: Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey. As I silently absorbed the beauty of Ararat Mountain, I scaled unconsciously this huge white rock in front of me thinking of Noah’s Arc. It is somewhere there, buried in deep ice and snow - a silent witness of salvation and re-birth of the human race after the great flood of Genesis.
Armenia has been under Muslim and communism oppression for many years. In 1988 a large earthquake hit the country killing 25 thousand people, leaving over half a million homeless and many cities in ruins. However, the people in this part of the world are being re-born again, but this time spiritually. Armenia is turning toward Christ!
Vardan Blbulyan, one of the faithful students of MLM in Armenia says that many have become true followers of Christ. Vardan, a former politician and a writer, has a community ministry among intellectuals, scientists, painters, composers, journalists, teachers, doctors and people in all walks of life.
 “God changed my life through MLM training,” Vardan shared with me when we met. “A new process in my life began as a result of the training, which takes me out of the boundaries of human security, throwing me into the secure hands of Almighty God. I have a dream. I have a vision. I dream to see Armenia reached for Christ."
"This burden has burned in my heart for years. My focus is to reach Armenia through multiplying disciples for Jesus so that it again would become the carrier of Christ’s light in this part of the world. I believe that God has given Armenians the task of converting millions of Muslims surrounding Armenia. Thus, by reaching Armenia for Christ, doors of blessings will open for many nations.”
Thus, I thought, by training Christian leaders in countries like Armenia, we will enable many more “Vardan’s” to catch the vision and become the vital spiritual force to bring millions more to Christ. What can be more rewarding for a believer than this?
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