Almaty, Kazakhstan—Thousands of residents of Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, viewed the televised interview of one of Set Free's prison Bible students on June 20th, who took advantage of the opportunity to share his faith in the Lord Jesus by reciting John 3:16 in English and then Russian. Before a large audience of guests and journalists invited inside the youth detention facility for the prison's school graduation ceremony, the 17 year old student had the privilege of being selected to speak on television because of his superior academic performance.  The interview was later broadcast on one of Almaty’s major television stations during its nightly news coverage.

The media presented this young believer as an outstanding example of the prison program’s success.  His ability to speak in Russian and English that he learned from Christians and Set Free staff inside the prison has distinguished him from the other inmates.  The media interview team also, some surprisingly, highlighted how he even speaks the Word of God.

This promising young follower of Christ not only spoke about his upcoming release in August and his dream to continue studying to be an English interpreter at university, but he also boldly presented his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by quoting the Bible verse from John 3:16 in two languages.  Along with a demonstration of his bilingual skills this also brought the Word of God to many thousands of listeners who viewed the program and who many have never heard that truth before: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

We praise the Lord for using this humble servant to exalt His name here in Kazakhstan before such a large audience and for preparing our young brother in prison for this unexpected opportunity.  Since first coming into contact with Christians serving inside the teen men’s prison in Almaty, he has come to a saving knowledge of Christ and grown much in his relationship with the Lord.

As with most prisoners just prior to their release, his future is somewhat uncertain, but he is trusting in the Lord to guide him.  While in prison he has not only learned English very fluently, in part through Set Free’s English language program, but also has learned to play the guitar very well.  He is a good example of inmates taking good advantage of their time behind bars to improve their skills.

We have weekly encouraged our young brother in his spiritual growth and this Spring and Summer have been teaching all the young men who attend our Bible services to consider the Scripture’s teaching and emphasis on service to others, both inside and outside the church.

Though he was blind in sin until arriving at the prison, it was there that he found true freedom in Christ and now desires to serve him once he is released.  These four years of his incarceration have prepared him to be a worship leader and servant to a local church, wherever the Lord directs him to after he is set free in August.
 
Please join with us in praying for him in these important days ahead as he learns new lessons about really trusting God for his future and for God’s provision for his practical needs.  Thank you for supporting the service of Set Free Prison Ministries in reaching young lives for Christ such as this young man and for helping them in their growth both inside the confines of prison and once they are released.