The Gospel to Gypsies in Tambov

Their path to faith in Jesus Christ was laid in this area by their fellow tribesman, Nikolai Balashov. One day, the gospel fell into his hands. Someone gave a gospel book to gypsy women when they went from house to house begging. The women could not read, and so they handed the gospel to a literate gypsy. This gypsy, apparently, was chosen by God, because he immediately caught the essence of the Gospel, and his soul immediately responded to the Gospel’s call to repentance.

Nikolai could not keep his living passionate faith to himself, so he shared it with others. First of all, with his family members, but he faced rejection, and his neighbors sharply opposed it, declaring him an outcast. Nicholas had to endure many ordeals and persecutions for his faith. But the time has come - the ice was broken. His numerous relatives, one by one, with him were drawn to the worship meetings of the Baptist church. The father, who had previously been the main persecutor, found himself at a spiritual meeting for the sake of curiosity, repented from within his heart, and became a zealous Christian.

Now the prayer house of Baptist Christians in Dmitrievka and the nearby village of Ozerki, where the gypsies live compactly, have become a center of the evangelical movement among the gypsy people.

A few days ago, on a bright sunny day, they celebrated the water baptism of Nikolai’s grandson, Ivan. Together with local brothers and sisters, all were encouraged by this joyful event, as seen as the response of obedience to God’s Covenant of faith. The baptism was performed by pastor Igor Podvyaznikov.

The celebration lasted all day until sunset in the large courtyard of the gypsy house under a canopy. Gypsies, as you know, are musically gifted people, with a lively innate sense of rhythm and gaiety. Far away, throughout the village district, the spiritual songs of the gypsies were heard about how the Savior, Christ Jesus, came to them. And now they have a new life with Christ, and life for Christ.

For three years now,  local church member, Elena Betretdinova has been serving the gypsy people with her husband, Evgeny, and their children. Elena was able to organize a choir and vocal/instrumental groups. Choristers and musicians visit many churches in the area, inspiring believers to work for the glory of the Lord and serve evangelistically.

“It is not so easy for gypsies to come to Christ,” Nikolay says. “Many are used to living by theft and deceit. Whoever has become a Christian must turn away from a sinful life and live honestly, and it's hard for them to earn a living. We also had to starve when this happened to us. Additionlly, it can be hard to make friends with Russians also.”

Nikolay's comments are quite understandable. But the gospel faith and the power of the Holy Spirit helps to remove all barriers and prejudices. Colossians 3:11 reminds us. “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.”

Nikolai Balashov now lives in Kursk, where there is also a large gypsy church. For many years he has served as an evangelist and pastor, translating Bible books into the Gypsy language. And he does not stay away a long time from his relatives, from brothers and sisters in faith in the Tambov region. For both Nikolai and other Gypsies, the church in the Nikiforovsky district continues to be a center of special spiritual draw..

Vladimir Popov