10/07/2025
Timothy and Nehemiah Still Speak Mongolian and Russian
One of the challenges was that in every setting we had dual translations (Mongolian and Russian) going simultaneously. It did fare better than I imagined it to. Both the Apostle Paul as he spoke to Timothy and Nehemiah as he wrote in his journal 2500 years ago continue to speak Mongolian and Russian to this very day … and a little English too J.
I honestly thought that the journey to Mongolia would be profitable but only a “one and done” kind of trip. How wrong, I was! Mongolia in its 21st Century configuration is a somewhat oval shaped nation, squeezed between Russia on the north and China on the south and east. Time was when both China and Russia were under the thumb of the mighty Mongol-Empire under Genghis Kahn and the Kahns who followed. In fact, the Mongolian Empire was twice the size of the Roman Empire and the largest in world history to that point. The Chinese Wall was built to keep the Mongolian armies out. History has a way of changing things, but I pointed out to the Mongolian Christians that “bigness” was still in the ethnic DNA of their souls. There was one more Kingdom in their future. The Warrior-spirit that had long been dormant would awaken in their souls in the last days to again extend the borders of their King. Only this time, it would be for the King of Heaven.
One other thing you need to know is that there are actually two Mongolias – Outer and Inner. Inner Mongolia is now under Communist China control and is not considered to be Mongolia at all by China even though 5 million Mongols live there. Outer Mongolia is a free nation and actually extends up into Russia in the Buryati Republic as well as Republics of Tuva and Altai. These are all remnants of the Mongolian Empire and were formerly part of Outer Mongolia. (map below)
So, there were 15 Russians who drove from Ulan-Ude, Russia and maybe 25 Mongolian home church leaders and pastors. The first week we introduced how to study the Bible for accurate interpretation. We studied the book of Nehemiah to show how to interpret the ideas from a book, so as to teach whole books of the Bible. Many promised to teach this book and they asked if they could make it into a book. It had been translated into both Mongolian and Russian. The most profound revelation was that some wanted to translate the material into the old Mongolian script and use it in Inner Mongolia. Some of you reading this know that I have long had a sense that I was to go to China, but the way never opened … until now and the path may not be me personally going, but the material God has inspired in me to go ahead of me to Inner Mongolia. Might be safer this way …
The second week, we adjourned back to Ulaanbaatar in a pleasant hotel in the city center. Here we met with 10 Russian leaders in a hotel room. And we all loved the intimate setting. Our goal was to study the book of 1 Timothy which I consider the most significant book in the New Testament for planting and establishing chuches that will endure. This material will be used in Russia to growup the churches as they look to plant more. Guy is working to develop leadership videos that will guide the qualifications for leadership in years to come. This is a very worthy project. Also, we extended funds to publish my Ideas of the New Testament Commentary in Russian. Pray this gets done. Guy is also working hard for this to come about.
The last aspect of these two weeks came from the Mongolians. They desire that we come and train every pastor in Ulaanbaatar and ultimately all Mongolia (there are only 400 churches). Initially, they said to come three times in 2026. It most likely will be twice. There are two Mongolian pastors (one is a Bible School Professor also) who are working to establish these waves of training. I see this as an opportunity to establish SCP (Saturation Church Planting) vision that derives from Inductive Bible study – the vision being how to begin the spiritual transformation of this great nation through the power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16).
And lastly, Tuvshin, one of the pastors, said, “Wes, I have an international vision.” Indeed, I knew this as he was strongly behind the possibility to training Inner Mongolians, but also he added he had connections in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and several other former USSR nations. He wanted me to be open to work in these nations. I thought of the original 2002 SCP vision which was not just Russia but all the former Russian-speaking nations. God never forgets these things. So, we move forward as He opens the door. As I said in one of my prayer requests, it seems that God is not just opening doors but knocking down walls. I am at the point of not strategically thinking but doing the next thing, God sets before me. So we keep going with no end in sight.
In the end of the day, I gained a glimpse of why I had to be vanquished from Russia and India. I would never have just left on my own. It was God’s way of closing doors where my part was done. Thank you to all who prayed and all who made it possible to go and bring God’s touch in Mongolia. Please keep prayers for 2026 fresh … and there is still the possibility of going to Armenia in March. In the meanwhile, I will continue to Zoom India and to work on Old Testament books per Guy’s request. I only have 31 to go. If I can live to 110, I might get it all done J.
Love you guys,
Wes
