USA (MNN) — Most U.S. headlines last week centered on the horrific Boston Marathon bombing.
During the annual Boston Marathon last Monday, two homemade bombs exploded near the finish line. Three people were killed in the initial explosion and nearly 200 were injured.
On Friday, Boston went into a virtual standstill as police began a manhunt for one of the bombing suspects, 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, leading to his capture. His brother and partner-in-crime, 26-year-old Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed by police in a shoot-out early Friday morning.
When authorities affirmed the suspects' ties to Chechnya, one ministry took note.
Joel Griffith with Slavic Gospel Association says, "It just reveals the deep need for the Gospel in these Muslim regions of Russia that are helping to turn out some of these militants."
Over the last twenty years, Chechen rebels have fiercely fought Russia for their country's independence. Chechen militants have launched many offensives in Moscow, carrying out mass killings in subways, theaters, and even schools.
Analysts say separatists often go hand-in-hand with Islamic radicals in Muslim-dominated Chechnya. A recent Reuters article highlights the growth of radical Islam in Russia's Caucuses region.
SGA supports pastors and church planters in the Caucuses who brave these dangers to share Christ's love.
"The Gospel is going forth there, discreetly; the Gospel is changing lives," Griffith says. "But it's a very, very dangerous place for Christians to work."
Click here to learn more about Chechnya and how you can help more people hear the Gospel.
Ask God to comfort those who lost loved ones in Boston. Pray for Gospel opportunities.
"The Gospel's really the only thing that brings hope in all of this situation," Griffith states.
