Russia (MNN) — “Of course we’re frightened.” That was the common response to the question, ‘With the one year commemoration of the Beslan terrorist attack this week, are you frightened that it will happen again?’
Mission Network News Greg Yoder went into the streets of Moscow ask the average Russian citizen what they though of the world’s terrorist problem and what can be done about it.
Jamal is working in Russia. He is a Muslim from Dagestan. “It’s impossible to stop terrorism. Somebody’s directing that. Everyone’s sick of that here…how could they attack children?”
MNN also spoke to a group of 18 year olds who believe they know who can help stop terrorism. “It should be started with the leaders,” says one girl. “(They) encourage terrorism by their acts.”
One older man blamed terrorism on the country’s lack of values. He says, “Russia and Europe, in general, should go back to God. If Russia would not (have lost) God, by the end of 19th century, we wouldn’t (have) lost all (our) moral values.” However, his view of God is a figure that appeals to Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and all religions.
Russian Ministries’ Paul Tokarchuk says that’s why reaching the young generation with the Gospel, the message of Christ alone is so important. It not only can it give hope to the Russian people, but also the terrorists. “This is the only one answer. You have to change. You have to twist the mindset (and) inside of their heart and there is no other way, only knowing Christ Jesus as their personal Savior.”
Takarchuk says they do that through many different ways. “Through children’s youth camps, social or humanitarian type of projects in order to show the love of Christ, that Christ is dwelling in us and that why we’re here.”
Funding is needed to help Russian Ministries not only hold youth camps, but also fund the school without walls and other similar programs.
