Our Beginnings

Jerry & Ruth Hicksons with one family.

"Lord, help me!" was the cry of a young Russian mother. She had come to America as a refugee with her small child. Her husband had been detained in the former Soviet Union and would be allowed to come later. She didn't know English, didn't have any family or friends, and suddenly her child was ill. God was the only one she could turn to, and she cried out to Him for help.

At that time the woman was in an apartment complex that was being managed by Susan Hunt and her husband. She noticed that the woman had little furniture, and she called her dad, Jerry Hickson, and asked if there was something that could be done. He found some furniture, and helped the woman in different ways. God answered her prayer, and that began an outreach & ministry to the Russian speaking people of Kansas City, as Jerry soon saw other families that needed help. That was around May 1992.

For many Russian speaking people, it was amazing that people would want to help & care for them. Jerry recalls one example: "Not understanding where the furniture came from, the family shared a concern with their American neighbors (Susan). Through the help of a Russian/English dictionary, the grateful Soviets asked how long they could keep the furnishings. 'They thought that it was just a loan & couldn't beleive it was theirs to keep,' Hickson explained." (The Examiner, Jan 21-22, 1995)

At that same time, the Hickson's were looking for a new church home. They visited Rockwood and shared about what they were doing. Rockwood was interested in how they could help out, and soon the Russians found a place to meet. A Bible study was started on Sunday mornings - Jerry would teach in English, and someone would translate for him. For many people, it was the first time they had read the Bible, let alone discuss it. Vitali Yuchkovski, a student at Central Baptist Theological Seminary, helped Jerry in translating and making contacts. He would later become the Russian pastor of the group.

to be continued......