Jesus Christ, the Hope of Declining Nations

Nations in Decline

A nation's fertility rate, or number of births per woman, is a key indicator of population trends. Also referred to as the replacement rate, if a nation's population is to remain stable, then, on average, a woman needs to have 2 children during her lifetime (one to replace the mother and one to replace the father). 

Unfortunately, in most former Soviet Union countries, the fertility rate is well below 2, with Ukraine having a despairingly low rate of 1.3. And although European and other Western countries are not shown, a little research will reveal to you that among Western countries with sustainable fertility rates, America is virtually alone. From East to West, nations are in decline.

Of the former Soviet Union countries that SRS currently ministers to, only Kazakhstan has a fertility rate above 2. Unfortunately, 70% of Kazakhs follow the "religion of peace," which, as this video of the Islamic State reveals, is not after peace, but like Satan the deceiver, is ultimately out to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).

Every human being is created in God's image, which means every human is designed to be creative like Him. So a country with fewer people is a less creative country. And if it is less creative, it is less productive. And if it is less productive, it is poorer. And if it is poorer, it is less capable of defending itself from tyrants. 

One of God's first commands to humans was to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28). And, to be clear, bearing fruit means a lot more than "have lots of children" (Galatians 5:22-23 for instance). So, while having more children may not be how God has called you and your spouse to bear fruit for His glory, it is safe to say that from East to West, many people, Christian men in particular, need to repent of self-centered ways, turn to Him, and put more effort into raising families for His glory.

And while we're on the subject of population decline, please pray for an end to the fighting between Russia and Ukraine. These are two diseased, corrupt, and infertile nations that any rational person can see have no business fighting petty wars. Fueled by propaganda and nationalistic pride on both sides, and Vladimir Putin's desire to relive the supposed "glory days" of the USSR, they are killing thousands, displacing hundreds of thousands, and making their countries less fruitful in the end.

Bearing fruit for His glory

But, with Jesus Christ, there is always hope, no matter how bad the statistics look! He is infinitely more powerful than numbers on a chart. With that said, praise the Lord for new fruit, such as the recent wedding of an SRS seminary student, living and pastoring a church in a closed Islamic country! And in the photo below is SRS graduate and Moscow area church planter, Yuri Levchenko and his family of 4. Pray that more Christians in these nations will bear fruit for His glory!

It's not the healthy who need a doctor

High AIDs infection rates. High corruption rates. Low fertility. These are a few outward signs of spiritually unhealthy nations. But as Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 9:12, and in Mark 2:17, and in Luke 5:31, it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. And so that is where SRS goes, to the sick nations, run by spiritually unhealthy people who need to hear the message that Jesus Christ alone is the cure.

If you are not already involved with SRS, prayerfully consider becoming a monthly donor. We could use 30 new supporters, giving $100 monthly. This support would allow SRS' field director Blake Purcell and his wife, Cathy, to visit the pastors and ministers connected to SRS. Visits from the Purcells are always a huge encouragement to the pastors, their families, and their churches, strengthening them as they seek to be ambassadors for Christ in unhealthy lands. Click here to donate to our general fund, or to Rev. Purcell directly.

Thank you for stopping by, and thank you for praying for SRS!

David Shormann, PhD
Secretary, SRS