FEATURES

• "Church and Culture: The Russian Enigma," by Nikolaj Sawatzky. The insightful description of Russia as "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma" has implications for the growth of Christianity. How can we better understand significant aspects of Russia's past in order to shed light on the church's future?

• "The Same, the Different, and the Never-Changing," by Teanna Sunberg. In a society where opened doors and democracies born from dictatorships share center stage with unsteady economies and war-torn republics, the only One able to exact the real and necessary change in the Balkans and the Commonwealth of Independent States is the One who steadfastly remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

• "Life's Best Investment," by Imre and Maria Gusztin. In a culture where old and new clash every day in forming the future, the infant Church of the Nazarene in Hungary is boldly striding through open doors for the gospel.

• "The Romanian Journey," by Roberta Bustin. Was life better in Romania under Communism? Success must be measured not in monetary units but in spiritual transformation.

COLUMNS

• Heartbeat: "Sunday School-It All Began In Europe," by W. Talmadge Johnson. "What can we do about crime in England?" the prince inquired. Colson replied, "Get the children back in Sunday School."

• Editor's Forum: This month's panel of experts answers a question about the concept of suffering

• Portraits: "Ad and Marina van Dijk: Dutch Shoes and Polish Footprints," by Debbie Salter Goodwin. The van Dijks have found new lives as a "third culture" family exploring a passport life.

• Worldview: "Not Just There, But Here!" by Bill Selvidge. Changing perspective is usually difficult, but the resulting view is worth the struggle.

• The Deeper Way: "The Power Of Transformation," by Ed Robinson. The gospel still has the power to transform. Upper rooms, burning bushes, and Damascus roads still exist.

• Touching: "Where Are the Multitudes?" by Hermann L. Gschwandtner. Jesus measured His work not by millions but by ones.

• Change Agent: "Is There Unity in the Community?" by Jon Johnston. The best people often see things differently. Christian love must allow for that. In turf wars, both sides lose-or perhaps Satan wins."

• Family Tree: "Puppy Love," by Jerry and Lynda Cohagan. With her approach to life and people and dogs, she enters more kingdoms of heaven right here on earth than most of us ever dream of.

• En Route: "Amazon Animal Capers," by Larry Garman. Pray for your missionaries. It's a jungle out there.

• Essay: "Tabernacle," by Jeff Crosno. The prophet Jeremiah had a word for people like us. "Stop wearing out your shoes."

• Commission: "An Investment Strategy for all Seasons," by Paul G. Cunningham. "Before you have any surgery, we're going to pray for God to heal this boy."

COMING IN AUGUST-"HOLINESS ACROSS THE CULTURES"

• "Flawlessly Fused" by Roderick T. Leupp. The call to a holy life is a universal call from the triune God of all graces. God's grace effusively given in Jesus Christ is a universal grace. Together, holiness and grace are flawlessly fused into God's eternal plan for people everywhere.