Though Mr. Gorbachev may not himself be a God-fearer, within the providence of God, he was used to end the reign of communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, which in turn has opened the door for the gospel message. This is not unlike how Cyrus opened the door for God s people to return home following the Babylonian captivity or how Artarxerxes was used to provide resources for Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Mr. Gorbachev inherited an oppressive system that had developed for over 70 years. He courageously decentralized the government, signed two broad disarmament pacts, ended communist rule, called for the fall of the Berlin Wall, and opened the door for freedom even when many of his closest supporters discouraged him from doing so. A dozen years ago there were few personal and economic freedoms, and no evangelical missionaries allowed in Russia.
Today there are as many missionaries there as any country in the world.
For the advancement of gospel throughout this part of the world in recent years Christians can only give thanks. Perhaps in God s good providence Mr. Gorbachev himself will one day be open to the gospel message. We are thankful for his own pilgrimage so far from totalitarism to democracy and we celebrate the freedom and peace that has now come to Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. While we do not agree with all that he said to us on Tuesday night, there is much we can learn from him about leadership, vision, and moral courage. Overall, it was a great experience to be in the presence of a truly courageous and visionary leader.