Young operatic vocalist Michael Sust, native to then Communist Czechoslovakia in Eastern Europe, imprisoned there for nearly two years, escaped to Austria in 1986. The communists had placed the Bible at the top of their “banned” book list, forbidden for people to read. Though Michael was an atheist at the time, he obtained a Bible in Austria and read it, focusing on the New Testament, primarily because the communist told him not to read it. The communist intended their banned book list for evil, “ … but God meant it for good!” (Genesis 50:20)
Michael gives testimony of the personal power of the word of God in a life. He read the Bible and, with no other person around him, was drawn to faith in Jesus as his forgiver of his sins and the provider of his eternal life. (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, and 10:9 – 13 … sometimes known as the “Roman Road!”)
He did … and continues to perform … operatic roles in six or seven countries. For years he has utilized his operatic professionalism as a link to share the good news of Jesus. He personally testifies as to what Jesus can do in a life, leading many musicians to faith in Christ and into discipleship. (See Matthew 28: 19, 20)
Michael was called of God to be a pastor, and in 2018 for several years he has served as lead pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in West County, St. Louis, MO. See www.harveststlouis.org. He invites us all to the church’s “Harvest Christmas Concert” on Sunday, Dec 9, at 5:00 PM “… featuring the Smiling Strings Orchestra from the Czech Republic.” Vocals from Pastor Sust will be included. (Reading this on www.haroldhendrick.com after this concert? Until Jesus returns, there will be other concerts. Keep updated at www.harveststlouis.org and http://www.harveststlouis.org/who-we-are.
Some Communist Links to Anytime Radio … Related to the Works of God …
To hear … “Mort Whitman re Chinese Communist University professor healed of cancer saying ‘It must have been Jesus!’” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2015/05/25/mort-whitman-re-chinese-communist-university-prof-healed-of-cancer-saying-it-must-have-been-jesus/
To hear … “Tom Kraeuter learned of a great move of God behind ‘Iron Curtin,’ wrote THE GREAT SOVIET AWAKENING” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2016/10/07/tom-kraeuter-learned-of-a-great-move-of-god-behind-iron-curtin-wrote-the-great-soviet-awakening/
Other Links to Russia … Some Tarnished by Communism … related to the Works of God!
To hear … “With IMB in Russia, son David Hendrick discovered IMB colleagues Dr. & Mrs. Yi murdered, martyred!” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2017/02/04/with-imb-in-russia-son-david-hendrick-discovered-imb-colleagues-dr-mrs-yi-murdered-martyred/ ;
To hear … “Ion Cheptene: Russian soldier, spy, Taekwondo ”black belt,” Russian mafia cell leader, then Jesus!” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2015/06/15/ion-cheptene-russian-soldier-spy-taekwond Carol Varner completed novel begun by hubby Gary after he went to Heaven! Hear her storyo-black-belt-russian-mafia-cell-leader-then-jesus/;
To hear … “Son David Hendrick welcomes Khabarovsk, Russian roommate, Pastor/teacher Vladimir Lebedev to USA” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2012/03/09/son-david-hendrick-welcomes-khabarovsk-russian-roommate-pastorteacher-vladimir-lebedev-to-usa/ [As of this writing, Vladimir Lebedev is a graduate student at Trinity Theological Seminar near Chicago.]
To hear … “Carol Varner completed novel begun by hubby Gary after he went to Heaven! Hear her story” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2016/10/28/carol-varner-completed-novel-begun-by-hubby-gary-after-he-went-to-heaven-hear-her-story/: … and …
To hear … “Son David Hendrick impacted by number of friends who have given their lives for their faith in Jesus” ... click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2017/02/12/son-david-hendrick-impacted-by-number-of-friends-who-have-given-their-lives-for-their-faith-in-jesus/.
Other Radio Links Regarding Utilizing Music, other forms of Arts to Advance the Good News
To hear … “John Kasica, 40-year percussionist, St. Louis (MO) Symphony Orchestra; his inspiring, humorous story” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2011/05/26/john-kasica-40-year-percussionist-st-louis-mo-symphony-orchestra-his-inspiring-humorous-story/;
To hear … “Messianic artist Jake Rosen: family members murdered by Nazis; mother survived Auschwitz death camp” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2013/11/02/messianic-artist-jake-rosen-family-members-murdered-by-nazis-mother-survived-auschwitz-death-camp /
To hear … “PROFESSIONAL ACTOR/DRAMATISTS RICH SWINGLE (WWW.RICHDRAMA.COM) ‘ACTS OUT’ THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS!” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2016/01/30/professional-actordramatists-rich-swingle-www-richdrama-com-acts-out-the-good-news-of-jesus/
To hear … “Ministry Musician Henry Maxey: speedy helps for praise leaders at www.creativeworshipservices.com” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2013/04/06/ministry-musician-henry-maxey-speedy-helps-for-praise-leaders-at-www-creativeworshipservices-com/;
To hear … “John Kasica, 40+ years in St. Louis Symphony, shares impact of the Gospel in his marriage, life” … http://haroldhendrick.com/2017/07/31/john-kasica-40-years-st-louis-symphony-shares-impact-gospel-marriage-life/;
To hear … “Dr. Jonathan Blackmon, Artist Bert VanderMark provide worship helps/ideas in music and art” ... click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2013/02/15/dr-jonathan-blackmon-artist-bert-vandermark-provide-worship-helpsideas-in-music-and-art/;
To hear … “Dramatist Rich Swingle (www.richdrama.com) in STL performs ‘Big Fish Little Worm!’” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2016/01/15/dramatist-rich-swingle-www-richdrama-com-in-stl-performs-big-fish-little-worm/; and …
To hear … “John Kasica, longtime St. Louis Symphony percussionist provides inspirational update. His Asia visit” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2013/06/22/john-kasica-longtime-st-louis-symphony-percussionist-provides-inspirational-update-his-asia-visit/.