Contact: Abigail Davidson, Publicist, WinePress Publishing, 360-802-9758, abigail@winepressgroup.com  

ENUMCLAW, Wash., July 12 /Standard Newswire/ -- Karl Marx stated that "the first requisite of the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion."* Acting on that statement, the rulers of the Soviet Union, prior to its collapse in 1991, targeted Christianity -- and all religions -- in a nationwide campaign of persecution and religious persecution. The Soviets' goal centered on creating a state that completely eradicated religion and promoted atheism.

Author Evelyn Puerto documents the experiences of one Christian family in Ukraine, the Brynzas, in her book "Beyond the Rapids" (WinePress, 2010). Pastor Alexei Brynza's family lived through six decades of persecution by the Soviets; yet their faith in God's sovereignty strengthened them through three generations.

"I tell about the persecution Alexei and Valentina Brynza endured, and how they were able to raise their four children as Christians in a culture hostile to any religious faith. The book is set mostly in the city of Zaporozhe, which means 'beyond the rapids,' providing the inspiration for the title."

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Evelyn left her career in health care planning to serve as a missionary in Russia. Over the next seven years, she used her Master's degree in health administration and work experience to provide medical supplies, equipment and patient education materials to several hospitals.

While visiting Ukraine, Evelyn met and befriended members of the Bryzna family. Hearing stories retold about the Great Famine of the 1930s, firing squads, religious persecution, and their unshakeable faith in God motivated Evelyn to record the history of a family buoyed by faith in the midst of persecution.

John MacArthur, author and president of The Master's College and Seminary writes about "Beyond the Rapids,"

"This is the moving story of a precious believer in Christ who remained faithful despite extreme, government sponsored persecution. More than that, it is the story of God’s faithfulness to His beleaguered people, showing once more that even the most evil intentions of sinful men can be employed by God to bring about great good."

Today Evelyn works as a freelance writer and speaker. She and her husband live in St. Louis, Missouri. For more information, to request a review copy of or to schedule an interview, please contact Abigail Davidson by phone at 360-802-9758, by email at abigail@winepressgroup.com, or by fax at 360-802-9992. To purchase a copy of this book visit www.winepressbooks.com or call 877-421-7323.

* http://atheistempire.com/greatminds/quotes.php?author=7