Known affectionately as Kesha, Innokentij’s real name means ‘innocent’ – most definitely not what Kesha once was.
He was born in Krest-Khaldshay, in the Republic of Yakutia when it was still part of the Soviet Union, and his early life was a troubled one. Brought up by his mother after his father died when he was just three years old, he experienced great poverty and some heartache. His childhood sweetheart was murdered. Disappointed by life, and knowing nothing of God, he turned to drink and ended up in a troubled marriage which inevitably came to an unhappy end.
Such was his despair that he took a rifle and shot himself in the head. Somehow he survived, and after a long stay in hospital, was eventually discharged home. He began drinking again.Â
As a result of his many injuries, Kesha continued to struggle in life. Then, one day he remembered the local community of believers. He hurried to where they met and spoke with Pastor Valeriy who shared the Gospel with him. Initially he regarded himself too great a sinner to be forgiven but, encouraged by Valeriy, Kesha began to pray and on December 17th, 2003 he gave his life to Christ.
Four years on, Pastor Valeriy moved away, and Kesha took on the leadership of the church. Since then, in a village where many are under the influence of shamanism, God has been at work as Kesha has reached out to five other villages with the Gospel. He visits other communities too in the northernmost parts of the Arctic Circle.
Pray for Kesha as he witnesses to Yakuts who are as desperately in need of Jesus as he once was. We are delighted to report that the new House of Prayer and Hope Centre, supported by SGA, is soon to be completed in Krest-Khaldshay.
Local volunteers started work there last summer, during the short three-month window of opportunity (June – August). Pray that they can complete during this year’s short summer since Arctic conditions make construction impossible beyond these months.