Serghi lives with his wife Anastasia and his three young children, the youngest Sarah being just four months old.
He pastors a church in Mukachevo, a city in Western Ukraine. The church is only a little over two years old but is strengthening and prospering. As well as all the usual church activities such as weekly Bible studies, this body of believers has already established several additional ministries including offering sporting activities to young people and the provision of training courses for new church leaders.
Another means of outreach undertaken by the church is the offering of help to alcoholics who want to break their addiction to drink. Although only recently set up, support has already been given to twenty individuals, three of whom, as well as managing to break their habit, have come to faith in Christ. One of these new believers is a man called Andriy, who came to the centre unable to remember a single day in the previous eight years when he had not been drunk. However, having been supported through a difficult withdrawal, Andriy now speaks boldly about Jesus and, with the two others who have recently become Christians, is preparing to be baptised.
Serghi also acts as a chaplain, serving the Ukrainian military in both a stabilisation centre and a field hospital, where he has been able to offer both practical and pastoral care to those risking their lives daily on the front line of the war.
If you imagine that all this is enough for a young pastor of a young church to be involved in, think again. Because plans for yet another ministry are underway to support pregnant women who might otherwise have considered abortion rather than continue with their pregnancy.
Please pray for Serghi – that despite the war, he might continue to see new life, both spiritual and physical, among those to whom he is pleased to minister.
