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Russians and Ukrainians are known around the world for their above average consumption of vodka. Oleg was just one of the millions of reasons for how that reputation was gained.
As an entrepreneur, Oleg had his own business and was what many referred to as “New Russian.” His life, however, was beginning to unravel because of his fondness for the bottle.
His wife came to the point where she could no longer bear to watch him ruining himself, his work and his family. She took her daughter and left Oleg, leaving behind a stream of broken, empty promises. Oleg continued drinking and his life continued to spin out of control.
Unable to stay sober long enough to focus on his work, Oleg’s business went down the tubes and still the grip of his addiction held on to him firmly. His liver could take the abuse no longer and Oleg’s health broke. He found himself in the hospital with little hope for recovery.
Among his few visitors, was a man he knew from childhood. They had renewed their acquaintance not long before when the friend shared the testimony of how Christ had changed his life. Oleg also wanted his life to change and he knew he could not change it on his own. He began to realize that God had a greater plan for his life.
“I had a feeling of peace. I knew I wasn’t going to die.”
Oleg gave his life to Jesus Christ and to this day, has led a sober life. Months went by as he patiently waited for his wife to realize that the change was real and lasting. Finally, she came back with her daughter and restoration of the family began.
As Oleg continued on the path of recovery, he became involved in church life and continued to grow as a follower of Christ. He wanted to keep growing and become a better servant. His pastor and a friend recommended the church planter training program, Project 250 Donetsk, the training ministry of the Mission Society, Spiritual Renewal of the Donbass.
During this time, his pastor and another church planter from Spiritual Renewal gained a vision for a summer of outreach throughout their city and its surroundings. Oleg’s role was to follow up on new believers in his region. The response was good and out of necessity, Oleg became a church planter, even as we continued to pray that his wife would come to know Jesus Christ as Savior. Almost two years later, our prayers were answered affirmatively.
Last fall we were able to begin a new course of study with 23 new students of church planting. Almost half of the men studying are former alcoholics, drug addicts and criminals. These are men who know the life changing power of the blood of Christ. Their lives and message give powerful proof to the claims of the Gospel. Our training program appeals to these men because they can continue working. They only have to ask for time off work twice a year for three to five work days. It’s real training for real men in a real world.
Oleg is now a non-resident student at Kiev Theological Seminary getting a bachelor’s degree in ministry with the emphasis in church planting. The church consists of about 50 members and is hoping to purchase the building it meets in if the government can produce the documents for the sale. A project has been approved by the mission to give the church a no-interest loan if funds become available. As an entrepreneur, Oleg exhibits a can-do spirit in the business world and in his ministry as a church planter.
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