I met Sergey in Ukraine at a pastors conference hosted by Church Leadership Development International (CLDI.org). He attended my workshop on “Being a Bridge for God.” Sergey had a lot of questions, as everything I taught was new to him. English is not his first language, but I was delighted to receive this note from him."I want to tell you, that after that week that I had a possibility to attend your lectures I refilled my spiritual strength, and started to work even willingly at the God’s field. When I came back home from that conference I talked to my wife and we come to decision that my family will follow the Lord, and since that time our home belongs to God and we will serve him.
Please pray for a chance to start a service among Gypsies. If everything will be alright I am planning to start this in September. I wish I could visit you and learn more about correct missionary work. I am grateful to you once again that you devote your time for me."
Sergey, like most pastors in the former Soviet Union, serve bi-vocationally. I have great admiration for guys like Sergey and so many other faithful servants who work hard each day to put physical bread on their table but also work diligently to give the Bread of Life to those in their community. CLDI provides a great opportunity for pastors to get training. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be a part of this year’s conference and to get an chance to encourage and help people, like Sergey, in their ministry.
