When God begins to work in a person’s heart, the change is undeniable.
 
For one young girl in Belarus, it was something she had never seen before. Her father—once distant and emotionally closed off—was suddenly different. His life had been transformed. And through that change, she and her mother began to see Christ in him.

What started as a simple connection at a Summer Bible Camp led to something far deeper. Through the faithful ministry of an SGA-supported church, God used His Word, relationships, and consistent discipleship to transform an entire family.
 
This is what happens when the church is strong.

A Family Encounters the Truth of God’s Word

At first, the family had little understanding of the Gospel or the authority of Scripture. Like many, they were searching for meaning but had not yet encountered the truth of God’s Word in a personal way.
 
But through the ministry of a local church—and the faithful care of a pastor—everything began to change. What follows is the testimony of Pastor Valery, who witnessed this transformation firsthand:

Sometimes we don’t see the results right away, but in God’s timing, we can witness His grace after our summer camps.
 
I want to share with you one of these stories. It was especially joyful that the whole family—Yura, Olga and their daughter Nastya—came to faith in Jesus. They joined us for the first time, as a family at the summer camp.
 
Like many unbelievers, they did not understand much about Christianity or the authority of the Bible. After much conversation, reflecting on everything that surrounds us, on problems and joys, confirming what the Bible tells us, we were able to restore the authority of the Word to its place. Thus, a living faith began to emerge. After the camp, I repeatedly tried to invite them to personal meetings, where we would read the Word together and discuss their difficulties and problems. They opened up about their experiences, and we began to trust each other. After a while, the whole family began to attend our church services and small groups. God gradually transformed their hearts and strengthened their faith. They developed a love for the Bible. I saw it unfold! As personal meetings continued, at which we tried to meet once or twice a week, we analyzed book after book together and they were interested in reading and reflecting more. Nastya said that at home they sit down together and read the Bible, and this is the best time they have ever spent together as a family.
 
Yura is a former military man who served in government security. He is a very quiet, untalkative and emotionless person. “I have a husband, but he is like an attribute of furniture in the house. He is silent. He sits on the sofa and does not move.” Such were the words of his wife Olga when we first met. Time passed and the Holy Spirit, through the Word, touched Yura’s heart. One evening he called me and said that he wanted to meet me as soon as possible. I came to the meeting and was met by the strong-built man who never smiled, was always serious, but now looked at me with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face. I understood everything without words, and we hugged. Yura said, “Valery, Christ has entered my heart!” We prayed together and glorified Christ!
 
Several weeks passed, until one Sunday service after the sermon, Olya and Nastya came forward and called upon Christ, praying the prayer of repentance. Words cannot describe the thrill that filled my heart and the tears of joy that flowed down my cheeks. This story reminds us of the story of the Philippian jailer whose house also believed. The Lord is good! Olga and Nastya testified that their husband and father was unrecognizable. “He gave my mother flowers, I had never seen this before. We went for a walk, and he took my hand and began to tell me how beautifully God created all of nature. This was not my dad! I had never seen him like this!” said Nastya. Yura’s changes did not leave Olga and her daughter Nastya indifferent, and they saw Christ in him. They believed in Him and repented.
 
Today we have a celebration in our church. Our church is filled with new brothers and sisters, who have been baptized. A whole family is being baptized in one day. It’s a miracle! Praise the Lord for His mercy, in which He showed to this wonderful family and to us! Please pray for these new believers and for us as a church, that the Lord will use us and strengthen them in the faith.”
 
Pastor Valery
Belarus
SGA-Supported Missionary Pastor