At the beginning of a new year, we ponder what New Year’s resolutions or goals that we might have for the upcoming months. In the story below, you will read about Yura’s goal. 

“My goal is to reach as many people as possible and lead them to Christ. I understand that for this to happen, I have to change and live my life as an example to them as I continue to learn and grow.” Yura’s desire is to continue his schooling, in order to become of greater value in serving his Savior. He realizes that as his past life has changed and now that he is investing deeply in others, these people must see that change in him, too. 

Let us all desire to be better witnesses of Christ in this new year. Pray that we all continue to learn and grow and not feel like we have already arrived. God is using each of us, but we must be prepared to be used when God calls.  

My name is Yura. I moved to Israel in 1998. When I was six years old, my mother repented and I started attending church with her, but I did not have a personal relationship with God. When I came to Israel, I was 12 years old, and at 16 I fell into alcohol, gambling, and drugs. I was very deep in sin, and I was on the verge of death, I did not want to live. But I cried out to the Lord and He saved me. Seven years ago, the Lord began to speak in my life and when I was 30 years old, He brought me to a rehabilitation center in Jerusalem. There I repented in 2017 and then God gradually began to introduce me into ministry.

I serve in my Russian-speaking church as a translator, transportation organizer, and rehabilitation minister. The church is called “The House of Salvation.” There are only seven people on our team. We have several categories of people with whom we work: Russian-speaking, elderly, Holocaust survivors, and youth. My area of ministry is, in part, with people who went through the Holocaust, with young people whom I met while playing chess board games, and partly with contacts that were passed on to me. I have about 100 people that I work with. My ministry is to lead a person through the process of discipleship. First, I introduce them to Christ, and then I take them to local churches, home groups, and study the Word with them whenever it’s possible. I meet with them a lot, help, and serve them. It is very difficult for people in Israel to come to Jesus. There are a lot of barriers. There is a lot of atheism. It is very difficult for older people who came from the countries of the Soviet Union to accept Jesus. They listen to me, but it is very difficult for them to take the decisive step.

I’m currently studying for a bachelor’s degree at Israel College of the Bible in Netanya. Before that I completed my theology certificate at the college. I believe that the practical application of what I learn here will help in my ministry. My goal is to reach as many people as possible and lead them to Christ. I understand that for this to happen, I have to change and live my life as an example to them as I continue to learn and grow.

We need your prayers, we need evangelists, missionaries. We need people who want to serve in the same way. We thank you for all that you do to help us.