An interview with the head of the Kyiv Nativity
Congregation Oleksandr Panasiuk taken by editor
of Banner Vasyl Korshak.
-
Brother Oleksandr, tell the Banner readers of about
yourself.
- I am grateful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
for this great blessing to be and serve in His Church,
the Church He founded while living in this world
among ordinary people like we are. But before the
Lord brought me to church I had a long way to go.
It was my way of searches, disappointments and joys,
ups and downs, internal fight with evil forces and
myself. It took 18 years of my life…
I was born on November 8, 1958 in Zdolbuniv, North-west
of Ukraine to the family of workers. When I was
5 years old my parents moved to Kyiv.
I was raised here, studied and live now. I'm 47.
I am married and have two adult sons. I am interested
in Christian literature, history, computer software.
I work as a night watchman.
When a child I loved listening to stories told by
my granny and Mom about God Jesus Christ, His disciples
and the church. Those were simple stories based
on folk traditions and customs because at that time
neither my parents nor many other people in this
country had an opportunity to have and read the
Word of God. They believed but in their own way.
They had their own understanding of many serious
things but they were sincere in their beliefs. It
could not have been differently at that time. Their
stories emanated some kind of warmth, love, something
very near and dear but at the same time - very sad.
That was probably the time when they put the seed
of faith in my heart; it later started growing and
made me look for God and His truth.
When a schoolboy I often asked myself serious questions.
I wondered about creation of the man. The issue
of death, good and evil, sufferings and joy, the
essence of life always interested me. Noone could
give answers to my questions that would satisfy
me.
I didn't agree with Darwin's theory of evolution,
according to which the man originates from the ape.
But I could not explain or substantiate my thoughts
because I did not know much.
I graduated from the high school, then - technical
college, department of radio equipment. I started
working and later I was drafted to the army. But
the questins that bothered me were not answered.
For some time I had peace. Those disturbing thoughts
and questions seemed useless and futile. I led quiet
and peaceful life.
Then I got married. We had two sons in our family.
My wife and me were very happy. Everything was good
in our family peace, love and harmony.
Now I know that when we think that things are going
well in our lives, it is not exactly so because
the life is not full without God. I believe that
the main values of a human life are God, the church
and the family. Without these three components neither
a person, nor a society can have peace, happiness
or well-being. I came to this conclusion much later.
At that time I was far from such a thought…
-What
brought you to the Lutheran church?
- It was 1987. That was the year that partially
changed my life. I was hospitalized with bronchial
asthma. My bed was next to the one of a man who
was a real believer. He talked a lot about God,
about Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us sinful
people. Listening to his stories I felt that something
was growing inside me. Those were unforgetable moments
in my life.
When I was a schoolboy I dreamt of having a Bible
and my dream finally came true. I haven't even seen
it before. I started reading the scripture but little
understood. I read the whole book from the Genesis
to Revelation in 4 months. Later I came to know
that one should study the Bible not just read it.
I tried to do so but it's practically impossible
to do it on your own. There should be someone who
can help you to understand what is unclear, to direct
you to the right path, to encourage and support.
When a person starts reading and pondering the Word
of God there appear a lot of pitfalls that we can
run into. They can smash us. It's very hard to get
up and heal. This is true. I myself had such an
experience.
I took various Bible classes, participated in meetings,
seminars and lectures of different religious teachings.
It was too much and my head spinned.
It is very hard for a person to find the right way
in this life, especially if you rely on your knowledge
and experience and when we forget the most important,
namely that our knowledge is imperfect, our nature
is sinful, and we always run astray. There's nothing
right or good we can do without God. So, 11 years
out of 18 years of my search for the True Church
of God I spent with sects, 2 years - with Jehovah's
Witnesses, and then - 9 years wi th the Church of
Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. This is the
way Mormons call themselves.
As you can see I went from one extreme to another,
or to be precise from one heresy to another.
First their teachings seemed to be true and from
God, even as sweet as honey but the further I went
I could see nothing but darkness and emptiness,
disappointment and despair.
I am grateful to God that He took me out of that
dead-end.
In 2003 I left the sect. I started thoroughly reading
the New Testament and came to the conclusion that
presently there is True Church of god on earth because
that's what the Holy Scripture says. And it is unerring.
How could I find this church in our town?
I prayed about that for 6 months. Once on the Internet
I found a link to the Russian site of the Lutheran
Hour Ministry. For three weeks I thoroughly studied
the information on the site. They also had correspondence
Bible classes. First it put me on my guard but I
prayed and decided to try. I received the first
three lessons and thoroughly studied the topics
offered there. I did not find any contradictions
with the Bible. I was so impressed those lessons
seemed to be created especially for me. I was so
happy. I have finally found the true Bible teaching.
Upon completion of the Bible classes I received
the Small Catechism by Martin Luther. That little
book radically changed my views and converted me
into a Lutheran.
It was easy. I wrote a letter to the person in charge
of the Bible classes and asked for addresses and
phone numbers of the Lutheran churches in Kyiv.
I called the Episcopate and was told the place and
time of the worship service at the Nativity congregation.
I came there. After the worship service and the
conversation with pastor Yuriy Fizer I knew that
was the chuch I had been looking for for 18 years
of my life.
Later I took Catechism classes, was confirmed and
elected as a treasurer of the congregation.
-
People in your church elected you to be a head of
the congregation. What is the congregation for you?
Tell us about it.
- I am grateful to the Lord that my life is the
way it is. I became a different, new person. But
the credit does not belong to me. This is the work
by the Holy Spirit and the whole glory for this
belongs to our Lord ans Savior Jesus Christ!
It is the third year since I've become the member
of the congregation. Right now I cannot imagine
myself outside the church. Our congregation has
become part and parcel of me. Naturally I want the
congregation to grow. Unfortunatelly, it is not
always the way we want it. We have our own problems,
challenges and difficulties.
In September last year I was elected as the head
of the congregation. It is a great honour and responsibility
for me. There's much work to be done. In spring
last year attendance in our church dropped. I believe
it is a temporary phenomenon. With God's help we'll
stand this testing time. It is too bad we do not
have our own worship facility. Thus, we cannot have
the activities that would make the congregation
grow, develop, get stronger and attract young people.
There's no future without the youth.
Due to the lack of financial means we cannot rent
any church office. Consequently we have no place
to have events for evangelization, youth groups
and many other things. We have to cope with all
the difficulties.
I believe that the Lord will bless our congregation
and we'll have our own church building with class-rooms.
But we are to do something for this end.
-Tell
us about the Internet page of the congregation.
Does it bring any results?
- In April last year I was eager to tell as many
people as possible about our congregation. For this
purpose we created an Internet site. Here's the
address www.nativity-ulc.com . On this site you'll
be able to find the information about our congregation,
short teaching of the Lutheran denomination, sermons
by pastor Yuriy Fizer and pastor Vadym Zinchenko.
We also have rubric Thoughts of Faith with personal
stories and spiritual reflections. Since I have
this opportunity I'd like to turn to brothers and
sisters in Christ with a request to send in their
stories of spiritual quest. They will be placed
on our site. It might be your story that will help
someone to come to God's church.
No one of those who saw our web-site has jointed
our congregation yet. However, through the preaching
of the Word the seeds are planted in hearts of people.
Some day these seeds will grow and change people's
lifves just like it happened to me 3 years ago.
-Your
Christmas greetings to brothers and sisters in Christ.
- My dear brothers and sisters. In this holiday
season I 'd like to greet you with the great event
- the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
and wish you that the star of Bethlehem shine in
your hearts. I wish you to have a happy and peaceful
life so that neither you, nor your dear ones know
pain grief, or povety. May the sun of God's love
and truth always shine on your horizon.
May this holiday bring great joy to your homes.
May God bless you with His abundant gifts!
Brother
Oleksandr, thank you for your story. May Jesus Whose
advent we await, bless you, your family and the
Nativity congregation with His generous gifts!
