-How
many years have you been serving as a pastor of the
Mykolaiv congregation?
My ministry in the Mykolaiv congregation started
in 1996. With God's mercy I was lucky to take lectures
of wonderful Doctors of Theology and pastors from
the Concordia Seminary in St. Loise (USA) and courses
at the Ukrainian Theological Seminary of St. Sofia
in Ternopil, Western Ukraine. Together with the congregation
we experienced numerous difficulties and trials. The
Lord strengthened our faith and taught us to rely
on Him solely. Pastor's service is the most difficult
of all the ministries. You have to serve everyone;
you have both to teach and to listen and recognized
not your own voice but the one of Good Shepherd -
Jesus Christ. You should know how to tend sheep the
Lord entrusted you with, to discern their spiritual
state and to cure with the Word of God - to correct
(reproach) with the Law and anoint wounds with the
Gospel. People can easily tell fraud, formal treatment
and insincerity. So, this ministry is difficult. It
demands love and commitment. At the same time it is
the highest ministry becase the heaven rejoices at
each soul that repents and a pastor participates in
this joy.
-What
kind of mission work do you conduct?
The great commission of Jesus Christ reads, "Therefor
go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). This commission
of our Lord Jesus Christ made ways and opened doors
for us in many towns and villages. Together with Sunday
School teacher, my faithful wife Nadia, choir director
Olha Khoreva, Natalia Tytska, Svitlana Kolesnyk, members
of the youth group and other laymen we preached and
taught in the village of Ivanivka, in the city of
Kherson, in Obukhivka, Fedorivka and other places.
Presently their local congregations gather regularly
and have pastors serving there. Deacon Tytsky and
I systematically conduct worship services and Catechism
classes in the village of Bereznehuvate, Mykolaiv
region. In the nearest future this congregation is
to receive a state certificate of registration.
-
What problems appear in the congregation and the preaching
stations where they have pastor's ministry?
One of the most painful problems in the Mykolaiv congregation
is the lack of heat in the church premises that the
congregation purchased in 2001. In the preaching stations
in Fedorivka, Fediivka and Obukhivka where pastor
Vadym Kolesnyk serves there are problems with parsonage
and worship service premises as well problems with
transportation. Another problem is ajusting of the
Lutheran denomination in the orthodox environment.
Thank God the Ukrainian Lutheran Theological Seminary
of St. Sofia are planning to introduce the course
on Mission work ans Evangelism starting May 2005.
There probably exists a necessity to introduce special
courses for Seminary students as well as pastors.
-What
do you think is your main task? Your plans?
I have quoted the great commission from the Gospel
of Matthew 28:19. I can also add words from the Mark
16:15, "Go into all the world and preach the
good news to all creation". This is my personal
main task and assignment. I am happy the Lord commissioned
me to do this. I find joy in submitting to His will.
Hence are my plans to learn, listen to and submit
to the will of God, His plans about me. This is an
absolute blessing for everyone.
-
What would you like to wish the readers of the Banner?
That what I want to wish the readers of the Banner
- good God's will and grace to you. Accept it humbly
and hold on to it.
Interview
by Victor Pashchenko
