I was born into a military, atheistic and communistic family. During adolescence and young adulthood I went through every stage of the Communist educational system: I was an Octobrist, a Pioneer and a member of the Young Communist League. When I studied at military high school, I joined the ranks of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. After I completed school I served in the military in the Far East, Afghanistan and in Ukraine. Following military academy, I served in the German Democratic Republic.
My road to God was a fairly long one. I only actively began looking for God after I was discharged from the armed services. Earlier, from time to time, I felt manifestations of God’s mercies. However, I could not explain that they were God’s blessings until after I came to the Lord. For example, the first time I prayed was when I was a communist in Afghanistan. In that situation, I clearly recognized that the only one who could help me and my subordinates was God.
I moved to Odessa and ended up at the Grace Baptist Church. I almost immediately understood that I had found what I had long been searching for. In March 2000 I repented and in July that same year I was baptized. Of course, my life was fundamentally changed after my conversion. Then as well as now, changing my life has become a strong desire. Having come upon me at the moment of repentance, the Holy Spirit has not stopped driving me to change.
During the process of my Christian formation, He constantly shows me what needs to be done and helps me along the way. As I consider my past, I have developed a strong desire to do away with the principles that I earlier professed and embrace opposite principles. I have also felt a strong desire to tell everyone what I found and about the only One who can save man from sin and give him eternal life.
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Igor Jermolov - Ukraine.
I preached, led a fellowship group and sang in the choir, but I sensed that I did not have enough theological understanding to be a servant of God. As a result, I prayed and asked God to show me how He could better and more effectively use me. God, through the pastor of Grace Church, Igor Bandura and Slavic Gospel Association, provided me with the possibility and opportunity to study at Odessa Theological Seminary. I hope to gain the necessary understanding to have a fuller and effective ministry to God in any place that He will choose.
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