My life was full of darkness and helplessness, and it was only God, who could save me from the nets of Satan. I accepted Christ in winter, 2007. Before, I was the drug addict for eight years. When I was trying to stop taking drugs, I was drinking alcohol.
My relatives have been Christians for more than 15 years now. They tried to help me to come to Christ; therefore, every time I actively “did evil things”, they took me to Volchansk. There lived my other relatives, my sister and the nephew. That was kind of the rehab center for me. For nearly 13 years, I’ve been hearing the Word there.
Alexei is on the left side
Once, I drove myself to such an extent that I nearly died… but, suddenly, my cousin from Merefa called me and invited me to stay with her on the New Year’s Eve. I told her that I can’t, but she answered that she’d pray and I’d come…
… my brother brought me there, and I appeared at the New Year Bible study group. As we talked, my nephew asked me, “What would you like in your life this coming year, so that we can pray for?” I said that I was tired of sin…
The next day, as I came back home to Stakhanov, something strange started happening to me. I called my nephew, and he answered, “You got to the boat of Jesus Christ.” “Nonsense! What boat is he talking about?” I thought.
At the same time, I quit taking drugs and alcohol. All that became disgusting for me now. My nephew Kolya said that I had to go to the evangelical church…
At the beginning of February, there was a holiday when everyone asks for forgiveness. I saw that that was insincere, so I invited everyone for the Bible group to study the Scripture and get to know what “forgiveness” is. Of course, I could not answer all the questions. Therefore, I asked my relative to conduct the group through the speakerphone.
That’s how the incredible changes were taking place in my life during the month, and on February 19, I repented officially. On the 9th of September, 2007, I was baptized.
Later, I went to Rivne to study in the Bible College, and then I lived in the Good Shepherd Community church for one year. The church helped me grow spiritually. At the same time, I served the Roma people, who came from the Transcarpathian zone. Working with them was kind of the internship; I led the Bible study group and taught them how to read.
Since autumn 2010, I have been studying at the Institute of the Inductive Bible Studies. It has been one year now as I moved back to my native town Stakhanov, where I serve my people on behalf of the Good Shepherd Community church. I have been conducting the Bible studies at my place for five years now. Two years ago, the first Roma church was founded – “Svento Drom” (Holy Way). 15 people made a covenant with the Lord.
Many people come to hear the Word of God, though not everyone stays. 3 people repented, when we conducted the Bible studies on the Gospel of John. The whole summer, I was visiting them at their homes and edifying them in the Word.
The way we grow in God…
It has been the second year now, as we (about 7 people) gather together every Monday for the Bible studies on the Books of Romans and Galatians. Slavik and Oxana, the family from the Ukrainian Baptist church, who has been serving us continually for 5 years now, are with us every day. He is the deacon, and she is his helper.
These meetings are very useful for me. Besides, later, I have to help others to stay in teaching.
Every Tuesday, we have the brothers and sisters’ prayer meetings. In May, it’s going to be the first anniversary of these meetings. We have the list of needs we pray for. We also use the calendar of the “Voice of Martyr” and support various missionary spots in our prayers.
Every Wednesday, nearly 15-20 people gather at my place. These are the church members and people, who just attend. Together, we study the Book of Ephesians, chapter by chapter.
Thursday. Recently, the new group of Roma people was formed. The newly-converted Rom, Ruslan, got this desire. The non-Christians come to this group mostly. We discuss different questions: religion, church, icons, etc. We testify about the way we live and who we are.
Friday. We attend the non-Christian Roma people, those we know. One of them is Kolya. I’ve known him, since I lived my old life. I visit him by myself. He asks many questions in terms of religion. 
He believes that the person should first change and then to come to God; though, I try to convince him that he should come as he is.
Saturday. Our official Roma worship service starts at 4 p.m. We rent the building for just a few hours, and thanks God we rent it cheaply. Slavik and I preach. People recite poems, share their needs, and together we song either in Russian, or Roma languages. 30 people, and sometimes even more, attend the worship service. As for me, I constantly learn how to preach. I worry every time I preach, but I prepare the notes and share the things God told me through His Word during the week.
The members of the church
And, finally, on Sunday we attend the Ukrainian evangelical church. When it is possible, I preach there on the Book of James every weekend. All the Roma people come here, as well.
Volodya
Brother Volodya used to be the drug addict for 15 years!!! He heard the Gospel from my second cousin Vasiliy. Then he came to our Bible studies and got interested in the truth. On the fourth time he came, he repented. Now, together with him, we serve the Lord among our people. We visit and support people, sharing with them about Christ. He also studies at the Institute of the Inductive Bible Studies.
On the whole, his life has changed extremely, for before, he used to be of the big authority. The local Roma people came to him whenever they had various conflict situations, so that he could give advice. Now, he lost his relationship with his old friends. They don’t believe him. They watch him constantly whether or not he takes drugs. They think he is trying to fool others, as he used to do before.
When Volodya was baptized, we went from house to house to invite people. 300 people came! Many were laughing, others were interested. His wife’s parents began to attend the church.
Now, Volodya has a big desire to have the church among his people, so that the backbone of the faithful ones is formed and all of them together serve, hand in hand.
He is very sacrificial and loves people. If you wake him up at night, he would go wherever is needed. He serves with his car and finances.
Left of him is brother Roma, who serves in the worship band, playing the guitar. He also was the drug addict – for 20 years!!!
The Lord performs miracles! Very often we get used to His wonderful deeds and take them for granted! Though, my heart is filled with joy, as I see the powerful influence of the Gospel on the lives of the deep-rooted sinners. The big gratitude to the Lord for His encouraging work among the Roma people!
By the way, you can join the outreach among the Roma people. Start praying for this people and the church “Svento Drom” in Stakhanov, Ukraine. Please, pray for Alexei Bezkorovaynyy, whose heart is on fire for the Gospel and whose lips are sharing the Good News about Christ actively.
