Sergei Savkunov   Odessa Oblast

Sergei is a very personable and bright young man wise beyond his years. I met him in July of 1999 and it was immediately apparent to me that the course of his life was set firmly by the cross of Christ.

A pastor in Frunzovka, had taken this young dedicated man and begun to groom him for the life of service he so readily chose. His style of preaching is so compelling, yet sincere and natural, that he can sway the congregation whether their numbers are twenty or two hundred. Here is an excerpted version of his self-described salvation, walk with The Lord and his work schedule and description.   

Dear Brother Darrell,
Glory to our Lord and I thank Him for sending you to us. Due to your support we can do God's work here in our area. Since we first met, I feel that I have grown in grace and your encouragement to me to fully accept God’s call on my life has not only given me the courage to serve Him, but also the peace of knowing I have chosen the correct path for my life.

Since I have turned my life completely over to Christ, I have learned that we must always in everything rely upon God and trust Him. That's what He says in His Word. We really do not need any special feeling to be sure we are saved. We only have to remember His words, and to repent when we sin, and also to serve Him with all our heart. Read 1 John 1:9,5:11-12.

I have a great faith in Him, not in myself, and serving Him He proves to me by all His every moment support that I am His and that means I am saved. But that is my inside filled with Him that speaks. I'm sure that's my vocation to ministry and I'll will not be happy and so helpful if I perform any other job.    People need salvation and the time is very short. It doesn't matter in what capacity I serve-deacon, pastor or a humble worker knowing His words and trying to help people to be saved.

Now about our work here...
Every Tuesday I go to Maiorskoie where we meet in a house. 13 people come for fellowship and we pray for some more and more to come. They grow spiritually. Every Wednesday I go to Nova Nikolaevka.  There we study about Holy Spirit and His Gifts etc. People always ask me tell them how to learn to pray. On Sundays we go to Nova Nikolaevka to for Sunday ministry. The church is growing and 4 people repented. A lot of people attend this church. We pray for this church to grow and for you. You gave a push for a lot of things here.
Every Thursday I go to Pavlovka. They became more disciplined and we learn the Word in a good family climate. You know I also take part in Frunzovka choir and have classes there on 2:7 course (this I do on Fridays).
I keep on studying at Odessa Seminary 3 days every month. It gives me much knowledge God helped us and now we have possibility to study as correspondent students.
We have about 20 new people in Frunzovka who want this course to be taught to them. We trust that our area God chosen place for a small bible institute for this region. God knows.
Allow me to thank you again and again for everything you do for me, spiritually and materially. Your teachings sent by email to Sister Svetlana have given me much more understanding of the grace of God. 

May God bless you and your family and the Gospel Vision Foundation’s work. We also are thankful for our sister Svetlana. She is very quick and makes us feel your presence all the time, through your teachings.

Again I want to thank you for everything,
Sergei Savkunov