MEET NICKOLAI KOSTYSHIN - Nickolai is a great big bear of a man. His Wife Nellie is his best friend and helper.
They moved to Volochese by faith, having no income and little prospects. But they knew God was prompting and they obeyed.
          They both agreed that it was a time of trial, tears and finally triumph as people began to respond to the Gospel message.
          When I was teasing Nickolai about his beard he said it was strictly a ‘stage prop’. It seems that most of the Orthodox priests wear beards and in a nation that was 97% orthodox because of infant baptism, people expected those in authority in any church to have a beard. He said that thinking will not last forever but if it would bring more people to Christ I would shave my head as well.
          They have established a church of about 250 people and have several home groups that they work at regularly.
Nickolai did what no other pastor had done up until he proved it to be so successful. He started playing soccer with the youth in the area. Disgraceful! Was the cry from the old line Baptist leaders. Wonderful! Was the cry from the youth and young leaders. Needless to say the youth group at his church was not only the largest but the fastest growing  of any other church.
          Nickolai served as the National Director for The Gospel Vision Foundation’s Ukrainian work for over two years. It was during this time that not only did our work expand nationally, but the numbers of converts rose dramatically. 
          Sadly he developed diabetes and all of the related heart problems and had to step down as National Director, but still serves as Regional Director over a large area of Ukraine.
          Pray for this good man to be able to continue his ministry for many years to come.