Where are they now?

Pastors Gennady & Larissa Kernozhitsky

Gennady is the senior pastor of a church in Minsk and has planted three churches in Belarus. When foreign missionaries were deported and no longer allowed to minister in the country, Gennady and Larissa continued the work with God’s help and some international support.

When the government moved to shut down a neighbouring church, Pastor Gennady gathered local pastors and announced a fast and hunger strike in support of the congregation. The press conference drew international attention — the US ambassador and ambassadors from ten European countries visited the church — and the congregation was allowed to continue.

Because foreign missionaries still cannot minister in Belarus, supporting local pastors like the Kernozhitskys matters more than ever.

Alexander Pavlyuk

After graduating from St. James, Alexander went on to seminary and taught there for several years. Today he pastors a congregation in western Ukraine.

He is also building a fellowship of pastors and churches — Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic — who meet at conferences he organizes in the western region. His view of the greatest need is clear: support for local pastors, most of whom work full-time jobs to provide for their families while carrying a full-time ministry.

Svetlana Monastyrskaya

Svetlana remembers her time at St. James as one of the best times of her life — amazed that in her home town she could study the Bible all day in the fellowship of other Christians.

Since graduating she has served in several churches as a worship leader and teacher. Today she is a member of New Generation church and an assistant to Pastor Igor and his family.

Anatoli Kushnir

One of the graduates reconnected with during the alumni project in Kyiv in 2017.

More of Anatoli’s story is coming soon.