Sunday service, June, the 10th. God, Father of orphans.
21.06.2012
On the 10th of June the Sunday service at New Life church was a special one because it was dedicated to such a problem as orphanhood and adoptions of orphans. “We are praying for our land to be healed, for it to be a blessing for many nations. But the way to this blessing lies through the healing of many hearts, including the healing of the hearts of orphans. There are more than 30,000 children in our country who are deprived of the warmth of living with a family. The healing of our land cannot be possible without the healing of the children’s hearts”- with such words Elena Teresh, a regional pastor of New Life Church, started the Sunday service.
Elena introduced several young people whose lives were radically changed when God came into their lives. One of these young people who were introduced was Alexander Prorochuk. Alexander (Sasha) lost his parents when he was 5 years old and then went to live with his alcoholic grandparents. After the grandparents’ rights to raise a child were revoked, Sasha was brought to the orphanage where he lived for 9 years. Being raised without parental love and care, Sasha always dreamt about a loving family. His life was radically changed when he experienced the love and care of a family at a Christian summer camp. The counselors told him about Jesus Christ and invited him to church. Now Alexander is 23 years old, he is a student of the Moscow Spiritual Academy and dreams of becoming a pastor. He believes that God will raise great people among orphans.
Also introduced was Dmitriy Petrakovich, who shared his life story. He learned about God at a Christian camp, experienced His love and care for which he so much longed while being at the orphanage. Then he shared about Jesus with his brother, and now they both go to church and seek to grow in God.
Andrey Kutsukho then shared a special testimony with the church. Andrey and his wife Irina (who have two children of their own), made a decision to give their love and warmth to children who have no parents. Kutsukho couple joined the foster home program translated as “Children’s home of a Family Type”, and within the past 3 years their family has welcomed seven children. After their family grew with adopted children, Andrey’s long time dreams for business started to come true. Besides being a father for many children and a businessman, Andrey preaches the Word of God among bikers and even got an honourable nickname “Pastor” with them.
Then the church was shown a video and photos of the children whose orphanage is being closed now. Everyone whose hearts were touched by the orphans and who wanted to help the orphaned children, had a chance to visit with Olga Goncharenko, who has a ministry with orphans, and find out more about how they could help the children.
Senior pastor of the church Vyacheslav Goncharenko continued in his sermon about the topic of orphans. “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred” was shared by the pastor from the Book of Proverbs. Vyacheslav Goncharenko called the people to be the vessels of God’s love in this world and not to be afraid to open up their hearts and the houses for the orphans. God, whom the Bible calls “the Father of orphans”, provides everything needed for the families with adopted children.
