Our Past

Our Story Through the Years

From planting churches in Russia to gospel work in Ukraine, see how God has shaped our mission every step of the way.

Go

Teach

Baptize

Reach

Go • Teach • Baptize • Reach •

Sergey and Lilya Goots move from Ukraine to start a mission Church in Ulyanovsk, Russia.


Sergey grew up in a Christian home in Ukraine. When the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia was suddenly open to missionaries. He moved to Ulyanoskv, the birthplace of Vladimir Lenin, father of communism. Lenin famously said, “Religion is the opium of the masses,” meaning religion was invented to keep masses in captivity, creating the communist position that no religion was real. Sergey showed his rejection of this ideology by launching his ministry in Russia with a prayer service at the Lenin Museum, literally in Lenin’s living room.




1992

Church Planting & Growth


Sergey grows his church plant in Ulyanoskv and eventually becomes chairman of a group of 60 churches planted through their ministry, spread throughout this region of Russia. Pictured: man condemned to prison being baptized.



1992-2014

A Friendship is Formed.


Ben and Vicki Hinson visit Ulyanoskv on a Sister City visit with a delegation from Macon. A friend told a friend who told a friend who told a friend that Ben should meet a preacher named Sergey. In a town of 650,000, Ben asked his 18 year old translator if she knew a man named Sergey. She exclaimed, “The giant Baptist!?” Ben laughed and agreed. Shortly after, this towering man walked into the lobby of the hotel. As soon as he and Ben met, they hugged, and a bond was made forever.


2010-2019

A Partnership in Ministry Starts.


Ben and Vicki begin sending financial support to Sergey’s ongoing ministry. Sergey and Lilya continue annual trips to America and spend a week with Ben and Vicki each winter.


2011-2018

Sergey’s Ministry in Russia ends


Sergey’s association has now grown to 60 churches. It is vibrant and self-sustaining. The Russian government is now less friendly towards Christian church groups. Sergy feels that perhaps his ministry in Russia is completed.


2013

The Revolution Begins


Ukraine sinks into Revolution and protests rage in downtown Kiev. Sergey and Lilya return home to minister to the protestors, setting up prayer and food tents on Maidan Square with the protestors. The current war begins. Russia invades eastern Ukraine and Crimea.


2014

Light for Ukraine is Formed.


Ben’s son, Shae, challenges him to put as much energy into supporting Sergey as he has in many past local fundraising efforts for his Church, school and various political campaigns.


2019

Light for Ukraine begins regular communications and begins organized fundraising efforts.


Annual gifts of about $120,000 are raised, primarily from 3-4 families.


2020-2021

Sergey and Lilya plan another annual trip to America.


Sergey notifies Ben in January that there may be a war and he should not leave. Ben advises Sergey that he and Lilia should come to America, where it is safe. Sergey laughs at Ben and says, “Brother, my sheep are here. I am their shepherd. I cannot leave them. Our God knows where I am, and he will protect or take me as he sees fit.” Lilya emails Vicki, “We have surrendered our lives to God, and we are at peace.”


— 2022

February 24, 2022


Russia invades all of Ukraine.


2022 Continued

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