SHARING THE HOPE OF JESUS WITH FIRST-GENERATION BELIEVERS AND ACCOMPANYING THEM AS THEY LOVE THEIR NEIGHBORS.
Sam, born in California and raised by parents who served in the church, was trained as a teacher and began ministry in Russia in 2002 at the invitation of a missionary to Russia. Yulia, born in Siberia and raised by a grandmother who found Christ during the Soviet era, grew in her faith and language skills during summer exchange programs in her youth. Married in 2011 Sam and Yulia’s ministry passion is sharing the love and hope of Jesus with orphaned children.
For their 3 children, who are bilingual and dual citizens, Sam and Yulia desire to provide them a safe sense of home between two cultures and a foundation of faith, which will accompany them for a lifetime.
Sam and Yulia have stayed open to God’s invitation, which has unfolded as they respond through relationships to the needs of new believers in the Russia speaking world. What excites them is bearing witness to God’s faithfulness and people’s believing response in a region marred by generations of state sponsored atheism. Despite these obstacles their joy is to recognize hearts opening to the love of Jesus.
