Alena Yasiuk
I am the Development officer of IFES (CCX) Belarus. I manage all things finance-related in our ministry. That includes partner development, fundraising, accounting, etc. I've been a staff worker for CCX for almost three years. I am also a co-founder and co-leader of the Belarusian Christian Art Community. It is a pioneering ministry in Belarus, as we are trying to start a more significant movement of Christian artists in our country. So far, we are still a small group of people, but we are regularly invited to different national Christian events to discuss the relationship between art and faith/mission.
I have believed in God since my early childhood. I prayed and read my children's Bible regularly; however, I had no contact with any believers and had no idea what following Jesus actually meant. At the age of 13, I went to a Christian camp, where I learned the Gospel and accepted Jesus as my Savior. I got baptised at 16 and have been walking with God ever since.
The earliest pivotal moment for me was at age 9. I clearly remember crying my eyes out, curled in my bed at night, having realized that I was a sinner and would go to hell. I didn't know what to do about it; I just knew I deserved eternal punishment. Thankfully, a few years later, I learned the truth of God's forgiveness and received the gift of eternal life. Another defining moment came from a chain of dramatic events, including family deaths and illnesses and some of my unwise dysfunctional patterns. I found myself burned out, physically and mentally exhausted, clinically depressed, with no will to live. It was a wake-up call that helped me reevaluate my understanding of who God is and what He means by calling me to live abundantly. As a result, I've been on a healing and learning journey for a couple of years.
My position involves a great deal of responsibility for developing and sustaining the ministry, training staff, and supporting staff in their ministry. This leaves me with a need to develop my leadership skills. I think my ministry will significantly benefit from joining this Network.
I have been a co-founder and editor of several faith-based media projects. Currently, I am also co-running a Christian arts community.
I have struggled with raising funds for my ministry and failed multiple times. Finally, I had to come to terms with the fact that my inability to ask for and receive financial support for my ministry stems from guilt and fear. I was recently challenged to let God be Lord over this particular area in my life.