Pavel Polisciuc is a pastor in Moldova.
When did you trust Christ?
I was born into a pastor’s family, but my faith became personal after a period of searching during my teenage years. At the age of 17, in my home church, I made a conscious decision to trust and follow Jesus, committing my life to Him in prayer.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
One of the early defining experiences was a period of tension with my parents and a more conservative church context due to my involvement in poetry and participation in secular creative events. This led me to spend three months in Greece, where I worked almost without days off. That time became a kind of monastic season of personal searching and deepening my relationship with God through prayer, reflection, and solitude. A major influence on my faith has been Tim Keller. Translating many of his sermons into Russian, along with reading his books, deeply shaped my theological thinking and helped me integrate faith with culture, doubt, and everyday life. His teaching was especially formative during my preparation for marriage. My wife has also played a profound role in my spiritual growth. Coming from a non-Christian and difficult family background, she came to faith after the age of 20. Her journey and sensitivity have helped me experience God more relationally and compassionately. Additionally, reading theology and philosophy, particularly, has consistently deepened my understanding of God and strengthened my faith intellectually.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I heard about the European Leadership Forum from a previous participant who is an apologist. We also collaborated together on a conference. I believe that attending the European Leadership Forum will enrich me with new ideas, knowledge, inspiration, and valuable connections.
What is your ministry?
I am one of four pastors in our church and the only one responsible for the Russian-speaking ministry. I serve on the church council and lead the ministry’s leadership team. My work includes preaching, engaging in youth ministry, organising evangelistic events for students, and teaching in the Christian project "School Without Walls". I also mentor leaders and support the spiritual growth of our community.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I have served in several leadership roles within the church. I began as a youth leader, later led a small group, and subsequently coordinated the Russian-speaking ministry within a predominantly Romanian-speaking church.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
Our ministry is young, and there is a strong need for growth in competence and leadership. As a young leader, I am eager to learn and develop my skills. We have a bold ministry that does not stay within church walls but actively engages with the community, universities, and professionals through joint events. I work closely with active leaders in small groups, media, and music ministries, mentoring and influencing them to grow in their leadership. Investing in my training and our ministry will strengthen both our team and the wider community we serve.
