Pavlo Hryhorash is a youth ministry leader in Ukraine.
When did you trust Christ?
After a period of trying to cope with a meaningless, nihilistic reality without Christ, I concluded that I need God to find me. I visited my Church, where I grew up and where my father was a pastor. At the moment the service started, I felt a very heavy conviction because of the weight of my sin. I felt like a traitor of Christ. My father, as he told me later, changed the topic of the sermon at the last minute under the impression from the Holy Spirit. The sermon was about Judas and Peter. They both betrayed Christ. Judas took his judgment into his own hands. Peter waited on God. The words of the Lord Jesus, 'Do you love me?' shook me as if they were spoken to me. After the sermon, I ran to the altar and gave my life to Christ. Since then, He has been my life.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
My father has always been and continues to be my biggest influence. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, I've been growing in ministry and carrying a lot of responsibilities. In spring 2022, I became a youth leader after the previous one enlisted in the army, so I had to keep the ministry alive as youth were leaving the country in large numbers. I also had to rebuild the old ministry team, shape a new vision, and emphasise the Gospel in a time of war. By God's grace, I now see the fruits of the ministry and my personal growth through all the hardships. Additionally, in 2022, I had an opportunity to lead a newly planted church community in one of the frontline villages. This experience gave me a lot of practical wisdom for my own walk with God and for my ministry.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I hope to be inspired, empowered, equipped, and connected at the Forum.
What is your ministry?
Preaching and teaching in the Church, ministering to the teenagers and young adults, helping and supporting them with their spiritual walk and everyday life. I have also organised an online study course (Bible School, School of Ministry) for the members of our church association. Additionally, I organise evangelistic outreach and fundraise for charity projects. As a university lecturer and a PhD student, I am trying to lay a foundation for sharing the Gospel on a personal level and to incorporate the Eternal Truth into my courses.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I have served as a youth ministry leader, Bible school administrator, church elder, small group leader, and missionary in a conflict zone.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
I am placed in a strategic time and in the strategic spheres of youth ministry and academia. I believe I am here to spread the impact of God's Kingdom in these spheres and bring restoration to them. But I recognise that I need support in different ways.
