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Vadym Biriukov

Vadym Biriukov
Person Details
All Persons

Country

  • Ukraine
Participants Details

YRM Network

  • Youth Ministry Leaders

ELF Network

  • 2024 Youth Ministry Leaders Network

Ministry Focus

  • Children and/or Youth

Occupation

  • Christian Ministry

Funding Status (ELF)

  • Needs ELF Funding

Funding Status (YRM)

  • YRM Funded
Participants Answers
What is your ministry?

I have been working with our church's youth group since 2018. I am interested in working with youth to set biblical goals for them to achieve. In addition, I am the dean of students at Zaporizhzhia Bible College. The college is involved in missionary work. I lead some of these short-term mission groups. I am delighted to watch our students grow in maturity during these trips.

When did you trust Christ?

Before I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, I desperately searched for real friends. I thought I had found them. We were a basketball team playing for the amateur championship in our city. But we had a falling out, and I was bitterly disappointed. One day I was at a store complaining about my disappointment. I was astonished by how a lady talked to me. She was a believer; she spared her time for me and was kind as I explained my disappointment in the people I thought were my friends. Through that sister, God spoke to my heart. I wanted to know the God that she knew. That day radically changed my life.

What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?

Just after my repentance, I started working at the Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant. That plant is one of the world's largest producers of manganese alloys. I prayed to God for protection during each shift. Those months were a defining moment for my trust in God. I had two very close brushes with a severe injury where my hands could have been completely crushed. After that, I didn't doubt the One I came to in repentance and to whom I had dedicated my whole life.

Eventually, I left my job and enrolled in Zaporizhzhia Bible College (ZBC). I studied there for four years. It was a constant growth experience through my teachers and their lectures, prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other students.

What do you hope to gain from participating?

I expect to meet new people from other countries. Hearing their life stories and learning from their ministry experience is great. To laugh together and have a fun time. It's precious to share our needs and pray for each other. Also, I look forward to the example of a mentor so I can learn from him. A mentor can listen, exercising empathy. I can share the pains in my ministry and find support and understanding. Additionally, it's great to hear guest speakers on related topics. I also look forward to reading the assigned books to find new insights.

After last year's Forum, I invited Paul Bowman to help me teach a Youth Ministry course through Zoom. Although only three students were present at the time, their feedback on the system was very positive. I look forward to attending the Forum again to improve as a youth leader and make valuable contacts for me and the Seminary.

What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?

During my education at ZBC, I was a director of AWANA clubs for a couple of years. We had a team of about eight people. For me, it wasn't easy to manage the team. I felt I was sitting in the wrong chair, but it was an excellent opportunity to learn about what it means to be a leader.

I have been a deacon in a Baptist church since 2008. I preach frequently in my church or by invitation in other churches. Once a month, I attend elderly or bed-ridden church members with Communion. Also, I sing in a church choir. I have been a youth leader for almost five years. In 2007, I began working at Zaporizhzhia Bible Seminary. I was a dean of students for ten years. Now, I am a methodologist of online education. My job is to make videos of courses and provide them to students and other assignments. I also teach the following classes: Spiritual Formation, Youth Ministry, Small Groups, and Evangelism.

Why should someone invest in your ministry?

I want to build a team doing active and creative youth ministry in our church. I also have an eye toward eventually passing the baton on to a younger leader.