Valeriia Chorbobai is the Director of a non-profit organisation in Ukraine.
When did you trust Christ?
I became a Christian in 1991, during Communism in the Soviet Union. I had no Bible to read, no Christian friends, no church to attend, and no Christian television or radio to listen to—all those things were forbidden. But I had a dream. In that dream, I went to hell and saw the devil laughing at me. Then I saw someone who looked like Jesus saying, 'Worship me'. I said, 'No,' because I was frightened and didn't know what the word 'worship' meant, but He repeated Himself. Then I woke up knowing that God existed, loved me, and would forgive my sins. So I repented and asked Jesus to save me.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
In 1999, a team from our church visited an event called Stoneleigh Bible Week. The intensive Bible study that week significantly impacted me and made me realise that my calling in life was to be a teacher.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
The first time I came to the Forum, I did not know what to do in my ministry, and now I know. It's always been a time of refreshment from God, of meeting new and old friends, and an opportunity to refocus on God's vision for my life. It's been a challenging season of war in my country for the last few years, so I hope to find some peace and rest amidst like-minded Christians. I hope to share my experience of what it means to stay a Christian in times of war, from which other people could benefit.
What is your ministry?
As a head of the charity foundation, I organise help for the refugees and temporarily displaced people in Dnipro. We have opened a daycare centre for such families, providing them with food, tutoring for children, and emotional and financial support. I also teach Christian Ethics and Sociology at various Christian universities in Ukraine. Together with my twin sister Vika, we wrote a book on loneliness, and we offer seminars on that topic in Ukraine and England.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I previously worked as a pastor's assistant for my church. My role was to do administrative jobs in the church, helping organise church projects and events and representing the church in the local government and agencies.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
You should invest in me because I am part of a team of leaders dedicated to growing a generation of new Christian leaders in Ukraine who are deeply rooted in the Bible, truth, and grace.
