The Men I Admire the Most

By Duane Early, Executive Director of Central & Eastern Europe

The men I admire the most are not sports heroes, financial wizards, or intellectual geniuses. They are not on the top 50 most popular or best-dressed list. They live in almost total anonymity and have very little of material value. They live their lives with one single purpose: to please the One who has called them into service. They are the pastors and church planters of Eastern Europe.

As a pastor in America, I had no idea that in the early 1990's a trip to Ukraine would radically change my family's life. The incredible ministry opportunities-coupled with the commitment levels of local believers-created new direction in our lives. In two years, our family was living along the shores of the Black Sea among these men I came to admire.

Eastern Europe is well known for its persecution of pastors and witnessing believers. Christians in the West have looked up to these modern-day heroes of the Faith. That, however, is not why I admire the pastors of Eastern Europe. I admire them for relentlessly seizing present day opportunities, and strategizing for tomorrow.

Pastor Sasha of Kharkov, a student at the Church Ministries Institute, planted a church in northeast Ukraine, and has developed a strategy to reach the multitudes around his new church plant. He and men in his church preach in over 300 locations every week.

Pastor Peter of Odessa told me, "We could plant churches without you, and you could plant churches without us. But together we accomplish far more." Peter is responsible for five new church plants, has aided many more, and helped establish ABWE's Church Ministries Institute.

Pastor Tolic of Odessa came to Christ after being involved in organized crime. He was saved through a daughter church plant, and immediately began training for the ministry. In the past two years, one part of his vision has been fulfilled: to see a church planted in the southern section of Odessa where no churches existed. He desires to see seven more churches in the next twenty years.

Pastor Leonoid of Kharkov is an example to his own church. I know of no other man attacked more often for doing right than Leonoid, yet he stands firm. He also leads a group of churches toward building an association out of which will come a mission agency.

I could have written about many other men whom I admire and respect. Every day I strive to be worthy of their friendship, trust, and example.