Transformed by grace - Sergei's Story

Igal with Sergei when he first met him on the streets of Tel Aviv

SERGEI, A YOUNG JEWISH MAN IN HIS EARLY THIRTIES, MET OUR MISSIONARY IGAL ON THE STREETS OF TEL AVIV. HOMELESS AND ADDICTED TO DRUGS SINCE HE LEFT THE MILITARY, SERGEY’S LIFE WAS A MESS. UNTIL HE MET JESUS…

I was in Tel Aviv on a Shabbat outreach with my church. Many people, most of whom are addicted to either drugs or alcohol, heard the gospel. This included Sergey, who became addicted to drugs shortly after completing his military service and who, for the past four years, had been living on the streets.

THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL TO CHANGE

I shared my testimony and the gospel with him, explaining who Jesus is and how he shed his blood to redeem us of our sin. I also explained how the Lord had rescued me from a life of drug addiction and crime and had given me a new life. Sergey wept as I urged him to accept Jesus as the Messiah and Lord of his life. I hugged him and prayed for him.

About an hour later Sergey returned, asking what he needed to do in order for Jesus to change his life and declaring that he was ready to take the first step! It was amazing to see how the Lord was leading him to repentance. We prayed together as Sergey turned to his Saviour. Hallelujah!

After we had prayed I took Sergey to the drug rehabilitation centre run by my church. We began studying the Scriptures together as I saw the Lord transforming this young man’s life just as he had done my own. It was a joy to take this young Jewish man through baptism classes as he expressed his desire to live for the Lord and share the Good News about him with others.

Igal with a transformed Sergey - now serving the Lord and helping other come to know Jesus

GREAT SPIRITUAL PROGRESS

Sergey was then baptised, began serving the Lord in our congregation and completed a Bible training course to prepare him for future Christian service. He is now serving the Lord in the rehab centre, overseeing others who come to stay there.

A few months ago he started to get to know a young woman in our congregation and shortly, in our congregational meeting, the couple announced their engagement. There were tears of joy as I reflected on the remarkable journey he had made as a result of God’s benevolent grace. It truly felt like my own son was going to be married! It has been such a privilege to see what God has done in Sergey’s life and I am excited for all that the Lord has yet in store for him.

A NEW CREATION

Since then, the Lord has done a wonderful work in Sergey’s life and he has grown tremendously in his faith. He now serves both in the rehab centre and in our church, helping wherever needed and has married his fiancee. It is so encouraging to see this wonderful work of grace in Sergey’s life. In my church we have an eight-month missionary training course for those who want to progress in their service of the Lord and I am overjoyed to report that Sergey has started the course.

Please pray for Sergey and his new wife as they grow in the knowledge of Jesus together and for Igal as he continues to disciple him.