Pastor's story
I, Sergey Anatolyevich Tokarev, was born August 31, 1978 in Kuitune settlement of Irkutsk region. From my young years I was fond of soccer and tourism. I loved life in all its manifestations. Thanks to my parents I was raised up with love to work and respect old people. But unfortunately I was very much attracted by bad activities and habits. I began smoking at my 1st year at school and living a life style secret from my parents. As I was growing up in a bad district, all my friends were about smoking, drinking and using drugs; and it also influenced me. When we were in the 5th grade my friends tried marijuana and alcohol; and it was breaking our lives and mind. In the 7th grade one of my friends was kicked out of school for drinking. He began an independent life too yearly, and after failing to deal with problems, he committed suicide. Many others that I knew lost their sense in life and became hard-drinkers, some went to prison, and others just got lost somewhere, and I have no idea what happened to them. When 15 years old, I asked myself: “What do I live for?” I couldn’t find the answer and my searching was in vain. To my mind all people around me were empty and not able to give me anything to fill my life soul, not the stomach only.
In 1994 strangely happy people came to our settlement. They talked about God and that Jesus Christ can forgive sins and change lives. There was something unusual in them that was attracting me. Inside of myself I wished to be like them: happy eyes, freedom from bad habits and, most important, full soul and peace with God. For the whole month I attended Christian fellowships, but inside I had a fight: my old life was pushing me to the abyss of crimes, and there was no new life so far. On August 13, 1994 in the evening, I came again to the fellowship of believers. I felt a big stone hanging in my soul. I couldn’t be happy. I felt like darkness was embracing my soul. It was suggested that I pray and ask God to forgive my sins and enter my life. I agreed. I kneeled and said, “God, if you exist and these people don’t lie, change my life and forgive my sins. I don’t want to live the life I lived before.” Floods of tears were shedding. I didn’t know what was happening to me, but after the prayer I felt God’s forgiveness. I felt easiness in my feet and like wings behind. The stone that was pushing me to the ground was gone, and my soul could breathe freely. Next day when I got up, I realized that I’m not feeling like smoking and I cannot use bad words. Happiness is radiating from my eyes, so I yelled, “Praise God!” The whole day was filled with unearthly happiness. A few days later when I came to see the believers again, I got to know that God forgave me and I’m a child of God now. This idea couldn’t leave me, so I went to my friends to tell them that about God and the new life in Him. After my repentance all my life was changed. God helped me to forgive my father and become his friend, to apologize before teachers at school for my bad behavior, and to leave my bad habits. Being a believer I finished technical school with excellent diploma, served in the army, and joined Irkutsk Bible School. I always wanted to be a good tool in God’s hands and dedicate my life to ministry to people. When I finished Bible School in 2000, I was sent as a missionary to Taishet. Three months later I married a wonderful girl, Olechka. Together we continue to serve people. God gave us wonderful kids, son Dima and a daughter Christina. Looking back at my life, I thank God for all His mercy. If it wasn’t for Him, my life would have been filled with darkness, sins, hatred, offense and anger.
At the end I want to address you, dear friend. If today you feel emptiness in your souls, understand that you are guilty before God. You have a chance to ask God for forgiveness now. Ask Him to forgive you and enter your heart. Pray with your own words, and may the Lord bless you. Find people who believe in Jesus Christ, read the Bible and tell others about God’s mercy. See you in Heaven at the throne of God’s grace and mercy. Amen.
In 1994 strangely happy people came to our settlement. They talked about God and that Jesus Christ can forgive sins and change lives. There was something unusual in them that was attracting me. Inside of myself I wished to be like them: happy eyes, freedom from bad habits and, most important, full soul and peace with God. For the whole month I attended Christian fellowships, but inside I had a fight: my old life was pushing me to the abyss of crimes, and there was no new life so far. On August 13, 1994 in the evening, I came again to the fellowship of believers. I felt a big stone hanging in my soul. I couldn’t be happy. I felt like darkness was embracing my soul. It was suggested that I pray and ask God to forgive my sins and enter my life. I agreed. I kneeled and said, “God, if you exist and these people don’t lie, change my life and forgive my sins. I don’t want to live the life I lived before.” Floods of tears were shedding. I didn’t know what was happening to me, but after the prayer I felt God’s forgiveness. I felt easiness in my feet and like wings behind. The stone that was pushing me to the ground was gone, and my soul could breathe freely. Next day when I got up, I realized that I’m not feeling like smoking and I cannot use bad words. Happiness is radiating from my eyes, so I yelled, “Praise God!” The whole day was filled with unearthly happiness. A few days later when I came to see the believers again, I got to know that God forgave me and I’m a child of God now. This idea couldn’t leave me, so I went to my friends to tell them that about God and the new life in Him. After my repentance all my life was changed. God helped me to forgive my father and become his friend, to apologize before teachers at school for my bad behavior, and to leave my bad habits. Being a believer I finished technical school with excellent diploma, served in the army, and joined Irkutsk Bible School. I always wanted to be a good tool in God’s hands and dedicate my life to ministry to people. When I finished Bible School in 2000, I was sent as a missionary to Taishet. Three months later I married a wonderful girl, Olechka. Together we continue to serve people. God gave us wonderful kids, son Dima and a daughter Christina. Looking back at my life, I thank God for all His mercy. If it wasn’t for Him, my life would have been filled with darkness, sins, hatred, offense and anger.
At the end I want to address you, dear friend. If today you feel emptiness in your souls, understand that you are guilty before God. You have a chance to ask God for forgiveness now. Ask Him to forgive you and enter your heart. Pray with your own words, and may the Lord bless you. Find people who believe in Jesus Christ, read the Bible and tell others about God’s mercy. See you in Heaven at the throne of God’s grace and mercy. Amen.
