From Prison to Pastor
We are nearing the end of our 9th month on the World Race and we are currently in Lughansk, Ukraine. Over the past 3 weeks we have met many incredible people who will forever leave an impression on me. I wanted to share the story of a man we worked with named Anitole; as his story and ministry is one that really made me understand the heart of Jesus, the grace of our God, and the selfless ways in which he asks us to serve.
For the majority of Anitole’s adult life he was considered the most feared bandit & thug in his region of Ukraine. After struggling with Alcohol for many years, he found himself behind bars in the local prison 2 different times. While in prison Anitole heard a man 
preaching the word of God and started to wonder about who Jesus really was. During his time in jail God started to stir Anitole’s heart to seek further understanding of what a relationship with God looked like. When Anitole was released from prison the 2nd time he decided to attend church. In 2002 Anitole accepted Christ as his savior and began to volunteer at Sunday school thereafter. From the day he recieved freedom from the darkness of jail, he served the Lord every day. In 2008 he was registered as a Deacon in the church. Unlike America, people of these communities never move locations their entire lives; hence people of his community stood by and watched this incredible transformation take place and Anitole never had the ability to relocate and “start over” to gain the trust of the church- all he had to rely on was the truths & testimony of the work that God did in his heart & life.
Anitole’s service to the Lord didn’t stop with merely teaching on Sundays within the walls of the church. He started a ministry at his home property- The following verse reminds me of the foundation of this ministry….
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Matthew 25:45
Anitole bought surrounding 
property around his house and started his own rehabilitation center for those who are poor and without a home. They restored a small home that would get people off the streets who would otherwise die from the cold winters if left on the streets. These people are given food, shelter and their own bed. The only thing that Anitole asks of them is that they work on the lands and farm- just as he does to support the family. By profession, Anitole is a farmer and solely funds the rehabilitation center himself; while simultaneously supporting a family of 7.I found this ministry so moving because of how much it represents Jesus and his character. This ministry is one that is done out of love without any recognition as Jesus calls us to do. This is one who is helping the least in society….those who are fighting to live another day. This is accomplished by people with very little in worldly terms, and the impact in the lives of his community members is eternal. This ministry lets people who are captive to addiction know that they are not condemned- But loved.
If you passed Jesus today on the way to work, and he was starving and cold on the sidewalk with nothing, being rejected by all who passed by, would you stop?…would you help the “least of these”?
