SPEAKERS
LEADERSHIP PANEL
Oleksandra Mykhnevych
Dean of the Christian Education Department at Poltava Theological Seminary, Ukraine
Oleksandra has been working as a Dean of the Christian Education Department at Poltava Theological Seminary for 3 years. Courses taught: Intro to Education, Educational Psychology, Education and the Local Church. Currently, she continues her studies in the field of the educational ministries at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Chicago, IL). She enjoys teaching children, teenagers, and youth. Oleksandra also speaks at the conferences and seminars on the Christian education in Ukraine, Moldova, and the United States.
BA in Law (National Law University of the Yaroslav the Wise).
MA in Education (Calvin University)
Graduate student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Larissa moved from Belarus in 1992. She is married to an amazing man, Serge who is the lead pastor at AOS Church, where she serves as the Women's Ministry leader. Larissa has 4 grown and married children and 8 grandchildren. Larissa has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, two AA Degrees in Accounting & Bookkeeping. She earned her Administrative and Finance and Business Credentials from California State University of Sacramento. Larissa brought her passion and experience to the US along with the dream of serving the community in the most diverse society in the world. She devoted herself educating the local community and children using her ability to organize, lead, and bring a sense of unity. Larissa is a role model for the students, teachers, and parents alike. She creates a positive and productive environment at Community Outreach Academy allowing everybody to reach their potential.
Veronica is happily married and serves in the children's ministry with her husband, who is also a deacon at their church. Veronika has 3 beautiful children. She loves working with kids and teens and seeing them form and grow in their relationship with the Lord. Veronika loves to organize kids/teens camps, VBS, etc. Having lived in Washington State, Veronika enjoys camping with her family and visiting new places.
Sergey accepted the Lord as his personal Savior at 24 years of age. He is a former officer in the USSR Army. The Lord called Sergey to ministry with children and youth in Ukraine. In the US, the Lord, by His great mercy has guided him to serve in the American Education System and opening charter schools in California, Florida and other states. At this time, this ministry has a very wide reach.
Victor Georgiyev
Pastor Smyrna Church, Vancouver, WA, Christian School Board Representative Church CBE USA
Victor serves as the Head of Christian Schools Church CBE USA. He holds a Masters Degree in Theology. Victor is married, and is the father of 7 children and grandfather of 7 grandchildren. He currently serves as a minister in the church Smyrna in Vancouver, Washington.
Galina Lutsik
Sunday School Director Missionary Gospel Church, CA
Galina is married to a wonderful man with whom she has 3 children, 2 of which are married. She has 2 grandchildren and she loves to spend time with them. Galina received her education in Medical Administration and is currently working as an Office Manager. She is passionate about teaching children to know Jesus personally and raising up the next generation to serve in the Church.
WORKSHOP PRESENTERS
Elijah Bundin
Elijah is a Biblical Creation defender, teacher and speaker with Creation Worldview Ministries. He holds a M.S. in Nuclear Power Engineering from Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering, Obninsk Russia as well as a M.A. in Practical Theology and Ministry from TCM International Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana. Elijah lives with his wife Elena and their three children in Orlando, Florida. He enjoys reading good books and spending time with his family.
(Orlando, FL)
Max Gonchar
Maksim immigrated with his family from Belarus to America in 1992. At the age of 18, Max had a deep desire to know God more and make Him known. God opened a door for him to go to YWAM (Youth with a Mission). Upon his return, Max took up a Youth Bible Study group at his church that has grown to be a fully functioning youth ministry. At this point in his life, he finds himself married to a beautiful and God-fearing woman (Alina), serving as the Youth Pastor at Ark of Salvation Church, holding a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Sacramento State University and finishing his Masters in Ministry from North West University. Max's vision in life is to love God and love People, wherever God sends him.
(Sacramento, CA)
Alla Karpuk
Alla Karpuk has a Bachelor’s Degree in accountancy, and she’s an attendee of Bible college. For nearly 20 years Alla has been serving the church body through various ministries: children’s ministry, youth ministry, women’s ministry, outreach ministry. Alla has been serving in teen ministry for 14 years and her desire is to see teens love and serve Jesus. Alla enjoys reading, hiking, running. She is a lover of all things chocolate, especially Nutella!
(Sacramento, CA)
Anna Kalinyuk
Anna was born and raised in Odessa, Ukraine before moving to the US 20 years ago. She is married to the love of her life and together, they are raising 3 sons and 1 daughter. Anna holds a Masters Degree and spent some time working as a substitute teacher to gain teaching experience and to spend time with her children while influencing their classmates. Along with her husband, Anna serves as community pastors working with families, young adults, teens and kids. Her passion is to build teams and teach people to work together to enhance the Kingdom of God. Anna is intentional about her personal growth and she strives to influence others daily by showing an example of her lifestyle.
(Sacramento, CA)
Marina Korniychuk
Marina has been active in children’s ministry at Bethany Slavic Missionary Church for over 6 years. She works professionally as a Recreational Therapist. In ministry, Marina serves as activities coordinator during Sunday school camps and church events, as well as completes administrative work. She enjoys traveling and learning new things. The Bible verse that grounds her daily life, “let all that you do, be done with love” 1 Corinthians 16:14. Marina has a Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy, CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist), and completed the Bethany Leadership Academy.
(Sacramento, CA)
Lyudmila Kotsura
Lyudmila is married and has one daughter, Yana. She loves nature, traveling, fishing and designing clothes. Lyudmila is very passionate about kids and more kids for Jesus! She received her BA in Liberal Studies (2007), and MA in Higher Education Leadership (2017). Lyudmila is currently working as an Elementary School Teacher and serves at LOGMC Kids Ministry as a director since 2012. Prior to the director’s position, she worked as a Sunday school teacher for 12 years. (Sacramento, CA)
Viktoriya Kotsyubuk
Viktoriya is a Coordinator of Preschool program at Bethany Slavic Missionary Church. She has over ten years of experience of working in Sunday school with children of all ages. Viktoriya is currently teaching in a private school in Sacramento, California. She graduated from Sacramento State University with a Master of Arts in U.S. and world history. Viktoriya is passionate about raising the next generation in the knowledge and fear of God to equip them to be world changers for Christ Jesus.
(Sacramento, CA)
Vadim Krasnodemsky
Vadim Krasnodemsky has a degree in Ministerial Arts. He’s been in teen ministry for 14 years and is very passionate about seeing teens living in freedom and worshiping their Creator. Vadim is married and raising two beautiful daughters ages 7 and 1. Vadim enjoys reading, spending time with family and DIYing.
(Sacramento, CA)
Tanya Kravchuk
Tanya is a Sunday School teacher at Missionary Gospel Church, CA is who has taught multiple grades over the last 20 years, currently teaching junior high. In her children’s ministry career, she’s most enjoyed the connections she’s formed with her students and the mentoring relationships that developed as a result. Tanya is a mother of four and combines her personal and professional experiences to relate God’s truth to kids’ lives. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and spent a decade long career in nonprofits working with abused and neglected women and children. She is passionate about education and is Vice Chair of the Community Council for her children’s school. In her spare time, Tanya enjoys reading, volleyball, and travel.
(Sacramento, CA)
Alex Matyushenok
Alex was born in Tiraspol, Moldova, In 2009, he was saved and has been serving the Lord ever since. He graduated from Bendery Art College as a Graphic Designer, but also studied Theology at the Chisinau Bible School and later at the Pentecostal Evangelical Theological Seminary of Chisinau. In 2013, Alex started serving in Children’s Ministry initially in Moldova, and then at Bethany Church (Sacramento, California) in 2015 when he moved to the US with his wife. Currently, he is a deacon and teacher in the Sunday school ministry of the Slavic Evangelical Church “Sulamita.”
(Portland, OR)
Lyubov Nesteruk
Lyubov serves as the Outreach Director of Teen Ministry in Bethany Slavic Missionary Church. She is an instructor in teacher development. Over her many years of experience, Lyubov has organized schools and Christian camps in Ukraine. Lyubov completed Bible College in Moscow as well as a training in teacher development with Sherry Ifft. She holds a Masters Degree in Theology and graduated from Bethany Leadership Academy 2021.
(Sacramento, CA)
Serge Russu
Sergey Russu is a member of the Ukrainian Full Gospel Pentecostal Church in Tacoma, WA where he serves as the Director of the Teenage Program. He also serves as the Youth Pastor, overseeing youth in the Evangelical Faith Christian’s Fellowship in Washington State. Sergey is passionate about investing into the young generation to see the rise of an equipped and God-fearing generation.
(Tacoma, WA)
Liliya Semenyuk
Lily is passionate about working with children and training people. She has worked with children and teens for 10+ years in a variety of cultures, churches, and countries, in the areas of coordinating, teaching, and speaking, while collaborating with various teams and churches. Currently she is serving as the director of Children’s Ministries at her local church. The Lord has graciously given Lily the opportunity to complete Bachelor's degrees in Biology, Intercultural Studies, and Biblical Studies, complete training as a facilitator with Northwest Teambuilding as well as at Children’s Ministries Institute with CEF, complete DISC training with Personality Insights, and graduate with an MSN from Hopkins.
(Seattle, WA)
Andrey Shapovalov
Andrey is originally from Ukraine and has more than 30 years of experience in children's ministry. He is married to a wonderful woman Olga, and they have 5 children. Andrey is responsible for the creative ministry in the missionary department of the Smyrna Church in Vancouver, Washington. He likes to read, hike and spend time with his family. His passion is to help the children to become great leaders.
(Vancouver, WA)
Liliya Soroka
Liliya was born in Ukraine. She became a Believer at 18 years of age. Her entire life is tied to children and the education system. Liliya started as a Sunday School teacher, then transitioned to instructor of preparing other Sunday School teachers around Ukraine and Moldova. In the USA, the Lord called her to the education system. Together with her husband, Sergey, Liliya has been opening and expanding charter schools and currently holds the position of Co-Founder of Global Outreach Charter Academy. Having spent more than 20 years in this ministry, starting in Sacramento, California, then relocating to Jacksonville, Florida. The Lord is further expanding the ministry to other states within the USA.
(Jacksonville, FL)
Natalya Yaroshevich
Natalya received a calling to serve in children’s ministry at a young age and has been blessed to serve in various ways, in the last 18 years. Serving in children's ministry truly brings joy to her soul and makes her spirit come alive. Natalya has been blessed with an amazing husband, Alex, and four beautiful children. Their days our filled with busy schedules, lots of laughter, beautiful chaos and often outdoor adventures. Natalya enjoy people and value relationships. Her career is in counseling.
(Sacramento, CA)