By God’s Design
Inspiring risk taking through servant leadership
My first Sunday after arriving in Poland, I had my first experience preaching with a translator. I would say that it went well.
What do you think?
My life and
ministry in Poland
My Story
I was born in Vladivostok, Russia. My mother knew that she was terminally ill when I was born and so she gave me up a few days after I was born. Within six months she had died. My father was never in the picture.
As an infant and young child, I was very sick and stayed in the hospital for the first 2 years of my life.
I was placed into an orphanage after the sickness passed. The conditions there were pretty bad, and it was void of love. I didn’t have any family, just people who did their best to keep me looking good enough so I could be adopted.
The chances of me getting adopted were very slim, especially in the town were I lived. Most of the time when you’re a kid in a orphanage, you start to develop a orphan mentality. The thinking of I’m not good enough or I don’t deserve the best. The lie tried to slip in my head that I couldn’t succeed in anything because my birth parents didn’t love or care for me.
God had a very different plan for me. A greater purpose. After 2 years in the hospital being very sick, the Lord healed me. That was miracle number one. Within a year, a family from the US came to Russia and adopted me.
My Vision
My vision is to inspire the people that I encounter in my daily life to follow the call that God has placed on their life, even though it might seem risky and nerve-racking.
My Heart for my ministry is to use the way the Lord changed my thinking from a orphan mentality to the revelation of the knowledge that I am the son of a loving Father. He has a plan for me, just like how He has a plan for the people I will encounter in my ministry.
My Mision
The orphan mentality has been replaced with the knowledge that I am the son of a loving Father who has a plan and a purpose for my life. He has freely given me so much, and I plan to use every gift and talent to minister to others and reach the world with the gospel — as far and as deep as possible!
In this picture, I was about to leave on my first mission trip to Poland. I was still in high school. Talk about a step of faith!
Faith and taking risks are often intertwined because both involve stepping into the unknown with a sense of trust and hope for a positive outcome. Faith can give you the courage to take risks because it involves believing in something that is not necessarily proven or certain.
I left on that trip with more than a hope for a positive outcome. I knew the author and the finisher of my faith personally. I was squarely in His hands.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
I invite you to come alongside me and support my ministry.
There are many ways to partner with me on this journey. You can do a monthly support gift or a one time gift. Also, if you travel, please check out the Click Travel Give link below. Every trip benefits By God’s Design Ministries.
“Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference.“
– Kathy Calvin
