Church is a body of imperfect people united by perfect Christ. “Loving God and loving people” is the feature that distinguishes church from other places. If, coming to the church building, you can’t see that, you didn’t get into the church. Jesus Christ changes everything!
At all times God is the Absolute Ruler. He is writing the history of every person and nation. Moreover, throughout generations He has been creating a redeeming story by establishing His kingdom in the hearts of His saved children and restoring the lost relationship between man and God.
Having met the Truth in the person of Jesus Christ, we want to share it with you! It’s your attitude to Christ that defines your destiny not only here on earth, but also in eternity. As a family, we would be happy to see you at our home, where we learn the practice of high-quality Christian life from Christ’s words. We invite you to get to know the Person, who makes God’s kingdom on this earth reality, not a myth.
Ministry is not a set of “have to do” to get something in return. You genuinely serve only when you genuinely love. Having met with the Great Savior, every Christian has a natural desire to be a guide of His glory and grace. Therefore, the goal of each ministry is to help people to worship God.
Life and ministry:
Dmitry Zherebnenkov was born and raised in a Christian family in Novosibirsk in north of Russia. His personal encounter with Christ took place at the age of 18. Two years later, in 1999, the whole family moved to the United States. Having settled in the city of Castro Valley (California), Dmitry began ministry among the youth of this city.
In 2011, Dmitry joined his family with Word of Grace Bible Church in Vancouver as the academic dean of the Bible Institute. In 2014 he was ordained to the pastoral ministry. Since 2013 he has served as a youth pastor, and since 2018 he has been responsible for mission and evangelism.
Since 2020 he has been the Senior Pastor of Grace Family Church. Together with his wife Irina, he is raising four sons. In his free time, he likes to play sports games with his sons. Favorite Book: Strongly influenced by E.T. Welch “When People Are Big and God Is Small” Education: Dmitry earned his BS degree from San Francisco State University (San Francisco, California), as well as two master’s degrees (M. Div. And Th. M.) at The Master’s Seminary (Sun Valley, California).
Credo:
“Wise is he who gives what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose” Jim Elliot Beloved
Book:
E.T. Welch “When People Are Big and God Is Small”
Education:
Dmitry earned his BS from San Francisco State University (San Francisco, California) and two master’s degrees (M. Div. And Th. M.) from The Master’s Seminary (Sun Valley, California).
Phone: (916) 481-1001 ext.1
Ivan Oselskiy
Pastor
Life & Ministry:
Ivan Oselskiy was born in a small village in the north of Moldova on December 9, 1963. Ivan’s father was a pastor, who cultivated Ivan's love towards God and ministry.
For many years Ivan worked as a businessman, participated and organized various local and large-scale Christian projects.
In 2001 he was ordained as a pastor. From 2003 to 2020 he was a senior pastor of Grace Family Church.
He is an Elder Board member.
Ivan was blessed with his wife, Raisa, a son and three daughters.
Education:
He has a degree in economics.
After moving to the United States, Ivan graduated from Bible school.
Credo: “Do all things for the glory of God”
Book: Richard Baxter “Reformed pastor”
Phone: (916) 481-1001 ext.2
Andrey Nesterenko
Pastor
Life and ministry:
Andrey Nesterenko was born in Kuban in the family of an evangelical preacher in 1965. As a result of the gospel and the exemplary life of his father, Andrey received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of 19. Since his youth, Andrey loved preaching the gospel everywhere, including the places he lived and worked.
In 1992 he was ordained as a deacon, and in 1992-1998 he participated in the development of a new Evangelical Church in the Krasnodar region, where ministered as the preacher and pastor.
In 2001, he was ordained as the youth pastor at the church in West Sacramento.
Since 2008, he has been serving as the evangelism pastor at Grace Family Church. As of now, he is an Elder Board member.
God has blessed Andrey and his wife Vera with three sons and a daughter.
Credo:
“...your fruit should last…”
Book:
P.I. Rogozin “Who is this One?”
Phone: (916) 481-1001 ext.8
Sergey Neagov
Pastor
Life and Ministry:
Sergey Neagov was born in 1978 and grew up in a Christian family in the south of Moldova. Thanks to his father, he has had a knowledge of God since childhood. At the age of 19, Sergey received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. From a young age he loved to preach the gospel of Christ and was also active among the youth.
In 2007 Sergey and his family joined Grace Family Church. Sergey currently leads two home Bible study groups and preaches.
In 2015, he was ordained as a youth pastor.
In Grace Family Church, he is an Elder Board member.
God blessed Sergey with wife Raisa and two sons.
Education:
Moscow Theological Baptist Seminary, Master of Divinity.
Credo: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Book: Paul David Tripp “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands”
Phone: (916) 481-1001 ext. 6
Vasiliy Zavorotniy
Pastor
Life & Ministry:
Vasiliy was born in 1959 in a Christian family in Moldova. Since his father was a church elder, Vasiliy knew about God from childhood. At the age of 17, he accepted the Lord as his Savior. He led an active life among the youth at a Baptist church in Beltsy, Moldova.
In 1988-1989 he was responsible for a missionary ministry in Russia's Belgorod region.
In 1990 he organized a Sunday school in a Beltsy church called "Bethany,” and since that time he had been involved in ministries associated with children. In 1991, he was called to serve in Christian youth camps.
From 1992 to 2000 he was a Director of the children and youth Christian camp "Hope."
After the establishment of Grace Family Church, he was again in charge of the children's ministry, and then ordained as a minister in August 2005.
Since the future of the church depends heavily on youth, Vasiliy and the church make serving them a priority.
Vasiliy is an Elder Board member.
The Lord blessed Vasiliy with wonderful wife and three sons.
Education:
In 1993 he graduated from the Odessa Bible School
Credo:“To live by faith”
Book: Paul Bilheimer “Destined for the throne”
Phone: (916) 481-1001 ext.3
Vasiliy Khrypunov
Pastor
Life and Ministry:
Vasiliy Khripunov was born in 1958 to a large Christian family in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He entered sports college after high school, where he proved himself to be a gifted athlete with a bright future. However, his mother and father prayed for their son to become a Christian and a servant of God.
In time, the prayers of his parents were answered. The Lord touched Vasiliy’s heart and he turned to Christ when he was twenty years old. The Lord soon began to use Vasiliy in service to Him. Nine years later he was ordained as an evangelist, and began to tirelessly travel throughout Central Asia, showing the film "Jesus" and other Christian movies to unconverted audiences, preaching the gospel and calling people to repentance. It was during this short window of time that God had opened such seemingly inaccessible places as universities, schools, and prisons for Christians to visit and evangelize. After immigrating to America, Vasiliy started going on missionary trips to Ukraine and Central Asia.
In Grace Family Church, Vasiliy is an Elder Board member and serves in evangelism.
God blessed Vasiliy with wife and 2 sons.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Theology
Credo: “I’m not ashamed of Gospel”
Book: Bible
Phone: (916) 481-1001 ext. 9
Eugene Bardosh
Pastor
Life and Ministry:
Eugene Bardosh was born in a family of God-fearing parents in Odessa City, Ukraine. From early childhood, he had heard the Gospel and biblical truths. At the age of 15, the Lord saved him by His amazing grace, a rebellious teenager by opening his eyes to the Gospel.
After a short time, Eugene started participating in mission and youth ministry in church.
In 2003 he immigrated to the city of Sacramento in Unites States with his parents. In 2004, he became a youth leader in First Slavic Baptist Church of Sacramento and also became a member of the youth department of PCSBA.
In 2007 he was elected to the position of a director of the youth department in PCSBA where he served for 10 years.
In 2014 Eugene with his family became members of Grace Family Church.
In 2019 he was ordained for pastoral ministry and currently leads English ministry. Eugene also leads the fundamentals of faith class for those who are getting ready for water baptism, gives a discipleship class to train potential leaders for the ministry and participates in preaching at church. In Grace Family Church Eugene is an Elder Board member.
God blessed Eugene with his wife Tatyana, son and two daughters.
Credo: “When I’m fighting for holiness, I’m fighting for the great joy.”
Book: John Piper “God is the Gospel”
Phone: 916-481-1001 ext.4
Andrey Kobzar
Pastor
Life & Ministry:
Andrey grew up in a Christian family in Ukraine. He was baptized at age of 15 and has been blessed with opportunities to be engaged in multiple missionary trips worldwide. He has been happily married to Alina and has been blessed with five beautiful children. God has put a burden in his heart for his children and for other children at GF church. In 2012, Andrey has been promoted to be the Director of our Sunday school program. He has the desire for the young ones to grow up as strong citizens of our community and strong Christians.
He has been happily married to Alina and has been blessed with five children
Credo: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Book: Brian Hedges "Christ Formed In You"
Phone: (916)-481-1001 ext. 5
Donations
We are very grateful for your willingness to financially assist the work of God. It is especially important during the time of trial. You can do it in several ways:
CHECK
Write a check to Grace Family Church with your indicated amount. Send it by mail to the church address Grace Family Church, 7031 Watt Ave, N.Highlands, CA, 95660.
Bring the checks to the church campus and drop them into the mailbox located on the wall of the church building at the entrance to the office.
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