I was gripped with great sorrow as I received a notification that a dear pastor, teacher, missionary, and a previous president of PCSBA, Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Tsvirinko is now with the Lord in the Paradise of God. Since 2016, he entrusted this ministry to me. While being a president over the past seven years, I came to Vyacheslav Tsvirinko to be counseled by him. I deeply treasure his experience in so many areas of ministry, as well as our close relationship together.
Vyacheslav Tsvirinko did so much for the development of ministries between churches of the Pacific Coast Slavic Baptist Association. He improved the ministries of various departments such as: the mission ministry, the Sunday school ministry, the music ministry, discipleship ministry, and influenced others as well. He was firm on matters of accountability, improvement of financial structure, updating the charter of PCSBA, care for the next generation, helping churches in organizing English services, and much more. Vyacheslav Tsvirinko was a true man of God who was full of wisdom, spiritual insight, and love for fellow believers. He fulfilled his dream of devoting the last period of his life to training spiritual leaders of the next generation by serving at The DIVITIA GRATIAE University in Kishinev. He loved students and saw his role as a teacher as instrumental in preparing the preachers of the Gospel not only to Europe, but also in all the countries of Central Asia.
On August 21, I visited Vyacheslav Tsvirinko in his sickness at his home. It was clear that he wanted to say something and had a lot to share with other pastors of PCSBA, but he was unable to speak. Although his face was showing signs of pain, it was also reflecting the awareness of the presence of the One Whom he was serving his whole life. Christ is the one Who not only died, but also rose for our justification. The presence of Jesus Christ, Who conquered death and hell gives us the confidence in salvation, and hope for eternal life that we have in Him. Vyacheslav Tsvirinko is a faithful pastor, who finished his ministry on earth with reverence and awe and will undoubtedly hear the words of his Savior:” Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your master”. Matt. 25:21
May our gracious Lord grant His comfort to the family and friends of the Tsvirinko family, and may the life and ministry of Vyacheslav Tsvirinko be a good example for us, and forever be remembered among the churches of Pacific Coast Slavic Baptist Association of ECB.
President of PCSBA, Ivan Mileyev.
