Over the course of about a year, there was a dialogue about opening a very important new ministry in the association – the family ministry. After a long search, a new minister was identified to lead this ministry. Igor Zhukov is a pastor of family ministry in Slavic Evangelical Missionary Church of Orange County.
Igor Zhukov was born in 1977 and was baptized in Kharkov in 1993.
Over the last twenty years, he was active in various ministries. In 2014 he was ordained as a pastor. From 2016 to 2018, he received his Master’s degree in Family Counseling at Wheaton College. Currently he serves as a pastor of family ministry in Slavic Evangelical Missionary Church (Orange County, with Benjamin Gorelov as head pastor). He is married, and has four children.
He says the following about how his vision for the ministry:
The challenges of the modern culture are part of a massive attack on Christian values as a whole, but especially on the Christian family. Recent laws on sex education, which went into effect, are a perfect example of that. There is an extensive deterioration of industrial and post-industrial society. The ideology of globalization is popularized by the internet and new outlets of sharing of information. This and a lot more is distracting Christians from their purpose.
The family ministry is created to assist:
- In organizing the family ministry at the local churches. This ministry can help both the church members, as well as be effective in reaching the unchurched or unbelieving families.
- In informing the Association’s members through seminars, webinars, and other means of accessible education: How is it possible to instill proper values and safeguard your children in light of the new laws? How to develop, or not lose the relationship with your children? What is happening to our families? What aspects of the modern culture and the lifestyles pose a threat to Christian families, and which can be implemented in raising children, etc.;
In organizing and hosting family counseling (including online consultation) for families who are in crisis, those who are considering divorce, as well as all those who wish to improve their relationship with their spouse or children.
