Oleksiy Satenko, the senior pastor of CC Kyiv, has a vision to lead people to Jesus Christ, to teach them about Christ, and help people to serve one another in love and glorify Christ.
Oleksiy and his wife Yulya accepted Christ in 1997. As a family they served in Sunday school and with the childrens’ clubs called “Superbook”. They prayed and sought opportunities to be used by God. Having accomplished the course in the School of ministry (1999-2001) Oleksiy started leading Bible studies, teaching the Word to others and growing in faith himself. The Lord laid on his heart the desire to reach out to people with the Gospel. Pastor George and other pastors noticed characteristics of a “pastor’s heart” – the desire to serve people with the Word and actions. This could be seen through the way Oleksiy lived out one of his favorite verses: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). Oleksiy always seeks to be with people, share with them grace and truth, and through that to glorify the Lord.
In 2003 the Lord led Oleksiy, Yulya and their little daughter Margarita to move to the small town Borodyanka ( near Kyiv) to plant a Calvary Chapel there. The Lord continues to grow and bless this church today. From 2003 until 2007 Oleksiy was both serving in Borodyanka and yet continued working as a subway operator in Kyiv, 1 ½ hours away by mini-bus.
In May 2004 Oleksiy was ordained as a pastor of Calvary Chapel. In 2007 pastor George suggested to Oleksiy that he become the pastor of CC Kyiv, as he felt the calling to move to Kyrgyzstan to serve the Lord in Bishkek. The decision was not easy and after much prayer and seeking wisdom from the Lord and other pastors, Oleksiy decided to accept the pastoral position. The first years were a time of transition for him, his family, and the church. But the Lord clearly showed, and continues to show through good fruits that Oleksiy was His chosen one – he is a pastor after God’s heart.
In 2007 Oleksiy quit his job in the subway and now serves in the church full time. He supports the church’s tradition of sending out missionaries, teaching God’s Word, and building up the church in love by the power of the Holy Spirit. Since that time Oleksiy and his wife have adopted three children. His family serves as a good example of godliness and wisdom for many ministers.
Oleksiy has been given time and opportunity to preach in many churches. He has been invited to preach at various conferences in Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and Russia; which has given him the opportunity to encourage and support the pastors and ministers in these churches.
