People who came from afar
The Sacramento area has long been home to a Russian-Ukrainian diaspora — today around 80,000 people. Our fellow countrymen came to the United States for many reasons: to find their calling, to seek safety and the well-being of their families, and to worship God freely.
Each had a reason of their own — economic, educational, political, religious, or family. And in recent years another has been added: war. Russia's military aggression forced millions of Ukrainians to leave their homes; many found refuge in the United States, and brothers and sisters ready to help. Our church family grew considerably.
“Thus far the LORD has helped us”
1 Samuel 7:12
With these words of the prophet Samuel we look back on the road we have travelled — with its joys, its mistakes, and its losses — and thank God for every year we have lived.
A chronicle of the community
Key milestones — from the first Sabbath School in Russian to our own house of prayer and a media ministry that reaches around the world.
First gatherings
For several years the families of the first immigrants from the countries of the former Soviet Union met for worship at the Yugoslavian church — in the Woodside Church building at 3300 Eastern Ave. Before long a small group began holding Sabbath School in Russian and Ukrainian as a separate class.
Worship in our native language
The group was growing. The main worship service in Russian began, and new Sabbath School classes appeared — for youth and for children. The services were accompanied by music and singing, and a choir was formed. Mission trips were made to Fresno and San Francisco, and the choir took part in a sacred concert in Lodi.
An evangelistic series
An evangelistic series was held, with pastor-evangelist Vladimir Grinevich, invited from Ukraine, as the speaker. Afterward the group felt a special spiritual awakening and realized its need for a pastor of its own people, one who would carry God's message in their native language. With the support of the Yugoslavian church's pastor, Lune Ranzherovich, a letter with this request was sent to the Northern California Conference.
A Slavic company — 49 people
An especially blessed day: the group was officially declared a Slavic company of 49 people. Elections were held, and a board and a company leader were chosen — Sergey Khabyuk. Sabbath and festive programs, mission trips, and camp meetings became regular. Many of the first immigrants' children, now grown, were baptized; and the first young family — Anatoliy and Olesya Zhabka — received a blessing.
The community was spiritually supported by pastor Alexander Ponomarev from Fresno.
The birth of a church — 89 members
A date we remember: the Slavic company officially received the status of the Sacramento Slavic SDA Church. The church numbered 89 members. By God's help, seminars and evangelistic programs were held.
Our own home and our own pastor
In June the church rented a new space on Hemlock Ave, where an active ministry continued for more than eight years. And on October 22 the community's long wait was fulfilled: pastor Vladimir Grinevich began his ministry, carrying God's message in their native language. Radio broadcasts became a new way of preaching the gospel.
Guests who ministered through the Word included the Nesteruk family, Dr. Oparin, Nancy Van Pelt, and Alexandra Bolotnikova.
A change of ministry
After five years of ministry, in September 2010 pastor Vladimir Grinevich returned to Ukraine. Lune Ranzherovich was chosen as interim pastor, and in the spring of 2011 Denis Balyaev became youth pastor.
Pastor Roman Tsyganyuk
The family of pastor Roman Tsyganyuk arrived in Sacramento — and the church came alive again. Life for the children became especially rich: in 2013 the children's clubs Pathfinders and Adventurers were organized. The youth ministry was led by pastor Andrey Mikhaylovsky — with Bible camps and answers to the questions that trouble young people.
Our own house of prayer
A long-awaited event — the church acquired its own house of prayer at 4837 Marconi Ave, Carmichael. The community now had its own permanent place to worship, to gather, and to grow.
Media ministry
A media ministry begins: study of the Sabbath School lessons, the Christian program "Prayer That Moves Mountains" hosted by Sergey Dolin and Victoria Itsan, and regular broadcasts of the Sabbath worship services. They became a special support during the COVID-19 pandemic, when ministry took place online only — a team of camera operators led by Vitaliy Shtefnitse worked selflessly for the church and for many souls around the world.
Bible campaigns and weeks of revival were led by Alexander Bolotnikov, Alexander Lisichny, Lidia Neikurs, Yuriy Bondarenko, Yuriy Drumi, Ivan Myers, and Viktor Kazakov.
Two sister churches
From the Slavic church a Ukrainian SDA church was formed — its pastoral ministry has been carried from the very beginning by Andrey Mikhaylovsky. The two sister churches together proclaim the message of salvation, in a spirit of love, to our fellow countrymen.
The ministries that give the church life
A youth choir was formed under the direction of Ilya Grinevich — it takes part in every festive program and often visits fellow American churches. The youth ministry was led by Alexander Khanchevsky; at first it was called LED, and later GLO.
Sister Liliya Rizak and her team of volunteers hold Vacation Bible Schools for the children twice a year, along with quizzes, contests, and outings into nature — with unforgettable camping trips and bike rides. The family department gathers each year for camping in nature and rafting on California's rivers. The women's department arranges meetings with Christian counselors and the much-loved "Secret Sister" and "Over a Cup of Tea" evenings.
War and a ministry of mercy
With immense pain we heard the news of the outbreak of war in Ukraine — for more than half of our members it is their earthly homeland. The church organized a charity concert to help the residents of Bucha who had suffered material loss, and it continues to gather regular donations for humanitarian relief.
Today
Every year there are baptisms, new families are formed, children are born, and new people arrive — the church grows and develops. The road has not been strewn only with roses: there were mistakes and losses, and relentless death took dear brothers and sisters from us. But by God's help we stand firmly on the biblical path, learn to overcome hardships, and reach out a helping hand to those in need.
We hold to the bright hope of the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we pray that together we may meet Him.
Become part of our story
We would love to see you on Sabbath — come and get to know us, or, if it's easier, write to us ahead of time.