A Tale of Two Slavas
Leading People to Jesus in Kazan, Russia; September 2020
Vyacheslav “Slava #1” Elistratov
Back in 2006, twenty-five year-old, Vyacheslav “Slava” Elistratov was sitting in jail in Kazan, Russia, having been convicted of a violent crime. Slava #1 met Slava #2: Vyacheslav “Slava” Neustroev. (Be sure to keep your Slavas straight: There are two separate Slavas!) Slava #2’s story is sadly similar to Slava #1 except for one key factor: Before his stint of hard time, Slava #2 sporadically attended HopeRussia’s Reformed Church of Kazan, where he had heard the gospel and met the pastor, Valery Kevorkyants.
Sometimes the most effective witness for Christ comes from someone who’s just barely getting to know him. The Samaritan woman at the well comes to mind (John 4:28-30). Anyway, inmate Slava #2 tells inmate Slava #1 about Jesus. The two Slavas write to Pastor Valery who pounced on the opportunity and began a Friday Bible Study at the prison. Very soon, the Holy Spirit began to engender faith in Slava #1’s heart and life. After being released from prison, he began attending the Reformed Church of Kazan, and a few months ago Slava #1 joined the church by profession of faith, a happy conclusion to a fifteen-year conversion story! If we hear anything more about Slava #2, we’ll be sure to report in.