KEITH and LYUDMYLA’S CALLING
In 1997, while studying world geography at San Antonio College Keith did research and wrote a paper pertaining to the geographical data and political climate in the Country of Ukraine. As he prepared his final paper, Keith recalls looking at the world map on the wall above his desk. Then he asked God what it would be like to minister to the people of Ukraine. At the time, he did not realize that God would allow this question to become a reality.
However, God opened a door in 2003, allowing him an opportunity to go to Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine on a short-term mission trip in July of 2004. During that trip, God allowed him the privilege to teach English to children, to preach, and do personal evangelism. More importantly, Keith recalls two significant events that took place during this trip. First, Keith recalls God asking and inviting him to serve the people of Ukraine full-time during a time of prayer the day after arriving in Zaporizhzhya. Second, he met his future wife Lyudmyla during this trip. As a result, he returned to Zaporizhzhya in December of 2004 for three weeks to meet and get acquainted with church leaders and serve the Lord by preaching, teaching, doing home visits and personal evangelism. During this time, he continued to experience a burning desire to serve the people of Ukraine.
In April 2005, he returned to Ukraine to become united through the union of marriage to his beloved Lyudmyla on 7 May 2005. After their marriage, he continued to live in Ukraine for five and half months to preach and teach in the villages outside of Zaporizhzhya City. He also worked in collaboration with Pastor Yuri Kipot to plant three new churches in the Orihivo Region outside of Zaporizhzhya City. In September 2005, Keith returned to the United States with Lyudmyla to complete his seminary education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. After graduating in May of 2007 they returned to Ukraine in July. During this time, God opened their hearts and eyes to the Ukrainian orphan crisis and called them to start a Christian orphanage. As a result, of God’s call on their lives, Keith and Lyudmyla plan to start a church planting program and to start a Christian orphanage in Zaporizhzhya City.