Meet Vlodya Chooki

Vlodya Chooki is a Russian Christian serving as the part-time preacher for God's church in Samara. As a teacher of English, Vlodya can tell you his story in his own words:

“I was born in Samara in 1957 and lived there all the time. In 1995 I heard about the English lessons and came to the Bible study. It was the last day of the Bible study in 1995. I liked it and remember.

1996 I came again. Every day I attended Bible lessons and in the last day of study I decided to be baptized. In the evening of that day, a young woman Lena and I were baptized. Then we continued to study at Mitch's flat and attended Sunday worships. Soon we fell in love with each other and got married. Lena spoke English very well. She became an interpreter. I studied English hard. I sometimes replaced her when she was ill or busy.

In the end of 1996 Mitch and Naomi left for America for Christmas. Mitch asked me to lead Sunday worships, and I did. After Mitch and Naomi came back, I continued to prepare Lord Suppers and sermons from time to time. Mitch and Bill taught me a lot. Now I preach quite often. When Mitch is not in Russia, I lead Sunday worships. I do all the paper work for the church and help Mitch as much as I can. I used to repair TV-sets. Now I teach English to children.”