Russian Bookseller Becomes Radio ‘Apostle’

Sergey L'vovich’s faith journey has led him through a variety of tasks from courier and bookseller to radio broadcaster and TV personality.

He now serves with Back to God Ministries International’s (BTGMI) Russian outreach, and his influence in Russia expands beyond anything he ever dreamed.

As a young man in the mid-1990s, Sergey moved to Moscow and found a job selling newspapers and books to passengers on a local train. Once, he was given Christian books to sell. He decided to read one of those books in order to be a better salesperson, and that decision changed his life. 

What Sergey read in the Christian literature motivated him to read the Bible and later join a local church. There he met CRC World Missions staff person Jeff Busscher, who discipled him as a new believer yearning to grow in faith.

“He was so eager to learn, he read every book he could get his hands on from World Mission’s theological library,” says Rev. Sergei Sosedkin, Russian outreach leader.

Sergey’s interest in World Mission’s literature earned him a job there selling theological books to colleges in Moscow. Sergey also began contacting radio stations that were airing BTGMI programs. 

As managers at a Christian station in Moscow got to know Sergey, they thought he would be a good fit to host a radio program. This launched Sergey’s career as a well-known Christian broadcaster and prolific author. Now, Sergey speaks on major Russian radio and TV stations about the Christian perspective on current societal issues.

Sergey also began a blog on our Russian website, designed to answer the questions of a largely non-Christian audience. The blog is popular with Muslims and atheists who appreciate the respectful but clearly biblical way Sergey responds to their questions. He also hosts live programs on both radio and Internet outlets that reach this same audience. (See 99 Questions Atheists Ask.)

“The Holy Spirit has gifted Sergey with the ability to be caring and loving even to callers who challenge the Christian faith in a rude manner,” notes Rev. Sosedkin. “He knows how to speak sensitively with them in a way that opens their heart to hear the truth of the Gospel.”