Sex trafficking is an evil aspect of this world in which we live. And yet, there are those who are faithful to shine the light of truth into the hearts of those trapped inside the evil walls of this sin.

In the story below, you will read the testimony of one man (and his wife) who are ministering to young women caught up in this horrible darkness. He begins with his early life and how he was eventually led to help illuminate God’s light through his past experiences and background. The ways of this world can be so tragic, but God is faithful to use His people as His ambassadors. These faithful servants run straight into the darkness, guided by the light of Christ to overcome the evil that rules within these broken hearts. Please pray for this ministry.

Once a week, on Thursday evenings, our team gathers to pray and then goes out to meet these young ladies. They stand on the streets of big cities. We offer them coffee, tea, burgers, and, of course, the Gospel. On special occasions like Easter and Christmas, we always bring gifts.Once a week on Thursday evenings, our team gathers to pray and then goes out to meet these young ladies. They stand on the streets of big cities. We offer them coffee, tea, burgers, and, of course, the Gospel. On special occasions like Easter and Christmas, we always bring gifts.

We also provide them with various kinds of help: medical, legal, and psychological support. Additionally, we leave them with our contact information. Of course, while we are at the street corners where they work, we avoid suggesting they leave this lifestyle, as their pimps might forbid them from speaking with us. Instead, our goal is to build trusting relationships with these women so that, over time, they themselves will ask for help. When they do, we assist them and work to rescue them.

By God’s grace, we have been able to help many women leave prostitution, and each one of them has heard the Gospel. Two of these women have been baptized and are now part of a church. It took four years of ministry for one woman to make the decision to be baptized, and for another, it took as long as 11 years. There are also heartbreaking stories of women who have passed away, but we know that they heard the Gospel before their deaths, and we hold on to the hope that they are now with Christ.

Our goal is to reveal the practical love of Christ and bring hope where there is none.  

Deliver those who are being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to slaughter, oh hold them back. If you say, “See, we did not know this,” does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work (Proverbs 24:11-12)?

Sergei and Irina (names changed)

I was born in 1975—a year that went down in history with many significant events. That year, the first McDonald’s with a drive-thru window opened, the Viet Cong entered Saigon, Spain witnessed the death of its last fascist dictator Franco, and in Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot came to power. In space, a historic docking between the Soviet “Soyuz” and the American “Apollo” took place, while on Earth, Queen released the iconic video for “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

I was born on July 4th, and although in the U.S. this day is celebrated not in honor of my birth, it is marked by fireworks and a celebration of life. But for one person, this day became truly special. For my mother.

My birth was a tough ordeal. My mom said that I came into this world tiny, covered in blood, and with a full head of hair. But in the first moments of life, all the doctors’ attention was focused on saving her. You know that when both the mother and the baby are at risk, the mother is prioritized, right? I was placed on a cold metal table while the doctors fought to save my dying mother. And they succeeded.

When they finally turned their attention to me, they found I had already opened my eyes, was breathing, and was looking at the world. I didn’t have that dramatic moment when the midwife slaps the baby’s bottom, prompting the first cry that fills the lungs with air and declares life. I simply started breathing on my own, quietly, and confidently.

My childhood is a mosaic of bright and sometimes contradictory memories. There are joyful, light-filled moments that still make my heart ache with nostalgia. For example, the fishing trips with my dad in the countryside. We would wake up so early that even the roosters were still asleep. Under the cover of night, we would wash up, have breakfast, and head to the river to meet the sunrise while fishing. Dawn fishing is the best time for anglers, and we would bring home full nets of fish that my dad would trade for moonshine, cook, or give to his friends. He was always cheerful, tipsy, and allowed me almost everything.

But there were other moments too. Like when I saw my mom looking at another man with love in her eyes—a man who wasn’t my father. Or when I stole for the first time. It happened in kindergarten. Each of us was given a clove of garlic to go with our borscht, placed on a spoon next to our plate. One day, I got to the table before my neighbor and stole his clove of garlic. I quickly shoved it into my mouth and immediately felt the sharp, burning taste mixed with shame. When the boy noticed the missing garlic and told the teacher, she asked me, “Sergei, did you take the garlic?” While finishing the stolen clove and holding back tears from its spiciness, I replied, “No, it wasn’t me.” That day, I learned how to lie and steal.

I grew up in a Soviet family where faith remained a hidden yet active search. My parents were not accepted into the Communist Party because among their relatives there were victims of repression. My mother secretly sought God and even brought a Bible home in 1982.  

In the early 90s, the country faced poverty and devastation. I found myself in a criminal world—stealing, involved in pimping, and using drugs. However, even in this darkness, my thirst for truth persisted. I became interested in literature and philosophy, pondering goodness and justice.  

I first turned to God when I ended up in prison in a distant city. Fleeing Russia due to police persecution, I found myself in a situation where there seemed to be no way out. In despair, I knelt in prayer—and a miracle happened: the local criminal investigation released me. Having found a church, I began to pray for the opportunity to return home. And God answered—the police stopped pursuing me, and I was able to return. However, soon I turned away from God again, returned to my old way of life, and was forced to hide once more.  

Later when I arrived back home, I saw that human trafficking was flourishing like a huge fair. I became part of this system, using my communication skills to establish connections with the police, transfer money, and make arrangements.  

But God continued to call me. In 2003, I met Irina. I immediately told her that I was a believer, although I understood that my life did not match those words. One day, after Irina heard a sermon on television, she wanted to attend a Protestant church. We began attending it together. I was ashamed before God for my betrayal, but one day in prayer I heard words that became the motto of my life: “God’s love is greater than your sin.” This changed everything—I left my criminal business and dedicated myself to service.  

After a while, I felt God’s call to reach out to the very girls I once worked with. I resisted at first, but God gently and persistently reminded me of it. In Russia, no one was serving in that field. I asked for help from ministers, but most often he only heard, “We will pray and call you back”—but there were no calls.  

Then Irina said, “How long will we sit at home? We have two thermoses with which we go for walks with the children. Let’s fill them with tea and go.” That is how our service began. What started with two thermoses grew into a movement that has saved more than 30 lives.

Today, Sergei and Irina lead a volunteer movement to combat human trafficking. This service is aimed at girls involved in prostitution and includes an active mercy ministry among at-risk groups, among people who may become victims of human trafficking. He firmly believes that the fight against poverty helps prevent human trafficking, makes life better, and expands the Kingdom of God.