Maxim Varchenko has made his choice. He has been a missionary at the International Partnerships for 4 years already. Do you want to know why he chose a missionary work in stead of a professional career of the doctor?

   "Before I was saved, I worked as a surgeon at the central hospital in the town of Volnyansk. I hadn't heard about God yet and had a common life. My goal was to become an excellent surgeon and obtain both money and power. I liked my job and parties until midnight with cards and alcohol. Adultery was even acceptable for me, because everyone did it, and I wanted to measure up to the standards of my friends. I was sure that I had the right yearnings and desires.

   One time I went to a service in a Baptist church where I heard about God. My inner nature was against it and I decided that it wasn't for me. Time passed and my life started falling apart, as I faced various problems. Some complications happened to one of my patients after being operated on and I blamed myself for this. Soon I became sick with a stomach ulcer and wasn't able to continue working. At home, I fell down on a glass and seriously wounded my arm. At the hospital I realized that my career and dream of becoming an excellent surgeon was destroyed and consequently my life goal wasn't achievable any more. I'd been sick for three months. During that time, I searched for the meaning of life and the answer to the question: "Why did this happen to me?" I started to study the Bible and realized who I was in the eyes of God and why I was sick. I also saw the way out of the situation, but something distracted me from making a final decision. In August 1998 I was walking down the street, reflecting on what I had read in the Bible. Suddenly, I realized deep in my heart that without Christ I wouldn't even be able to take the next step. I stopped and prayed the sinner's prayer asking Christ to take over my life. At once, peace filled my soul as if someone took my heavy burden upon himself.

    I changed after that. I quit being a surgeon so that I would not to have to take part in my colleagues' parties. I continued studying the Bible and going to church and found many new friends there who helped me grow spiritually. The purpose of my life changed. Now my priority is to serve God and do His will. Everything else became secondary to me. In September of 2001 God called me to ministry with International Partnerships in Zaporozhie."