August, 2004

Zhenya Korzhova joined “International Partnerships” in summer of 2002. And now she’s going to tell you about herself.

“Before my repentance, I lived a common life. I was kind enough, honest enough and sympathetic enough. I didn’t think I needed to change anything in my life. I felt self-sufficient and I was content with everything. I graduated from the University as a psychologist. I thought I knew people very well. I considered myself smarter than many people. I was full of pride. I didn’t think I needed God. Then one day, I decided to prove my competence to myself. I was familiar with the evolution theory, so I started collecting data on the theory of creation. I wanted to prove that Christian views about creation were wrong and based on ignorance.

After doing my research, I realized that the evolution theory was wrong. That meant that this world was created. It meant that there was a Creator. The foundation of my beliefs that seemed so strong cracked and fell apart. All of my ideals according to which I had lived vanished. I realized that all the good things I thought about myself were very relative. In my eyes I was OK, but in the eyes of God I was a sinner. I felt guilty. I realized that my life without God was empty.

The most amazing thing for me was that Christ died for me personally, for my sins, to redeem me and to give me eternal life. I couldn’t stay indifferent to that. I understood my sinfulness and my powerlessness in the struggle against sin in my life. Knowing about Christ’s sacrifice for me, I gave my life to Him.

Ever since I accepted Christ, God has been working in me and in my life. The desire to glorify the Lord with all my life replaced the desire to live for myself. I want my life to belong to Him. I want to serve Him with all of my life and all of my gifts. I want to share the Gospel with prideful educated people who are the way I used to be. This is the reason that I am a staff member of International Partnerships.”