Vasily Goliakov — Husband, Father, Grandfather, Pastor, Shepherd, Swiss-Army-Knife... Man of Steel.

Vasily Goliakov can do anything - Loves his wife, children, and grandkids, loves the Lord, shepherds his flock, cares for Ukraine's soldiers... he is a Man of Steel.

In 2008 I led a team of young adults, college kids, and high school-aged kids on a mission trip to Alushta, Crimea to host a bible camp by the Black Sea. We teamed up with Elena Strakhova and her husband Evgeny (Zhenya). We spent 3 weeks in-country two of which were in-camp with approximately 60-70 orphans. It was there that I met Anya Goliakova (now Manchuliak). Anya was one of our Ukrainian teammates.

Anya (Goliakova) Manchuliak - fifth from the left at summer camp in Alushta, Crimea, 2008.

Anya worked at our summer camps in Crimea in 2008-2009.

I got to visit Anya in January of this year in Kyiv during my recent trip to Ukraine. She is still as energetic, on fire for the Lord, and a high-impact servant leader today as she was 15 years ago. During those years I came to know her family as well. They are like my own extended family. I love these people!

Anya and her husband Oleg with two of their three children.

The glue that holds this God-loving family together is the patriarch and matriarch, Vasily and Svitlana. Together that love and lead their family and live by Joshua 24:15,

Svitlana and Vasily Goliakov.

"But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Together, Vasily and Svitlana have raised their three children, Anya, John, and David as servants of God and they have lived by the well-known portion of Joshua. And in keeping with Joshua's legacy, they all serve at the Tabernacle of the Living God in Kyiv.

Vasily and his family (L-R) Nataly and John Goliakov, Vasily and Svitlana, David Goliakov (with nephew) Anya (with daughter and husband Oleg Manchuliak.

Recently Anya shared the story of her parents with me.

“My parents will celebrate 35 years of marriage this September. But their faith-story began in 2001. They became pastors in Crimea (Ukraine) that year and served there until 2017 when they were forced to leave Crimea after its annexation in 2015. They were forced to flee from persecution by the Russian government for their Christian faith, open prayer opposing the war in Ukraine and Crimea’s annexation, and for helping Crimean Tatars and supporting them in their fight against racial injustice. Ironically they were also persecuted by the Crimean Tatars for preaching and sharing the Gospel among them.”

(NOTE: Tatars are indigenous people of Crimea and are predominantly followers of Islam. During WWII they were deported by Stahlin from the peninsula and other parts of Russia. In recent decades they have been returning. Racially motivated discrimination and persecution of Tatar people continues today.)

Svitlana and Vasily on their wedding day.

In 2017 they moved to Rivne, Ukraine, to live with Svitlana’s parents. They still owned property in Crimea which was of great concern. During the annexation process abandoned property was often confiscated by the new Crimea regime or commonly sold for a very low price.

Anya continued,

“They began praying for the Lord to show them their next steps, where He saw them serving, and what His plans were for them.” After two years of steadfast prayer, the Lord spoke to them. Anya said, “In 2019, my parents moved to Kyiv. They joined a new congregation called the Tabernacle of the Living God and immediately began to help it grow, supporting the pastor, and the church's many ministries. Here we serve the Lord together.”

However, we never know what life will bring. Vasily now over 60 had lost all he and Svitlana had been working toward - raising a healthy family in a Christian home and looking forward to retirement and grandchildren when suddenly life up-ended them and turned everything upside down. In 2017 he found himself with no job, no home, no pension, and no income, and had to flee the life they had worked so hard to build.

Personally, I can relate to his situation. I become unemployed in 2019. Life can become quite frightening and stressful when you find that you aren't hired age, closeness to retirement, and the worth of vast experience. But this is where Vasily found himself. He wondered how the would support his wife and family.

Anya said,

“They needed to rent an apartment in Kyiv.” At that time their youngest son David was a teenager and still in school. “At that time God provided a miracle and one of the houses in Crimea was sold. They managed to invest this money into their friend’s business. This investment paid dividends that covered rent, utilities, and some expenses. Though it wasn’t the best situation.”

During this time Svitlana and Vasily have been helping to build the body of Christ in the church. Vasily was helping the pastor with the mentoring, and shepherding, as well as supporting and helping all of the younger ministers in their particular work. Svitlana was (and still is) the leader of the intercessory prayer ministry. Together they also lead a home group, which has grown to approximately 20-25 members.

Vasily leadsworship and sometimes preaches at the Tabernacle of the Living God in Kyiv.

But then Russia invaded Ukraine and the war began. Their friend’s business collapsed along with their investment.

Anya continued,

“Right now they have no income and neither of my parents can find a job. I’m worried because living for them has become even harder. They still have to pay the rent and survive somehow. It’s almost impossible.”

This doesn’t stop Vasily from serving the Lord. Remember, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Vasily is doing incredible work for the kingdom in serving his country’s servicemen and women as a volunteer Chaplain at the front lines of the war zone. Vasily to many is "A Man of Steel". He serves selflessly, leads as a servant, worships joyfully in affliction, and pursues the Lord relentlessly.

Vasily serves as Chaplain to the servicemen and -women of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

She went on to add,

“He is leading the chaplain’s ministry in the church now and together with the others, is going to the frontlines to bring not only food and much-needed items that our defenders are asking for, but also is preaching the Gospel to them, leading them to Christ, listening to them and praying for them!”

Together Vasily and Svitlana are asking Lord to show them the way and are asking him to provide for their physical needs.

Here at Twelve3One Ministries, we ask the Lord to lead us to opportunities and reveal to us ministries and ministry leaders in Ukraine who are already serving Him and his people - just like Joshua. When He does we simply ask them, “How can we help?”

Vasily and Svitlana need $500 USD per month in support. We are asking our friends and our support family to help a cherished member of our family. We are seeking partners who can give regularly each month in support of Vasily and Svitlana so that they - as the Levites - may continue serving people in their congregation, community, and nation.

Partner with us in support of Vasily and Svitlana!!

If you would like to partner with us in support of Vasily and Svitlana please visit our website

www.twelve3oneministries.org/donate.

On our website, you will find helpful information about partnering with us in support of Vasily and Svitlana and making it possible for them to continue to work and serve God and the multitudes of hurting people in Ukraine.

Joel Butts

Executive Director

Twelve3One Ministries