In Central Asia, there are no large Christian churches. The government prohibits the opening of new churches, so small congregations of just a few dozen members often function like families, where everyone knows each other well. Leading such a church is far from easy—especially under semi-legal conditions, where many activities common elsewhere are banned. Relationships with local authorities add another layer of challenge. Obtaining official church registration is difficult, and without it, a congregation cannot own a building, and believers are not allowed to meet in their homes. Sometimes they are even forbidden from distributing or storing Bibles and other Christian books. In this environment, the pastor carries a unique and weighty responsibility for the spiritual and practical well-being of the community.
Dagir once believed that a pastor only needed to love God and live according to the Bible. He still holds this belief as the foundation of ministry. But when he took leadership of a small church a few years ago, he quickly realized that faith alone was not enough. A pastor also needs the skills and knowledge to shepherd a congregation. Dagir tried to learn from snippets of experience shared by other leaders and from books, but he still felt ill-equipped. How many mistakes did he make? How many misunderstandings did he face? How many sleepless nights did he spend wrestling with problems that seemed impossible to untangle? There were moments when he wanted to give up and walk away. But how could he face his congregation—or God—if he did? So Dagir kept kneeling in prayer, lifting the needs of his community to the Lord.
The church was in a difficult season. Membership was declining, the building had problems, and most importantly, Dagir felt unable to provide the spiritual nourishment his people desperately needed—or inspire them to serve Christ. A few dedicated brothers managed all the ministries and were already at their breaking point. Dagir didn’t know how to fix it all.
Then came the opportunity to study at a Christian Bible College—a long-awaited answer to his prayers. He was not disappointed. The Pastoral Studies course at TCI, usually offered in the second year, was scheduled for his first year that year. The Academic Department in far-away Ukraine had their own reasons for the schedule, unaware of Dagir’s urgent needs—but God knew.
It was almost miraculous to see an experienced, mature Ukrainian pastor, who had endured many trials, teaching the class. That pastor understood the value of study and was ready to mentor Dagir and others like him. Personal conversations were especially impactful, helping Dagir identify mistakes he had been making and offering practical ideas to improve his church. When Dagir returned home, he began putting what he had learned into practice.
Change is never easy. It takes time, effort, and resources—and it often faces resistance. Problems were not solved overnight, and new challenges emerged. But Dagir was prepared. Despite the difficulties, he began to see God’s blessings on his efforts. While preaching, he noticed new expressions on the faces of his congregation—people inspired, eager to serve, and spiritually revived. The church grew, both in faith and in number.
Today, Dagir’s community has doubled in size since he began his studies at TCI. For a pastor, there is no greater joy than seeing a healthy, thriving, growing church. Now Dagir is able to mentor others, offering the advice he found most valuable: every minister who hopes to succeed must commit to study and ongoing learning.
