Volodymyr Masyuk was recently appointed the first Ukrainian district superintendent for the Ukraine and Moldova District.

Eurasia Region Communications asked him some questions about his new position and how he began in ministry. His wife, Sylvia, facilitated the interview.

Eurasia: How long have you been a Nazarene pastor?

Masyuk: I was originally a translator for missionaries in the Church of the Nazarene as early as 1992 during the early days of the work here in Ukraine. As the field began to grow and I became more immersed in the work of the Nazarene Church in Ukraine, I began to feel a call to ministry. In 1994 I began doing some preaching and learning what it meant to pastor a church as I worked alongside missionaries. Slowly I began to take on more responsibilities and served as a co-pastor with missionary Bob Skinner before I became head pastor of Kyiv First Church. I was officially ordained in 2006.

Eurasia: Which churches have you led?

Maysuk: I have only pastored one church - Kyiv First Church of the Nazarene - where I continue to pastor in conjunction with this role as district superintendent for Ukraine and Moldova.

Eurasia: What other district roles have you held?

Maysuk: I have served as a delegate of Ukraine for five General Assemblies in the U.S. I am also head of the Office of the Church of the Nazarene in Ukraine (i.e. legal representation).

Eurasia: How do you feel about being appointed as superintendent?

Maysuk: I feel very humbled by this appointment and by the faith that others have in me to do this task. I pray for God’s wisdom, strength and courage as I, together with the district advisory board, tackle the challenges ahead. Part of the work is to simply celebrate all the ways God has been and is at work in the hearts of people here in Ukraine and specifically in our local churches. And I am most excited for the pastoral role of walking alongside other pastors and finding ways to encourage and support them in their work.

Eurasia: What are your short-term objectives and long-term objectives?

Maysuk: This is a two-year assignment and I expect time will move very quickly. I do plan to work closely with the District Advisory Board for the purpose of developing long-term goals and for meeting the most pressing needs within our district. The most important short-term goal would be to visit and simply be present to all of our pastors; to hear their hearts and to learn how I can be an encouragement to them and how we can be in prayer for them and their work. Second to that would be to simply begin to learn all the details of the job itself, including working together with the District Advisory Board.
--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region