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Rev. Simon Goncharenko - Pastor/ELDER

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I was born to a Christian family in the former Soviet Union.  My grandfather was a Baptist Pastor and my father worked with the youth at our church.  Having trusted Christ at an early age, I was on the path of becoming a heart surgeon in Russia.  At the age of 17, however, the Lord started putting ministry on my mind.  Willing to try anything, I told the Lord that I would consider ministry if He made it possible for me to get biblical education.  Within one year, I found myself in Siloam Springs, AR attending John Brown University (a Christian liberal arts school).  Having graduated with a degree in Business, I went straight to Dallas Theological Seminary in 1995. 

Dallas will forever be a special place for me because it was there that I met my wife Alice.  Alice was born in Dallas but grew up in Grapeland, on Houston Co. Lake, where her father directed Frontier Camp, an independent Christian summer camp and retreat center.  We met, got engaged, and were married in 1998.  After graduating from seminary in the same year, we moved to Houston where I helped to direct a youth ministry of some 300+ students at Cypress Bible Church under the leadership of Dr. Joe L. Wall.  Our two oldest children, Thomas and Annabelle were born in Houston. 

In 2003 the Lord moved us to Grapeland and directed me to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for a doctoral degree in Theology.  While pursuing that, I directed Youth and Young Adult Ministries at First Baptist Grapeland.  Our third child, Elliott was born while we were living in Grapeland.

In 2008 the Lord relocated us to Midway, TX while I was selling cars at one of Madisonville’s dealerships and looking for another ministry opportunity.  At the end of that year our fourth child, August was born.  When the Lord clearly ended my employment at the dealership in February of 2009, He presented us with the opportunity to start a Southern Baptist Church in Midway the following month. 

Today, a year later, in addition to pastoring 21 Fellowship, I also serve as a Chaplain on the Midway VFD.  As we watch the Lord continue to bless us, we are still excited to follow the Lord in this endeavor and are looking forward to ministering to you and with you as we await His return.