A Living Legacy of Faith

On October 4, 2026, a special evening of music and poetry was held at the First Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church in Sacramento to commemorate the 100th anniversaries of the births of two remarkable figures in evangelical Christianity — poet Vera Kushnir and Pastor Fyodor Karpets. Each left a significant mark on Christian history: Vera Kushnir through her literary works and spiritual ministry, and Fyodor Karpets through his pastoral leadership and assistance to thousands of immigrants who found a new home in America.

The evening brought together poets, musicians, performers, musical groups, and admirers of Christian poetry. The program featured poetry readings, musical performances, personal memories, and testimonies honoring individuals whose lives exemplified faithfulness to God and service to others.

The gathering began with welcoming remarks from Pastor V. F. Vasilenko, followed by congregational singing accompanied by the Praise the Lord worship group.

Vera Kushnir: Poetry That Continues to Touch Hearts

The first part of the evening was dedicated to the life and work of Vera Kushnir (1926–2011), a renowned Christian poet, prose writer, publicist, and active figure in the evangelical movement. Her writings became widely known among Russian-speaking Christians, not only abroad but also in the Soviet Union, even before the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Vera Kushnir devoted her life to literary creativity and Christian ministry. She contributed to Christian publications, participated in radio ministry, including Trans World Radio, and led the Protestant Bethel Mission. Her poetry, filled with profound reflections on faith, trials, God’s love, and hope, became a source of spiritual encouragement for generations of believers.

The audience watched excerpts from the documentary Invisible Hands, which highlighted different stages of her life, including her childhood, the war years, her move to the West, her conversion to Christianity, and her years of ministry.

Her poems were recited by Alexander Poplavsky, Nadezhda Garkusha, Nina Yurkova, Svetlana Vysochina, Oksana Polishchuk, and other participants. Musical compositions based on her poetry were performed by the Invisible Hands trio, the duet of Peter and Nina Panasenko, Peter Balzhik, Sergey Zubchenko, Liza Ryabaya, and Boris Tayakin.

A particularly meaningful part of the evening was the personal memories of Vera Kushnir shared by Nina Yurkova and Lyubov Protsyuk. Their testimonies allowed the audience to see beyond the familiar poetic lines and discover the woman behind them — her sincere faith, personal struggles, and deep devotion to God.

Fyodor Karpets: A Pastor Whose Ministry Changed Thousands of Lives

The second part of the program honored Fyodor Karpets, founder and pastor of the First Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church in Sacramento, established in 1966.

His name holds a special place in the history of the Slavic Christian community in Northern California. Through his many years of ministry and assistance with resettlement, thousands of immigrants were able to come to Sacramento, many seeking religious freedom, safety, and an opportunity to begin a new life.

For many families, Fyodor Karpets was not only a spiritual mentor but also someone who helped them find support, a church community, and hope for the future in a new country. His ministry had a profound impact on the establishment and growth of Sacramento’s Slavic evangelical community.

Guests watched a video presentation highlighting the pastor’s life and ministry. One of the most touching moments was the appearance of his daughter, Lily Faer, who shared personal memories of her father. Vladimir Mysin also offered his testimony.

Two poems written in honor of Fyodor Karpets were recited during the program. These poetic tributes expressed gratitude for his life, faithfulness to his calling, and spiritual legacy, which continues to influence the lives of many families.

Music That Unites Generations

Throughout the evening, musical performances were presented by Roman Dzhulay, Nikolay Neverov, Sergey Gorban with the Nabat group, and other participants.

A special highlight was the performance by Vasily and Kristina Vivsik together with the Heaven’s Harmony choir, who presented the song Forgiveness in English translation. Their performance beautifully demonstrated how Christian poetry can transcend language and cultural barriers, touching the hearts of people across generations.

The evening’s producer, Alexander Vivsik, shared that the gathering was filled with an exceptionally warm atmosphere and featured a rich and inspiring creative program. He especially appreciated the participation of so many talented individuals and musical groups who continue to preserve Christian literary heritage by creating new musical compositions based on Vera Kushnir’s poetry.

The evening concluded with a congregational performance of the song How Beautiful Is All That Is Yours, accompanied by the Praise the Lord worship group.

This commemorative gathering was more than a tribute to history. It was a powerful reminder of the lasting impact that a life dedicated to God can have on others.

Vera Kushnir left behind a rich literary legacy that continues to inspire and strengthen believers. Through his pastoral ministry, Fyodor Karpets helped thousands of people find a new home, spiritual support, and a church family.

Although their life journeys and callings were different, they were united by sincere faith, love for others, and a desire to serve God. Today, decades later, the fruits of their labor continue to live on — through poetry and music, in the history of the church, and in the lives of generations of Christians.

 Svitlana Iotko