What We Believe 

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We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and we base our beliefs solely on it. Second Timothy 3:16-17 states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 

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We are a full Gospel church, and belong to the National Slavic District of the Assemblies of God.

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Our History

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        In 1989, Pastor Vladimir Samarsky and his family moved to the US as religious refugees from the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. Having served as a young pastor in a small Black Sea town where many throughout the Soviet Republics would vacation, they received warnings through prophecies that war was to come and bring the paradise destination they called home to ruins.  Encouraging other believers from his hometown to flee as well, Samarsky was given the opportunity to leave for America. Some three years later, the forewarning through those prophecies came true by an event known as 'The Abkhazian War'. Leaving the persecuted regime, he quickly was given an opportunity to serve in the new country. Thanks to the first Assembly of God in Binghamton, Vladimir and his family along with other Russian-speaking religious refugees in the area, were given a place to gather for their beginning years. As the years went on, Vladimir helped many families make their way over, not only from his hometown, but from all over the former Soviet Union. Families settling in the Binghamton and Ithaca areas soon urged for a location that would be convenient from both ends; finding a meeting place first in Newark Valley, then later purchasing land of their own in Berkshire. Because of his background, it helped him serve this particular group of people. We saw the Lord's hand over the church throughout the years and He led us through hardships as well as great blessings. Many brothers including founders like Pavel Kovalyov and Yuri Bugayov served along side Pastor Samarsky as did Pastor Vladimir Linnik, who were all involved in ministry and shared God's Word. Linnik who came from Kharkov (Ukraine) in 1994, took the role as senior pastor during a difficult time for the church where many were moving away, not seeing eye to eye, or simply having difficulty passing on their faith to their children. Linnik served for over a decade, keeping the church together, and interceding for it in prayer. He would be found not only preaching or facilitating church services throughout the week but also served as a handy-man; painting, cleaning, or shoveling snow. When his age slowed him down, he still was in attendance during the remodeling of the roof, encouraging the brothers morally. Linnik passed on his role as senior pastor to Roman Samarsky and served as an elder along with Vladimir Samarsky(Roman's father), encouraging and assisting younger believers. Our Beloved Pastor Vladimir Linnik went to be with the Lord in the Summer of 2017, but his work could be seen in every corner of that building. Today, the Russian language still links many members  together and serves as their primary language, resulting in most services being led in it. Pastor Roman Samarsky enjoys spending time with all those who attend, so do not hesitate to say hello. We witness his growth spiritually as we encourage him with our prayers. Many of the traditions of the persecuted church of the Soviet Union were kept throughout the years; as mentioned in the Bible that all nations will come and worship before the Lord, we too believe that we are included in that entitlement.

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       Our church is located out in the country, in Berkshire, NY. To many, our location may seem distant from any large city. Reason for our location is because we serve people from both the Ithaca, NY area and the Binghamton, NY area. Berkshire is the mid way point for people coming from either area within 30-40 minute drive. Although we mostly serve those from the Eurasian continent, we are happy to greet all nationalities. We pray His light shines through us and to those around us!

our pastor