Where Are They Now?

Below, left: Mark and Marina Solovarova.  Below, right: Sergei Solovarov

In June, Mark visited Marina & Sergei Solovarov in Prague. In 1996, Marina & Sergei came to Moscow from Petrozavodsk in Karelia (where Roman & Oksana Gulik now live and where Mark had taught in the church). They found a home at New Hope Church where Mark led Sergei to Christ. We sent Marina to extensive training with Sherry Ifft's Children's Ministry International (CMI) while she directed our children's ministry. Sergei played guitar in the worship band. In 2000, they left Moscow for a business opportunity in Petersburg. Sergei started a construction contracting company and did very well. Marina served the Russian ministry of CMI while earning a degree in Counseling. They were able to purchase an apartment in Petersburg and save enough for a second apartment in Prague. Why move to Prague? Prague has a large community of Russians who have sought better opportunities in the Czech Republic, the most Western Slavic nation, culturally friendly and relatively unobtrusive in the affairs of its citizens and guests. During the visit, not only was Mark treated as an honored guest, but Sergei & Marina expressed much appreciation for all that the church had done for them during an important transitional time in their lives. We talked about Chris and Marina working together in the future –a very real possiblity.