In Memory of Evgeniy Goncharenko - He fought the good fight of faith
2021-03-20

In Memory of Evgeniy Goncharenko - He fought the good fight of faith

The evangelical and cultural community of Russia is going through mournful days, because on March 19, 2021, at the age of 71, Evgeny Goncharenko passed away.

It is difficult to come to terms with the concept that Evgeny is no longer with us. A great grief befell his family, his many friends, employees, the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, teachers, students and graduates of the Institute of Spiritual Music.

Fortunately, there is no gloomy hopelessness in Christian sorrow. You should not grieve for the dead, like others who have no hope, - Paul consoles Christians. Based on God's unchanging promises, we can rightfully say: "Those who believe in Jesus Christ do not die, but pass from death to life."

Evgeny Semenovich belonged to a special class of people, about whom they speak - This kind of soul is most often inherent in talented people and richly gifted. They live in constant creative tension and with deep feelings about everything that comes along the path of life. They do not just leave this world, but burn out in creative combustion, like fireworks or shooting stars.

An incredibly large amount of energy was put out by Evgeny Semenovich on the altar of service. His track record is huge: the creator of popular Christian musical compositions, founder and director of the Logos Christian Center and the Institute of Spiritual Music, conductor of a chamber choir and orchestra, music teacher widely known in many countries near and far, adjunct professor at Samford University, member of the International Association "World of Culture", a member of the World Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Life, as you know, is measured not by years, but by deeds. What Yevgeny managed to do with the help of God in a short period of earthly life is only within the power of some diversified institution.

At many seminars, conferences and congresses, he spoke about the need to preserve the Russian spiritual and musical heritage, about the importance of preserving church unions and their confessions. And Yevgeny himself, in his life and ministry, was a living personification of Russian evangelical Christianity, its spiritual and cultural representative.

In whatever situation Yevgeny found himself, whatever misunderstanding he encountered, he never lost his temper, did not get irritated, did not lose his Christian dignity. In a word, he was a true Christian minister and a true intellectual. Always smiling, attentive, empathetic, always ready to help.

Even after his death, he will continue to speak - in his great musical and creative works, in his research and journalistic works, and by his life’s example. A life given entirely to the One who gave him rare talents and called him to great service.        

V. Popov

 
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