Yuriy Snisarenko – a pastor and successful lawyer
Another Friday Chapel meeting was held with the introduction of an interesting guest to the students, and faculty and staff. This time, Yuriy Snisarenko, a pastor of a church, the commanding partner of non-commercial association "Center of Transportation Law", and a member of the Union of Young Academics at the Legislation of St. Petersburg was invited to speak.
Yuriy is one of the few lawyers that have had the opportunity to work for the state at such a young age. In his only 31 years, Yuriy has already worked as an advisor for the governor of St. Petersburg, has an award from the governor for taking part in the organization of the 300th year anniversary of St. Petersburg, and also is the pastor of the "New Generation" church in St. Petersburg.
In the first part of his talk, Yuriy shared his testimony and other miracles God has done in his spiritual life for the past 10 years. In his opinion, in his life God demonstrates that one who is faithful in the little things will be put above higher things. This year, pastor Yuriy got into the Master's of Theology program at St. Petersburg Christian University. He highlighted the importance of Christian and secular education to a Christian, and called his colleagues to strengthen their intellectual and spiritual foundation, acknowledge God and gain knowledge which is important for both spiritual and professional aspects of each Christian.
After his personal testimony, Yuriy shared on the passage from 2nd Kings Chapter 4 about the sanctification of the origins of the river. He contrasted the origins to the spiritual and intellectual springs, which nourish us, our homes, our Church and society.
In his opinion, for our spiritual healthiness, spiritual and intellectual origins of our lives should be cleansed with salt, which the prophet threw into the origin of the river. Jesus Christ talked about his disciples being the salt of the earth, pastor Yuriy called his listeners to become the salt of the earth, from their homes to their society, in which we live in and minister. He highlighted that our life's position is formed from those thoughts that form our judgment and intellect. If they are healthy thoughts, then, our life will be healthy and blessed. That is why the Christian goal should be to become the salt not only in our home and Church, but also take part in the formation of thoughts, from which the moral foundations of the society are derived from.
In the closing of his visit, pastor Yuriy answered several questions and was honored to have a discussion with the president of St. Petersburg Christian University, Alexander Negrov.