How it all started...
April 17th, 1993, A group of immigrants from the former USSR embarked on a journey that
continues to this day. Guided by pastor Vasiliy Oskolskiy, this fervent group of believers founded Seattle Bethany Church, in the heart of downtown Seattle, Washington. After many years of dedicated and selfless service, Pastor Vasiliy Oskolskiy was ready to pass the reigns of his role as senior pastor, but only at the discretion of everything that he knew was good and right, and with the approval of the congregation.
Internal candidates were nominated for the role of senior pastor, and then a sole
recommendation for an external candidate, Vasiliy Papirnik, came through as well. Vasiliy
Papirnik was well known to our church members. He was a theological instructor at west and east coast Bible schools, and would visit our church from time to time, so there was a tangible level of comfort present when his name came up for pastoral consideration.
continues to this day. Guided by pastor Vasiliy Oskolskiy, this fervent group of believers founded Seattle Bethany Church, in the heart of downtown Seattle, Washington. After many years of dedicated and selfless service, Pastor Vasiliy Oskolskiy was ready to pass the reigns of his role as senior pastor, but only at the discretion of everything that he knew was good and right, and with the approval of the congregation.
Internal candidates were nominated for the role of senior pastor, and then a sole
recommendation for an external candidate, Vasiliy Papirnik, came through as well. Vasiliy
Papirnik was well known to our church members. He was a theological instructor at west and east coast Bible schools, and would visit our church from time to time, so there was a tangible level of comfort present when his name came up for pastoral consideration.
Soon after, Vasiliy met with our congregation to discuss his ministry vision and answer all questions from our members. Subsequently, we conducted several church member meetings to discuss the direction we would head.
Vasiliy Papirnik was the overwhelming favorite to become the next senior pastor of Seattle Bethany Church. His education at the Kiev Theological Seminary, coupled with his 3 years of experience as a deacon in Philadelphia Church of Kiev, made him an ideal candidate. Beyond that, Vasiliy served as a youth pastor for 13 years at Tacoma’s Life Christian Church. He also showed his love towards people via missionary trips across the world. He has travelled to Ukraine, Russia, Mexico, India and Kyrgyzstan, to share the hope of life with people still unfamiliar with it.
In the years since Vasiliy Papirnik became senior pastor of Seattle Bethany Church, we have flourished.
Vasiliy Papirnik was the overwhelming favorite to become the next senior pastor of Seattle Bethany Church. His education at the Kiev Theological Seminary, coupled with his 3 years of experience as a deacon in Philadelphia Church of Kiev, made him an ideal candidate. Beyond that, Vasiliy served as a youth pastor for 13 years at Tacoma’s Life Christian Church. He also showed his love towards people via missionary trips across the world. He has travelled to Ukraine, Russia, Mexico, India and Kyrgyzstan, to share the hope of life with people still unfamiliar with it.
In the years since Vasiliy Papirnik became senior pastor of Seattle Bethany Church, we have flourished.
Since that first inaugural service in 1993 until this day, members of our church are comprised mostly of immigrants from the former USSR countries. Along with Russian and Ukrainian, we have also incorporated the English language into our services. Worshiping together, young, and old, Russian, Ukrainian, and English, with a sole purpose.