Alexey was born and raised in the family of an Evangelical Christian Baptist (ECB) church minister in the city of Shakhty in the Rostov region (Russia). He came to the Lord at 13 years of age and began to study preaching while still a youth.

He was involved in both the music and youth ministry. In 1991, Alexey was ordained to evangelic ministry at a new church planted in the city of Novorossiysk (Russia).

Since 2002 he has been carrying the ministry of pastor-teacher at Word of Grace Bible Church in Battle Ground, Washington (USA). Alexey is also the head of Word of Grace Ministries, which aims to train leaders and spread biblical preaching on audio cassettes, CDs, DVDs, radio, television, as well as the internet (www.slovo.org and www.islovo.org). He holds a Bachelors degree (B.A.) from Southeastern Bible College, Birmingham, Al, as well as two Master degrees (M. Div. and Th. M.) from The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, CA.

Sergey Yelchaninov was born and raised in a large Christian family. Sergey’s father was a pastor in an Evangelical Christian Baptist (ECB) church in the city of Mikhailovka (Russia). At 15 years of age, Sergey came to the Lord and after being baptized at 16 years of age he developed zeal to serve the Lord. He became involved in the kids ministry. When he was 19, Sergey moved to the city of Shakhty (Russia) where he continued to serve in the kids and youth ministry.

In 1992 Sergey was called to minister as a pastor in Portland, Oregon (USA). In 1996 he was ordained to ministry and in 1995 he became involved in the general development of Word of Grace Bible Church in Battle Ground, Washington (USA).

Benjamin Portanskiy was born and raised in a Christian family in the city of Fergana (Uzbekistan). He turned to Christ and was baptized in 1976 at the age of 15 years and was involved in the youth ministry. He immigrated to the USA in 1991.

In 1997 he was chosen to be the secretary of the Elder’s Board of Word of Grace Bible Church in Vancouver, Washington (USA). Presently he ministers as a pastor-counselor and is a collaborator of Word of Grace Ministries.

Joey Zherebnenko was born and raised in a Christian family in the San Fransisco Bay Area, CA. His father was a choir director and encouraged Joey to sing and be involved in music in the church. In the summer of 2004, Joey's family moved to Battle Ground, WA and soon after began attending Word of Grace Bible Church, where he came to Christ and was baptized in 2007.

After becoming a member, began serving in the music ministry in the worship team and choir. Finishing high school, he began pursuing a career in music education and in 2012, graduated with his bachelor’s degree in music (Concordia University, Portland) and the same summer married his wife Tanya. In 2015, Joey continued his music education and completed the masters program in choral conducting at Portland State University in 2017. 

Alex was born in Yalta, Crimea into a family of 17 children. As the second oldest, he had to carry a lot of responsibilities which he enjoyed immensely. Alex became a Christian at 17 and moved to North America the following year.

Alex serves as the director of Next Generation Ministries and also a group leader for one of the home groups. Alex loves the church and is grateful for the opportunities afforded to him at Word of Grace to do this. He is blessed to be a husband to Angelina and a father to three children, Izabella, Isaac, and Victoria.

Vasiliy Tkachev was born in Murmansk, Russia in 1986. At the age of 12, his family moved to the United States and shortly after the Lord saved Him and he was baptized. Vasiliy served the church in many forms during the years, including being a Sunday school teacher, and accompanist for a choir. In WGBC he has led Middle school ministry, High school ministry, Grace kids and is now helping oversee the English ministry. He is currently studying at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Yanna are raising four children.

Roman was born in the city of Ismail (Ukraine) in 1983. When he was 11, his family moved far north to Noviy Urengoy (Russia), where his father ministered as a pastor. In 2001, along with his parents, he immigrated to the United States to the city of Sacramento, California. It was here that he came to faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized. Following this, Roman became an active part in the life of Bible Baptist Church, where for more than 10 years he served as a preacher, youth leader, and participated in the organization of children’s and youth camps. Soon after this, God gave him one of the most precious gifts: his wife Irina. They were married in 2007. In 2015, Roman and his family moved to Word of Grace Bible Church, where for the last several years he served as one of our home group leaders. Roman works in the IT sphere. He and his wife Irina are raising four children.